Picking the best stocks as a beginner – Here is how

If you ask anyone about making extra money and securing your future, investing will be a part of their answer. Investing can mean different things for different people. You can invest in property, rare metals, or even in small businesses in exchange for equity. But the best and honestly the most fun option is a stock investment.

Investing in stocks or often referred to as trading, is a rewarding and fairly risk-free method of earning some money if done correctly. But how do you do it correctly? How can you find the best US stocks that suit you? The answer is simple, by educating yourself about the world of trading and making informed decisions, and not treating the trading market as a casino. Here are a few tips for getting started in trading:

Pick the type of investment:

Trading isn’t as simple as buying the stock when it’s down and selling it when it goes up. Investment in stocks is different for every person, but there are two main types. You need to figure out which type of investor you want to be before you invest a single penny.

First is the type of investor that focuses on a steady income. The best stocks for these folks are the ones that pay a regular dividend and are overall stable. They aren’t focused on big gains or risking their money for an immediate award.

Second are the folks that are looking for the next big thing, the next Facebook or Tesla of the trading market. They find up-and-coming promising businesses with a great potential for growth. You won’t always find a business that succeeds. But once you do, all your previous losses will be justified.

Keep your eyes open:

Keeping an open eye and being fast is the key to success in trading. The value of a stock can plummet due to one small rumor or rise to the moon based on one hype train. You need to be vigilant in the world of trading and fast on your feet. But don’t be impulsive either. Put thought in every buying or selling decision while being quick about it.

The best advice is to avoid high-risk stocks altogether as a beginner. Once you have enough experience and insight into the market, then you can use your knowledge to predict the future of stocks. But, even then, the best way to earn profits in the grand scheme of things is to stay vigilant and attentive.

Look at the companies:

It is extremely easy to forget that every ticker and graph has an actual company behind it. Only focusing on the surface level graphs and curves can distract you from the real reason behind the downfall or rise of a stock. So, keep an eye on the companies behind the stock. 

If a stock is rising, look for justification. Did the company launch a new, highly anticipated product? Is the management taken over by someone more competent? Did that company get an investment from a larger corporation? Ask these and other similar questions before investing more of your portfolio into a rising stock. If there is no clear reason behind then, this might just be a bubble that can burst at any time, sinking your investment. 

Similarly, if a stock goes down, don’t just panic-sell immediately. Look for a reason. Did a new product fail? Is the company struggling financially? Was that company involved in a scandal of some sort? Not finding a clear answer to these questions means that your investment is most likely safe, and the dip is just a fluke.

Don’t listen to strangers:

While there are a lot of good people in this world, it doesn’t mean that the stranger giving you financial advice on the internet is telling the truth or is even qualified for such advice. Listen to what communities of investors have to say. Look at what they are investing in, and do your own research. Find out whether or not the stock that everyone is rushing to buy is actually worth your hard-earned money. A rise that is fueled purely by internet hype is most likely going to fail.

Bottom line:

Even the best traders in the world lose money from time to time, so don’t let that scare you away. You get better at things with practice, and as long as you keep a diverse portfolio, keep learning, and stay attentive, you will earn a profit.

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Usman Sabir