Category: How to Start Trading – Beginners

  • Options – What Are Options and How To Use Them

    Options – What Are Options and How To Use Them

    2 min read

    What Are Options 1

    Contracts that grant the right but not the obligation, to buy or sale of the underlying asset to which they relate at the price indicated in the option contract until a certain date.

    They can be issued on the basis of other financial instruments, financial non-material or real property. But behind each option must stand the asset to which the option is related.

    The historical findings

    There are historical findings that confirm their use during the Antiquity period. (The first options were used in ancient Greece to speculate on the olive harvest.)

    But the fact is, trade options made great prosper in the last 50 years.

    The most significant event that enabled their popularization was the establishment of the first arranged stock exchange option in Chicago in the year 1973. And under the name of the Chicago Board of Options.

    Since then, a number of stock options have been established in the US and around the world.

    Options are a very useful financial instrument because of their characteristics.

    They offer investors a range of options. Traders and investors can use options as an instrument for speculation, Also for the protection and management of market risks (hedging) or for arbitration.

    In this way to any investor in accordance with its goal of trading, current market position, expectations, and preferences.

    According to the risk and personal preferences, options can create the desired position.

    The right to buy is a call option and the right to sell is a put option.

    Once again, options are the type of derivative. People a bit familiar with derivatives may not see an evident difference between this definition and what a future or forward contract does.
    What Are Options
    To clarify this thing. Futures or forwards confer both the right and obligation to buy or sell at some point in the future. For example, somebody short a futures contract for corn and has an obligation to deliver real corn to a buyer unless they close out their positions before expiration. An options contract does not carry the same obligation, which is precisely why it is called an “option.” 

    Once again, options are a great way to add flexibility to your portfolio since they can be used for both hedging risk and speculation.

    Learn more to understand the World of Options

    The benefits of options


    The benefits that options offer are high profitability, risk limitation, financial leverage, flexibility. And, which is important too, the ability to stay on the market without the need to own a marketable asset.

    Unfortunately, the general public knows little about these instruments. So, part of the investors is not able to trade options because of ignorance about their use.

    The options, like all derivative instruments, are complex in nature. And we have to know their capabilities and limitations. So that we can effectively use them for the stated purposes.

    Trading with options is also specific and differs from trading with conventional financial instruments. That’s why the investor needs to be well aware of trading rules with options.

    The brief review of options basics:

    1) An option is a contract which brings to its holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put) shares of the underlying security at a specified price (the strike price) on or before a given date (expiration day).

    After this given date, the option ceases to exist.

    The seller of an option is, in turn, obligated to sell (in the case a call) or buy (in the case of a put) the shares to (or from) the buyer of the option at the specified price upon the buyer’s request.

    Option contracts usually represent 100 shares of the underlying stock.

    2) Strike prices or exercise prices. These are the stated price per share for which the underlying security may be purchased in the case of a call or sold in the case of a put. By the option holder upon exercise of the option contract. The strike price, a fixed specification of an option contract, should not be confused with the premium. That is the price at which the contract trades, which fluctuates daily. 

    What Are Options 3Equity option strike prices are listed in increments of 21/2, 5, or 10 points, depending on their price level.

    3) Regulation to an option contract size or strike price may be created to account for stock splits, mergers or other corporate actions. Overall, at any given time a particular option can be bought with one of four expiration dates.

    4) Option holders do not enjoy the rights due to stockholders.

    They don’t have voting rights, regular cash or special dividends, etc. A call holder must exercise the option and take ownership of underlying shares to be eligible for these rights.

    5) Sellers and buyers in the exchange markets, where all trading is conducted in the competitive manner of an auction market, set option prices.

    Risk Disclosure (read carefully!)

  • The golden rules for investing in the stock market for beginners

    The golden rules for investing in the stock market for beginners

    The golden rules for investing in the stock marketWhat rules every investor should follow if want to be successful? Read to the end.

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Every field has golden rules, so this one has too.

    Fast money and easy earnings are mostly what young people want to succeed in the business world.
    They are attracted by exchanges, money is invested in shares.

    WOW!

    However, there are many curves, curvatures, spirals, and twists that, and if you don’t know how to avoid them, your trip to the stock market can be very short-lived.

    What are the golden rules for investing in the stock market, which should be known primarily to beginners in this business, but also to more experienced stock traders?

    Create a portfolio one of the golden rules

    You can do this in a simple way. There are many free portfolio managers on the Internet, so use some of them to make a free account.

    Create a fictitious portfolio in which you would potentially invest and monitor the situation for a while, a minimum of one month. This will give you the best insight into market volatility.

    Before you take the first step, the goal is to create a profitable fictitious portfolio as an investor on the stock market. This is really the golden rule.

