Most people like
the idea of investing some of their money in the stock market, but the question
becomes how best to go about doing this. There are actually many ways you can
invest your money in stocks, and the following is a discussion of the different
methods that people use to do this, both the advantages and disadvantages.
Invest the money yourself
Basically, you decide which stocks you want to buy and when you want to sell them. Naturally, you are responsible for your gains and losses, but at the same time, you have the freedom to do what you want with your money, and have 100 percent influence on your stock market investments. This type of investor uses discount brokers for their trades, to keep the expense of buying and selling stocks to the bare minimum. The downside to this method of stock investing is that it takes time to do the necessary research to find the stocks that are good buys, and also the research to know when to sell a stock.
Use a traditional stock broker
This type of broker charges more for commissions than discount brokers, but they provide recommendations for stock purchases. They do much of the research for you, but you are still the one that makes the final decision on when to buy or sell. The broker is only providing recommendations. For those who do not have the time to do their own research, this is often the best way to invest in stocks. However, you need to spend time researching various brokers to find one that will perform for you, as well as one that you feel comfortable with.
Buy index funds
This is a simple way to invest in the stock market. Basically, you are buying a mutual fund that consists of stocks that represent an index. For example, the most popular index is the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When you buy a share in a mutual fund that is indexed to the Dow Jones, your fund will rise or fall depending upon the rise and fall of the Dow. Index fund managers are simply buying the stocks in the Dow Jones, without any research involved. There are other index funds. Another example is the Standard & Poor's 500.
Let someone do it for you
Many people, especially those with a lot of money to invest in the markets, simply use a private equity investment firm. Depending upon the size of the firm, one or more managers invest your money along with other clients. The money is pooled, and fees are charged for the service based upon performance and other factors. There are many equity firms available to manage your money. Some are of a general nature while others invest in specific areas of the market. Vista Equity, for example, is an equity firm co-founded by Brian Sheth, and they focus on technology. Sheth is personally involved in the managing of the firm's portfolio.
Keep in mind that there is no best way to invest in the stock market. What is best for you will depend upon many factors: how much time you want to devote to research, what area of the stock market you want to invest in and how much skill you have with investing. Whatever your situation is, you are never committed in the long term to any single method, and you may want to choose to divide your money up using two methods.
Invest the money yourself
Basically, you decide which stocks you want to buy and when you want to sell them. Naturally, you are responsible for your gains and losses, but at the same time, you have the freedom to do what you want with your money, and have 100 percent influence on your stock market investments. This type of investor uses discount brokers for their trades, to keep the expense of buying and selling stocks to the bare minimum. The downside to this method of stock investing is that it takes time to do the necessary research to find the stocks that are good buys, and also the research to know when to sell a stock.
Use a traditional stock broker
This type of broker charges more for commissions than discount brokers, but they provide recommendations for stock purchases. They do much of the research for you, but you are still the one that makes the final decision on when to buy or sell. The broker is only providing recommendations. For those who do not have the time to do their own research, this is often the best way to invest in stocks. However, you need to spend time researching various brokers to find one that will perform for you, as well as one that you feel comfortable with.
Buy index funds
This is a simple way to invest in the stock market. Basically, you are buying a mutual fund that consists of stocks that represent an index. For example, the most popular index is the Dow Jones Industrial Average. When you buy a share in a mutual fund that is indexed to the Dow Jones, your fund will rise or fall depending upon the rise and fall of the Dow. Index fund managers are simply buying the stocks in the Dow Jones, without any research involved. There are other index funds. Another example is the Standard & Poor's 500.
Let someone do it for you
Many people, especially those with a lot of money to invest in the markets, simply use a private equity investment firm. Depending upon the size of the firm, one or more managers invest your money along with other clients. The money is pooled, and fees are charged for the service based upon performance and other factors. There are many equity firms available to manage your money. Some are of a general nature while others invest in specific areas of the market. Vista Equity, for example, is an equity firm co-founded by Brian Sheth, and they focus on technology. Sheth is personally involved in the managing of the firm's portfolio.
Keep in mind that there is no best way to invest in the stock market. What is best for you will depend upon many factors: how much time you want to devote to research, what area of the stock market you want to invest in and how much skill you have with investing. Whatever your situation is, you are never committed in the long term to any single method, and you may want to choose to divide your money up using two methods.