How Much Money Do You Need To Buy Stocks?

Buying and selling stocks is popular means of investing money. In recent years, trading has become more accessible due to the rise of online brokerages and trading websites, and more people are trying it out. 

Minimum Requirements for Purchasing Stocks

If you’re a movie fan or you follow multi-millionaire investors on social media, you might assume that you need to have a lot of money to invest in stocks.

In reality, that’s not necessarily true. Investing is more accessible than ever, and in some cases, you can construct a diverse portfolio of individual stocks from a relatively small cash injection.

There are various factors to consider when investing as a beginner, including:

Minimum Deposit Requirements

Many brokerages will let you start trading with a small balance, but this is not always the case, as some websites have a minimum deposit requirement.

If you’re interested in trading and want to use online brokerages, check the terms and conditions and requirements for trading.

The regulations will likely be stricter if you move from casual investing to day trading. 

Some brokers may stipulate that you need a minimum balance of $1,000, for example, to open a different type of account, such as a margin account.

For beginners, it’s usually possible to start investing as soon as you can cover the cost of the stock you want to buy, plus any additional broker fees. 

You generally have to pay a broker fee when you buy or sell a stock. This fee can be a flat rate, a percentage of the transaction value, or a combination of the two.

The fee will depend on the broker you use and the type of trade you make. If a share costs $150 and there’s a fee of $5, the minimum you need to start trading would be $155. 

Trading Costs

Trading doesn’t just involve buying and selling stock. To calculate profits, you’ll need to factor in trading costs, including commission.

Commission charges vary, but you’ll often pay a lower commission rate per share if you have more money to spend.

It’s particularly important to consider commission fees if you are buying individual shares. You can reduce charges by shopping for the best deals from brokers and trading sites. 

Minimum Stock Purchase

It is possible to buy single shares, but this is not always an option. The money amount you need to buy individual stocks will vary according to the share value and requirements set out by the brokerage.

In some cases, buyers must purchase a minimum number of shares within the same stocks. 

Typically, stocks trade in lots, which may mean that you need to be able to cover the total cost of the lot.

If the minimum is 100 shares, for example, and the share price is $50, you’ll need $5,000 to cover the cost.

There may also be additional charges. Once you start trading and the amount of money you spend increases, you may be eligible to borrow money.

In this case, brokers will lend you capital to invest, but you’ll need to ensure that you can cover the outstanding balance. 

Types of Securities

Investing covers a diverse range of opportunities and assets. The types of securities you invest in will impact how much money you need.

If you’re interested in investing in options or futures, for example, you may be required to spend more than you would if you were investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds, as there are different requirements for options, futures and bonds.

Fractional Shares

Some brokers offer customers the chance to buy fractional shares, making investing more accessible to those who can’t afford single shares. 

How To Invest in Stocks With a Small Budget

Investing large sums of money can pay off, but most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around.

If you’re new to investing and you don’t want to risk too much money, or you’re investing on a tight budget, here are some tips:

• Look for online brokers that offer 0% commission and no transaction fees
• Consider low-cost investment options such as ETFs and mutual funds
• Consider fractional shares
• Use online brokerages that don’t specify minimum deposit amounts
• Make use of robo advisors and follow experienced traders
• Consider drip-feeding money into your investments

Buying Individual Stocks

Buying individual stocks can be lucrative, but it carries greater risks than creating a diverse stock portfolio.

When purchasing shares of only one company, you’re putting all of your eggs into one basket. The share price could rocket, but it could also fall, causing you to lose money.

As you become accustomed to trading, it’s beneficial to diversify your portfolio to include different stocks. This will limit your exposure and help reduce risk.