🚨 Preparing Your First Steps, A Checklist Beginners Shouldn't Miss
Day 004 | US Stock Investment Guide for Beginners | 2025.12.17
📌 Preparing Your First Steps: A Checklist Beginners Shouldn't Miss
💬 This is an essential guide that organizes the things beginners must prepare when starting US stock investment for the first time. It provides basic knowledge and a checklist you should have before starting to invest, helping you take stable and successful first steps.
1️⃣ Terms and Background
US stock investment is not simply about buying and selling stocks, but an investment method that requires understanding global economic flows and approaching strategically.
For this, you need to know some basic terms needed for US stock investment:
- Stock Market Operating Hours: The US stock market operates from 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM the next day during daylight saving time, and you can also use reservation order functions or pre-market and after-hours trading times.
- Capital Gains Tax: A 22% tax rate is applied to the amount exceeding the basic deduction (2.5 million won) from annual trading profits.
- Exchange Rate: This is a variable that greatly affects investment returns, so understanding exchange rate changes is essential.
The US stock market accounts for more than 60% of global stock markets, and most companies with the highest market capitalization belong to the US. This shows that US stocks are not simply an investment destination but a gateway to understanding the global economy.
2️⃣ Investment Principles and Key Guidelines
The most important investment principle is continuous learning and the habit of keeping an investment journal. Through this, you can analyze your investment style and improve your strategy.
- Goal Setting: You should set specific and realistic investment goals. For example, it's common to aim for long-term asset growth rather than short-term profits.
- Portfolio Construction: Diversified investment is an important strategy to reduce risk. It's important to invest in various companies by dividing sectors and industries.
- Using Information: For US stock investment, you should collect investment information using brokerage reports, economic news, and translation tools.
3️⃣ Specific Action Strategies
Action Strategies
- Open a Securities Account: Choose a brokerage that allows US stock trading and open an account. Compare exchange rate benefits and trading fees to choose a place that offers favorable conditions.
- Currency Exchange and Fund Preparation: Exchange currency according to your investment amount and plan your investment size within your budget.
- Analysis and Stock Selection: Analyze the financial condition, industry position, and growth potential of the company you want to invest in. You can use platforms like Yahoo Finance and Investing.com for this.
For beginners, it's also a good choice to use diversified investment products like ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). ETFs include multiple stocks and have the effect of spreading risk.
4️⃣ Q & A
Q1. Do I need to be good at English to start US stock investment?
A: You don't need to be fluent in English. You can fully understand key information using domestic brokerage reports and translation tools.
Q2. When is the best time to buy?
A: It's important to analyze whether a specific stock is undervalued and buy at a time when there's high growth potential in the long term. Don't be shaken by short-term market changes.
Q3. What impact does the exchange rate have on investment?
A: Since US stocks are traded in dollars, exchange rate changes affect profits. It's advantageous to exchange currency when the exchange rate is low or use a brokerage that offers favorable exchange rates.
Table of Contents