Tech Stocks

[Rogean]

I have some money that's been sitting in a broker account and I need to invest it into some companies. Anybody here that pays attention to the market that might be able to make some suggestions?

Would be interested in tech companies but not limited to that if there are other areas I could play around with.

I messed around with oil companies a couple years ago but that didn't turn out well...

[Mandalore93]

Really depends on what you're looking for? Big risk for the big money or more along the average lines of long term, stable growth that you want to retire on? If it's the first you might want to look into some start ups if you have any experience in building companies and sales. If you're looking long term there are the usual staples but I do think spotify is a great company going forward. Everything is becoming digital and spotify really began to pull away in music and it's a very young company.

[Swish]

Saw a big advert at a shopping centre (shopping mall to you Americans) for Spotify and its links to the BBC here - something to do with music playlists.

Didn't one of its rivals shut down recently?

[Pringles]

All I know is I wish I had kept my google stock I had when it was $350 a share. I didnt have too many shares but that stocks up over 1k now. I made good money off it but I'll never be filthy rich at this rate =P (I'm a "take the money and run" kind of invester I dont like waiting to risk losing what I know I have "now")

Its not tech but I've been doing decent with a few mutual funds. My best performer to date has been SWSSX (lucky buy time) but I'm likely about to dump it.

[MrSparkle001]

If you had gotten in on the Twitter IPO you could have made out well. It's over $43 now. I wish I got in on it but I didn't trust it. I actually still don't but there's no denying I could have made money with the IPO.

[Rogean]

I actually tried getting in on the Zynga IPO. It tanked at first but I stuck with it and then sold when it went positive again. I sold too early though.

Stayed far away from the Facebook IPO after that.

[Chronoburn]

Just dump all your money into Amazon. It may be long term but between their cloud services, retail, and crazy innovations (drone delivery is pretty awesome conceptually) its only up from here.

Short term, higher risks .... no idea, too scared

[Zuut]

I messed around with oil companies a couple years ago but that didn't turn out well...

In case you're at all still looking to try to give another go at oil companies, I'd recommend looking for smaller E&P companies that are moderate-to-big time players in localized hotspots for oil production. An example area would be the Bakken/Three Forks in North Dakota, where smaller companies with large presence would be, for example, Kodiak (who was really on a fast rise a while back), Continental, Whiting (WLL - I made out good on them, they're share price may have plateaued now, though), and potentially Brigham (BEXP). Brigham had been bought out by Statoil, when I made out well, but their non-competition should be running out soon and they are likely to renew operations in the near future.

Along with oil companies in North Dakota, there is also the need for increased infrastructure for transport/processing of the hydrocarbons, especially now that North Dakota has moved in to the number 2 spot behind Texas for oil production, so a decent pipeline or mid/downstream company that is active in the area could also be a place to look.

Of course this same thought process could be applied to almost any of the new shale oil hot-spots, like the Niobrara shale (hotspot: Wattenberg Field, big players being Noble and Anadarko) in Colorado, the Haynseville shale, the Eagleford shale (Texas, so there already exists a lot of infrastructure there), or more riskier plays like the Utica shale.

[Kraftwerk]

Just dump all your money into Amazon. It may be long term but between their cloud services, retail, and crazy innovations (drone delivery is pretty awesome conceptually) its only up from here.

Short term, higher risks .... no idea, too scared

I also love to invest in companies with massive P/E ratios that are overvalued.

Seriously though, "investing" in the current market is more about what the Fed does than it is about actual research and company value. Look up a chart of fed balance sheet versus SAP500, pretty much overlay perfectly. Also anytime there is 'good' economic news markets start to drop because it means taper might start.

If you want to do short term 1-3 year investments you can probably ride this bull more. If you're concerned with 10+ year investments it's all about PMs, gold is criminally low now. And I don't mean paper gold, physically holding it in your hand and then reporting it lost in a boating accident so the government can't seize it (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_6102) like they did in 1933.

[Agno]

Take a look at some stocks in 3D printer companies. They just had a massive profit pull (sell off of stock to pull profit out and then reinvest) so stocks are cheaper than they have been right now. Average companies are seeing 80% growth (quick estimate based on the numbers I've seen) and with all of the publicity they are getting, they are getting even stronger. Plus with Military (printing replacement parts for warships onboard ships) healthcare (printing organs / tissue) automotive (printing car parts) and even construction (printing houses), a lot of markets are interested in 3D printing right now.

