How To Buy Stocks on ASX in Australia: A Beginner's Guide

 

Online trading platforms have made buying and selling shares from Australia and overseas more accessible.

 

This guide helps Aussies interested in investing in shares with stock market basics, investing risks, top trading platforms, buying and investing in shares on ASX and overseas online, and pre-investment considerations.

 

If you still need a share trading account, consider eToro, which is used by many investors in Australia and worldwide. You can create an eToro trading account HERE.

 

eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD. Zero commission does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Zero commission means that no broker fee has been charged when opening or closing the position. Limited stock exchanges only.

 

The trading platform offers extensive trading features, social trading tools, and copy trading to imitate the trades of other famous traders.

 

Buy Australian & international shares with unlimited commission-free trades. (No brokerage). Other fees apply.

 

 

 

1. What Are Shares?

 

Shares represent ownership in a company. When you own a share, you become a shareholder and a part owner in a company. 

 

You can find shares of over 2000 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Some big names include the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Rio Tinto, Woolworths, etc.

 

There is no limit to how many shares you can buy if you have adequate capital to buy those shares. The most common way to trade shares on the ASX exchange is to use an ASIC-regulated 3rd party called 'a broker'.

 

 

2. Why Invest In The Australian Share Market?

 

ASX is the 8th largest stock market worldwide and the 2nd largest in the Asia-Pacific region based on a free-float market capitalisation. Australia has become the leader of overseas trade and the home to several high-tech companies.

 

Historically, the Australian share market has delivered high long-term gains to investors than other investments, including bonds and cash.

 

ASX is a high-capacity and high-speed trading platform where you can trade shares electronically. Shares are settled through the globally recognised Clearing House Electronic Sub Register System.

 

Over 2,000 companies, from well-established to early-stage start-ups, are listed on ASX. These listed companies operate in various sectors: insurance, banking, telecommunications, media, resources, and IT.

 

Top benefits of investing in stocks listed on the ASX exchange:

 

• The open market and internationally integrated economy attract global investors to invest in this dynamic country

• Top producer of gold, iron ore, and uranium worldwide

• The stable economic and political climate

 

 

Besides stocks, ASX also lists other financial instruments such as bonds, futures, warrants, Electronic Traded Funds (ETFs), hybrids, and options. It enables investors to build a diversified investment portfolio across various investment strategies and asset classes.

 

Investors can view the performance of a specific sector or broader market by following S&P/ASX 200 Index. 

 

 

3. What Shares Can You Buy Online?

 

The type of shares you can buy depends on the brokerage platform. Some platforms allow only exchange-listed shares, while others allow both ASX-listed and international shares.

 

So, based on your investment goals, you can explore to find the best share trading platforms for buying your preferred stocks.

 

 

4. How Much Money Do You Need For The First Trade?

 

In Australia, many brokers require the first trade to be of a minimum of $10. It is called the 'minimum marketable parcel of shares.

 

Additionally, you need to understand the fees involved to know how much you can invest in the stock market.

 

 

5. Advantages And Risks Of Investing In The Stock Market

 

For a beginner, investing in shares in Australia is a great way to build wealth through share price appreciation or capital gains, dividend income (a company's profit distribution to its shareholders), or both.

 

Furthermore, the stock market offers liquidity to traders and investors. It makes it a faster and more economical trade than other investments such as real estate.

 

Before you start investing, you should also know about the risks associated with trading and investing in stocks:

 

 

• Capital Loss Risk: Selling shares lower than the purchase price.

 

• Credit Risk: If the company gets bankrupt, shareholders are the last to be paid out compared to the other company investors. Thus, there is no certainty that you will get your money back.

 

• Liquidity Risk: Not all company shares have high trading volumes with frequent buying and selling. You may need to wait to buy or sell stocks of companies with fewer buyers/sellers. Thus, a halt in trading is another risk that a trader might face.

 

• Market Risks: National and global economic conditions affect stocks. It can make the market volatile and cause the share prices to fluctuate. Unexpected issues such as natural disasters, bad company news, changes in government policy, and terrorist attacks can adversely impact the share price.

 

• Stress: The fluctuating nature of the share market daily can cause a lot of mental stress for investors. 

 

Due to the above risks in stock trading, you need to assess your risk appetite, investment timeframe, and goals and seek professional financial advice before investing in stocks. 

