Trading Insights for the Wise Stock Trader 

 Forbes Special Situation Survey Newsletter
The Prudent Speculator Newsletter
They advertise rarely. It's been around 50 years. The successful people already have it.

Why do you want to trade stocks?

No doubt your answer would to be make money, become wealthy, and buy an island, preferably not in the Gulf of Mexico. Or perhaps, you have plenty of money, and just want a new hobby. Or maybe you hate your boss or bossette and want to get out on your own in the easy world of day trading in your underwear.
The answer to the question of why trade stocks is vital to understand. Can you think of some wrong reasons to get into stock trading, like being unwilling to lay the groundwork instead of jumping right in?

What is your stock market strategy?

The one for sure must have is a stock market strategy. What is your preferred kinds of stock trades? How do you assess what to buy, when to buy, and when to sell? Do you plan on using a dart board, or perhaps a set of iron clad rules? Do you plan on breaking your rules when you feel adventurous?

What markets will you trade in?

Divide the stock market into three classes:

Cash: Things like 30 day treasuries...

Income: You are looking into on such things as:

• Government bonds
• Term deposits including short term, mid term, and long term.
• Corporate high yield... The more risky the investment, the greater the return.
• Preferred Shares... Dividend income.
• Growth investment... Large, Mid and Small Cap, Dividend-Paying, Growth or Value, Growth or Value (Investing in stocks from other nations.), and Sector Specific.

Furthermore, another way to look at the big picture of assets is that they may be broken down into shares, fixed interest, property or cash. The wealthy stock trading gentry among us understand well these divisions. That they are in the minority, that being, wealthy, while you are not, is a function of their understanding of their trade craft.

If this is completely overwhelming to you, as it would be to most any normal person starting out in investing, and you are unwilling or unable to do your diligent research of the copious online information available to you, then by all means seek professional help. Perhaps, the best investment strategy for the beginner as well as the seasoned investor is to not go for the big or quick score, but to wisely diversify your portfolio.

Of course, opinions on investing and stock market strategy is as diverse as people's fingerprints. When all else fails, look to the success or failure of the person's own portfolio, and use that as a guide to which information you stick with.

Of course, there are two ways you can do your part to do your utmost to insure stock happiness and that is to invest in The Prudent Speculator, a Forbes Publication, and the Forbes Special Situation Survey. As investments go, this is pretty much a no brainer. Buy at a low cost, and reap HIGH rewards!