Trading vs investing (2024)

Investing is the act of buying a financial asset, owning it outright, with the aim of making a profit from that purchase further down the line. This is the most intuitive way beginners usually think of accessing financial markets.

For example, you have analysed the market and decide to purchase Apple shares in the hopes that the company’s share price will appreciate in future. When investing with a platform like ours, you’ll buy and own that actual financial asset – for instance shares or ETFs.

Because you’re buying these, you’ll have to commit the full value of your position upfront. So, in the case of shares, the current share price for that stock multiplied by the number of shares you want to own.

This can be a significant amount of money to commit upfront. However, that amount also represents the full extent of your risk. With investing, you can only ever lose what you paid for shares in a ‘bad investment’, whereas with trading you can lose (or gain) far more than your initial capital outlay. This often makes investing a longer-term prospect and a less risky one than trading.

Just remember that your capital is still at risk, as the value of shares, ETFs and other investment vehicles can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in.

Also, just like buying any other asset, you can only profit if that stock or ETF does well in the financial markets and you sell it for more than you paid for it. Because the price of your investment asset needs to appreciate in value to make a profit, you’re restricted to ‘going long’. When ‘going long’, you believe that the price of an asset will rise over a certain timeframe, so you buy it with the intention of selling it later to earn a profit – ‘buy low, sell high’.

Once you’ve bought shares in a company, you’re also entitled to any dividends they pay out. Just bear in mind that companies are not obligated to do so and usually only pay out generous dividends when they’re especially profitable. Plus, you’ll have shareholder voting rights if you invest in stocks.

You can use our share dealing platform to invest in a wide selection of over 14,900 leading stocks and funds – we offer over 12,000 stocks and 2900 ETFs in the UK alone.

Investing can be intimidating, with a lot financial knowledge required to make sound investment decisions. If you’d prefer an expertly managed portfolio, consider our Smart Portfolios. We’ll invest in a balanced portfolio of ETFs on your behalf, and we have some of the lowest fees on the market. Investment trusts are also a good choice if you’d like an actively managed alternative to passively managed ETFs.

Just remember that, with all investing, past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Every investment decision should be based on a thorough analysis of market conditions and the prospective investment itself.

Trading vs investing (2024)

FAQs

Trading vs investing? ›

Stock trading is about buying and selling stocks for short-term profit, with a focus on share prices. Investing is about buying stocks for long-term gains.

Is it better to invest or trade? ›

Investing is long-term and involves lesser risk, while trading is short-term and involves high risk. Both earn profits, but traders frequently earn more profit compared to investors when they make the right decisions, and the market is performing accordingly.

Is trading more profitable than investing? ›

It depends on your goals. Trading is like a quick game for short-term gains, while investing is a patient strategy for long-term growth. If you want fast profits and can handle quick decisions, trading might be for you. If you prefer a slow but steady approach, investing could be better.

How much money do day traders with $10,000 accounts make per day on average? ›

On average, day traders with $10,000 accounts can make $200-$600 per day, with skilled traders aiming for 2%-5% returns daily. So, it is possible to achieve a daily profit of $200 to $600 with a $10,000 account.

Which is harder, trading or investing? ›

Is Trading Harder Than Investing? Trading is generally more complex than investing. That's because trading requires consistent monitoring of the markets and a better understanding of how assets and markets work.

What qualifies you as a day trader? ›

FINRA rules define a pattern day trader as any customer who executes four or more “day trades” within five business days, provided that the number of day trades represents more than six percent of the customer's total trades in the margin account for that same five business day period.

Do traders make more than investors? ›

Whether or not traders make more money than investors will depend on the specific trader and investor, the strategies employed, and the types of securities traded. Generally, a trader will have larger short-term gains, but trades with higher risks and can also suffer severe losses.

Can trading make you a millionaire? ›

Here's How Much to Invest Each Month. Reaching millionaire status isn't easy, but it is achievable -- especially with the right strategy. Investing in the stock market is one of the most effective ways to build wealth, and with enough time and consistency, you could potentially earn well over $1 million.

Can you become rich off trading? ›

Yes, you can get rich off stocks. Investing in the stock market is a proven way to build wealth but it involves things like consistently investing, not selling during market volatility, and holding stocks for the long term.

What is the Warren Buffett Rule? ›

The Buffett Rule is the basic principle that no household making over $1 million annually should pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than middle-class families pay. Warren Buffett has famously stated that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary, but as this report documents this situation is not uncommon.

What is the 11am rule in trading? ›

It is not a hard and fast rule, but rather a guideline that has been observed by many traders over the years. The logic behind this rule is that if the market has not reversed by 11 am EST, it is less likely to experience a significant trend reversal during the remainder of the trading day.

Can you make $200 a day day trading? ›

A common approach for new day traders is to start with a goal of $200 per day and work up to $800-$1000 over time. Small winners are better than home runs because it forces you to stay on your plan and use discipline. Sure, you'll hit a big winner every now and then, but consistency is the real key to day trading.

Can I make 1k a day trading? ›

If you're wondering how to earn daily 1000 rupees in the share market, consider the following steps: Choose a few stocks to focus on. Before taking any action, monitor the performance of these stocks for at least 15 days. During this time, examine the stocks in several methods using indicators, oscillators, and volume.

Which is riskier trading or investing? ›

Search for "What's the difference between trading and investing?" and find some common themes and explanations: Trading is short-term/investing is long-term, Trading is risky/investing is safe, and so on…

Why is investing better than trading? ›

Investing works better than trading for most

So when you take a stake, you expect to hold it for a while, not simply sell it when the price jumps or before the next person offloads their stake. Passive investing via funds (either ETFs or mutual funds) lets you enjoy the return of the target index.

Is trading classed as gambling? ›

If a person trades for excitement or social proofing reasons, rather than in a methodical way, they are likely trading in a gambling style. If a person trades only to win, they are likely gambling. Traders with a "must-win" attitude will often fail to recognize a losing trade and exit their positions.

Is it better to be a share trader or investor? ›

Investing is the ownership of financial assets and is usually a long-term affair with limited risk. Trading is speculating on financial markets without the ownership of those assets, often with a higher risk than investing and done with a more short-term frame of mind.

Is trading a good way to make money? ›

It is possible to earn money with day trading and make a living from it and generate high income - but the chances are extremely low. A maximum of three percent of all traders achieve long-term profits; the vast majority lose large sums of money.

Is it more profitable to trade stocks or options? ›

You can make a much higher return using options, but you run the risk of a complete loss if you're wrong. Options can allow you to generate income. Some stockholders sell call options against their stock positions or write put options as a way to create income.

Why is trading a higher risk? ›

Trading is a risky business but no more so than any other investment. If a trader imposes strict money management on himself, it is impossible for him to lose all of his capital. What makes trading dangerous is the way traders perceive the financial markets.

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