Good time to buy now before they balloon again. One company in particular that I've got money in went from $30 a share to $87 a share in I think a year and a half.

[Ruien]

I'll be a bit counter to the crowd but personally I don't invest by just "buying some tech company". The market is going to price stocks according to the known information, so even if a company is going to increase in business over time, that doesn't mean that that level of growth isn't already factored into the stock price. In other words, you can bet on a company getting more business and making more money, be right, and still lose money on the stock (or vice-versa).

I think it's okay to be bullish on an economy as a whole (I've been long Chinese Yuan since 2007) but for stocks I think long-term risk is quite high unless you really have the data and time needed to see what other professionals don't. I think there's actually less risk in shorter-term trades, and I'm a technical investor. In other words, it's not about what you trade, it's about how you trade. You don't invest in a stock, you invest in the skills required to correctly read and interpret the market. In this respect it's just like any other career, and you'll spend at least 5 years acquiring those skills.

If you're really interested, I'd recommend the following books:
* Trading with DiNapoli Levels (Joe DiNapoli)
* Dynamic Trading (Robert Miner)
* The Master Swing Trader (Alan Farley)

I have a quick introduction on my website here (http://ryansanden.com/getting-started/introduction-to-investing/) if you're interested. This is not intended to be spam - there's a lot of good information and trading examples there.

Investing well takes a lot of time, expect to put in over 2000 hours before you get the hang of it. Otherwise you're just taking shots in the dark.

Edit: The above might seem like a cop-out answer to your question, but it's not. For example, the right answer would not be "buy Amazon" - it would be more like "buy Amazon if the price drops into a fibonacci support confluence level on weekly bars shortly after getting a stochastic sell signal while a particular MACD indicator is still strong, and then closes up on the week with a reversal bar or reversal confirmation signal. Then place an initial protective stop loss at the weekly low and take 50% profits at the 62% retracement of that weekly move to lock in profit in the trade and reduce risk. Manage the trade with a 3-week trailing stop over the next month but be ready to take profits if the stochastic goes back into a buy or the weekly MACD goes negative".

[Peatree]

I have some money that's been sitting in a broker account and I need to invest it into some companies. Anybody here that pays attention to the market that might be able to make some suggestions?

Would be interested in tech companies but not limited to that if there are other areas I could play around with.

I messed around with oil companies a couple years ago but that didn't turn out well...

MITL :D

I bought in at $3, is on way up past $12 possible to $20 in next two years IMO.

[MrSparkle001]

I'll be a bit counter to the crowd but personally I don't invest by just "buying some tech company". The market is going to price stocks according to the known information, so even if a company is going to increase in business over time, that doesn't mean that that level of growth isn't already factored into the stock price. In other words, you can bet on a company getting more business and making more money, be right, and still lose money on the stock (or vice-versa).

I think it's okay to be bullish on an economy as a whole (I've been long Chinese Yuan since 2007) but for stocks I think long-term risk is quite high unless you really have the data and time needed to see what other professionals don't. I think there's actually less risk in shorter-term trades, and I'm a technical investor. In other words, it's not about what you trade, it's about how you trade. You don't invest in a stock, you invest in the skills required to correctly read and interpret the market. In this respect it's just like any other career, and you'll spend at least 5 years acquiring those skills.

If you're really interested, I'd recommend the following books:
* Trading with DiNapoli Levels (Joe DiNapoli)
* Dynamic Trading (Robert Miner)
* The Master Swing Trader (Alan Farley)

I have a quick introduction on my website here (http://ryansanden.com/getting-started/introduction-to-investing/) if you're interested. This is not intended to be spam - there's a lot of good information and trading examples there.

Investing well takes a lot of time, expect to put in over 2000 hours before you get the hang of it. Otherwise you're just taking shots in the dark.

