Want to Learn About Investing?

It is easier than you think. Investing information permeates the airwaves of television and the internet.

Back in 1984 when I started learning about the financial markets Louis Rukeyser's "Wall Street Week" was a staple of information. His never-ending wit, optimism, and the timely advice given on the show were invaluable. Television coverage of the Stock Market was just beginning. Print was still the best way to learn about it. The internet was not even words yet, let alone video. "Consuelo Mack's Wealthtrack" is a great source on TV and online with a format similar to "Wall Street Week." They have timely guest interviews and book lists.

A great book I started out with was "How to Buy Stocks" by Louis Engel and Brendan Boyd. It describes in detail how the Stock Market works. It includes most of the classic asset categories. It will give you a comprehensive overview of how the financial markets operate. I find it best to browse the business section in my local book store and read a bit of a book before I buy it. I want to see what level the author is at and if it is informative and entertaining. After awhile your interest will become more focused and not every book on the shelf will wet your appetite. There is also Amazon online or your public library. The library has lots of investing publications for free.

Now with the click of a mouse you can investigate any investing topic to infinity. Where does one start with all of that information? It doesn't really matter. Just start at the beginning. Go with what you know and like. CNBC and Bloomberg online and on TV are full of interviews with people in the know on Wall Street, listen and learn. After awhile you will find regular commentators and programs that fit your style. Once you find a Guru you like find out what he bases his decisions on. The legendary Investor Warren Buffet is a Value Investor and relies on "The Value Line Investment Survey" to get a quick feel for hundreds of companies. Yahoo Finance is a wonderful tool for the novice investor. Barrons is great for more in depth articles and interviews.

The levels of investment information vary widely. You just have to look and learn. There are no signs that say read this first or wait till later to do that. Sophisticated investing techniques sit on the book shelf right next to a book that goes into minute detail about what a common stock is. There is technical investing and fundamental investing. Both have their merits but it depends on what your want from investing as to which one you pick. Shorter term traders like the charting of technical analysis while longer term investors want to know if the fundamentals of a company are sound for the long haul.

As you dive deeper into it, your individual investing style will emerge. That will lead you to the books and web addresses that will fill your need. Some great tools are provided with online brokerage companies like E*Trade. A fantastic charting program is provided by Worden Brothers called TeleChart, at Worden.com. You can sort for fundamental and technical data simultaneously. They offer 20 minute delayed or real time quotes on more than 7000 stocks.

There are thousands of articles available under the keyword investing on Associated Content.

Wherever you look, go with what interests you. There are many styles of investing and trading. You can't force anyone's style into your buying and selling and expect to make money. You have to be comfortable with all aspects of a particular investing process to excel.