    Among other Golden rules: Read business magazines 

    In order to successfully start investing in the stock market, you need to be aware of the world’s stock market. Also, what are the social events that affect the rise or fall of the price of shares?

    There are many respectable business magazines dealing with this topic (Forbes, The Economist, Kiplinger’s are some of the most famous ones).

    Follow the events in the global economy and finance and you will be able to swim more easily in the very turbulent waters of the stock market.

    Buy stock from a field you know well 

    Before investing money into something, you should understand the business the company is dealing with.

    The first stock you will buy on the stock market should be from the sector you understand and it is familiar to you.

    For example, if you know the banking sector, try to explore the market and find a bank whose stocks are good and worth investing.

    Never invest in the action itself, but in the company. This is one of the best golden rules I ever got. 

    Have realistic expectations

    There may be a problem if your financial goals are based on unrealistic presumption. Try to be realistic in your ambitions and goals. This will the most important golden rule for novices. 

    In this way, there are fewer chances to lose money or be disappointed in your stock market business.

    Do your own research one of the most important golden rules

    You will hear from people who are dealing with the stock exchange that they have bought some stocks. Just because the same was done by their friend or family member who understands this business.

    Accept everything with reserve. Before buying a stock, do research. If some stocks brought in earnings in the past doesn’t necessarily mean that this trend will continue.

    Always believe more to yourself than other people’s estimation.

    The stock exchange is NOT a money-making machine 

    This is one of the Golden rules. Most of those who want to participate stock market, have an unrealistic desire to double or triple investment in the short time frame.

    If you are one of them, then that’s not a job for you. For those who want to invest, 10 to 12% of the earnings for a long period is quite a good investment.

    You need to realize that you are just a small fish in a big lake and that your success depends on many factors. Some traders became really successful when they realized this golden rule. 

    Follow the clues and make conclusions.

    3 or 4 good stocks are enough 

    Don’t overplay is truly a golden rule. Especially because you are a beginner in this business. More than 10 stocks are a good portfolio, but for investment funds.

    It is true that they make more profit. But if you make a smart and wise decision you will earn enough money. Golden rules should be known to beginners in this business.

    Don’t try to predict the stock price

     Not even the biggest billionaires and owners of the largest multinational companies in the world are doing this.  No one is able to predict, at least for a longer period, several stock market cycles.

    Ability to guess the moment when the stock will have the highest value is still a myth. Even for those who have an insight into the business of some companies. Therefore, for successful business and investing in the stock market, you need to acquire certain knowledge and skills.

    According to many kinds of research, the risk of investing in the stock exchange is most often taken over by young people who have just finished college.

    But, like in every other business, the experience you get, will help you to be wiser in making decisions in the future. 

    That’s how it works!

  • What Is better: Trading or Investing and what are the differences?

    What Is better: Trading or Investing and what are the differences?

    2 min read

    Let us explain the differences between traders and investors, at first.

    Stock traders are individuals (or entities) engaged in the trading of equity securities, or the transfer of other financial assets.

    They work either for themselves or on behalf of someone else.

    They may operate as agents, hedgers, arbitrageurs, speculators, or investors.

    Stock investors are individuals (or entities) who use their own money to buy equity securities. The goal of the stock investor is to gain returns, which come in the form of income, interest, or appreciation in value also known as capital gains.

    DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRADING AND INVESTING

    Investing and trading may often be classified together.

    But, they are both different ways of attempting to profit from the financial markets.

    The goal of making investments is to progressively increase wealth over a long period of time by using the buying and holding of a portfolio of stocks, mutual funds, bonds and other methods of investment.

    Trading involves short-term buying and selling of stock and commodities such as currency pairs and other instruments. The goal is earning profitable returns which outperform a traditional buy and hold investing.

    For example, while most investors may be satisfied with a 10% annual return, traders may seek to achieve this per month.

    Period of acting

    Return on investment and payback period seem to be the two most commonly used financial metrics for making sustainability investment.

    Trading is a method of holding stocks for a short period of time. It could be for a week or more often a day! The trader holds stocks until the short term high performance.

    On the other hand, investing is an approach that works on buy and holds a principle.

    Investors invest their money for some years, decades or for the even longer period. Short-term market fluctuations are irrelevant in the long-running investing.

    Growth of capital

    Traders look at the price movement of stocks in the market. If the price goes higher, traders may sell the stocks.
    So we can say, trading is the skill of timing the market but investing is an art. 

    The real art of creating wealth by compounding interest and dividend over the years by holding quality stocks in the market.

    Risk of both fields

    Both, trading and investing, include risk on your capital.

    But trading involves higher risk and higher potential returns. The price might go high or low in a short while.

    Investing takes a while to develop. It involves comparatively lower risk and lower returns in the short run. But might deliver higher returns by putting together interests and dividends if held for a longer period of time.

