Why Trade Jobs Are Gaining Ground With Gen Z
Younger Americans are getting more interested in vocational job training programs that don’t require a college degree.
Read moreYounger Americans are getting more interested in vocational job training programs that don’t require a college degree.
Read moreHome > Online Investing > Stock Market Basics
By Samuel Becker | Updated April 22, 2024
Learning the stock market, and all of its intricacies, can seem like an insurmountable task for beginners. But like almost anything, learning the basics of the stock market is feasible, given enough time and dedication.
Make no mistake: There’s a lot to learn, consider, and ultimately, put into practice. However, if you’re looking for a guide for beginners, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through, step by step, what you need to know to start investing in the stock market.
Before a beginner even thinks about buying a stock as a part of a self-directed trading strategy, they should have some knowledge about the market’s basics.
The stock market has a rich and volatile history. It can be helpful for beginning traders and investors to take a look back and get some perspective, and get an idea of what they might expect as they start trading.
Learn more: Stock Market History
Investors should also know the different types of stocks that they may be able to purchase on the stock market. And yes, there are a number of different types, and each may or may not have a place in your portfolio, depending on your strategy and risk tolerance.
Learn more: Different Types of Stock
Aside from knowing the types of stocks that are out there, investors need to know some of the basics regarding evaluation of different investments. Being discerning is a critical part of being an investor, and not something a beginner will want to overlook.
Learn more: How to Evaluate Stocks
Investing in the stock market may feel like riding a roller coaster at times, as stocks are naturally volatile. But some are more volatile than others. What does that all mean, and how do you measure and take it into consideration? Learn the basics.
Learn more: Managing Stock Volatility
Learning to evaluate a stock is one thing, and learning which types of stocks may be a good fit for your particular strategy is another. With that knowledge in hand, though, you still may be wondering when the time is right to buy a stock. Again, there are several things investors will need to keep in mind.
Learn more: When to Buy Stocks
For investors ready to realize the gains (or losses) they made on a stock purchase, knowing when to sell a stock – and the possible outcomes of doing so – is another important thing to know.
Learn more: When to Sell Stocks
Beginners can invest in the stock market with little money by purchasing fractional shares of stocks, or funds like ETFs. This allows them to purchase only what they can afford, though some platforms require a minimum purchase amount per trade.
Learning the basics of the stock market can take a few days, weeks, or months. It all depends on the individual investor, how much time they can or are willing to dedicate to learning, and then put it into practice. As such, there’s no definitive answer.
Beginning investors can practice stock trading by using a paper account, which effectively acts as a stock trading simulator.
If you’re ready to start investing, SoFi can help you take the next step. Trade stocks, ETFs, and more using SoFi Invest.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
Read more
SoFi x Brittany Broski September Sweepstakes
Official Rules
BY ENTERING (OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATING IN) THE SWEEPSTAKES, YOU AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, WHICH ARE A BINDING CONTRACT, SO READ THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE ENTERING. WITHOUT LIMITATION, THIS CONTRACT INCLUDES INDEMNITIES TO THE SWEEPSTAKES PARTIES FROM YOU AND A LIMITATION OF YOUR RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
YouTube Link to Create a SoFi.com Account and apply to open a SoFi Checking & Savings account: During the Promotion Period, first locate Brittany Broski’s (“Influencer”) YouTube channel video promoting the Sweepstakes, locate the link or the QR code provided to reach SoFi’s website (the “Website”) and follow instructions to register with SoFi for the first time including your full name, state, email address and creating a password. Then, follow the links and instructions to apply for a SoFi Checking & Savings account using the Influencer’s YouTube video on their channel before the end of the Promotion Period. Once you have done so, you will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes, subject to the limit below.
Alternate Method of Entry: During the Promotion Period, to enter without applying to open a SoFi Checking & Savings account using the Influencer’s YouTube video on their channel, simply locate the Influencer’s YouTube channel video promoting the Sweepstakes, locate the link or the QR code provided to reach the Website and follow instructions to register with SoFi.com including your full name, state, email address and creating a password. Downloading the SoFi app and creating an account is free. Once you have done so, you will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes, subject to the limit below.
The winner must open a SoFi Bank account to receive the prize winnings. SoFi will deliver the prize winnings to the winner only by transfer to the winner’s SoFi Bank account.
The Sweepstakes Parties are not responsible for technical, electronic, telephone, hardware, software or network, computer or data transmission errors, malfunctions, or difficulties of any kind, or for false, incorrect, changed, incomplete or illegible contact information.