Edit: The above might seem like a cop-out answer to your question, but it's not. For example, the right answer would not be "buy Amazon" - it would be more like "buy Amazon if the price drops into a fibonacci support confluence level on weekly bars shortly after getting a stochastic sell signal while a particular MACD indicator is still strong, and then closes up on the week with a reversal bar or reversal confirmation signal. Then place an initial protective stop loss at the weekly low and take 50% profits at the 62% retracement of that weekly move to lock in profit in the trade and reduce risk. Manage the trade with a 3-week trailing stop over the next month but be ready to take profits if the stochastic goes back into a buy or the weekly MACD goes negative".

Trading is a whole different beast and requires a minimum $25k balance (may have changed). Very good skills to learn but if you just have some extra money you're looking to invest I don't think you have to go that deep.

[Ahldagor]

invest in any public company that makes stuff for babies.

[Nips]

Trading is a whole different beast and requires a minimum $25k balance (may have changed). Very good skills to learn but if you just have some extra money you're looking to invest I don't think you have to go that deep.

You have to go that deep (and much deeper), if you actually want to have an edge in the market... otherwise you're just gambling (which is fine too, but its important not to fool yourself)

[MrSparkle001]

You have to go that deep (and much deeper), if you actually want to have an edge in the market... otherwise you're just gambling (which is fine too, but its important not to fool yourself)

For long term investing? I don't mean trading.

[Nips]

For long term investing? I don't mean trading.

Long term trading is easier but both are massively losing games for the average retail trader.. not to discourage :p

[Langrisserx]

a lot of effort going into redefining the gaming experience with VR goggles and movement platforms for consumers

oh wait sorry Bitcoins. there ya go.

[Langrisserx]

I'll be a bit counter to the crowd but personally I don't invest by just "buying some tech company". The market is going to price stocks according to the known information, so even if a company is going to increase in business over time, that doesn't mean that that level of growth isn't already factored into the stock price. In other words, you can bet on a company getting more business and making more money, be right, and still lose money on the stock (or vice-versa).

I think it's okay to be bullish on an economy as a whole (I've been long Chinese Yuan since 2007) but for stocks I think long-term risk is quite high unless you really have the data and time needed to see what other professionals don't. I think there's actually less risk in shorter-term trades, and I'm a technical investor. In other words, it's not about what you trade, it's about how you trade. You don't invest in a stock, you invest in the skills required to correctly read and interpret the market. In this respect it's just like any other career, and you'll spend at least 5 years acquiring those skills.

If you're really interested, I'd recommend the following books:
* Trading with DiNapoli Levels (Joe DiNapoli)
* Dynamic Trading (Robert Miner)
* The Master Swing Trader (Alan Farley)

I have a quick introduction on my website here (http://ryansanden.com/getting-started/introduction-to-investing/) if you're interested. This is not intended to be spam - there's a lot of good information and trading examples there.

Investing well takes a lot of time, expect to put in over 2000 hours before you get the hang of it. Otherwise you're just taking shots in the dark.

Edit: The above might seem like a cop-out answer to your question, but it's not. For example, the right answer would not be "buy Amazon" - it would be more like "buy Amazon if the price drops into a fibonacci support confluence level on weekly bars shortly after getting a stochastic sell signal while a particular MACD indicator is still strong, and then closes up on the week with a reversal bar or reversal confirmation signal. Then place an initial protective stop loss at the weekly low and take 50% profits at the 62% retracement of that weekly move to lock in profit in the trade and reduce risk. Manage the trade with a 3-week trailing stop over the next month but be ready to take profits if the stochastic goes back into a buy or the weekly MACD goes negative".


ladies and gentlenoobs, i give you, the banker. world can end anytime now.

[Ruien]

Trading is a whole different beast and requires a minimum $25k balance (may have changed). Very good skills to learn but if you just have some extra money you're looking to invest I don't think you have to go that deep.

No, that's wrong.

Investing is a percentages game. It takes just as much work to make 20% on $10,000 as it does to make 20% on $2,000,000 . If you only have $25,000 to invest then you're not going to be motivated to put in the time required to have an edge. If you're investing $2,000,000 then you will.

I have a business partner who works as a hedge fund analyst in Hong Kong, and does purely long-term investments (not trading). He puts in just as much research and work into each investment as a good trader does. The best investments actually are a combination of these methods by a group of specialists.

If you just have $40,000, put it into a pool with other investors' money and let professionals manage it for you. Either that, or learn to use options and only buy OTM married puts with long-term options so you have a specific maximum risk (say, 15%) regardless of where the stock goes.

ladies and gentlenoobs, i give you, the banker. world can end anytime now.