    Daily market cycles do not affect much on quality stock investments for a longer time.

    Essentially differences

    Trading is a one day match while investing is a championship.  

    Similarly, traders are skilled, technical individuals, they learn market trends to hit higher profits in the stipulated time. It is related to the psychology of the market.

    Investors, on the other hand, analyze the stocks they want to invest in. Investing also includes learning business fundamentals and commitment to stay invested for a longer-term.

    It is related to the philosophy that runs the business.

    Traders put money in a stock for a short-term,  buy and sell fast to hit the higher profits in the market. Missing the right time may lead to the loss.

    They look at the present performance to hit the higher price and book profits in the very short term.

    Investors keep themselves away from the trends and invest in value.

    They invest for a longer period of time keeping the attention of the stocks they hold. They wait till the stock reaches its potential.

    You are the one to decide is your goal  trading at a higher price making a smaller profit in a short time. Or holding/investing on and sell at much higher price in the long run is what you aim for.

    A key rule of trading is to only do so when you are certain that there is an upcoming future event which is predicted to drive the stock value of an organization or entity higher.

    When trading, there are certain strategies which must be put in place.

    Traders should take note of the news and use it to make an educated decision which will hopefully enable them to make a profit afterward. This shows the difference between trading as a short-term investment and investing as a long-term method of gaining wealth.

    When investing, the goal is to bank profits over the long term.

    With dips in value simply providing the opportunity to buy more of the commodity in question. Investing means sitting it out when the commodity rises in value as there will likely be more good news ahead for the company and more profits to be made.

    If you are new to the world of investing and trading, it’s important to know which you are going to choose.

    The imperative to increase your financial gain is what defines it.

    Knowledge of the subject is important. 

    If you are knowledgeable about the stock market but have little idea about how to trade Forex, for example, you will naturally head over to the stock market for your first investment.

    General advice: Don’t get investing and trading confused – it could seriously hurt your portfolio!

  • Trading Stocks Platform – How To Find The Best

    Trading Stocks Platform – How To Find The Best

    2 min read

    (Updated October 2021)


    The best trading stocks platform must be available from the beginning of the signup process.

    Trading stocks platform is simply software for trading, it’s a kind of online broker. It is very important for any investor. And the most powerful tool in your hands. Every trader has it’s own investment style of trading. An abundance of brokers’ offers allows individuals to choose what best fits their needs.

    If you’re an active trader looking to try your hand at beating the markets, you probably have a good idea of what you want from a brokerage: low costs, premium research, innovative strategy tools, and a rich with features trading platform.

    trading stocks platform

    This era of trading stocks platform makes the world as high-risk/high-reward investing accessible to the wide public. Profitable investing takes time and hard work. It also requires you to use the best trading stocks platform that fits your investing goals, educational needs, and learning style.
    If you are new investors, selecting the best trading stocks platform can make the difference between a great new income stream and an inevitable frustrating handover.

    You have to know one thing, there’s no sure-fire way to guarantee investment returns. But there is a way to set yourself up for success by selecting the right trading stocks platform that best suits you. I’ll try to show you all the important things you should be looking for in your ideal brokerage on your path to find the best online broker.

    For a starter, take a moment to focus on what is most important to you in a trading platform, before you start clicking on brokerage ads. You’ll be surprised!

    Recognize your needs when choosing a trading stocks platform.

    You must know them.

    If you are a novice, you may prioritize things such as basic educational resources, large glossaries. Also, you might prefer easy access to support services. Maybe the ability to have practice trades before you start playing with real money is more important to you.

    For example, an experienced investor, possibly someone who executed hundreds of trades already but is looking for a new trading stocks platform. Such will prioritize advanced charting capabilities, conditional order options, or the ability to trade derivatives, mutual funds, commodities, and fixed-income securities, as well as stocks.
    Trading Stocks Platform - How To Find
    And you have to be honest with yourself about where you are right now in your investing tour and where you want to go. Do you want to try your hand at day-trading but don’t know where and how to start? Maybe you like the idea of tailoring your portfolio, or you want to pay a professional to provide it done right?

    For now, I suggest you start with this crucial deliberation as a way to determine which of the brokerage features would be the most important to you.

    To help yourself to find and use the best trading stocks platform be honest when you are answering these questions.

    a) How much do you already know?
    b) What kind of trades will you want to execute?
    c) Are you an active or passive investor?
    d) What kind of help do you need?
    e) Define your goals

    Be brutally honest with yourself about how much time, energy, and effort you are willing to put into your investments. Your answers may change over time, no one can anticipate all their needs and goals for the rest of their life. Just start with where you are right now.

