I've never bought stock before, and i would just like to get a feel for the practice. Is there a good cheap stock i can play around with. or any good stock investment anyone might know of? anything will help.
218552
You can get a feel for the "game" and not own a share of any stock. Select some stocks you think might be a good buy and set up a portfolio on a spreadsheet. Follow the stocks over a period of time and see how you did. Have a reason why you picked each stock and see if it turns out to be correct.\n\nAlso pick a couple of good index mutual funds from Vanguard, Fidelity, T Rowe Price and see how they do. I'd bet in a year they will be doing better than the total of the stocks you pick yourself.
136376
There are sites such as sharebuilder.com that have very low commissions but they execute your order in a non-timely fashion.  It's a decent way to get started investing.
354800
You don't say how old you are, what kind of resourses you have or your knowledge of finance in general, I.E. do you know how the market works, listed vs over the counter, options, etc.?  Before you invest a dime remember the cardinal rule of investing: the public finds out after the money's been made.  In other words, if a stock is at a high it's not the time to get in.  Also, the corolary: if it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true.  Finaly, don't invest money that you can't afford to lose, especially if you're speculating (which it sounds like you are).  Go to Morningstar.com and sign up.  It will be the best money you spend for ideas, research and analysis.  Read the Wall Street Journal and look for companies with a future.  You might want to put money in an index such as the S&P 500 especially if you think the market will keep going up (and it won't - it will correct).  Bottom line is that there is no easy answer to your question.  \n\nAvoid the following:\n\nemails with stock tips\nfax messages with stock tips\nany stock selling for under $5.00 a share (unless you're willing to lose all you invest in it\npenny stock\noptions\ncommodities\nfriends who say they "know a guy who knows a guy who said..."\n\nDo the following:\n\nUse a reputable broker either bricks and mortar (Merrill Lynch, Lehman Bros, etc, or a reputable on line broker like E*Trade, Scwabb, etc.\nPut half your money in a good mutual funds of either high or mid-cap companies - you'll have gains while you experiment\nPick a point at which you want to get out on the up side (on Wall Street the pigs get slaughtered) and stick to it\nIf a stock is falling, pick a point at which you want to cut your loss.  If it;s a good company you can always buy in at what you think the low is.\n\nGood luck.  If you find the secret let me know.  I stick to known companies with solid balance sheets and a track record.  Even so I've lost (Worldcom, GM and a few others).
572115
I have found the best way of saving.  I was able to put away approximately $8000 in 18 months.  Look for www.sharebuilder.com.  Its an investment site.  You can purchase stock for $4.00, no matter how much stock you buy.  Do some research.  I chose companies based on the products i use in my daily life.  I found it be fun to save and also enjoyed shopping for new stocks.  The dividends usually pay better than any savings account, so give it a try.  It worked for me.
434528
I've been with Scottrade for about ten years now... and I believe they are the best discount brokerage available.  You'll pay just $7 a trade.  You'll have resources to explore.  You can even get advice from one of their brokers, which will result in a small fee.  Bottom line: Take it from a retired stock broker... if I could invest at a better company, I'd do it!
387286
I would suggest practicing your investing skills at http://www.top10traders.com  This is a totally FREE site. You can create your own portfolio of stocks with $100,000 in 'play' money, and then watch how your stocks compare against other traders. \n\n The site lists out which investors are doing the best and what stocks they have bought. Just click on the portfolio of the best investors and you can see the stocks they like.  \n\nGood luck !
101576
DONT buy penny stock for fucks sake\n\ninvest in mainstream shares with good invetsment analysis\n\nyou should ask yourself ....why are such companies valued so low?? its cos \n\n1  they are poor performers\n2 the invetsment community dont see any upturn ...if they did then they would pile in and the share price would increase ....supply and demand!\n\nif you have money to invest and you put it in penny shares then u might as well put allof it on a horse race!
