Investment Hints and tips:

When getting started, it is important that you pick the right full service or discount brokerage. If you use a broker, make sure he or she has a good track record.

• As a beginner, set up a cash account, not a margin account.

• Avoid more volatile types of investments, such as futures, options and foreign stocks.

• Concentrate on a few, high-quality stocks. There's no need to own twenty or more stocks.

• A combination of fundamental and technical investment styles is essential to picking winning stocks.

• Fundamental analysis looks at a company's earnings, earnings growth, sales, profit margins, and return on equity among other things. It helps narrow down your choices so that you are only dealing with quality stocks.