New to stocks and trading - Where to begin?

[mrl]

Hi all,

I just graduated college and hope to start working full time as soon as possible. I have always had an interest in investing in stocks but never had the money to get involved. I'd like to learn a bit more and get a little experience with this.

I really have no direction so any advice would be greatly appreciated.


A few questions I wanted to ask..
- How do I go about getting started?
- Would investing in stocks be ideal for me?
- Any sources that you may suggest for me to look at? (websites, books)

I've spent hours doing research and getting a feel for this. I'm glad to have found this forum. Thank you for your time.

Manny

[dn4911]

Manny I would start by picking up the Jim Cramer books from the library. Don't buy them, a quick read should suffice.

Then start by keeping your own little chart of no more than three stocks in different sectors, and compare those stocks every day to the S& P 500. Pick 3 stocks that interest you from what you observe in your daily life. Companies that you believe will be successful.

Do an in depth analysis of each of these companies and study their most recent quarterly report and annual report.

As in many areas of life, half the battle is to understand the lingo. Once you start to learn the terms you will feel more secure.

Hang out here and read what people are saying. Especially the analysis. Try to focus on the rational rather than the emotional. THere is a huge difference between day trading for quick profits and long term investing. But to be successful both require an in depth appreciation for the fundamental values of the underlying security.

If you study this way I think it is worthwhile.


Good luck and have fun!

[MontrealStocks]

Read investopedia articles to get the feel of it. Use dn's advice afterwards, then I suggest you read Ben Graham's the Intelligent investor. It's by far the best book on stocks and investing I've read, however I've noticed people either understand the concepts quickly or don't at all. For me, his stock picking techniques go hand in hand with both my mentality and my temperament. Every single question I had on stock picking was answered in the book, it's that good and remarkably visionnary.

[Dave]

Beat me to it, I was going to suggest investopedia as well...not for deep learning or anything, but it's a good overview.

mrl, welcome to WallStreetPit!

[franklin]

Originally Posted by mrl

Hi all,

I just graduated college and hope to start working full time as soon as possible. I have always had an interest in investing in stocks but never had the money to get involved. I'd like to learn a bit more and get a little experience with this.

I really have no direction so any advice would be greatly appreciated.


A few questions I wanted to ask..
- How do I go about getting started?
- Would investing in stocks be ideal for me?
- Any sources that you may suggest for me to look at? (websites, books)

I've spent hours doing research and getting a feel for this. I'm glad to have found this forum. Thank you for your time.

Manny

First and foremost you should be having an Idea as to what stocks,funds and shares are and why are they invested upon.If you are still unclear ,take up the help of a CA (Chartered accountant) or a financial adviser.Clear your basics first.Secondly the performance or output of a fund/stock anyone invests in, depends on the psychology of the fund manager.So, given a choice always choose the ones with a good and consistent track record.Always remember investments are made to garner good dividends,so be sure where ever you are investing ,the dividends should come from.Even if the stock you are investing upon provides you slow but secured dividends you should go for it.There are many stocks in the market that provides you with high capital gains ,but then they are extremely risky.So you being an amateur should try avoiding that.Learn the game first and then play it.