Stock Trading Basics: Stock Trading 101 Print E-mail

Stock trading is a sort of misleading term to that is used to describe what in fact takes places when you are buying or selling stocks. Like most financial markets, the stock market is very efficient, and practically obeys the supply and demand laws.

 

If you want to sell a stock share, at the right price, someone was always ready to buy that share from you. For all of the trades that take place each day, the stock exchanges all through the world bring order ensuring that buyers and sellers can find each other quickly.

Stock Exchange Floor

Most people have in their minds the New York Stock Exchange in the picture when they think of trading stocks.

 

That's for the reason that in order to complete their stock transactions, they still use an exchange floor where the "market makers" still use hand terminals or pads, overhead monitors and hand gestures.

 

To match up the buyers and sellers and ensure that a robust "market" always exists for the stock or stocks that they are accountable for, the NYSE depends on these specialists or market makers.

 

It is quite a remarkable sight to see the NYSE trading floor and all of the people that make trading a reality - and that is why you see pictures of the stock exchange floor in the newspaper all the time.

Electronic Stock Exchanges

The NASDAQ is a complete electronic exchange unlike the NYSE - and pictures of computers are pretty boring. In order the match buyers and sellers of stock.

 

The NASDAQ uses a sophisticated network of computers. With almost instantaneous confirmation of stock trades, this makes electronic exchanges very fast.

 

An added feeling of control over their trades was given by the electronic exchanges to many investors, but the necessity of the stockbroker is still essential in either method - exchange floors or electronic exchanges.

Stock Trades and Stock Brokers

You do not have direct access to the stock market as an individual. Stock brokers are the one who used to ensure the exchange rules are enforced and, in order to complete their transactions, all stock traders must have the essential funds.

 

So, the stock broker provides the market and the investor with essential services irrespective of whether you are online day trading or calling a stock broker over the telephone. And the more personal this service is, the higher the commission you will be charged.

 

For example, an amount of $30.00 might be charged by stockbrokers that answer the telephone and make trades on your behalf. This is a generalization, actual fee structures may differ with the dollar amount or number of shares traded.

Electronic Stock Brokers

Electronic Stock Brokers let you to make online trades by means of an account you've established with them.

 

In order to send your buy and sell order, these companies also use sophisticated computer networks to the correct stock exchange. This means that depending on price or commissions, not personalized service, electronic brokers compete for your business.


Related Articles:

 
Tag it:
Delicious
Furl it!
Spurl
digg
YahooMyWeb
Reddit
De.lirio.us
feedmelinks
NewsVine
Shadows
Simpy
BlinkList
TailRank
< Prev   Next >
Copyright © 2008 FinanceGuide101.com
Disclaimer: All material included in the website is intended for information purposes only and not to give you advice that relates to your specific circumstances. You are advised to discuss your specific requirements with an independent financial adviser.