Investing Basics

Welcome to “Introduction to Stock Market and ETFs”!

On this page, we provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding and investing in the stock market.

In today’s fast-paced world, investing in the stock market has become a popular way for individuals to grow their wealth and secure their financial future.

However, for many people, the stock market can seem confusing, intimidating, and filled with risks. That’s why we wrote this book – to provide a straightforward and accessible introduction to the stock market and ETFs.

Throughout this book, we will demystify the stock market, explaining how it works, what to look for when choosing stocks, derivatives, and ETFs, and how to make informed investment decisions.

By combining Rajeev’s expertise in financial astrology with Shashi’s background in finance and technology, we aim to provide a unique and well-rounded perspective on the stock market.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a beginner, “Introduction to Stock Market and ETFs” will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the stock market with confidence. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on an exciting journey to financial freedom!

What is the Stock Market?

Imagine a marketplace where pieces of companies are bought and sold. That’s essentially the stock market. When you buy a stock, you’re becoming a part-owner of a company. If the company does well, the value of your stock can increase.

Key Terms to Know:

• Stock: A share of ownership in a company.
• Share Price: The current price at which a stock can be bought or sold.
• Dividend: A portion of a company’s profits paid to shareholders.
• Bull Market: A period of rising stock prices.
• Bear Market: A period of declining stock prices.

Getting Started

Educate Yourself:

• Online Resources: Plenty of free materials are available online, including articles, tutorials, and videos.
• Books: Invest in beginner-friendly books on investing.
• Investing Courses: Many platforms offer online courses.

Set Your Financial Goals:

• Short-term: Are you saving for a car or vacation?
• Long-term: Are you planning for retirement or a down payment?

Your goals will determine your investment strategy.

Start Small:

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Begin with a small amount and gradually increase your investments.
• Consider starting with a small online brokerage.

Diversify Your Portfolio:

• Spread your investments across different companies and industries to reduce risk.
• Consider index funds or ETFs for easy diversification.

Long-Term Perspective:

• The stock market is volatile. Don’t panic during downturns.
• Focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gains.

Dollar-Cost Averaging:

• Invest a fixed amount regularly, regardless of market conditions.
• This strategy helps average out the cost of your investments.

Avoid Emotional Decisions:

• Don’t let fear or greed dictate your investment choices.
• Stick to your investment plan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Investing without Research: Know what you’re investing in.
• Trying to Time the Market: Predicting market peaks and troughs is difficult.

Want to make better decisions with your portfolio?

join our Live Signals and Daily NewsLetter services now for better investing opportunities.

List of Commonly Used ETFs

Ticker	Name
TQQQ	ProShares UltraPro QQQ
SQQQ	ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ
SOXL	Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares
SPY	SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
LABU	Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bull 3x Shares
QQQ	Invesco QQQ Trust
FXI	iShares China Large-Cap ETF
EEM	iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
XLF	Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
UVXY	ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
HYG	iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
SH	ProShares Short S&P500
SOXS	Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3x Shares
EWZ	iShares MSCI Brazil ETF
SPXU	ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500
GDX	VanEck Gold Miners ETF
ARKK	ARK Innovation ETF
SPXS	Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares
IWM	iShares Russell 2000 ETF
EFA	iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
KWEB	KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF
XLE	Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund
TLT	iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
PSQ	ProShares Short QQQ
LQD	iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
SLV	iShares Silver Trust
IEMG	iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
BOIL	ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas
VEA	Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
TMF	Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X Shares
SPXL	Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 3X Shares
VWO	Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
IEFA	iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
UPRO	ProShares UltraPro S&P500
GOVT	iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF
RSX	VanEck Russia ETF
LABD	Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3x Shares
XLU	Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
UNG	United States Natural Gas Fund LP
SDOW	ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30
XLI	Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund
TZA	Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares
KOLD	ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas
XLP	Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund
XBI	SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
TNA	Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares
TSLL	Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 1.5X Shares ETF
QID	ProShares UltraShort QQQ
BKLN	Invesco Senior Loan ETF
JNK	SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF
BITO	ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF
YANG	Direxion Daily FTSE China Bear 3X Shares
AGG	iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
ICLN	iShares Global Clean Energy ETF
EMB	iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF
XLV	Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund
SPIB	SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF
KRE	SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF
USHY	iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
VCIT	Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF
SDS	ProShares UltraShort S&P500
BND	Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
XLK	Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
VTEB	Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF
GDXJ	VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF
PGX	Invesco Preferred ETF
BIL	SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
VXX	iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN
VCSH	Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF
MCHI	iShares MSCI China ETF
XLRE	Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund
ACWI	iShares MSCI ACWI ETF
XLC	Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund
MUB	iShares National Muni Bond ETF
VIXY	ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF
IYR	iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF
SHY	iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF
GLD	SPDR Gold Shares
JPST	JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF
SSO	ProShares Ultra S&P 500
VNQ	Vanguard Real Estate ETF
IEF	iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
PDBC	Invesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF
ASHR	Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF
SPTL	SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF
SJNK	SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF
XLB	Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
SCHF	Schwab International Equity ETF
HYLB	Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
QLD	ProShares Ultra QQQ
IAU	iShares Gold Trust
XLY	Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund
IGSB	iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
JDST	Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 2X Shares

Is the stock market open today?

If you’re wondering whether the stock market is open today, you’ve come to the right place. Keeping track of the market’s schedule is crucial for timely trading and making informed investment decisions. The stock market operates on a specific timetable, with holidays and weekends often affecting its open status.

To check the current status of the stock market and stay updated with the latest trading hours, visit our Stock Market Holidays.