Stock Broker Or Stock Analyst – Whats The Difference?
Depending on what type of investing you plan to do, you might need to hire a broker to handle your investments. Brokers work for brokerage houses and have the ability to buy and sell stock on the stock exchange. You may wonder if you really need a broker. If you intend to buy or sell stocks on the exchange, the answer is yes, you must have a broker. Stock brokers are qualified and regulated professionals who buy and sell shares and other securities through market makers on behalf of investors. In order to become a stock broker in the United States, a person must pass exams such as the General Securities Representative Exam, also called the “series 7 exam”. Also, most brokers have a background in business or finance, with a Bachelors or Masters Degree. It’s important to differentiate between a broker and an analyst. A stock analyst basically analyzes the stock market, predicts what it will or won’t do, and predicts how specific stocks will perform. Keep in mind that it’s fairly common f