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Investing in Johnson & Johnson Stock: A Simple Guide

Buying stock is not the challenge that it may have been years ago. With the advancement of online investing, buying stocks or mutual funds can be done from the comfort of your own home, as well as through the traditional stock broker system. Buying stock in a company that you are already familiar with is now a relatively simple process.

How to Buy Johnson & Johnson Stock

Step 1

Educate yourself. You may go into this process knowing that you want to buy Johnson & Johnson stock, but it is always a good idea to educate yourself further about the stock you plan to purchase. Be up to date on recent news about the stock you plan to buy. It's a good idea to not only educate yourself on the stock you plan to buy, but on the market in general. You should be up to date on current events in the investment world before investing your money into any market.

Step 2

Choose your broker. You have the option of using a full-service broker, who will often charge more for your transactions but they will often provide the most in-depth service. You can also choose a discount broker, who will charge less than a full service broker, or an online broker, who will charge the least. Not only should you learn about the different types of brokers, but you should familiarize yourself with all of the companies that offer these services.

Step 3

Fund your account. Once you have chosen who you will invest with, you need to supply them with the money to process your transaction. If you know how much Johnson & Johnson stock costs, and want to buy a certain number of shares, simple multiplication will tell you how much you will need to give to your broker. If you want to invest a certain amount of money, just do so and you will get the number of shares that you can afford.

Step 4

Set your limits for your stock transaction. When buying stocks, you put in an offer to buy the stock at 'X' amount, and you tell them how long your offer is good for. When the stock is available at that price, your purchase will be executed. You can also set the same limits for selling your stock. You can say that you want to buy Johnson & Johnson at 'X' amount, and sell it when it reaches 'Y' amount.

Step 5

Order your stock by symbol, not name. If you want to order Johnson & Johnson stock, you are buying shares of "JNJ." A stock's symbol is easily available through an Internet search, or you can ask your broker.

Step 6

Follow the stock and plan ahead. Keep an eye on the stock's price everyday. You will eventually sell your shares of JNJ, so it's a good idea to know what it's worth at all times. Some investments are made for the long term, but you should be aware even in the short term. Selling a stock when it has reached a high peak, or getting out before it hits rock-bottom are things you are watching for.

Tip

Read up on the stock you want to buy before you buy it. Follow your investments daily. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the many ways that you can invest before choosing what type of broker you plan to use.