492552
Congratulations on getting started. It’ll help you more than you know! \n\nYour first dollars should be spent on getting educated on investing. You don't have to train to trade them professionally, but we are talking about your future here. So the more you learn, the more it'll help you! So let's start there.\n\nYou ask a very broad question, so be prepared for a pretty long answer. Just take it in chunks!\n\n\nHow to invest depends on what you already know. We'll assume that you're beginning since you say you're new to this!\n\nA good primer is How to Make Money in Stocks by William O'Neil. You can get it cheap just about anywhere. It’s widely available new or used.\n\nAnother good one is one of Jim Cramer's books like Real Money (he’s got a few). \n\nBut books will only get you so far. At some point, you'll also want to get at least a little training. There are some great education companies if you want to make the investment. Investools.com or optionetics.com are both very good companies as is tmitchell.com\n\nFor free, you can start by visiting thestreet.com and investopedia.com. That'll get you a pretty good primer so at least you'll understand what the markets are and what a stock is, etc. \n\nIf you get a chance, watch Mad Money on CNBC. Don't trade any of his picks until you track many of them over time. Just use the show to get you to understand some basics and get a feel for the market itself.\n\nNext, subscribe to something like Investorsbusiness daily or something like that that can help you identify good stocks.\n\nOnce you understand stocks, go to 888options.com. It's a website that'll help you understand options (what they do, how they work, etc). You don't need to trade them, but the more you know, the more you'll see how options can really be the safest way to invest (once you're educated).\n\nFor discipline (which is crucial to successful trading), probably Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas or Mastering the Trade by John Carter\n\nI know that’s a LOT to absorb. Just take it one step at a time for now. Start with a book or two to give you an idea of where to begin. Take your time, and let it seep in. \n\nAs you get up to speed, you should papertrade to practice (highly recommended). This should help reduce your losses in the beginning as you get used to buying/selling.\n\nYou can practice for free on almost any reputable broker site (optionsxpress, scottrade, thinkorswim, etc). And yes, you can definitely deal easily online.\n\nStart slow, then as you figure things out, you can buy more shares.\n\nCongrats again on getting started. If you have any questions, please let me know. \n\nHope this helps!
82666
It is not wise to invest all your portfolio in just one stock.\n\nI can advise you.
508315
I think you should look at what the best traders are buying and selling.  The stocks that they are selling short (long=false) would be what I consider "bad" stocks.  You can find this info at http://www.top10traders.com - this is a free site that lets you create a portfolio of stocks with $100,000 in "play" money.  Each day the site ranks the best performing portfolios, so you can see how your picks perform compared to other investors.  You can also read posts on investing from the best traders, as well as share your own investing ideas.\n\nHere are this month's best traders:\n\nhttp://www.top10traders.com/Top10Standings.aspx \n\nGood luck!
518517
I have no idea why anyone would want to buy stock so they can take a loss.  Would you like to explain that to me?  \n\nThere are no tax consequences for letting worthless options expire.
119229
Nice review on this site\n\nhttp://explodingstocks.com/blog/?p=68
72048
Try this company called CTLM. They are expected to go up big next week, and at the very least, they won't lose money.\nAnother stock I really like is TRFX--they are a stable company and bounce around 5 and 5.50, so see if you can get them at five and then hope they end your 5 weeks near 5.50\nOne word of advise--buy things that aren't 10,000 dollars a share and all that because with only 30k you can't get very many shares of big companies. Try to stick with stuff under 40 bucks a share.\nNow if you wanna' be really safe and not make or lose money, then listen to the other peeps suggestions like hotels, nike, etc. \nIf you wanna win on the other hand, try goin with stuff that is unexpected. Every dork in your class is gonna take Wal*Mart, adidas, etc.  So try something new and origional!
320167
Blimey...there is certainly more to you that meets the eye isn't there Mr Raidehz??!! Am completely ignorant on all things business/stock etc...so have to compliment you as I'm sure its all pukka..what you says sounds completely confident and from someone who really knows his stuff...\nSo - a question for you: If I had @ £10,000 to invest, what is the best thing for me to invest it in right now to virtually guarantee good payback within a relatively short timespan......?
532429
Fool.com is indeed a good site as one of your responders mentioned.  I second that.  I have two on line brokerage accounts. One at TD Ameritrade and one at Fidelity.  Fidelity is more expensive but their research offerings run circles around TD Ameritrade.  There are even less expensive on line brokers.  Scottrade is one.  There are also other on line brokers that I am sure are very good.  Etrade comes to mind.  Go to your book store or library and get the book, "Investing for Dummies" It is a good introductory book on investing.   You really need to learn a little more about investing before you begin.
442940
deep discount brokerage...like scottrade, e-trade....\n\nyou don't want commissions eating up much of your $500\n\nstart with something relatively safe...\nI would recommend a high dividend paying stock....so that you are getting something while you save up for your next investment\n\nwhat to try???\nUSA, ASG, IAF, GIM \nCNE, PGH, PDS, ENT, BTE\n\nThese are relatively inexpensive and pay a nice dividend....\n\ngood hunting
131302
I'm usually a great advocate of buying stocks, but you shouldn't be buying stocks right now because they are too risky, considering you need all your money right now to support yourself.  You would be trying to gamble your way out of a bad situation.