Actually I'm technically an electrical engineer and linux system administrator (remember Ruien's Guide to EQ on Linux (http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1160795)), but investing is a passion - thanks.

[Langrisserx]

Lets just put it out there and be real.

You are playing a game that is run by cheaters. There is no winning, because it is a fixed game with insider trading and corruption.

This is a fact.

Be aspergers and know everything about the system, but realize it is a shit system made for rich people to get richer by tricking poor stupid people.

also, any hot tips? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$

[YendorLootmonkey]

And then risk losing it all because you had your investments street name registered instead of using direct registration, the bank folds, and you realize you never really owned the stock certificates.

This is the only right answer:

If you're concerned with 10+ year investments it's all about PMs, gold is criminally low now. And I don't mean paper gold, physically holding it in your hand and then reporting it lost in a boating accident so the government can't seize it like they did in 1933.

At the current rate of spending/printing money, the USD will eventually be worthless, the world will switch to a new global currency because our inflation is destroying other countries' economies. Stock up on those pre-1965 90% silver quarters while your fiat currency is still worth something! ;)

Other than that, natural gas infrastructure ( http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304707604577422192910235090 ), near-field communications chipmakers for mobile phone financial transactions ( http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/012813-wireless-charging-nfc-266138.html ), and the drone manufacturing industry after the FAA sets rules for drone use in 2015 ( http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323764804578314501943739028 ) might be promising over the next 5-10 years.

[Obwin]

I work at an investment bank, don't fall for all the hype. I would stay away from AMZN, FB, TWTR and other companies at astronomical valuations without proven track records. Trading can be fun but is a suckers game. As someone that sees the "other side" they have unlimited resources, trading systems backed by 30 developer/math PhD, faster connections and can trade in and out at prices public can't even see or hours when market it closed. Only advantage us small guys have is long timelines and ability for good investments to materialize over years instead of months (in time for bonus #s).

Anyway some solid companies to look at
QCOM - big in mobile processing / tablets

GLW - makes glass for most devices you know and love. Smartphones, tvs etc

MSFT - makes money hand over fist, hopefully survives it's transition period. So intertwined with big corporations switching would be impossible or very expensive. Office 360 catching on

INTC - out of favor right now and I think under valued, lots of money to spend to stay ahead of competition. Fear they won't be able to compete in mobile / low power chips. Pay fat dividends.

AAPL - need I say more? institutional ownership on the rise again. Putting up insane sales numbers, MIGHT get real foothold in china via china telecom.

BRCM - most risky of the bunch but room to run


Market has been on a big run lately and while I would never recommend waiting to invest but I would plan to buy in chunks over 6 months - 1 yr if making significant investment and spread out over a few stocks.

Checkout seeking alpha for lots of good info. Be warned lots of amateur writers, do your own due diligence. If you are looking for the "next big thing" - I can't help you there. Slow and steady wins the race, most hyped stocks end up being garbage (as you saw with zynga)

[Swish]

At the current rate of spending/printing money, the USD will eventually be worthless, the world will switch to a new global currency because our inflation is destroying other countries' economies. Stock up on those pre-1965 90% silver quarters while your fiat currency is still worth something! ;)

Gold/silver will be solid investments there's no doubt. But if investing make sure you get PHYSICAL gold/silver... not some piece of paper that says you own it, its well known that there isn't enough physical gold/silver in circulation to cover what people own on paper.

[Treats]

25k minimum balance only applies if you are Day Trading due to margin.

Don't think you do that though so that shouldn't apply.

One thing to consider when making the investment is the taxes you are going to have to pay. If you hold the investment for under one year and have a positive return, standard income tax rules apply (as if it were a job) depending on your tax bracket. Investments over one year have a much lower tax.

Honestly, as a few others have said here, in order to make consistent positive returns you need to be well versed in the markets or end up just just taking shots in the dark.

Figure out first what kind of time frame you are looking at holding it.

If it is a smaller amount and very very long term, I would recommend placing the money into a Roth IRA and having an investment company manage it for you. Roth IRA's are tax free. However, there is a maximum of $5 or $6k per year as long as you make that amount at your regular job.