Become a More Profitable Stock Trader By Following a Few Simple Tips


People interested in stock market investing often search long and hard for solid, valuable stock trading tips.  The truth is, there is really no secret to trading the stock market.   By following a few principles and taking the time to research and learn, just about anybody can be a successful stock trader.   Below is a presentation of several valuable stock trading tips.   

Don’t Be Greedy

This tip was placed first for a reason.  Greed will devastate a trader’s portfolio faster than anything else, especially for the novice trader.  It is important for the stock investor to understand his or her own tolerance for risk and trade within those parameters.  Trading stock derivatives, such as options and futures, carries with it incredible volatility and risk that is not suitable for all investors. 

Solid blue chip stocks, one the other hand, generally carry less risk as long as adequate and thorough research is conducted.  Inexperienced traders may fall into the trap of chasing a “winning stock” that has had an incredible run, only to lose a large portion of their capital placating their greed.  One of the best stock trading tips that can be offered is to set loss and profit limits.  While this strategy limits profits, it will also reduce loss in capital. 


Understand Commission Structure

Most, if not all, stock brokers charge a commission for utilizing their services and trading software.  While paying commission is generally accepted as the cost of doing business, it is important to compare commission rates when choosing a stock broker.  Caution must be exercised, as extremely low commission rates may indicate inferior customer service, limited stock availabilities and unreliable trading software.  

When executing a trade, the stock trader must consider that each transaction will carry a commission charge.  These charges can quickly add up, especially if dozens of trades are entered daily.  A good rule of thumb is to calculate commission charges into profit, loss and break even points. 


Use a Reliable Trading Platform

Many online brokerage firms offer stock trading software to facilitate trade executions.  It is incumbent upon stock investors to conduct adequate research to ensure that the trading platform that their broker offers is suitable for their desires and trading preferences.  Reliability in a trading platform is one of the most critical components to stock market trading.  The software must be able to instantaneously process and execute trades as specified by the trader.   

Trading platforms that fail to promptly execute trades often leads to entering a position that is undesirable and sometimes costly.  The key is to find trading software that allows for timely, reliable trade execution and processing. 

Overall, it can take years to master the art of stock market trading.  Novice traders would be wise to practice trading using “paper money” so that trading strategies can be perfected and loss of capital minimized.  Most legitimate online brokers offer paper trading accounts as part of a comprehensive stock trading package.   Patience, perseverance and adherence to these stock trading tips can help all stock investors become better traders. 

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