Stock Market Games: Top Five Things You Need To Know

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Top 5 Things You Need To Know About The Stock Market

For new investors, the stock market can seem confusing or scary. Knowing where and when to invest your money in the stock market can seem overwhelming. These five tips can help you feel more at ease when investing your money in the stock market:

1. More Than Dow Jones

The American stock market is more than just the Dow or any other exchange that’s only comprised of a few select stocks. NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange are also common, other smaller exchanges exist in the United States. Similarly, international markets provide more investing options than you may have realized existed. In fact, some of those markets may provide a better return than the one here at home.

2. Many Types of Investments

Individual stocks aren’t the only option you have when it comes to investing. In fact, much of the American market consists of mutual funds. If you look aside from the stock market, you’ll also find bonds and retirement accounts, which can lead to a profit over time. However, stocks tend to offer the best chance at a return than those types of investments. Perhaps this is why 50% of American households invest in stocks.

3. Think About The Big Picture

The stock market is all about your return in the long-run. In the short term, stocks will fluctuate, and this has a lot to do with speculation and attitudes about stocks. In the long run, those fluctuations might be mere blips on the radar. They don’t necessarily matter if the company is increasing in value and performing well in general. Furthermore, your one stock doesn’t paint a picture about the entire market.

Companies do well even when the economy is struggling. Indeed, some businesses only do well when others aren’t. Just keep the big picture in mind, and don’t let the small ups and downs affect you too much.

4. Variation Is Key

What you’ll see in any strong portfolio is variation. Investors who have stocks in different industries have strength. While one industry may weaken for a while, you’ll have something to fall back on. The “Plan B” approach is important in all aspects of finances. Similarly, investing in some global markets can help to offset the loss if one country’s economy isn’t doing so well.

5. Risk Isn’t Everything

People who invest often worry about losing all their money. However, you don’t have to make risky investments for them to pay off. Using a stock market newsletter or online investment recommendations will help you know your risk rewards. Stocks that perform consistently can work for you if you’re patient. Hold on to strong stocks rather than jumping the gun and trading stocks as soon as the market opens.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She writes about finance, business, and home and family. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading a good book.

9 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing this – investing in the stock market is totally overwhelming to me! I have no idea where to start.

  2. I really need to devote time to learn about the stock market.

  3. The stock market both fascinates and scares me! There’s just so much to know.

  4. The stock market is one of those things I’ve never really taken the time to understand.

  5. I don’t know much when it comes to the stock market. It would be interesting to have some money to invest in such ventures though.

  6. Thanks for sharing this. I am not too knowledgable about the stock market so these are great tips.

  7. I have earned stock at different companies that I worked for & it amazes me how much they are worth at different times. Because of the economy, I have seen the value of my stock go down. I’m kicking myself for not selling them earlier so I could get a healthier profit! The fee I have to pay the stockbroker for selling them is also a factor here.

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