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[O98]On Line Share Trading

by Tarun Jaswani, Tar

Participants in the stock market range from small individual stock investors to large hedge fund traders, who can be based anywhere. Their orders usually end up with a professional at a stock exchange, who executes the order.

Some exchanges are physical locations where transactions are carried out on a trading floor, by a method known as open outcry. This type of auction is used in stock exchanges and commodity exchanges where traders may enter "verbal" bids and offers simultaneously. The other type of stock exchange is a virtual kind, composed of a network of computers where trades are made electronically via traders.

Actual trades are based on an auction market paradigm where a potential buyer bids a specific price for a stock and a potential seller asks a specific price for the stock. (Buying or selling at market means you will accept any ask price or bid price for the stock, respectively.) When the bid and ask prices match, a sale takes place on a first come first served basis if there are multiple bidders or askers at a given price.

The purpose of a stock exchange is to facilitate the exchange of securities between buyers and sellers, thus providing a marketplace (virtual or real). The exchanges provide real-time trading information on the listed securities, facilitating price discovery.

The New York Stock Exchange is a physical exchange, also referred to as a listed exchange only stocks listed with the exchange may be traded. Orders enter by way of exchange members and flow down to a specialist, who goes to the floor trading post to trade stock. The specialist's job is to match buy and sell orders using open outcry. If a spread exists, no trade immediately takes place--in this case the specialist should use his/her own resources (money or stock) to close the difference after his/her judged time. Once a trade has been made the details are reported on the "tape" and sent back to the brokerage firm, which then notifies the investor who placed the order. Although there is a significant amount of human contact in this process, computers play an important role, especially for so-called "program trading".

The NASDAQ is a virtual listed exchange, where all of the trading is done over a computer network. The process is similar to the New York Stock Exchange. However, buyers and sellers are electronically matched. One or more NASDAQ market makers will always provide a bid and ask price at which they will always purchase or sell 'their' stock.

Sometimes the market tends to react irrationally to economic news, even if that news has no real effect on the technical value of securities itself. Therefore, the stock market can be swayed tremendously in either direction by press releases, rumors, euphoria and mass panic.

Over the short-term, stocks and other securities can be battered or buoyed by any number of fast market-changing events, making the stock market difficult to predict.

The same rules apply to CFDs as they do to share trading - In essence, they're both about getting the direction of the instrument correct. Trading on rumours is a classic investor trait, which can often lead to losses as the event never materialises and the share price falls back.

HINT: DIVERSIFICATION

Overexposure in one particular asset class can quickly lead to losses (and gains). Diversifying your risk is well regarded amongst the most successful investors as the best way to reduce risk. Reducing risk can come in a variety of guises from investing in different sectors, taking short as well as long positions – creating a market neutral portfolio and trading across different markets. The most popular way of diversifying is by taking a position in an index, as opposed to the individual constituents. This way the impact of a large movement in a particular share, or even sector, will have less of an impact. Although you should always place a stop on your positions, it is particularly prudent with more exposed portfolios.

HINT: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Most CFD trading firms provide a range of research resources including charting, news and company information to keep you informed and help you make informed investment decisions. Keep yourself informed and up to date by making the most of the research centre.

TIP: DON'T OVERTRADE

Every investor has their own style of trading and you must decide what works for you. Just because you have the ability to trade frequently, doesn't mean you have to! With competitive commissions and a high liquidity, the FX market is a classic example of where there can be literally dozens of trading opportunities throughout the day. You don't have to trade every one of them to have a successful day.

TIP: CUTTING LOSSES

You will have losing trades. Decide on the amount you are willing to lose before you place the trade and stick to it. If you haven't got the self-discipline to trade out of a losing position, place a stop on the trading platform and let the system do the hard work for you. The most successful traders are those who are very regimental in their use of stops. Quite simply, they rarely lose more money than they were initially prepared to lose. There are plenty of more opportunities, as long as you have retained the capital to take advantage of them!

TIP: UNDERSTANDING YOUR MARKET

Most CFD firms provide access to a range of global financial markets for you to trade. This wide selection is not an invitation to trade every market possible – it's to provide a choice. As well as fully understanding the market and the news and data which impact its movements, make sure you fully understand how Barclays Stockbrokers offers the instruments and under what terms. Trade what you know.

TIP: CREATE TRADING TARGETS

Every trade should be entered into with one clear exit target if the trade is profitable and another for a losing trade. Limit and Stop orders are crucial to helping you achieve this. Don't let a short-term trade become a long-term investment by not placing a stop. Moving your stop loss closer to the market price as your position becomes profitable allows greater flexibility in setting targets. You don't have to call the very top or bottom of the market to regularly make money.

TIP: DON'T BE EMOTIONAL

CFDs are a very exciting way of trading, but don't let emotion take over. The market is never wrong – and don't try to prove otherwise. Sometimes the greatest discipline is to avoid the trade altogether. Like any good dealmaker – if the price isn't right, walk away. Plan your trade and trade your plan.

TIP: MANAGING YOUR MONEY

Thrilling, exhilarating, gripping…. but these emotions will become few and far between without a sound, business-like approach to your CFD trading. Before you even start – only risk what you can afford to lose. Once you have established what proportion of your investment funds should be apportioned to CFDs you need to further break down your collateral into how much you are willing to lose on each individual trade. Then stick to this!

Article Source : Pg. 10

About Author

Both Tarun Jaswani & Andy Richardson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Tarun Jaswani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investing and Trading, Acai Berries and Banking. Get Top and that work.. Tarun Jaswani's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.

Andy Richardson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Investments and How To Grow Wealth. This article was written by Andy of , a UK financial website which specialises in offering free guides and information on stockm. Andy Richardson's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.