| After more than a year of stock market uncertainty | | | | is to use a reputable brokerage. With a brokerage, |
| - a time during which many small investors have sat | | | | you have the option of the full service firm that does |
| on the sidelines and refrained from buying stocks - | | | | much of your analysis for you and offers you advice |
| some analysts are now seeing the first hesitant signs | | | | on your portfolio. Of course, that attention comes at |
| that the bear market may be ending. Though it will | | | | a price. Alternatively, you can select a so-called |
| not be immediately replaced with a fully formed bull | | | | discount brokerage, which offers less personal |
| market, it is still wise for anyone who has plans to | | | | service, but saves you money on broker fees. |
| invest in stocks to begin to consider their buying | | | | There are also online brokerage firms for buying |
| options once again. And for anyone who is planning | | | | stocks on a self-service basis. If you search online, |
| on buying stocks for the first time, it is the perfect | | | | you will find a horde of online services that allow you |
| time to consider how you plan to enact your | | | | to choose your transactions from within your created |
| investment strategy. | | | | account, monitor your stocks' activity, and sell when |
| For many who are just beginning the process of | | | | you so desire. Most of these online firms have a |
| buying stocks, the process of acquiring shares in a | | | | minimum account fee to begin your investment. |
| company can be a little confusing at times. After all, | | | | Finally, buying stocks can be done through a dividend |
| stock transactions have only a couple of popularized | | | | reinvestment plan (DRIP) or a direct investment plan |
| images: the brokers in the trading pit yelling out their | | | | (DIP). These plans are setup by individual companies |
| orders, and the smoke-filled brokerage room where | | | | to allow the purchase of stock directly from the |
| sleazy brokers try to get you to invest even your | | | | company, without the need for entering the market |
| grocery money in their latest can't miss proposition. | | | | at large. Many people who invest in this way are |
| There are actually several methods for buying stocks | | | | investing in companies that they have either worked |
| that defy the media stereotypes. The first of these | | | | at in the past or with which they are locally familiar. |