Sharemarket basics
Investing in shares doesn’t have to be complicated. At E*TRADE, we’re here to help make it easier for you to place trades. So let’s start with some of the basics.
What is a share?
A share is a part ownership of a publicly-listed company.
What is the sharemarket?
The sharemarket is a place where shares are traded. In Australia, the main sharemarket is the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). When you buy or sell shares on the Australian market through E*TRADE your order will be placed directly on the ASX or onto one of our supported international exchanges.
Why invest in shares?
The short answer: to make money. People invest in shares for two main reasons, growth and yield.
How much do I need to invest?
You don’t need a fortune. The minimum amount you can buy is just $500 (known as a ‘marketable parcel’), plus the brokerage fee you pay E*TRADE for executing the trade.
When can I buy and sell?
The ASX is open 10 am to 4pm (AEST) daily, but you can place orders any time on the E*TRADE website. They’ll then be executed once the market re-opens.
What shares to buy?
To help you keep track of the share market, find out what experts are saying, and decide which shares are right for you, we have provided a number of helpful tools.