    Pay attention to several things while finding the best trading stocks platform



    * Does the brokerage website offers two-factor authentication
    * Do they clearly explain how they use encryption or “cookies” to protect your account information and how they work?
    * Try searching the web for reviews of the brokerage, using keywords like “insurance claim”, “fraud protection”, “customer support”, “chargebacks”, “easy withdrawal”
    * Will the company reimburse you for losses resulting from fraud? etc.

    And then test it!

    Every brokerage should have a decent description of what kinds of tools and resources it is trading stocks platform offers. But sometimes the best way to evaluate platform quality is to give it a test drive. For brokers that allow you to open an free or demo account. It might be worth the effort to go through the signup process just to access and test the trading platform.

  • Secrets About Trading Stocks Revealed

    Secrets About Trading Stocks Revealed

    Secrets About Trading Stocks Revealed
    Trading stocks isn’t rocket science but it is helpful when you know some secrets about it

    By Guy Avtalyon

    I’ll reveal all secrets about trading stocks. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. First of all, you must understand, trading is a younger cousin of investment. As a newcomer, you can be overwhelmed by the quantity of the data available in the stock market.

    When you simply sign up at one of these online brokerage companies and dump your life savings into the market, you are ready to start.

    The most important decisions you’re going to have to make in your road to becoming a successful trader of the financial markets is, what your trading style is going to be. Different trading strategies have their own collection of benefits and drawbacks. If you’re new to the trading scene and might not understand the differences of each trading style, you may be confused.

    Damn, what I have to do?

    You have a choice to simply buy and hold positions in any market for long periods of time, for years or even decades. Or you can complete your trades within one 24-hour period which is easy but the most challenging and fraught with the highest levels of risk, though it can bring big rewards.

    If you choose long-term trading and buy-and-hold trading, offer is a lessened risk in exchange for fewer opportunities for reward.

    ”And now, what is the next I have to do?”
    Well, you have to pick your trading days. Research has shown that the third week of the month is the best time to buy stocks.

    According to researching, the best of the best is the period between 18. and 22. of the month.

    Why is that? The prices tend to hit their lowest monthly points at that time because cash flows from dividend reinvestment and pension funds are likely to be at their lowest as well in that period.

    That means the best time to sell stocks is closer to the beginning and end of the month when cash flowing into the system is at its highest.

    Speaking about of period of the whole year, April and May are the most successful time to sell your stocks, while buying new stocks in September and October is going to get you the best price (in that time the market tends to bottom out).

    Do you want to become a day trader?

    If you want to be a day trader, there’s a right time for you as well.

    The best time of day to trade stocks, if you are from Europe, is between 9:30 to 10:30 AM. This time frame is offering the biggest moves in the shortest amount of time (a great and efficient combination). You can extend it out to 11:30 AM EST if you want another hour of trading. The best time for a US-based day trader will typically be in the late afternoon Eastern Time. Corporate earnings reports and statistical reports from the federal government usually released in the morning, waiting until around 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.

    Secrets about trading that make you successful

    I was waiting for you here!
    There are no instant solutions. Unless you are idiot, you have to understand that you can’t find a secret formula or secrets about trading. If there is any secret or key, it is this: keep it simple, be systematic, and get educated.

    If you had enough capital to open a trading account, this doesn’t mean that you’re going to be successful right out of the gate.

    But, let’s assume are a beginner and if you’ve never spent a day in your life in trading before. So you may think you’ll be able to dive without educating yourself because trading stocks isn’t rocket science. Really?  Well, you’re likely to end up learning the hard way. You will watch how all your investment capital disappears into the ether in exchange for a handful of stocks that end up not worth much. Even worse, not worth anything at all.

    Keep in mind: trading is not gambling. But there are some tips and secrets about trading.

    One secret you should know: everyone is selling the stock or vice versa. But it’s obvious that someone has to be buying the stock also.

    The ultimate secrets about trading are this, learn to identify and trade with Smart Money!

    Secrets about trading stocks

    1.  Focusing on odds trading and risk/reward vs. hunches and feelings can lay the foundation for a very long and successful career.
    2. The stock market does not care about your feelings or wants. These major principles are the biggest contributors to the losses realized in the stock market.
    3. Know your risk tolerance, and trade the consistent strategies. If you stay focus on these 2 things you can be sure you will be trading longer than 1 year, even longer.
    4. Don’t be risk-averse, learn to evaluate risk, and learn to understand yourself.
    5. Trade up to the point you can bear the loss, don’t ever cross your limits it’s better to wait for your time.

    Final words: Always have a plan, consolidate your portfolio, stay away from all the mumbo jumbo, only invest in the coins that will turn over a profit, find others that you trust to keep you properly informed, use the tools of the pros.

    Good luck!

    If you find that this article may interest someone else, feel free to share. If you have personal experience, share it with me.