who sit next to the computer all day and trade stocks. When the stock is going down they buy it and when its going up they sell it. I was wondering if that is true that you can do all the trading on your computer without leaving home or asking some one elsse to do it. And if it is true, then is it available to everyone, or you have to be a broker. And if you don't have to be a broker, then how does it work?
2006-08-02 06:30:46 · 16 answers · asked by Arthur 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Investing
I've heard of "forex". Although I know people are doing it, usually it's people who have extra money to spend. An individual can do this, but you have to invest and sell thru a broker and that will cost you money. The people I know who do it come out even at the end of the day and are just playing around to learn and get better at it. My thought on this are two things, as a rule of thumb you: buy low and sell high, and you buy a stock and keep it for many years. I've heard those are what works for the rich.
I know that from time to time the stock market crashes and many people lose their shirt. My family always said to not invest unless you have that money to lose. So I assume that "luck" too plays a part in investing. You have to have the time to do it too, stay on top of it, and have a good broker. I'm told that a mediocre broker can lose you money by not investing quickly enough to get you a good deal.
2006-08-02 06:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by sophieb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No you don't have to be a broker, but it's a high risk way to invest. A better way for most people is to buy stocks in an established company that you think will continue to grow, and hang on to it through the ups and downs, even for years. It may go way up in the long run.
Most people hand their money over to a broker and follow their advice, but you can open a self directed brokerage account instead. I have one through my bank and I can do everything from the computer.
2006-08-02 06:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stock market is a lot more complicated than that. For example. K-mart filed for bankruptcy and the stock crashed to 8 cents a share. I bought $1000.00 worth. I had to wait and spend a little bit more to hold onto the stock until they came out from under bankruptcy. A few weeks later I sold the stock at $36 a share. Sounds easy? I still have useless Enron stock, that hurt!
2006-08-02 06:37:27 · answer #3 · answered by raiderking69 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's known as Day Trading and was a huge occurence during the late 90s net craze. They did this through ultra-discount online brokerages which basically handled the transactions and nothing else.
It's a ultra-risky activity that commonly leads to one losing money not to mention if not handled well can lead to stress and other problems. If you want to do it on the side fine but do not expect to suddenly get rich quick as it would be having the same idea that you'd strike it rich in Vegas.
2006-08-02 06:36:54 · answer #4 · answered by tryoutcle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called "day trading", and you need a special account with a brokerage house. But you can do it from home. People don't make a lot of money on this because of brokerage fees and trading fees (and taxes!), but a few lucky people have done well because of chance, so the myth persists that this is a good way to make money. It's mostly a scam.
2006-08-02 06:39:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
These people are called day traders. Check out some articles from the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and day trader organizations.
Day trading is very risky and usually requires that you already have a good amount of money in order to buy the stocks you will trade.
http://www.sec.gov/answers/daytrading.htm
http://www.tradejuice.com/
2006-08-02 06:37:03 · answer #6 · answered by Novice restauranteur 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can trade stocks online for your own account by opening up a brokerage account with a brokerage firm such a etrade, jp morgan, charles schwab, or others. This has been around for over a decade.
The strategy of buying losers & selling winners is called a contrarian strategy.
2006-08-02 06:39:03 · answer #7 · answered by Homer J. Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's called "Day Trading" . Very few day traders make any money at it. Trying to time the market, especially the small fluctuations throughout the day, is impossible to do successfully for any length of time. Trading costs usually eat up any profits.
2006-08-02 08:02:46 · answer #8 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
E*Trade and some other companies allow you to be your own broker but they charge per the number of transactions, I believe.
2006-08-02 06:36:19 · answer #9 · answered by Molly M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if you are referring to market specialists. They buy and trade for themselves, but also to keep the market from taking a dive like before. They buy and sell to protect the market, even if they are losing money. There's a trading platform called SuperDot, just for them.
2006-08-02 06:38:37 · answer #10 · answered by mommy_mommy_crappypants 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