Picking Your First Stock

Go from “what should I buy?” to a simple, repeatable checklist.

1. Start With What You Know — Use the companies you already understand as a starting list, then learn why knowing a product is only the first step toward knowing a stock.
2. Read the Business in 5 Minutes — A quick, repeatable business check: what the company sells, how it makes money, whether it is growing and profitable, what protects it and what could go wrong.
3. Check the Trend First — A great company can still be a poor buy right now. Learn a quick trend check using moving averages and price structure, with two real household names as examples.
4. Size Your First Position — How much to put into your first stock: start small, choose the stop from the chart, and let a small risk budget decide the number of shares.
5. Build a Watchlist — Turn your research into a short, organized watchlist with notes, so you buy on your terms instead of chasing whatever is moving today.
6. Your First-Stock Checklist — Put it all together: a one-page pre-buy checklist, a written plan, and what to do in the days and weeks after you buy your first stock.