 

Gaining expertise, constant learning, and a cautious approach can help you with a good start.

 

 

 

6. Steps To Buy Your First Shares In Australia Online

 

Below are the steps for beginners to buy shares in Australia, tailored to guide you through your first stock purchase:

 

 

Step 1: Choose A Share Trading Platform

 

Many trading platforms are available to investors, and selecting the best ones becomes challenging.

 

Compare different platforms based on the brokerage fee annual maintenance fee, services offered, types of stocks traded, accessibility, regulation, ease of use, customer support, and more.

 

If you still need a share trading account, consider eToro, which is used by many investors in Australia and worldwide. You can create an eToro trading account HERE.

 

eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD. Zero commission does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Zero commission means that no broker fee has been charged when opening or closing the position. Limited stock exchanges only.

 

eToro charges zero brokerage for stock trading. The trading platform offers extensive trading features, social trading tools, and copy trading to imitate the trades of other famous traders. It is perfect for beginners to learn how to buy shares in Australia.

 

Buy Australian & international shares with unlimited commission-free trades. (No brokerage)

 

 

 

Step 2: Plan Your Investment

 

You need to consider certain factors before initiating your first stock market investment.

 

• What is your investment objective?

• What do you expect from shares investment: capital growth or regular income?

• How much do you want to invest?

• What is your investment horizon/timeframe in the stock market? 

• How do you want to invest: regular contributions or a one-time investment?

 

 

Step 3: Learn About The Stock Market

 

A stock market newbie must learn about the economy, exchange rates, interest rates, and government policy. They all affect a company's performance.

 

The Australian Securities Exchange education centre offers plenty of investing resources and online seminars on stock investing.

 

 

Step 4: Decide Which Shares To Buy

 

There are over 2,000 companies listed on the ASX, and several other options are available if you wish to invest in international markets and exchanges. Identify the best shares to buy for beginners in Australia.

 

Blue-chip companies are the safest option for those starting in the share market. Some of the best shares to buy right now are the top 50 companies listed on the S&P/ASX 50.

 

These are well-established companies and offer the best chance to minimise your risk and provide consistent returns.

 

 

Step 5: Place Your Buy Order

 

When placing a buy order for a stock, you have two primary options: "at the limit" or "at market" price.

 

Market orders get executed immediately at the current stock price, while limit orders only execute when the stock price reaches the "limit price" you specified for buying the stock.

 

Additionally, certain platforms offer conditional orders, allowing you to capitalizse on stock market opportunities. Some of these buy orders include:

 

• Good until the cancelled order

• Good until expiry order

• Good for day order

 

 

 

Step 6: Pay For The Transaction

 

Once you have decided on your order type, you will need adequate funds in your trading account to buy those shares with the associated brokerage fees (some brokers, such as eToro, don't charge any brokerage for domestic and international shares)

 

eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD. Zero commission does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Zero commission means that no broker fee has been charged when opening or closing the position. Limited stock exchanges only.

 

The settlement period for trades executed on the ASX is two business days, T (trade day) +2. It implies that you must have adequate funds in your trade account two business days after buying the shares.

 

Once you have bought the shares, you need to monitor their performance periodically, depending on your investment strategy. 

 

If your stocks aren't performing, you should take professional financial advice to sell them, hold them, or switch to other stocks.

 

 

7. Tips For Beginners To Invest In Shares In Australia

 

Here are the five tips that will help you invest wisely and improve your chances of higher returns from online share trading:

 

• Tip 1: Do a fundamental company analysis before investing in its stocks. Study its annual reports, balance sheets, and profit and loss reports to evaluate its financial health, past and present performance, and growth prospects.

 

• Tip 2: Stay updated with the health of the Australian economy, Reserve Bank interest rate decisions, changes in government policy, exchange rates, the interest of investors, and the performance of stock markets on a national and global level. All this will give you an idea about whether it is the right time to put your money in the stock market.

 

• Tip 3: Choose the services of only an ASIC-regulated and reputed broker. Decide between a full-service or discounted broker based on your investment needs and preferences.

 

• Tip 4: Identify the right shares to invest in and analyse the business's past and current financial performance, accomplishments, and job growth prospects indicators to determine the company's stability.

 

• Tip 5: As the proverb says, do not keep all eggs in one basket you should not invest all your money in one stock. It is because if that stock crashes due to any reason, you will incur huge losses. It is wise to distribute your funds across various industries. This strategy offers better protection against losses if a specific sector experiences a sharp decline.

