Yet another stockbroker

There are a variety of different methods available to invest in the stock market. However, what most people believe are a safe investment can actually be a LOSING investment over the long run.

So, before you invest another dollar in the stock market, it is best to know the various investment vehicles available.

1. Government Bonds, Certificates of Deposit, and Money Market Accounts

I lump all of these into one group because they are the least risky of all investments. Unfortunately, they are almost the worst performing investment as well. Why? Because these 3 investment vehicles pay a lower rate of return than most other investment vehicles. In February of 2006, a very good money market account or CD account may get 3.5% - 4.5% a year return on the investment, which is barely above the annual inflation rate of approx. 1.7%. But if you are primarily concerned with preserving your investment capital, these 3 traditionally do very well.

2. Corporate bonds

Corporate bonds can offer a better rate of return than government bonds, but of course, they are a bit more risky. For example, GE 14 year bonds are currently offering a 5.65% rate of return. The risk here is that GM could become financially unstable, and not be able to pay back the loan that the bond represents. However, a highly rated corporate bond is generally a safe investment.

3. Mutual Funds

Mutual funds, are in my opinion, the worst possible investment. Now, I know some mutual funds have a 30% - 40% return per year, and some even more. However, the fees involved are usually very high, and MOST mutual funds actually performs WORSE then the market indexes do. The reason for this is in part, because of the management fees involved, as well as the restrictive trading as dictated by each mutual funds prospectus.

Mutual funds are not free to buy and sell any stock at any time that they choose. It must correlate to their investment strategy, even when they strategy is doomed to lose money!
For this reason, I steer clear of mutual funds these days.

4. Stocks

Ah, stocks. Now this is where the fun starts. Stock trading is where you can start getting consistent returns of 20% - 100% or more a year. Sounds great…so what’s the downside? Well, you can loose are your capital easier than in the previous 3 methods, and it takes a more active role on your part to achieve these returns. If you are interested in making more than 20% a year, I advise checking out BreakingWallStreet.com, and find the best stock picking system for you.

5.Options

Options are actually above and beyond what most investors ever consider. In fact, most stock brokers and financial advisors have one thing and one thing only to say about trading options: they are too risky. And yes, they are even more risky than stocks, and should never be invested into non-discretionary money. HOWEVER, options can and do give returns of 100% - 200% in a single DAY. Once again, using a carefully planned out trading system, one can trade options with minimal risk for loss, and a great upside potential. Again, check into the various options systems advertised on the internet.

Keep in mind, that I am not a stock broker nor financial advisor, and before you invest in anything, you should always consult a financial advisor. You can lose all of your money by investing in what you don’t know about. However, it is wise to know all your options, so you can decide how serious you are about investing, and be able to make the money you deserve!

Greg Podsakoff is the editor of http://www.breakingwallstreet.com - a website dedicated to finding the most profitable stock and option trading system on the internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Podsakoff
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-5-Most-Common-Investment-Vehicles&id=148553

Technorati Tags: government bonds, investment, funds, trading

It didn’t take long until FED acted and that will in the short term take away some of the stress the market feel regarding the mortgage situation. FED cut the level of interest with 50 points for banks and other players in the financial market. At this stage the market fear that the companies will have there investments costs rapidly increasing cause the revaluation of risks and the last couple of years historically very low spreads on lending. The fact is that the last couple of years the mortgage situation been the same for all companies regardless what the books look like, the last couple of month that been changing and that will only hit companies with weak balance sheet.

The market will probably have some insecurity and volatility will probably be a theme the next couple of month before the market and the global economy completely get into the fact of an environment with higher interests, that move might take some time longer cause the problems in the credit market.

Something of great importance is that FED, Bank of England and others the last couple of years been very independent in there work of protecting the growth and keeping the inflation within stated goals which has been helping the market to sustain in this long period of strong economic growth. This independence will further on be important to increase the possibility for FED and others to act quick and powerful.

What the market hoping for at this stage is that the FED will cut interest at there next meeting to help the mortgage situation not going out of control. At the moment there is difficult to see the consequences of the sub prime mortgage situation world wide, but so far a couple of hedgefunds been closing down and some financial institutions going out of business or are under pressure. Among hedgefunds closing down two Bearn Stearns with a 15 times gearing going under, that fact says more about the great risks investors taking than what problems the sub prime mortgage situation have been causing.

The probability that FED will decrease interest on there next meeting have the last couple of weeks been rapidly increasing but is far from being sure. FED is still focusing on job growth and inflation and there seems to be possible regarding both the weakness of job growth and the low inflation that an increase of interest will come sooner rather than later.

Companies taking a hit the last couple of weeks and still are under pressure are banks and financial institution cause there overall exposure in the mortgage sector. A qualified guess is that there is in that sector there will be a strong move on the upside as soon as the insecurity in the mortgage situation is gone. What to look at is companies within the banking sector is companies with low exposure and risks in the mortgage portfolio and strong balance sheets.

The next couple of weeks will probably be good timing for going long or just taking short positions and taking gain in the volatility the market will provide in the next couple of month.

Technorati Tags: mortgages, loans, FED, sub prime

You don’t have to be made of money to be an investor. There are many investments ideas for small investors that you probably aren’t aware of. And these investments can be a lot closer and simpler than you think.

One investment idea for small investors is stocks. Now this may come as a surprise since most people think you need to have scads of money to get involved with the stock market.

Many stocks, however, do not cost an arm and leg to buy. They can be quite affordable and you can start with a few shares and work up to larger investments.

Shares in start up companies in a hot industry are one example of a good investment idea for small investors. A few shares of a blue chip stock is another.

Just be sure to do some research first and be willing to hang on to your stock through ups and downs, as stocks tend to be more profitable in the long term and will definitely see some ups and downs.

Government bonds and securities are other investment options for small investors.

Many government bonds can be bought at a low to moderate price, and they will give an investor the advantage of interest payments.

These interest payments can be used for another investment idea. In fact, the interest payments on government bonds and shares can make it possible to diversify investments for small investors.

Investment ideas for small investors can be in more tangible types of items as well. Items such as coins, cars and collectibles are often a good place for small investors to begin.

These types of investments often make an investor feel more secure than when they’re dealing with what is often referred to as “paper “ money. They like being able to keep their investments close to them.

The advantage this can have is that if a coin or collectible has a sudden spike in value it can be easily gotten to and sold for a profit. And, after all, the best investment idea for small investors is the one they feel the most secure and comfortable making.

Read more free investment tips, tutorials & reviews at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mika_Hamilton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Investment-Ideas-for-Small-Investors&id=79725

Technorati Tags: small investors, government bonds, trading, investments