Online Investing: A Guide

(CBS)  Looking to get your toes wet in the stock market? You're just in time. Thanks to intense competition between financial institutions, the Internet has become a buyer's market for financial information and stock trading tools.

Not only do online trades cost about half of what offline trading generally runs, industry experts expect prices to plunge further in months to come. In addition, information like real-time stock quotes, and other in-depth analysis tools – unaffordable to most Americans just two years ago – are now under $100 a month.

That has created a crush of investors who manage their portfolios online, sometimes on a day-to-day basis. Industry watcher Forrester Research says that this new breed of online investor is likely to hit and surpass the 5 million mark by year's end, and expand to some 14.4 million by 2002.

All of this has created a multi-billion dollar market, with the value of online trades expected to hit $233 billion mark by year's end, and $688 billion within four years.

For a quick guide to taking the stock trading plunge using your computer, check out our guide to Getting Started. In addition, learn about "ethical investing," the growing trend of investing according to your conscience. Finally, CBS.com takes a look at the emergence of online trading clubs, where members share ideas for stock picks, and the profits.

	Getting Started For those just getting started, CBS.com takes a look at the variety of resources available on the Internet, and a guide to researching and trading online.
	Ethical Investing Now that researching companies is easier than ever, investors can more easily invest in companies whose business practices reflect their political, religious, or social values - a growing trend.
	Safety In Numbers Individual investors have seized upon the many communication tools provided by the Internet to swap tips, trade ideas and ask questions. The result? Online investment clubs which pool their funds and research, and share in the profits. Learn how to join one, or create your own.

Written by Sean Wolfe with graphic design by Alex Heller and Dana Byerly