Small traders are now the driving market force for stock trading activities in the US. In 2019, small-scale readers accounted for only 10% of the stock market trading activity. This year, the retail share of the stock market trading activity is nearly 30%.

The future of trading stocks is pretty positive for many Americans. In stock trading, investors buy and hold stocks for a reasonable period to make a significant profit. The force driving stock trading includes short-term price fluctuations.

Although investing in stocks requires a technical approach, it is both exciting and profitable if you get it right from the start. So, what’s the catch? Here is a quick investing guide on how to trade stocks.

1. Research the Stock Market and Technical Analysis

It’s imperative to understand that investing in stocks requires a lot of time and commitment. You’ll spend your first days researching the market and honing your analytical skills. Remember, knowledge is critical if you’re going to trade safely and develop your investment ideas.

While researching, don’t forget that trading stocks come with tax obligations. For instance, buying stocks and selling at a profit will attract capital gains tax. If you want to pay lower taxes, you would want to hold your stocks for a relatively long period and wait for a special tax rate.

2. Open a Trading Stocks Account

After learning the basics of how to trade stocks, proceed to open an account. You’ll need to run your account with a reputable broker. Here, you have a myriad of options, but still, you want a platform that offers the best stocks.

Choose a platform that comes with on-site tools and features that compliment your analysis style. Most importantly, the broker should give you unlimited access to educational resources. These materials will go a long way in honing your skills if you’re a beginner.

3. What’s Your Budget?

The budget choice for trading stocks is purely aesthetic; you can start big or small. However, the thumb rule is don’t trade with the amount that you’ll need soon, say for home bills. Buying stocks is just like any other investment with plenty of risks involved.

You can either lose or make money. That said, use only a portion of your budget to buy the best stocks. Also, trust your instincts when making trades on new companies.

4. Build Your Analytical Skills Using a Stock Market Simulator

Learning how to trade stocks doesn’t stop at your first research. The factors determining your technical analysis are dynamic, depending on historical market data. To get a perfect grasp of how things work, you should test your skills on a stock market simulator.

You can also get better insights into risk management from resourceful sources such as monexsecurities.com.au. Leveraging an expert investing guide will help you build your skills using the simulator and actual trading account.

5. Make Your First Trade

Once you grasp the ins and outs of investing in stock and funding your account, it’s time to place your first trade. Ensure you have a plan to remain consistent and disciplined. Don’t just pursue “hot” trading tips from a random website.

Assess your risk levels and goals, and stick by your plan. Also, pay attention to market news and expert advice from reputable sites.

The Key Takeaway

Although trading stocks doesn’t guarantee overnight success, having knowledge and patience will likely yield positive results. Moreover, the more you trade, the more you become an expert. Experts know when to make profits or hold their best stocks.

Read more insider tips on how to trade stocks from other articles on this site. 10 Tips to Improve Your Crypto Trading