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The Stock Market and Stock Funds 

Growing Wealth for New and Seasoned Investors

For Stock Market Investing, We Give You Choice

Whether you are new to investing or are a seasoned investor, more knowledge and professional advice help you make smart choices. For stock market investing and consulting, we work directly with Choice Investments. We work with them to offer you a comfortable and solid investing experience through a caring culture, just like our own. You can check the background of these financial professionals through FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

We will work with you to customize a plan that meets your needs and goals. No amount is too small and it’s never too early or too late to start. Give us a call at 315-735-8571 and learn about your options.

Man reviews his investments on a tablet

Understanding Common Terms

What is the “market”?

It’s all of the companies and products which are publically traded. Their values, or stocks, are divided into smaller units called shares. If you go shopping this week, chances are you’re buying items made from companies that have value in the stock markets, which track the values of those companies’ shares. When you buy stock, you are investing in a company. When their value goes up or down, the value of your shares, or investment, do as well.

Risk Tolerance

Risk tolerance is your comfort level, your willingness to leave your funds invested, despite market fluctuations (the value going up and down).

Individual Stocks

You can purchase individual stocks, which are invested in one company, and therefore higher risk. If the company is performing well, the value of its shares goes up, and you stand to earn more. If it is not performing well, you stand to lose more.

Mutual Funds

Each of these funds is comprised of investments in multiple companies. If one or a few companies in a fund are not doing as well, those stocks can be sold, and other stocks that are performing better in the group can be purchased. This can help to better balance your funds/earnings. Generally the high and low fluctuations are smaller than for individual stocks. 

Tax-free Funds

Earnings from these funds are tax-free, whether you withdraw or reinvest them.

Themed Funds

There are many types of funds that only include companies in targeted categories. For example:

  • A fund that includes only socially responsible companies.

  • A fund that includes only companies whose products are made in the USA.

  • A fund that includes only energy companies.

You can choose where you want to invest, and what companies you want to support.

Investing Your Savings

Investing always starts with saving. Since there are inherent risks in stock market investing, greater gains and losses are possible, so we encourage beginning investors to set aside enough for their immediate and emergency needs before putting money into the stock market.

When we meet with you, we’ll start with a thorough conversation about your financial standing, well-being, and current needs. We’ll look at your needs for the future, as well as your risk tolerance, and create a unique plan just for you. Part of that plan is working with you to decide how much you can invest, initially and each month. You can increase, decrease, or stop the amount you invest at any time without penalty, and we can show you projections of how those changes could affect your future funds.

When investing, think diversification over the longer term. Give yourself a minimum of 3-5 years to see how your investments work out. This is a recommended minimum for beginning investors. Since funds do fluctuate over the short term, longer is better.

Retirement

If you’re close to retiring and looking for advice on what to do with your investments, we’ll work with you and discuss smart strategies to help you continue to generate income during your retirement. We’ll also help you through the process and paperwork as it can be very detailed.

Getting Started

Investing is an important part of your financial picture, and there’s much to learn. We're here to help you Live and Invest Smarter. Call 315-735-8571 to talk about your options or make an appointment with one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives today.

Let’s Get Started

Make an appointment with one of our friendly Member service representatives today.

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Stocks/Stock Funds, other securities, and advisory services are offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor and Member FINRA/SIPC. These products may also be offered by a First Source "dual employee" who accepts deposits on behalf of the credit union and also sells non-deposit investment products on behalf of Choice Investments LLC through Cadaret, Grant & Co. Choice Investments LLC, Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. and First Source are separate entities. You can check the background of these financial professionals through FINRA’s BrokerCheck. First Source Federal Credit Union is not a registered broker dealer and is not affiliated with Choice Investments LLC.

NOT FEDERALLY INSURED    •    MAY LOSE VALUE    •    NO CREDIT UNION OBLIGATIONS    •    NO CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE 

Funds invested through Choice Investments are not federally insured, may lose value, and are of no way obligations of First Source FCU. Involves investment risk and may involve loss of principal. First Source has no guarantees of securities and annuities products offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Licensed to offer securities in the states of AZ, CT, FL, IA, MA, MD, NC, NY, SC, & VT.