Helpful Internet Links

Helpful Internet Link about the Stock Market on the Internet

After dedicating two installments of Web Talk to health, I'm ready to switch to another important subject, money. This month, I will address the Stock Market. So far this year, the DOW has made the news by reaching the 10,000 landmark, and beating its own record several times after that. I don't know if the Bulls or the Bears will lead when you read this, but it's been an exciting ride.

The wise would-be investor should exercise great caution to avoid cyber scams, get-rich-quick schemes, hot tips and other deceptions. Let the buyer beware! First, educate yourself; then, go with the reliable and well-known. I will start with the "must visit" sites and work my way to the "proceed with caution" other Internet stock sites.

http://www.sec.gov/ (not to be confused with sec.org for the Southeastern Conference's Web site)
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is the regulatory branch of government overseeing the Stock Market. Its Web site features information about itself, the EDGAR Database for research, SEC News Digest & Public Statements, Rulemaking and especially Investor Assistance & Complaints. For a complete overview of the site's content, click on the Site Map link.

http://www.nasaa.org/
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. The Web site offers tips, advice and words of caution.

http://www.amex.com/ & http://www.nasdaq.com/
Consider this your Stock Market headquarters. Both of those addresses are billed as the Nasdaq Stock Market Home Page. The last time I checked them out, the amex.com had the more updated market information. Aside from that, the two pages are identical. Each page shows the time of the last information and the accompanying statistics in numbers and in graphs; market-related financial news; and a corner called "Nasdaq Earnings Surprises." You can get quotes in one query on up to ten companies, stocks, mutual funds or options, by entering the symbol.

http://www.nyse.com/
The New York Stock Exchange's Web site contains, market information and regulation, education on how the stock exchange operates, including a glossary (ideal for novices), listed companies, prices, an international view area, and even merchandise.

http://www.wsj.com/
The site offers up-to-date market information, free browsing of news articles and financial search capability. You can start a free, two-week trial Interactive Journal; the continued subscription costs $59 a year, $29 for print subscribers. The Wall Street Journal, in print or online, is a respected source of business information and can be an important part of your investment education.

All of the following Web sites come under the heading of "other." Always proceed with caution; that goes even with your own favorite stockbroker at your local big name brokerage house. Use the Internet to educate yourself so that you can make your own decisions instead of being at the mercy of hot tips hawkers. Make sure you know your goals and the risks before making a buying decision. Check who the people are, where they are located, what their record is and what protection they offer. Because it is on the Internet does not mean it is on the level.

Use the tools offered online to research companies and keep track of investments. Explore several sources. On most following Internet sites, you can get a stock quote by entering the name of the company or its symbol. Most contain educational materials, financial news and stock information. If a Site Map link is available, always check into this feature to get the full scope of a Web site.

http://www.quicken.com/investments/stocks/
Quicken's Web site has a page dedicated to stocks. This site has the advantage of being run by a well-known, reputable company. It has loads of information and a special feature called a Quick Stock Search; to do the search, enter your criteria in each of three boxes, 5-yr EPS Growth Rate, Market Cap and P/E ratio to submit and get back a narrowed down list for your consideration.

http://www.schwab.com/
On its Home Page, Schwab bills itself the "online leader." This is a well-known company that offers online trading, phone transactions and branches for in-person dealings. Remember that the decisions are yours and beware of moving your investments too often and too quickly, just because you can.

http://www.stockmaster.com/
This attractive and uncluttered site shows the market figures for the S&P 500, the DJIA and the NASDAQ, with date and time of information and a graph tracing the hour by hour movement of the DOW. StockMaster offers a view of your personalized portfolio with a 30-second sign-up procedure; just login on subsequent visits.

http://www.thestreet.com/
TheStreet.com offer links to numerous financial articles. You can bank online and trade online there. They offer a 30-day free trial.

http://www.stocks.com/
Stocks.com calls itself "The Financial Resource Guide." The main page has a wealth of related links, each accompanied by a short description.

http://better-investing.org/
This helpful, non-profit site belongs to the National Association of Investors Corp and bills itself as AInvestment Education for Individuals and Clubs since 1951. This site has information about Investments Clubs and offers membership, education, publications and software.

http://www.suretrade.com/
The Lincoln, RI online brokerage firm, is owned by Fleet Financial Group, according to a newspaper article by Jonathan Clements of the Wall Street Journal. You can open your account online and take advantage of all their services.

http://www.mrstock.com/
Mr. Stock Online Trading is the full name of the Web site. It is totally geared to online trading; it even offers Retirement Accounts such as IRA, SEP-IRA, and Roth-IRA.

http://www.learn2trade.com/
This site provides information and tools on day trading and words of caution regarding the speculative and risky nature of that type of activity.

http://www.stock-quotes.com/
This is a source for Small Cap information; you will also find company profiles and reports. It appears to be a good site for research. You can select options to customize the Home Page to include your preferred markets indices and the stocks you wish to follow; the information will be updated each time you visit.

http://www.stocktrades.net/
You can find a Glossary of Stock Terms and Book Reviews. There are links to Futures and Options, Corporate Reports and Simulation Games.

http://www.stockstowatch.com/
That site offers a free subscription. E-mail your investment questions to their research staff; learn several informative answers to previous inquiries. The Home Page offers many worthwhile links, one of them bearing the intriguing title "Stupid Stock Tricks #5."

NOTE: Use the "BACK" function of your browser to return to your point of origin. If you spot a dead link, alert the author by e-mail marked as such in the Subject.