Online Investing Bible

by Jill Gilbert; Thomas S. Gray; Claire Mencke

• ISBN13: 9780764535338
• ISBN10: 0764535331
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Online investing is a hot topic right now, but it2s easy to get in over your head quickly without enough know-how in this volatile market. The Online Investing Bible will demystify the basics of online trading for newbies, while helping more seasoned investors expand their portfolios using advanced tracking and investing techniques. Starting out with guidelines for planning your investment strategy, this book covers everything you need to know to invest wisely in this bull market. From stocks and bonds to futures and IPOs, no investor should log on without this book at their side.

Author Biography

About the Authors Jill Gilbert has a law degree and a CPA degree, but has quit her day job to pursue writing, computer technology, and amateur photography. She is currently completing requirements for the patent-law bar certification. Her current investment goals center around educating her three kids, Tara, Julia, and Daniel. Thomas S. Gray is a journalist and author who has written on business, technology, and other fields for a number of publications, including Investor's Business Daily, the Los Angeles Times, and Tech Week magazine, where he writes a biweekly stock market column. Born in Southern California, he was educated at Stanford University and UCLA, headed the editorial pages at the Daily News in Los Angeles, and later was senior editor at Investor's Business Daily. He is the author of two other books for IDG Books Worldwide: Investing Online for Dummies Quick Reference (2000) and, with Claire Mencke, Teach Yourself Investing Online (1999). He lives in Oak Park, California with his wife, Barbara Bronson Gray, and their two children, Jonathan and Katie. Claire Mencke is a financial writer for Investor's Business Daily, where she has covered a wide range of subjects including bonds, small cap stocks, mutual funds, and investment strategies. She has also been a securities analyst for Value Line and Tanaka Capital Management. With Bryan Pfaffenberger, she coauthored The Savvy Investor's Internet Resource (IDG Books Worldwide, 1996) and, with Thomas S. Gray, Teach Yourself Investing Online (IDG Books Worldwide, 1999). She has an MBA in finance from Pace University's Lubin School of Business.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xiii
Part I: Getting Acquainted with Online Investing	1	(68)
Comparing Online Investing to Other Investment Methods	3	(20)
Getting Connected to the Internet	23	(24)
Using Web Tools to Identity Your Investment Needs	47	(22)
Part II: Looking at Investment Opportunities and Strategies	69	(46)
An Overview of Online Investment Opportunities	71	(16)
Mastering the Historic Principles of Online Investing	87	(12)
Getting Help from Educational Web Sites	99	(16)
Part III: Opening an Online Trading Account	115	(62)
Comparing Brokers and Services	117	(16)
Knowing Your Legal Rights and Obligations in Cyberspace	133	(22)
Maintaining Good Records Online and Offline	155	(22)
Part IV: Using the Internet for Stock Market Research	177	(174)
Using the Web to Understand Factors That Affect a Stock's Value	179	(32)
Researching Stocks Online	211	(26)
Sifting the Market with Stock Screens	237	(34)
Using the Internet to Analyze Stock Chart Trends	271	(38)
Profiting from Direct Investing Plans	309	(16)
Taking Advantage of IPOs Online	325	(26)
Part V: Making Money with Mutual Funds on the Internet	351	(74)
Researching Mutual Funds Online	353	(36)
Buying and Selling Mutual Funds Online	389	(14)
Trading ETFs and Closed-End Funds	403	(22)
Part VI: Building a Bond Portfolio Online	425	(90)
Using the Internet to Evaluate Bonds	427	(34)
Buying and Selling Bonds on the Internet	461	(28)
Finding Bond Funds on the Internet	489	(26)
Part VII: Tracking Your Portfolio Online	515	(74)
Using Online Tracking Services	517	(32)
Managing Portfolios with Desktop and Premium Programs	549	(18)
Using Online Advisory Services to Optimize Your Returns	567	(22)
Part VIII: Record Keeping and Tax Reporting for Online Investors	589	(34)
Visiting Sites for Online Securities Trading	591	(16)
Understanding the Tax Consequences of Online Investing	607	(16)
Part IX: Practing Advanced Online Investing	623	(46)
Taking Advantage of Wireless Trading	625	(12)
Forming an Online Investment Club	637	(32)
Part X: Investing in Options and Futures	669	(38)
Opting for Options	671	(20)
Finding Out About Futures	691	(16)
Part XI: Day Trading: Strategies for Short-Term Investing Online	707	(42)
Learning the Unique Strategies of Short-Term Investors	709	(14)
Peeking Through the Fast-Track Trading Keyhole	723	(10)
Optimizing Online Order Execution and Research	733	(16)
Appendix A: Investor Bill of Rights	749	(2)
Appendix B: Sample IRS Tax Form 1065	751	(8)
Appendix C: Materials to Assist You in Starting an Investment Club	759	(8)
Appendix D: Reporting Interest, Dividends, and Capital Gains	767	(4)
Glossary	771	(20)
Index	791	(38)
Web Site Credits	829