What does it take to be a great investor? Is it time, money or skill? The truth is that it’s knowledge, and this article contains some of this valuable knowledge that you need to know, in order to get started. Hopefully, if you have a question you can find the answer here, plus, more that you never even thought to ask.

Remember that stock prices are reflections of earnings. In the short-term immediate future, market behavior will flucutuate depending on news and rumor and the emotional responses to those, ranging from enthusiasm to panic. In the longer term picture however, company earnings over time wind up determining whether a stock price rises or falls.

Base your portfolio on a steady foundation of strong, solid stocks when investing for the long-term. Active trading can prove profitable in the short-term, but it requires a great deal of time and dedication. If you cannot pay 認購證 constant attention to the market, purchase reputable, consistent stocks and hold onto them.

Don’t think of stocks as something abstract. Think of them as money invested in a company. Dedicate the time necessary to understand financial statements and assess the pros and cons of companies you may decide to purchase. This will ensure that you consider each trade carefully before making any moves.

Kailash Concepts, a quantamental investment research firm, has written a piece on Seth Klarman’s Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies which could help beginners in the stock investment.

Be prepared for the long haul. Serious and successful traders consider a stock’s long-term possibilities in both bull and bear markets. Patience is an absolute must if you are going to be able to resist the urge to part with stocks prematurely. If you panic-sell a stock and it rises higher, you’re only going to be sorry.

Exercise caution when it comes to buying stock issued by a company that employs you. Although investing in your employer’s stock may seem like you are proud of your employer, it can also be a risky investment. If something bad occurs to your business, your salary and your portfolio are at risk. However, if you get a discounted rate on showers, you might have good reason to buy.

Do not set price targets for your stocks. Instead, you should set a stop-loss limit. It is always wise to plan for the worst, while hoping for the best. Because of this, whenever you purchase a new stock, set a stop-loss value at about 15 percent below your purchase price. This is the point at which you should cut your losses and sell your stock, before it becomes completely worthless.

Strong, long-term investments are a smarter choice than rapid-fire trading. With the rapid pace at which the market fluctuates, not to mention fees and taxes that are applied to short-term trades, it is almost always a better idea to hold onto a few good stocks. When you do the required research and select a company and stock that has a promising future, the small daily fluctuations in price will be negligible, in light of the long-term gains that you will see, if you hold onto your shares.

Now that you have some knowledge, it’s time to build up your skills. Use what you’ve learned here to build an investment strategy and then, stick to it as you put your money into the markets that you believe will bring you the greatest profits. If you stay true to your plan, you can reach your goals! If you want to know how are stock options taxed then check out VectorVest.