Investing in stocks could be the first step toward financial independence. Similar to how professional hiring movers can alleviate some of the burdens associated with moving, working with a broker to buy stocks can simplify the process of broadening your investment portfolio.
However, doing so may necessitate forking over money in commissions and fees when trading stocks and other instruments. A person looking to invest but concerned about costs may question if and how they might buy stocks online without the assistance of a broker.
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How Can I Buy Stocks Without a Broker?
In some cases, it may be preferable to use a broker when purchasing shares. A full-service broker is not the only option available to investors; there are three more to consider: direct stock purchase plans, dividend reinvestment plans, and internet brokerage accounts. These methods of purchasing stocks without the assistance of a broker are discussed in detail, along with their respective advantages, disadvantages, and how-to guides, in this article.
But before making any stock purchases, it could be helpful to know why some investors prefer to work with a broker.
How to Buy Stocks Online Without a Broker
There are several online stock trading platforms available to do-it-yourselfers. Let’s look at each, in turn, to understand further how they function.
Direct Stock Purchase Plans
An investor might participate in a Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP) to buy stock in a corporation. In this case, a transfer agent is used to facilitate the actual trading. That eliminates the need for a broker of any kind (online or full service) when purchasing shares of stock.
Companies listed on a stock exchange may provide DSPPs to their employees, albeit this is not the case for every publicly traded company. The minimum required for buying stock in a corporation is something that the business itself can set.
Pros of Buying DSPPs
There is an additional set of benefits associated with purchasing DSPPs:
| Passive investing Investing in a DSPP can be a “set it and forget it” process because many plans permit investors to contribute a predetermined amount on a regular schedule. |
| Possible savings for an investor Companies may offer direct investors a small discount of between 1% and 10% on their investment returns. |
| Lower fees DSPPs often have negligible or no ongoing expenses compared to other investment vehicles. |
Cons of Buying DSPPs
DSPPs offer advantages, but they also have significant downsides:
| Higher out-of-pocket expenses A DSPP account can be opened for a one-time fee of $250 to $500, and most plans don’t allow purchasing fractional shares. |
| There is another account. Corporate entities are the custodians of DSPPs. For this reason, if a single investor has DSPP assets with several companies, those holdings will exist individually on their platforms. |
| This is because they are often a long-term investment. When compared to an online broker, DSPPs are slower and less adaptable. That’s why most people consider them a good choice for a savings or retirement fund. |
Dividend Reinvestment Plans
DRIPs, or Dividend Reinvestment Plans, are similar to DSPPs; some DSPPs even provide DRIPs as an option for participants. Through a DRiP, shareholders can purchase shares of the business’s stock directly from the firm and reinvest the dividends they receive from the stock in the company to acquire more shares.
Pros of DRiP Programs
If you want to purchase stocks directly instead of through a broker, DRiPs provide a few advantages over DSPPs:
| Automatic, accelerated expansion Reinvesting dividends is akin to compound interest. Investments in DRiPs can be reinvested and expanded regularly without the need for additional capital. |
| Fee-free reinvestment, even in fractional shares The dividends can be reinvested at no further cost. In most cases, investors can even purchase a single share in increments of a specific size. |
Cons of DRiP Programs
The disadvantages of DRiPs are similar to those of DSPPs, yet they also have their unique issues:
| The possibility of choice is restricted Since not all DSPP-providing businesses also provide DRiPs, your options will be more limited. |
| There is still taxation of dividends. Investors are still subject to capital gains tax even if their money is automatically reinvested in a DRiP. That suggests they might need to find other sources of cash to cover the tax bill. |
Online Brokerage Account
With an online brokerage account, investors can buy stocks directly from a broker’s website, eliminating the need for a full-service broker and the corresponding costs. Compare that to the difference between a self-serve buffet and a sit-down restaurant.
Once an investor has signed up for an online brokerage account, they can inform their broker of their desired purchases and quantities. When the order is finalized, the broker acts upon it.
A trade’s transaction cost could be negligible or nonexistent when using an online broker.
Pros of Investing with an Online Broker
While investing online may seem appealingly simple, some drawbacks exist. Just a handful of the benefits are as follows:
| Inexpensive expenses There are often fewer costs associated with investing online. A lot of internet businesses have done away with commissions entirely recently. |
| Self-directed investing Having a brokerage account that is accessible online might provide a great deal of independence. When investors have options, they can design a strategy that works best for them. |
| It’s available whenever you want it. An e-investor can place trade orders whenever the markets are open. |
Cons of Investing with an Online Broker
Although they may vary from investor to investor, there are certain potential risks to using an internet broker:
| The obligation is entirely on the investor. Although online investing offers many advantages, it can also leave investors vulnerable if they don’t have access to the advice of trained financial specialists. It’s a lot of pressure, and I can see how that would bother some people. |
| It’s a long-term plan. When trading online, you can sell whenever you please because of the on-demand nature of the market. If you’re an investor with little patience, this could be not easy. |
Benefits of Using a Broker to Buy Stocks
As their job title suggests, stockbrokers facilitate stock and other security trades on their client’s behalf. They may get paid commissions for promoting trades. However, that is only a tiny part of what a full-service broker can do for you. In addition, a stockbroker’s duties may include the following:
- Trading advice is provided to customers based on the advisor’s knowledge and experience in the stock market.
- Advisors also provide advisory services by advising clients on when and what investments to buy and sell.
- Relationship-building with clients so they can learn more about them and use that knowledge to guide their financial decisions.
Stockbrokers get their money primarily through commissions. Therefore, they need to be competent at what they do. The knowledge, skills, and expertise a stockbroker acquires over time can be invaluable to an investor.
Nonetheless, most stockbrokers get paid from your trades, so clients must continue to fork over cash whenever they purchase, sell, or otherwise transact with their broker.
The expertise of a stockbroker may be worth the expense to some investors. Some people find it more enticing to invest on their own. What one prefers is entirely subjective.
Not everyone is capable of buying and selling stocks on their own, just like not everyone is capable of riding a motorcycle or parachuting. However, everyone who wants to invest in the market should be able to do it intelligently. They can always employ a financial advisor or stockbroker if they feel uncomfortable doing it independently. Know your financial situation, risk tolerance, and attitude toward investing before you make any stock purchases. Always use strong passwords, and don’t forget to take baby steps.
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Source: SoFi