 

 

 

8. What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Investing?

 

Lack of knowledge or experience, unclear investment goals, absence of a proper investment strategy, and emotional biases, such as greed or fear, can cause investors to make impulsive or irrational investment decisions.

 

Here are ten valuable tips to help you understand how do you avoid losing money in the stock market:

 

• Learn the basics before you invest.

 

• Before investing, do your homework to determine your investment goals, risk tolerance, and the costs of investing in mutual funds and stocks.

 

• Do not invest solely based on the past performance of the stock or fund. It is equally important to check the company's business, future growth potential, global market conditions, current economy, market sentiments, investors' interests in that sector/company, etc.

 

• Understand the fundamentals and technical indicators to determine the proper valuation and entry point to enter the stock.

 

• Identify and observe the stock's market phase and trending or trading times before you buy or sell it. It is essential as it impacts the loss or gain in the stock value. Investing during a recession or when the stock has 10-15% corrected from its maximum price will help you make a profitable purchase.

 

• Diversify your investment portfolio into quality stocks of different sectors.

 

• Check with different brokers to learn about their requirements and find the one that best fits your needs.

 

• Refrain from investing in penny stocks or news-based stocks (without understanding their business and management) for quick gains

 

• Avoid being impatient and hasty and making trade decisions based on emotions. It takes a long-term perspective, patience, emotional stability, discipline, and knowledge to make profits in the stock market.

 

• Finally, don't get into the trap of "Fear of Missing Out." Do your research and invest fearlessly in quality stocks you can hold for short-to medium-term.

 

 

9. How Many Stocks Should You Buy as a Beginner?

 

Your risk appetite and time horizon determine the number of stocks you should own.

 

Beginner investors should invest a relatively small amount of money in stocks. It is safer to have a diversified portfolio of stocks from distinct sectors and even nations to avoid significant losses in case of market corrections.

       

However, investment diversification is difficult with a limited budget. For example, you may only be able to invest in one or two companies with only $1,000. This leads to a greater level of risk.

 

ETFs and mutual funds are particularly advantageous for beginners, especially those with limited capital. These investment options enable entry-level investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in a wide range of stocks and other assets rather than putting all their money into a single stock.

 

 

 

10. How Much Should A Beginner Put in Stocks?

 

Before you invest, know that making money in the stock market requires time and patience. Don't expect to become rich overnight.

 

As a beginner investor, you should only invest funds you can keep in the market for at least 2-3 years to generate returns through price rises or dividends.

 

Don't invest the money you need to meet your immediate needs, such as mortgage repayments, living expenses, tuition fees, house rent, etc.

 

Your investment can range from less than 1 cent to thousands of dollars per stock based on the share trading model you choose to invest in.

 

If you choose a CHESS-sponsored model, you need at least a $500 investment to invest in an ASX-listed company. In the case of the custodian model, your minimum investment can start from as low as 1 cent. Depending on your online broker, you may need at least $10 to invest in stocks.

 

As a beginner share trader, you should always remember a common saying: don't bite off more than you can chew. Only Invest what you can afford to lose. It is best to start low and gradually increase your investment as you become proficient in stock trading.

 

 

11. How Long Should You Hold A Stock To Make a Profit?

 

It depends on your investment goals, investment period, and the investment strategy you choose.

 

Long-term investing is ideal if you have invested in blue-chip companies with strong growth potential. The stock market has historically yielded total returns of approx—10% per year.

 

As a short-term investor, it may be challenging to time near-term stock price movement as short-term fluctuation is typical even in comparatively stable companies.

 

Checking a stock's annualised return can give you a good idea of how long you may need to hold a stock to generate desired gains via capital gain or dividend.

 

 

12. When Should A Beginner Buy and Sell Stocks?

 

When Looking at share market corrections and crashes, these are the best opportunities to buy a stock if you are a long-term investor. It is a sale period where you buy your favourite stock at discounted rates.

 

On the other hand, selling a stock depends on your investment goals and time horizon. You may invest for years to maximise your returns or exit with a decent capital gain.

 

If you hold onto an underperforming stock that lags the overall market, it may be time to sell it and invest the money in another investment.

 

 

 

13. How Do You Know If a Stock Will Go Up?

 

The earlier an investor identifies the chances for gains in a stock, the higher his chances are to profit from that equity investment.

