These Stocks Worthy? Want to invest, can use some guidance and help

I suggest a broad market ETF as well. If you think the market is going up this year, UPRO is a pretty good ETF to own.

Oakmark mutual fund is a good one as well. Their research is extensive and investment philosophy is sound. Expense seems reasonable for this kind of fund. I recommend holding a fund while learning more about investing.

If you don't want to be always watching your stocks, stay out o tech stocks (single stocks, not etf's or muruals.
The best advice if you are starting ou, is to read as much as your can.
Here's a couple:
Beating the street: it's old but, great basics
snowball: te best ever written about Buffett
Graham and dodds book on valuation: very intense but a staple in any school geared for investment graduates.

Also motley fool is a great place to learn more info.

As home values go up nd hiring picks up banking will be a safe place for te next few years. Tey are vein ultra safe and conservative right now and they already have done all the declining you are going to see.

Quote from ihazaname : If you want a simple approach, buy an index such as the DOW(DIA), S&P 500 (SPY), or Nasdaq(QQQ). Buy buying one of these indexes, you are essentially buying a portion of each of the great companies within. This lowers your risk, as you are well diversified. These also pay dividends of 1-2.5%. ...

+1

A lot of actively managed mutual funds can't beat the index, especially when you consider cost. So the average investor probably won't, either. Go with the S&P index and mix in bonds, TIPS, etc to get to your desired risk level.

buy an Index fund

Thanks for the tips everyone. So, it sounds like my idea of buying a handful of companies I like is not the best route, and an index is a safer bet.

When you buy an index, do you buy it share by share? I see the S&P is at roughly $1465+ per share. Are there any minimums when buying indexes? Can I use a standard account like e-trade or a similiar one to purchase those index stocks?

I'm totally green when it comes to stocks, I had some knowledge in the past but it was basic so i'm basically a complete newbie.

Thanks everyone!

DOW symbol is (DIA)
S&P 500 symbol is (SPY)
Nasdaq symbol is (QQQ)

They are priced well below the actual index, so buying SPY buys you approx 1/10 share of the S&P. DIA is similar, and QQQ is some other fraction. You can buy and sell these just like stock. No minimums or special accounts needed, but you need to realize there is a fee, something very small like .09% per year for holding.

Just open an account at any of the major brokerages and park your money in a mix of their commission-free ETF's. Chances are you will not make much of anything inflation-indexed over time, but then you're not taking much risk either.

Quote from dealboy12 : Thanks for the tips everyone. So, it sounds like my idea of buying a handful of companies I like is not the best route, and an index is a safer bet. When you buy an index, do you buy it share by share? I see the S&P is at roughly $1465+ per share. Are there any minimums when buying indexes? Can I use a standard account like e-trade or a similiar one to purchase those index stocks? I'm totally green when it comes to stocks, I had some knowledge in the past but it was basic so i'm basically a complete newbie. Thanks everyone!

You can buy an ETF that tracks the market. They're low-cost because there is little to no management cost, since the fund is managed electronically. ETFs trade just like stocks, you could buy them from any broker. If you're thinking of investing in individual stocks, I'd be aware of the popular companies expected to grow, because chances are the stock prices reflect expectations.

Quote from dealboy12 : Thanks for the insight. I've looked into buying an index in the past, but never read too deep into it. Are there any indexes that are better to buy over others? With the economy potentially on the fritz is there any one that is a better option over another at this time, or what is ahead? Any tips on specifics you can share will be appreciated. As for Long dated cover calls, do you do this only on certain stocks, or is there a type of stock you do this on and not on others?

The question is whether you want to play it safe and get minor returns (under 2.5%), or take on risk and get major returns (10% return a month or more).


I am currently in the following:

CLWR (buyout from Sprint and now there is a bidding war. Bought it for around $1.60, currently $3+, expected to hit $5+)

BA (It has recently taken a hit from the minor problems with the 787, once the problem is fixed it should return to the $77-$78 level.)

AAPL (Always been long. I bought on the dip, you should wait for a dip and get into it, however it is ridiculously expensive)

Most of the companies on your list are there because you shop or own their products. I would recommend not to go with your favorite companies but rather the ones that have the highest expected growth. I would take AMD over Intel since AMD is expected to pop since it is gaining desktop marketshare as well as the go to company for Microsoft's new tablet.

Buy FB. It will become a global empire $oon and it will net you tons of $$$. Tru$t me.

Quote from Binar : Is there a limit of how many stocks you get as bonus for working at Walmart? Is anyone entitled to get the 15% bonus regardless of their position within the company or hours worked ( part time/ full time )? Are the stocks available right away or is there a vested period?

It should be a similar structure in many corporates...15% discount off stock price and limit would be like 10% of your annual salary

Quote from amoghthegamer : AAPL (Always been long. I bought on the dip, you should wait for a dip and get into it, however it is ridiculously expensive)

Expensive on what basis? I hope you don't mean the share $ price

Quote from Inpact : Buy FB. It will become a global empire $oon and it will net you tons of $$$. Tru$t me.

FB = myspace with slightly longer staying power.

I'm in some DNDN.

Some news will be released in a few days that will bring this baby up to the $30s and $40s.

I am buying and holding until I see $30-40 and will wait for it.

Quote from OCDealSlicker : I'm in some DNDN. Some news will be released in a few days that will bring this baby up to the $30s and $40s. I am buying and holding until I see $30-40 and will wait for it.

Long way to go back up to it's heyday