LIMIT: One (1) entry per person (regardless of method or combination of methods of entry) during the Promotion Period. Attempts made by the same individual to earn more than the stated number of entries by using multiple or false contact information, accounts or otherwise may result in disqualification. Entries generated by a script, computer programs, macro, programmed, robotic or other automated means are void and may be disqualified. Entries that are in excess of the stated limit, incomplete, illegible, corrupted, damaged, destroyed, forged, false, lost, late or misdirected, deceptive or otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes at Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Those who do not follow all instructions, provide the required information in their entry form, or abide by these Official Rules or other instructions of Sponsor may be disqualified. Entries submitted by those who do not meet the eligibility requirements (including all requirements with respect to age and residence) are void. All materials submitted become the physical property of Sponsor and will not be returned. In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the registered account holder of the email address associated with the entry for the domain associated with the submitted address, provided that person is eligible. Winner may be required to show proof of being the registered account holder. Registered account holder is defined as the person assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses. In the event that a dispute regarding the identity of the individual who submitted an entry cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected entry will be deemed ineligible. All entrants submitting materials/content as part of the Sweepstakes will be non-exclusively licensing (with the unlimited right to sublicense) to Sweepstakes Parties the right to use such materials, and the related images (including entrant’s name and likeness), for any purpose (including any and all commercial purposes) with the right to modify the materials and make derivative works thereof. Entrants represent and warrant that the materials submitted will not infringe or violate any right whatsoever, including, without limitation, any personal rights (e.g., defamation, privacy, false light, moral right, etc.) or any property rights (e.g., copyright, trademark, right to ideas, etc.) of any person or entity and the use thereof will result in no third-party liability or obligations.
Parents or legal guardians of any prize winner under the age of majority in their state/jurisdiction of residence (which is eighteen (18) in most states but is nineteen (19) in Alabama and Nebraska and twenty-one (21) in Mississippi) may be required to also sign the Declaration in order for the prize winner to be qualified to receive his or her prize.
No more than the stated prize will be awarded. If, for any reason, more bona fide winners come forward seeking to claim prizes in excess of the prize set forth in these Official Rules, the winner of the advertised prize available may be selected in a random drawing from among all persons making purportedly valid claims for such prize. Inclusion in such drawing shall be each entrant’s sole and exclusive remedy under such circumstances.
ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: $10,000 deposited into winner’s SoFi Bank, N.A. Checking & Savings Account. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $10,000. Winner must still have or must create a SoFi Bank. Checking & Savings Account in order to receive the prize or it will be forfeited. In the event a person attempts to open a SoFi Checking & Savings Account and is deemed ineligible for the account, SoFi will distribute the prize amount in a reasonable alternate manner at SoFi’s discretion.
Prize is non-transferable, with no cash redemptions, equivalents, or substitutions except at Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. All prize details not specified in these Official Rules will be determined in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Prize details and availability are subject to change and prize provider’s rules and restrictions, and in the event that Sponsor is unable to provide the winner with the prize, the Sponsor may elect to provide winner with the approximate value of such item in cash or award an alternate prize of comparable or greater value. Prize is awarded “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). Winner will be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes, and for any other fees or costs associated with the prize received, regardless of whether they, in whole or in part, are used. The ARV of the prize is based on available information provided to Sponsor and the value of the prize awarded to the winner will be reported for tax purposes as required by law. The winner will be required to provide Sponsor with a valid social security number before the prize will be awarded for tax reporting purposes. An IRS Form 1099 will be issued in the name of winner for the actual value of the prize(s) received. Any unclaimed prize will be forfeited. Prize if legitimately claimed, will be awarded. The Sweepstakes Parties are not responsible for and will not replace any lost, mutilated or stolen prizes or any prize that is undeliverable or does not reach the winner because of an incorrect or changed address. If a winner does not accept or use the entire prize, the unaccepted or unused part of the prize will be forfeited and the Sweepstakes Parties will have no further obligation with respect to that prize or portion of the prize. No more than the stated prize will be awarded. The total ARV of the prize awarded in this Sweepstakes is $10,000. The Sweepstakes Parties are not responsible for and winner will not receive the difference, if any, between the actual value of the prize at the time of award and the stated ARV in these Official Rules or in any Sweepstakes-related correspondence or material. Prize will be fulfilled approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks after the Sweepstakes has ended.
BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANT AGREES THAT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: (A) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES, OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED, WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION; (B) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL THIRD-PARTY, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED (IF ANY) NOT TO EXCEED TEN DOLLARS ($10.00), BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; (C) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY ENTRANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN ANY AWARD FOR, AND ENTRANT HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO SEEK, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES, OTHER THAN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES NOT TO EXCEED TEN DOLLARS ($10.00), AND/OR ANY RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED; AND (D) ENTRANTS’ REMEDIES ARE LIMITED TO A CLAIM FOR MONEY DAMAGES (IF ANY) AND ENTRANT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
West Conshohocken, PA 19428.
ules incl. alternate methods of entry: SoFi.com/broskirules. You cannot enter solely by scanning the QR code. Sponsor: Social Finance LLC (“SoFi”).
If the disclosures can be included on an image that will be posted along with the social media call-to-action (instead of including the disclosures in the written or spoken/video post), add the following disclosures on the image:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C. (excl. FL), 18+ who have not . Void in FL & where prohibited by law. Entry period ends at 11:59 pm ET on 10/31/24. Subject to full Official Rules including alternate methods of entry, prize, and odds: SoFi.com/broskirules. You cannot enter solely by scanning the QR code. Sponsor: Social Finance LLC (“SoFi”).
Read more