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Before buying your first share, it is important to understand what stock investing involves. Investing without knowledge can expose you to unnecessary risk.
This guide outlines the fundamentals every beginner should understand before getting started.
What Is a Stock?
A stock represents ownership in a company. When you purchase a company’s shares, you become a part-owner of that business. As the company grows and generates profits, the value of your investment can increase over time.
Public companies list their shares on an exchange, allowing investors to buy and sell them. In Nigeria, this trading takes place on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), which provides a regulated marketplace for buying and selling stocks.
Why Do People Invest in Stocks?
Investors typically buy stocks for two main reasons:
1. Capital appreciation: If the company performs well, its share price may rise over time, allowing you to sell at a profit.
2. Dividend income: Some companies distribute a portion of their profits to shareholders in the form of dividends.
Beyond these benefits, stocks can help investors:
- Build long-term wealth
- Diversify their portfolios
- Potentially outpace inflation
However, returns are not guaranteed, which brings us to risk.
Understanding Risk and Return
All investments carry risk, and stocks are no exception. Share prices fluctuate due to economic conditions, company performance, and market sentiment. This movement is known as volatility.
While short-term price swings can be unsettling, long-term investors often focus on the broader trajectory of business growth rather than daily market movements.
Before investing, it is important to assess:
- Your financial goals
- Your investment timeline
- Your tolerance for risk
A clear understanding of these factors helps you make disciplined decisions.
Key Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Before you invest, familiarise yourself with basic terminology:
- Shares: Units of ownership in a company
- Dividends: Profit distributed to shareholders
- Capital gains: Profit earned from selling shares at a higher price
- Market capitalisation: Total value of a company’s outstanding shares
- Portfolio: A collection of investments
Clarity on these concepts builds confidence and reduces costly mistakes.
How to Get Started
To invest in stocks in Nigeria, you will need to open an account with Coronation Securities Limited, a licensed stockbroker. The process typically involves completing Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation, funding your account, and selecting the shares you wish to purchase.
Research is critical at this stage. Investors should review company fundamentals, financial performance, industry outlook, and governance standards before committing capital.
Seeking guidance from licensed investment professionals can also help align your investment choices with your broader financial plan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New investors often:
- Invest without defined goals
- Follow market hype or speculation
- Concentrate all funds in one stock
- React emotionally to market volatility
A disciplined, diversified approach is generally more sustainable than chasing short-term gains.
Start with Knowledge, Grow with Confidence
Before you begin, ensure you understand what you are buying, why you are buying it, and how it fits into your financial goals. In investing, knowledge is not optional — it is your first and most important asset.
The market at your Fingertips
You can seamlessly start buying stocks through the Coronation Wealth App Plus on Apple IOS or Android Play Store.
For further assistance, please contact any representative via the WhatsApp chatbot
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