How to Make Money in Online Stock Trading

If you ask any financial expert about stocks, chances are that they will give positive feedback towards investing in stocks and making lots of money long-term.

If you compare the economic times we are living in, where banks no longer give any substantial returns, you will tend to be coerced to invest in stocks and especially if you are looking forward to long-term wealth.

The question then arises, how can someone make money in online stock trading? 

There are three major ways in which we will study in this article, and they will be an eye opener in knowing which companies to invest in as well as their values.

1. Know How to Start the Online Stock Trading Business

 To be an expert in stock trading, you must have a starting point. And this is done by;

• Researching the Trending Analysis– Every day, you will get a lot of information from reputable sources to learn about stock trading. This range from magazines such as Investor’s Business Daily, The Economist, Trades Works, or the Bloomberg BusinessWeek. You can subscribe to any of these magazines, and get daily updates about stocks.
• Choose a Trading Website to Carry Out your Transactions- This is paramount. Remember, there are scam companies out there, but if you choose the right path, your stock trading journey will be beneficial.

 Some top-rated ones to consider include TD Ameritrade, Scottrade, OptionsHouse, and TradeKing. Get to understand their transactional charges and ensure that the site is reputable. This can be obtained from the reviews of the business online.

Besides, sign up with companies that have extra options to carry out trading, such as mobile phone apps, 24/7 customer support, easy-to-read data, and also low transaction fees.

• Open an account- You can choose to open two accounts, but of course, depending on your budget. Start small as you learn how to trade. For instance, $1,000, and keep increasing depending on how you start making money. It is important to invest in mid-cap (Companies with capital between $2 billion to $10 billion) to large-cap companies (companies with over $10 billion capital base).

• Learn Before Investing in Real Money– Stock trading can be tricky, especially for beginners. Reputable sites such as SureTrader or ScottradeEllite avirtual trading platforms for learning. Avoid losing money because of a lack of knowledge.
• Go for Reliable Stocks- Since many stocks are available, choosing the one that dominates a niche can be a starting point for building long-term wealth. For instance, ensure that the stock is a well known brand with past successes in the trading industry.

Ensure that the company’s financial reports have been profitable over the last years. Look at the company’s operating costs and leadership, and ensure there is a possibility of longevity in the industry too.

Additionally, carry out the competitive trends with other companies to see its performance and confirm its earnings are consistent. 

• Buy the Initial Stock- Once you have the knowledge, it’s time to plunge in and start working. Always begin trading with low amounts until you understand the business fully.
• Continuous Monitoring of the Markets– If you want to make lots of money, remember to buy low and sell high. This can only be achieved through continuous monitoring. 
• Invest in Mutual Funds- Since professional fund managers manage mutual funds, you could consider investing in them and diversify your portfolio in reputable sectors, including foreign companies, retail, energy, or technology sectors.

2. Understanding the Trading Basics-Understanding the trading basins is the lifeline towards making real money. These basics include;

• Buy Low– When the stock prices are low, this is the best time to buy them. Since it’s hard to understand when the prices will go low, check the company’s previous earnings and evaluate when there was high volatility. This will guide you in knowing when to buy.
• Sell High– The reverse works for stocks. If you sell stocks at a higher price than you bought them, then you make money. When the stocks are at their peak, compared to history, this is the best time to sell them off.
• Be Composed When Selling– Sometimes, investors panic if the prices go down. Do not panic and decide to sell off the stocks when the price is lower than what you bought. You will only make losses. Anticipate the future hike of prices because selling at a loss is not recommended.
• Understand the Fundamental and Technical Market Analysis Trends– These are the main components that give an idea of when the price changes will take effect.

In fundamental Analysis, the investor gets to understand the basics of the company, its character, reputation, and leadership. This enables one to know the actual value of the company and the value of its stocks in the long run.

Technical Analysis, on the other hand, will encourage the investors to buy and sell stocks and the extent to which they can make profits. Having a deep understanding of these will give room to making informed decisions.

• Invest in companies that Pay Dividends– Dividends refer to profits that companies make, and are paid to the shareholders every quarter. Investing in such companies can assure you of getting some profits whether the price appreciates or not. But this entirely depends on the investor’s goals.

3. Grow Your Stock Portfolio– Growing your portfolio has several diversified ways. These include;

• Stock Diversification– This refers to putting your money in different stocks. For instance, you can consider investing in start-up companies once you have built a strong base in the bigger companies.

You can also consider investing in S&P 500 companies which is safer than investing in individual stocks.

• Stock Re-investing- By now, you will have made some money from your initial capital to make more of it, re-invest the capital plus additional profits if you want to be successful in stock investment. But remember, consider putting some in a retirement fund as savings as you invest.
• Participate in Initial Public Offering (IPO)- When a company issues its first stock, it is well-known as an IPO. In most cases, IPOs sell at very low prices to attract investors. Investing in them for a high profit at a future date is worthwhile.
• Understand the Risks Involved in Stock Investing– In every business, you should take charge and calculate its risks. You can reduce your risks by hedging against losses when investing in stocks.

 Besides, playing it safe with established stocks can also aid in getting high returns.

• Remain Alert when it Comes to the Downside of Day Trading- because brokerage firms keep watch and charge for every transaction, it’s important to know that if you make more than a specified amount per week, you will be forced by the Security Exchange Commission to open an Institutional Account.

Since day trading is known to make people lose a lot of money, it is recommended that you go for long-term investments and avoid such costs.

• Involve a Tax Professional- Every income is taxable. As such, when you start making lots of money in stocks, it’s paramount that you hire a Certified Public accountant to help you calculate. If you have the prerequisite knowledge, you can as well calculate.

Conclusion

Trading in Online Stocks can be equated to gambling. It is not a promising long-term investment. As such, knowing when to get out will save you a lot. For instance, if you feel you’re making rational decisions, get out of the industry or seek help before things get out of hand.

Otherwise, the tried and true key to a successful online stock trade is stock diversification and patience. These two will yield high returns in the long run.