LOL it's too many to name but ofcourse you have "Industry Standards" but I'm sure the opinion will vary as far as trading software. for analyzing the stock?
I really prefer mutual funds. If you look closely at all of the important indicators, you can find micro-cap funds that return 12+ % per year. Mix that up a bit with a few less aggressive funds, then invest in a few individual stocks you hand pick. You really want to spread your eggs around into a lot of different baskets
I wouldn't get into the stock market right now. The stock market is cyclic, it goes up and down and at the moment its starting to go down. A safer place to invest at the moment is real estate but you need more capital layout there. Anyone who claims the stock market is not risky is a *complete* idiot no matter whether they're talking about blue chips, mining or energy. The risks may be perceived to be lower but it's still there. Can anyone say Enron? What about the dot com bubble? Never believe the hype. Do your own research but think not of what you can make, but what you can loose, and that's everything you invested! If you can write your investment off and not be too concerned then great, if not then you're in the wrong place. Another thing is to consider is your length of investment. You've only made money on the stock exchange when you sell your stocks until that point, its just potential earnings. You also don't make a loss until you sell. So if your stocks are down and you're prepared to wait it out then you better be damn sure you didn't pay too much for the stock in the first place, otherwise it could be a long wait! And right now most stocks are over priced. Yes, people can and will make money in a bear market but it's more like reckless gambling. Very few make it; most won't! So be careful.
You have to go much more in-depth into the economy during a bearish market to pick winners, but I still think it is possible especially now given the strength of most foreign economies namely China, India, and pretty much all of the Middle East. What do you mean real estate? If you mean buying foreclosed properties than sure that is a pretty good investment but like you said the amount of capital you need is going to be pretty significant and I doubt many people here are going to be able to whip out the check book and buy a foreclosed property so I don't really see how that is relevant to the stock market.
Emerging markets carry the most risk. And you're right, many people here are not going to be able to whip out the check book and buy a foreclosed property, just like many people here know how to go much more in-depth into the economy during a bearish market to pick winners.
I bailed out of the stock market long ago. I went into gold and silver and I have a smile that I can't get off my face these days.
unreal get buying some now while its under $4 to average that price out. hopefully someone will buy them and you can finally get your money back.
No worrys, Circuit City has brought me back Its going up now, espically when they announced they will be less in debit comming spring with another surprise.
I only have one stock that is really affected by the pretty meager 25 basis point cut and that's Annaly Capital (NLY). My other stocks of McDonald's and CVS shouldn't be affected too much.