 

Though the financial markets are uncertain, some signs can help investors draw certain conclusions about the possibility of price gains.

 

Here are some factors governing stock prices:

 

• Public sentiments around a particular company/ sector 

• National and global Economic conditions 

• Supply

• Buyer's demand

• Current valuation (A stock deemed undervalued will likely rise to attain a more reasonable market value in due time. 

• Company health (earnings, profitability, project pipeline, new deals, and contracts)

• Rising capital investment of a company

• A merger and acquisition announcement in a company (shows that companies have the capital to spend, which in turn indicates a growth in the company's stock or the business being acquired.)

• Rising foreign investment

• Economic reports

• Extended after-hours trading (Indicates a positive sentiment surrounding the company leading to increased stock strength, trading activity, and a future stock price rise.)

 

Identifying the above opportunities could result in profits in the stock market.

 

 

14. How Long Should You Hold A Losing Stock?

 

This length of period for which you should hold a stock depends on your trading strategy and overall portfolio composition.

 

Some prefer exiting the trade when it hits the stop loss. In contrast, others prefer staying in quality stocks for several years to make maximum gains as they know the market will eventually recover. Quality stocks are the first to recover in this phase.

 

You may be able to hold stock at a loss for a more extended period if it:

 

• Is a quality stock

• Is in balanced proportion concerning your entire portfolio allocation

• Pays a healthy dividend

• Is a smaller part of your portfolio

 

On the other hand, stocks that lack future growth potential, have inferior management, or have accumulated considerable debt over the years, are better to exit than incur more losses in the long run.

 

 

 

15. What Are The Most Popular Stock Trading Apps In Australia?

 

Here is a list of popular stock trading apps in Australia:

 

eToro Trading App

 

• Buy Australian & international shares with unlimited commission-free trades. (No brokerage). Other fees may apply.

• Social trading to copy other traders' trading strategies

• Free to download

• Easy to use

 

eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD. Zero commission does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Zero commission means that no broker fee has been charged when opening or closing the position. Limited stock exchanges only.

 

 

IG Trading App

 

• Free to download

• $0 per trade commission on global stocks

• The design of the software adapts to the OS of the smartphone/ tablet of the user

 

 

Commsec App

 

• Free to download

• Facility to create watchlists to evaluate the performance of different shares in Australia

• No monthly fee, inactivity, and subscription charges for the Australian shares account

• Place orders directly within the application without logging in on your desktop

 

 

 

 

16. What Are The Best Online Share Trading Platforms In Australia?

 

Here is a comparison of the top Australian stockbrokers based on their fees and features:

 

(eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD)

 

 

 

17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

 

What Happens If The Stock Market Crashes?

 

When a market crashes, stock prices sharply decline across various market sectors. It may happen due to:

 

• Economic conditions

• Catastrophic events

• Speculative elements

 

Looking at the sudden drop in stock prices, most investors start pulling out their money from the market and reinvesting it in relatively safer investment schemes.

 

Those who bought stock on margin may have to liquidate at a loss due to margin calls. Such rapid selling of stock holdings instead of waiting for a rise can cause investors to incur considerable losses in their portfolio value.

 

However, an important thing to note is that the loss is only permanent once you sell your holdings. In other words, if you continue holding onto your stocks and the market recovers over time, the stock price may bounce back to its original price or even higher.

 

 

 

Do You Owe Money If The Stock Goes Down?

 

You will not necessarily owe money if a stock's price reduces.

 

It has to reduce more than the margin percentage you used to purchase the stock to owe money.

 

For example, if you used a 30% margin to buy a stock, then only when the stock price falls beyond 30% will you owe money on your purchase. If you don't use any margin for stock purchase, you will never owe money on a stock.

 

 

Do you Lose All Your Money if The Stock Market Crashes?

 

You may or may not lose your money during a market crash. If you give in to the crisis and sell the stocks during a market downturn, you can lose some or all of your money.

 

However, if you are invested in stocks of solid companies and don't sell them during a crash, you can see those losses disappear when market and stock prices recover.

 

The best way to get through a market crash is to stay invested in fundamentally strong companies for as long as possible. Even if the stock price drastically falls to a significantly lower value, strong companies are the first to pull through when the market recovers.

