Let's say you are interested in this one company. You read its annual report, like what you see and your calculation indicates that the stock is trading way below its fair value. You are excited. It is time to buy! Hang on for a second. There are several techniques of buying stocks out there. Some are better than the other. Let me explore several useful ones.
Buy all at limit price. Assume that we have done our research and we want to invest $ 2000 to buy stock XYZ at $ 12/share. We can do this by setting a limit order of $ 12/share to buy 166 shares of XYZ. The advantage for this method is that we will not pay more than $ 12 for our XYZ share. If you use market order, instead of limit order, XYZ might run up to $ 13/share and execute your order at $ 12.50. Fifty cents may not sound a lot, but in this case, you just saves $ 83 for using limit order. Any better methods? Check out this next one.
Buying half at $12. Buying half when it drops. Stock market is volatile. It goes up and down due to various reasons. In this case, we set a limit order to buy $ 1000 worth of XYZ at $ 12/share. When XYZ drops lower, and if you think that the reason that you initially bought it is still valid, then you can buy more XYZ at a lower price. If XYZ drops by $ 1, you already save $ 83 off the bag. What else is there?
Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). With DCA, investors normally buy a specified dollar of stock at regular intervals. In this case, you can decide to invest $ 500 monthly in XYZ stock. If the XYZ stock falls, you can buy more shares next month. If XYZ stock rises, you would buy less. But it is ok. You already made money on XYZ stocks that you bought at a lower price.
Which method is the best? There is no clear cut answer on this. Personally, I will never use market order when buying a stock. Commission for buying a limit order is not as expensive as it used to be. My favorite methods is by buying half position initially and then add half more when the share price drops. If you have done your research and you feel that $ 12 per share is a good buy, then why won't you buy some more if it goes down to $ 10? Just make sure that the fundamental remains the same when the stock drops.
While knowing how to initiate your position is important, I am more inclined in focusing on how to calculate fair value of a stock. This is where the bulk of your investment return comes from.
Curious about fair value calculation? At http://www.noviceinvesting.com, these analysis are shown for free. No String Attached. No fee to be paid. You just need to put some time and effort into it. Honest.
Hari wrote regular commentary about stock investing. He is always on the lookout for stocks that match his buying criteria. You can share your ideas or questions in our discussion board. He would be more than willing to assist.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
An insane person cannot evaluate an insane evaluation system.As you... Read More
There is nothing more exciting than finding an undervalued stock... Read More
Stock trading can be a very profitable activity. You can... Read More
If you have been dealing with mutual funds for any... Read More
Ever notice how behavior in one area of life can... Read More
I made my very first investment in the stock market... Read More
Sometime around 1980, can't remember exactly, there was a flight... Read More
The greatest stock market myth is the idea that investing... Read More
No, this is not a symbol for some Latin number.... Read More
(1) CHK stock price $16.74, NAV $32.5CHK is my favorite... Read More
Because you don't feel too sure about which stock or... Read More
A stock market index is a statistical measure of changes... Read More
Hedge current portfolio positions and gain access to capital resources... Read More
You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More
The basis of diminishing return discussions surround such simple notions;... Read More
As an investor you will want to check out any... Read More
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR standing firm in the... Read More
We are already in it, but you can't see it.... Read More
Its dinnertime and the phone rings. It's Joe Noname with... Read More
Today we are inundated with tons of information about the... Read More
Two weeks ago I wrote about what the Securities and... Read More
The stock market has been in an up trend for... Read More
Wall Street has been preaching the doctrine of Buy and... Read More
You must take the time once a month to review... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Well, not really. What I mean is I don't mind... Read More
When the stock market is going up and all your... Read More
Forget making a profit; instead focus on the income provided... Read More
I would like to share with the reader an article... Read More
How many people went to a cash position this week?... Read More
Every successful trader has a winning system. There are of... Read More
According to Investopedia Inc. the penny stock market has seen... Read More
I often hear from people, "I don't trade. I invest.... Read More
What does it take to be a stock trader? It... Read More
Outlined below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of... Read More
Carefully thinking through your goal as a trader is of... Read More
After finding the price of a particular stock, usually the... Read More
Unfortunately, most of you who are reading my column are... Read More
If you are serious about making and keeping money by... Read More
Everyone who invests in the stock market wants to be... Read More
If you are fed up with early redemption charges and... Read More
Sidney felt sick as she looked at her latest OptionsXpress... Read More
Minority Report the movie may not be far off if... Read More
If you go to Haiti or other places in the... Read More
In 1960 an engineer working for a watch company in... Read More
What! Me worry?Many of you remember the cover of MAD... Read More
We all know the expression, "My country, right or wrong",... Read More
Everything you invest in has risk so you want to... Read More
Money: the most charged word in the planet. It means... Read More
Among the largest forces that affect stock prices are inflation,... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |