| If you are a new investor wanting to make money , | | | | bucks, but most of them go as losers. If your stock |
| and you are struggling with questions like- How | | | | broker knew how to make quick money as in |
| should I begin investing in stocks?- what are the | | | | day-trading as a retail investor, he or she would have |
| things to keep in mind before I invest in a stock? - | | | | been doing it herself. He is doing what assures him |
| What kind of research is required to invest in stocks? | | | | good money i.e. advising you to do day trading. |
| - Which stocks should I invest in? How can I make | | | | Options and futures- derivatives- are also like |
| money in stocks without taking risk?- then you will | | | | gambling. Stay away from them. |
| be happy to note that you are not alone in facing | | | | And finally, let's discuss short-term Vs long-term |
| these questions. Every investor faces the same | | | | investments. If you are investing for a short term, |
| questions. And there is no one particular answer to | | | | essentially you are gambling again. We will try to |
| these questions. You need to figure out your | | | | understand this with the help of an example. If you |
| answers yourself. However, there are a few things | | | | have invested in a stock and you believe its real |
| that you should keep in mind if you want to start as | | | | value is much higher than its current price and you will |
| a retail investor. | | | | make money later when the market realizes the true |
| One most important thing you need to do is research | | | | value of the stock. However, as happens, the price |
| on stocks. If you don't want to do research, then | | | | of a stock is also dependent on the liquidity situation |
| you should not be in the stock market as a retail | | | | and market sentiments. Suppose the sentiments turn |
| investor. In that case, you should invest in mutual | | | | negative and the stock market tanks. Most likely, |
| funds that have professional management | | | | your stock will also tank along with the market. If |
| researching stocks and investing in them on your | | | | you are a short-term investor, you will have to get |
| behalf. Of course, they will charge their money, but | | | | out of the stock after some time. If the market |
| they should ideally give you more return than your | | | | doesn't turn around by then, you will have lost |
| stocks that you bought without doing any research. | | | | money on your investment. However, if you are a |
| How you can identify a good mutual fund is a matter | | | | long-term investor, you will hold on to your stock. |
| of another discussion in itself. However, suffice to | | | | The market will recover one day and you will be able |
| say that even that will require you to do some | | | | to sell your stock at a price, which is higher than the |
| research, though once you have identified a good | | | | price you bought it for. Therefore, your chances of |
| fund, you will not have to do active research on | | | | making money on stocks are high if you are a |
| stocks again. | | | | long-term investor. If your investment horizon is |
| Second important thing is to understand whether you | | | | short, you should invest your money in other safer |
| should do day trading . Day trading is nothing but | | | | investment avenues like Bank FDs, government |
| gambling, to put it in plain words. Of course, your | | | | securities, etc. |
| stockbroker will be very happy if you indulge in day | | | | This article is just a starting point of a discussion that |
| trading as he or she sure to make money | | | | has many interesting and important issues to cover. |
| irrespective of your loss or profit. I have not seen a | | | | If you are interested in following the discussion, you |
| retail investor who has made money consistently in | | | | can follow this link to my site where I will be posting |
| day trading. Day trading is a gamble that entices | | | | further articles. Click here Basics of Investing in |
| many people in the hope of making a few quick | | | | stocks for beginners. |