Trading

Before beginning on your trading journey, you must first learn some share trading basics. You can start trading on the Australian sharemarket for as little as $500 plus brokerage costs, but most people start with $2000 minimum. Share trading involves the buying and selling or selling and buying of a stock – capital growth or capital decline for profit. Before you even starting buying and selling stocks like a mad man you must first ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you want to achieve from your share trading?

Is trading gambling? It’s a question that’s bound to pop in your mind if you’re an active trader in the markets. Trading seems like gambling. You risk a portion of your capital into this thing: this concept we call a market. You put in your money and your money can do one of three things: return you an increase in capital, return you the same amount or return you less. Very similar to putting in money into the slot machines and getting those returns isn’t it? So are traders gamblers or not? Let’s examine it.

Everyone wants to know the secret on how to do anything. What is the secret to success? In most pursuits it would be persistence and perseverance. And that is certainly true with trading the markets. Being persistent in your trading and persevering through the tough times will eventually lead you to trading success. But you're here to learn the real secret to successful trading. What's the secret? Is it the trading system? Is it the type of market? Forex, stocks, bonds, options, commodities, futures or mutual funds? Do you have the next hot tip?

How can i trade in share market? I can invest up to $1,500 for six months?

Trading and Investing are two different things. Trading should be a long term thing. Although your trades are in the short term, there is always a possibility of loss - you can't always win. And that's the inherent risk in trading.

So if you need the money back in 6 months, just put it your bank account.

But, if you treat trading seriously and professionally, it can pay off... Of course profits are never guaranteed.

A blog entry discussing the Australian Share Market Game

The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) often runs a virtual share market game for schools as well as for charity. Traders / Investors are often given $50,000 of virtual cash to invest on the ASX. The number of shares are often limited to the ASX100 or ASX200 companies. The time horizon is usually a few months, from two to six months.

Read the Full Article Here.

Is share trading a gambling activity? The Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines gambling as to 'play games of chance for money'. It also defines gambling as to 'risk much in the hope of great gain'. Now, old George doesn't think share trading is gambling. In that post, he says, "You used technical indicators to tell you that the balance of probability lies in your court and if it doesn't - well you must quickly initiate risk management and cut losses." A statement that contradicts our dictionary definition. So some people classify share trading as "glorified gambling." Well, if you stick to the genuine definition of gambling, share trading IS gambling. Personally, I was in denial with this for a long time. Every time someone brought up share trading and gambling I would refuse to believe it was. But surely there's more to this argument...?

What is share trading? Of course you may say - the answer is simple: "Share trading is the activity of actively trading shares in the view of making a profit". Simple wasn't it? Well, case closed, we can all go home now. Well, I want to probe into what share trading really is in reality, not some non-sensical theory that seems impractical in the real world. Sure, the laws of supply and demand rule the markets, but what I want to discuss is what share trading means to the retail trader: traders like you and me.

what online stock traders allow you to buy partial shares, with no minimum account balance?
I am looking to start investing in the stock market, but my initial investment will be small(in the $25-$50/ month max range) with a $100 opener. I have set up an account with sharebuilder but before i transfer any funds I would like to see what else is out there. Any suggestions?

I want to invest money in the stock market, but I only want to start with $200. What website will let me?

You can't do much with $200 in investment terms...

However there are derivative instruments that you can use to gear yourself for a higher exposure. Altough on the flip side these instruments introduce greater risks.

Have a look at CFDs, Warrants, Options...