How do I learn to play the stock market?
Investing is an art as much as a science, and thus there is no simple way to learn how to “play” or trade the stock market. The proliferation of financial news media underscores the fact that there is no one answer to understanding the stock market. However, there are some basic strategies and fundamental principles that will enhance your chances of successfully trading.Understand the Big PictureAs much as individual stocks may seem to be independent entities, by definition they are part of a stock market, and the stock market as a whole is affected by macroeconomic events. For example, when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts interest rates, when the President speaks about various economic policies, or when government data such as the unemployment rate is released, all stocks are affected, regardless of their inherent value. Learning how outside events affect the stock market as a whole is a big component to learning how to trade or invest because it can help you anticipate market movem