Part IV: The Part of Tens
No more guessing about what to hold and when to fold. This part provides handy top-ten lists packed full of ready online references. The chapters in this part cover such essentials as avoiding cyberfraud, knowing when to hold and when to fold, and recognizing buying signals.
The emphasis of many investors has changed to reflect current trends in online investing. The following are highlights of what you should be on the lookout for:
- The interest in tax-deferred accounts has dramatically increased. Therefore, you find more information about the benefits of individual retirement accounts (IRA) and how the Internet can assist you in maximizing your IRA returns.
- In the early days of online investing, online stock-picking communities were overflowing with “pump-and-dump” schemes, wild corporate rumors, and other nefarious activities. Today’s stock-picking Web sites and stockpicking communities have matured into online resources that can be helpful in identifying securities that are winners.
- Get introduced to online “bankerages”. By combining your online banking and brokerage account, you can save time and money, as well as enjoy the flexibility and convenience you couldn’t get with scattered services.
- Is your life too complex? Want a simple way to invest? See Chapter 6 and try online investing in index or exchanged-traded funds.
- Online investors can now use Web sites to examine and compare mutual fund fees to determine the true cost of a mutual fund.
- New, robust, online stock and bond valuation tools developed by academics and specialists.
- Discover how you can use the Internet to take a closer look at corporate governance and discover the warning signs of a company’s bankruptcy before it’s too late.
- Get up-to-date information about the dramatic changes in buying savings bonds and Treasury securities online.
- Discover online asset allocation tools that were previously available only to financial institutions. See how you can use these online tools to make certain that you’re adequately compensated for the risk you are taking by making an investment.