 

Sticking onto such investments until they recover can help you avoid losing your investment permanently. Additionally, diversifying your portfolio in 10 to 15 different stocks across various industries lowers the extent to which your portfolio may suffer from a market crash.

 

It is because when a crash happens, not all sectors fall simultaneously. That way, if one or two companies/sectors fail to perform after a market crash, it won't tank your complete portfolio.

 

Index funds that track stock market indexes, like the S&P 500, are a great way to diversify your funds instantly. Investment in these funds has a higher chance of bouncing back. Aside from index funds, you should diversify your money across asset classes such as cash, gold, silver, bonds, etc.

 

Thus, market crashes may be inevitable, but you only lose money once you sell your stocks. Suppose your investment is in quality stocks, and you hold on to them. In that case, you can rest assured they can survive market volatility and recover over time.

 

 

Can The Stock Market Go To Zero?

 

It can happen, but it is a rare occurrence. Only under extraordinary circumstances may you face a total market loss.

 

Except for the most significant market crashes in Russia in 1917 and China in 1949, the stock market has always recovered from even the worst hits.

 

 

 

Where Does Money Lost in The Stock Market Go?

 

You only lose money in the stock market once you sell your stocks. When the stock market goes down, the value of the stocks decreases, but the physical money doesn't disappear.

 

The decline in stock prices reflects a drop in the perceived stock value due to a shift in investor sentiment. They start selling their stocks when they lose confidence in stock due to the following reasons:

 

• Economic recession

• Political uncertainty

• Changes in interest rates

• Decline in the companies' financial performance

 

So, when the stock market crashes, then the value of stocks will go down. If you stay invested in good stocks, nothing happens to your money as your stock regains its price once the market recovers.

 

 

What is The Lowest a Stock Price Can Go?

 

Stocks can only go to zero. They cannot go into negative numbers. If you have invested in fundamentally strong stocks, they will rarely get to zero in the first place.

 

 

What Is The Difference Between a Share and a Stock?

 

The difference between share and stock is subtle. However, an investor/trader in the stock market must know their differences before starting equity investments.

 

Here are some key differences between stock and share:

 

• Definition: 'Stock' represents part-ownership of the holder in one or various companies. 'Share,' on the other hand, represents a single unit of ownership in a company. Thus, investing in stocks implies investing in a portfolio of shares across various companies.

 

• Paid-up Value: Where stocks are always fully paid up, shares could be wholly or partly-paid up.

 

• Investment Type: Shares refer to a group of financial instruments called securities that include exchange-traded funds (ETFs), limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts, mutual funds, etc. However, stocks are only securities and corporate equities traded on a stock exchange.

 

• Denomination: In stock investment, you can choose different stocks of different companies; you can only buy multiple shares of a specific company with the same or equal value.

 

 

 

Can You Start Investing With 50 Dollars?

 

If you plan to "invest in the stock market," the minimum marketable parcel on the ASX is $50. It means you need to save money and reach an investable sum before investing in the ASX.

 

However, there could be other financial avenues to park your 50 dollars, such as:

 

• Putting it in a bank

• Topping up your super to grow your retirement savings

• Paying off your home loan can give you more value for your bucks.

 

 

Who Buys Stocks When Everyone Is Selling?

 

When you unload your shares, several people are waiting for a strike price so they can enter the trade. These include:

 

• Stock brokerage firms

• High Net Worth Individuals 

• Corporate traders

• Money managers

• Institutional traders who are market specialists or makers of specific stocks

• Foreign investors

• Investment Fund Managers

• Professional Stock Traders 

• Corporate Officers and Directors 

• Retail investors or individual traders.

 

They know the companies best, are more patient, and buy shares when nobody wants them. They hold them for years to realise their profits.

 

 

 

How Do You Know When To Sell A Stock For Profit?

 

The best time to sell your stock is when it progresses and looks strong to everyone.

 

Usually, growth stocks rise 20-25% after they give a breakout of a proper base, then decline and correct to 20-40% and set up new bases. (no guarantee)

 

So, if you plan to exit the trade, you should sell the stock into strength after a breakout or a significant advance of 20% to 25%. This way, you can book your profits early and avoid getting caught up in the corrections phase that can even hit market leaders.

 

Once you exit the trade, you can shift your sale proceeds into other stocks that have just begun a price run and compound your gains.

