[6strings21frets]

is there anyone who knows how to use the stock market/play the game?

please reply!!!

[Ryan Freeland]

I played VSE (Virtual Stock Exchange) which is run by Marketwatch.com for quite awhile before I started in the real stock market. I'd advise you to take an Intro to Business class or something of that nature to prepare you for the real thing.

[leiarose]

Research research research. Create a "play" portfolio on Google or yahoo finance and track some stocks, noting progress and reasons for change. I'm not too educated about it but I did follow a large portfolio for my previous employer on Fidelity.

[normajean777]

OO I loved this. I had a virtual stock picking contest back in Accounting in High School. . . . I won. On of my stocks did some huge things in the matter of a month or two that it lasted,

[6strings21frets]

okay... thanks everyone.

any tips on what to buy/sell and when to buy/sell?

[bravesfan007]

Originally Posted by 6Strings21Frets

when to buy/sell?

The stock market oversimplified: buy low; sell high. That's the very simplest rational behind the stock market in my opinion. I'm an accounting major and know a few things about the stock market, but not enough to actually make money. I do have an account at Investopedia to "play" the stock market before you invest. I rarely keep up with it. In fact, my last trades were on January 2. They give you $100,000 to start with for your portfolio. As of the close today my portfolio is worth $103,446.36. So as you can see, I'm not exactly a genius.

One thing I have heard though is that you shouldn't really buy and sell too much. You should try and go with some long-term stocks rather than short-term.

[Ryan Freeland]

Originally Posted by bravesfan007

One thing I have heard though is that you shouldn't really buy and sell too much. You should try and go with some long-term stocks rather than short-term.

That strategy/outlook limits your financial possibilities. It's good to have a wide diversity of different investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and maybe even gold.

Putting lots of money into short-term stocks is risky, but if you do your research, you should be alright. As a highschool student, I don't have that much money to invest. But of the $2,000 I could muster up, I made the best of it so far. In the past 2 weeks, I'm up over $500 (25%).

[bravesfan007]

Originally Posted by Ryan Freeland

That strategy/outlook limits your financial possibilities. It's good to have a wide diversity of different investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and maybe even gold.

Putting lots of money into short-term stocks is risky, but if you do your research, you should be alright. As a highschool student, I don't have that much money to invest. But of the $2,000 I could muster up, I made the best of it so far. In the past 2 weeks, I'm up over $500 (25%).

Yes, diversity is a good thing. I forgot about that. Don't put all of your money in one or two companies or industries. Things happen overnight and you could lose it all.

Penny stocks are good, but you have to know when to cash out if you get lucky. The majority of the time those stocks will skyrocket quickly and then come crashing back to the floor quicker than they went up.

[darfaz]

If you are playing the market for fun, I strongly encourage you to look at which companies are posting earnings in the next few weeks. These are usually the companies that move in a specific period of time. Most people who play stock "games" put most of their money in stocks that are reporting earnings. After all, it really isn't your money!!

[Yoda_me07]

i played this game 2 years ago.
i came about 41st nationally.
i was 4th at one stage however.
what got me was where i'd hold on to stocks thinking they would rebound.

tips?

look for company announcements.

however overall with the market recently,
i would sell all stocks and buy when the market picks up.