About to invest for first time ever...need some help?

I have been following the stock market for a few months now, and after saving $1,000 to invest, I have decided to give it a go. I have some stocks in mind, and I already have my scottrade account funded and ready to go...but I just came down with an extreme sense of anxiety because I really don't know what I'm doing. I know I should diversify so I can limit my risk...what are the good industries to be investing in? How reliable are the analyst ratings? How many times does a penny stock spike up to above 8 dollars? I am only looking at one penny stock, I know it's a risk. I am also looking at some banks, like BBX and TFSL.

I really just don't know what to do. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

you know, you want to accomplish a lot with just 1,000 dollars. You're probably better just growing that amount via a mutual fund and then when you base a larger base start getting into individual stocks. Based on your objectives, of diversifying, buying financial and penny stocks, you'll effectively be buying 10 shares of all stocks. Commissions will kill you. BTW, a penny stock is officially $5 or less a share. There are plenty of instances of a $5 stock going to $8. Now you you are looking at something that is $0.10/share, the odds are against you.

my vote: roth IRA

Analyst ratings are generally pretty good....Diversification is the key and make sure you have at least one company in the "consumer staples" .....people always need to by toothpaste, shampoo, soap...that kinda thing. Penny stocks can be fun, but be prepared to lose everything invested in them...as very few ever increase over the long term...most become worthless.

It is also better to buy fewer shares of many companies as opposed to more shares of just a few....This is basically the principal behind mutual funds and other retirement plans and helps to spread the risk.....maybe just buy into a mutual fund?

If you're this nervous about $1000, DO NOT invest in a penny stock. That is a good way to lose all your money very quickly.

Now that we got that out of the way...

Analyst ratings are a good "sanity check" but they tend to be more "after the fact," in my opinion.

What I think would be ideal for you, if you want to sort of diversify but ALSO want to invest in a certain sector, would be an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund).

They are just like stocks in the way you buy them, but the fund buys a whole portfolio of stocks within a certain sector or style.

You can buy them within Scottrade. I have and they're great.

With only $1000 it's hard to diversify because you can only buy very few shares of any one stock. PLUS with Scottrade you have to pay a commission of $7 for every trade you make. That will quickly eat into your profits if you only buy a few stocks at a time.

I would buy several shares of one or two ETFs in different sectors with that money. This way you get the benefits of both having diversification and are able to follow certain sectors.

Right now anything international is hot because of the falling dollar. Do a search to see why. Also, I like natural resources right now (especially industrial metals). But that's just me.

99% of all amateur traders fail.
Don't throw out your money.
Go to vanguard.com.
Vanguard will offer information on the site.
Don't buy individual stocks you do not have time
to research and industry compare.
Do not pay for fees you do not have to.
Analysts were saying about a year ago that the
price of oil would stabilize at about sixty dollars
a barrel. It was ninety last night.
Learn about efts exchange traded funds.
Also think about Vanguard's Index fund which
would give you a broad presence in the market
without emptying your wallet in fees.
Learn something about the emerging markets as well
as foreign markets. The US dollar is toast.
Vanguard has the lowest fee ratio in the whole
market.
As for penny stocks, forget it. Almost never happens.
And when it does, only those who have intimate
knowledge and/or information on the company will
prosper.
The market is basically a gamble most of the time.
The market will kill you if you do not have the time,
information, ability and perseverance to do the homework.
Over time, the market will give you the best results for
your money as it generally beats inflation. But do not think this will happen in a hurry... you'll just lose.
Get a copy of The Intelligent Investor, published in 1934, and, arguably the best book for beginners EVER.

Hey, you already know how much you don't know - and that's the first step.

The great thing about the market is that opportunities are ALWAYS there. As long as stocks are moving (up or down), there is something to trade profitably.

My advice would be not to rush into things. The right time to invest is NOT when you have the $$ to invest - it's when you are convinced you have found a solid investment opportunity.

There are many ways to profit from the market - find one that suits you. It can be mutual funds, individual stocks, etc.

If you are interested in trading small caps - check out:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tr...

Otherwise, check out some books on investing with the best reader reviews on Amazon.

Analyst are pushing their stocks so they can sell them, your best stocks are growth stocks like tech, they continue to move the market. They are on the NASDAQ. $1,000. isn't a big start so be carefull and stay away from the pennie stocks, they go down like a rock because people selling them pump and dump. Look around you, what companies do you see making new products, who do you see on TV with the next thing you and your friends want to buy. That is a good starting point.

First, do not start with penny stocks. They are much harder for someone who is just starting.

Second, if you have only $1000, you should just buy an index fund, not individual companies. This is because you should not put more than 10% of your assets in the stock of any one company and putting less than $100 into each company will take too much time and commissions in proportion to the amount that you are likely to make with that small an investment.

With $1000 I would buy some high paying Dividend stocks ( stocks paying more than 6%) add to your position monthly and watch it grow.

I will help you for FREE. (I am a Portfolio Manager)

I suggest Google and the ETFs DDM, QLD and SSO.