Stocks can seem as confusing as differential calculus.
If you have money to invest, but you’re not learning how and where to do so, then you’re probably wasting valuable resources that could help you grow your nest egg or save for your children’s future. And you don’t want to do that.
This piece is merely a starting point, and should in no way be used as your sole stock-investing advice. Take what you learn here, then determine if stocks would be a good option for you.
The Basics of Stocks
1. Stocks represent companies. So technically, you’re not buying the piece of paper; you’re buying a slice of the company. You want to buy companies that boast solid foundations or solid promises of future earnings.
2. That said, if the company you’re buying stocks in isn’t turning a profit, you’re not really buying stocks — you’re speculating.
3. Ideally, you’ll want companies that are turning strong profits.
4. Never use stocks as 100% of your assets. Being diversified means investing in many places. If your company bottoms out, you don’t want to go with it.
5. If the market is what they call a “severe bear market,” you may want to look at other places to invest.
6. Stock prices are based on the company’s profits and environment. (This includes the size and quality of the customer base, its industry, the economy, and the political environment.)
7. Don’t always follow your adviser’s advice, especially over your own common sense. What he or she does is up to you, so don’t be swayed by jargon. Make sure they explain the ins and outs of what they think you should do in your own terms.
8. Always know why you’re investing in a particular company or stock. If you can’t clearly define that information, walk away.
9. Monitor your stocks, even if you plan to buy and hold for the long term. You’ll want to dump them if they’re not appreciating, or if the economy hits rock bottom (again).
Essential Terms & Facts
Earnings – This is the money earned by the company you’re considering investing in. You should look for a minimum of a 10% increase from the year before.
Sales – How were the sales this year? You should also look for an increase from the previous year.
Equity – This the amount of money a company holds, via stockholder investments and yearly earnings. This is also a value you want to make sure is higher than the year before.
Debt – You want to make sure this figure is lower than the assets, and lower than the previous year.
Important Considerations for Investors
Debt-to-Asset Ratio – This should be half or less of assets.
Earnings Growth – Check to see how long the company has maintained a 10% yearly growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (PSR) – Ideally, this number should be as close to one as possible.
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) – For all stocks, this shouldn’t exceed 40, but for large cap stocks, the ratio should be closer to 20.
Return on Equity (ROE) – Again, you’re looking for a steady increase each year of 10%.
Non-Negotiable Investment Reading
- The company’s annual report
- The 10K and 10Q reports on file with the SEC
Supplement these with online reading from:
- The Wall Street Journal
- Bloomberg
- Forbes
- MarketWatch
- NASDAQ
- The US Securities and Exchange Commission
In Case You’re Still Concerned
Invest in profitable companies that sell goods and services that people will continually need, and step away from companies that sell goods and services people want.
Diversify your portfolio by investing in exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, and tangible assets like real estate and gold, and you’ll be better off in the long run.
Educate yourself. Staying on top of what you’ve invested will help ease your fear. Learn about the tools you have at your disposal, and use them (like stop-loss orders and put options).
The basics are only the beginning. If you haven’t already started, do some research to see how you can use stocks to diversify your portfolio and increase your worth. Good luck!
What other basic stock-investing tips would you like to share?
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Great intro into stocks. One thing I might change is the bear market comment. If the market is in a bear market it might be a great time to look for cheap stocks on sale with great companies behind them.
Levi, I agree with your comment. I had to read that line twice, to make sure I read it correctly. Bear markets are the best time to buy.
Yes – a bear market may be a great time to buy – everything is on sale! Try to understand what is behind, the cause of the bear market. Buy companies making money. Invest for the long term and keep your goal in mind. Definitely reevaluate your portfolio often to make sure you weed out the ones that don’t align with your standards. Don’t speculate but develop an understanding of the company, their product and what their plans are for the business.
The very best investment anyone might make is in themselves. How many millions of Americans have lost everything by trusting some of the largest corporations in the world with their money, only to learn that bad management, and even fraud prevail at these hallowed institutions. Start a side business, follow all the rules, and earn your own financial windfalls, One caveat: the only way to fully benefit from these entitlements is to make a profit. The IRS will disallow most deductions in a losing endeavor.
Do not read too much what the experts think. They tend to be wrong and they have already sold or bought before they write about any company. Think long term and try to find a stable and secure company, as they usually pay off in the long run.
Thanks for the information, I am considering buying stocks for the first time in near future….