 

Always seek the help of a professional financial advisor before making any investment decision. Investing carries risk. The above are just some general options for educational purposes. All these options come with risk. This is not financial advice.

 

 

What Is The Best Way To Take Profits From Stocks?

 

Most traders plan to sell the stock once they make enough money. The problem here is there's never enough money. Without a solid profit-taking trading strategy, you may make losses or leave a lot of money on the table.

 

A simple yet powerful profit-taking formula in stock trading is P = 2 x R. Here, you exit the trade when you make twice as much money as you risk. This way, you never risk over 2% of your trading amount on any trade.

 

For example, if your investment amount is $10,000, don't risk more than 2%, i.e., $200. You should exit the trade as soon as you make $400.

 

Always seek the help of a professional financial advisor before making any investment decision. Investing carries risk. The above are just some general options for educational purposes. All these options come with risk. This is not financial advice.

 

 

Is It Better to Save or Invest?

 

Both saving and investing are essential components of a healthy financial plan.

 

Saving provides a safety net and a means to fund immediate or short-term goals such as living expenses, a new gadget purchase, funding a vacation, or a contingency fund for unexpected expenditures.

 

Savings are usually low-risk, which keeps your money safe but pays low-interest rates. Some examples include a certificate of deposit or a savings account that yields interest with time.

 

On the other hand, investing offers the potential for higher long-term returns and may realise long-term financial goals with associated risks of losing money.

 

It aims to grow your money with time by putting it in stocks, superannuation, bonds, and mutual funds to meet long-term goals such as a child's education, marriage, down payment on a house, retirement, etc.

 

A well-rounded approach that includes savings and investing based on your financial situation and goals can help build wealth, safeguard against economic shocks, and lay a solid base for a better financial future.

 

 

 

Can You Buy Shares of Australian Banks?

 

Yes. ASX bank stocks are some of the largest companies listed on the ASX by market capitalisation.

 

With a history of paying enticing and consistent dividends and linked franking credits, they can be rewarding long-term investments, mainly for investors who seek passive income.

 

Seventeen banking companies are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Of these, the top four performers based on market capitalisation dominating the Australian banking industry are:

 

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) 

• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) 

• Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ)

 

If you plan to invest in ASX bank shares, it is worth looking at the pros and cons of this investment option:

 

 

Pros of Investing in ASX Bank Shares:

 

• Stable and substantial trading volumes

• Rate rises support margins

 

 

Cons of Investing in Bank Shares:

 

• Unpredictable economy 

• Diminishing benefits of rate hikes 

• The increasing inflation may put pressure on profit margins. 

• Slowed lending

 

Factors to consider when comparing the profitability of different banks when investing in Australian bank shares are:

 

• Your financial situation and investment strategy. 

• The dividend yield

• Return on equity

• Return on assets

• Net interest margin

 

Having decided which share to invest in the banking sector, Australian investors can purchase shares in individual banks directly or through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) with vast exposure to the industry.

 

 

 

Should a 75-Year-Old Be in The Stock Market?

 

Age holds great significance when it comes to choosing investment instruments.

 

Generally, the younger you are, the more risk tolerance you have. The older you get, your risk-taking ability reduces. You tend to rely more on your existing financial resources than your future earning power.

 

When deciding whether to stay or exit the stock market at 75, you should assess whether you are financially prepared to handle worst-case scenarios like a 50% market crash and determine how your stock portfolio would fare.

 

While thinking about it, consider that you depend on those savings to pay your living expenses before the market recovers. It should not happen that you have to sell your beaten-down stocks at a discount.

 

Consider stock market investment only when you are certain your investment can withstand the storm and have adequate cash and short-term bonds to meet your living expenses while waiting for the market recovery.

 

 

18. Conclusion

 

Buying shares is the starting point for many investors. It is a great way to build wealth over time. However, there is always a risk, so a careful approach is needed while investing in stocks.

 

Learning about the stock market, researching companies, selecting the right broker, and regularly tracking your investment portfolio will help you with a good start in the stock market.

 

If you still need a share trading account, consider eToro, which is used by many investors in Australia and worldwide. You can create an eToro trading account HERE.

 

eToro Service ARSN 637 489 466 promoted by eToro AUS Capital Limited ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. Capital at risk. See PDS and TMD. Zero commission does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Zero commission means that no broker fee has been charged when opening or closing the position. Limited stock exchanges only.

 

 

 

 

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