For more than a year now, I have carefully tracked my direct stocks investments using my online stock broker, COL Financial. So far I am proud to say that I have attained past my initial target of 10% gain/loss in my portfolio (dividends not yet included). I've made bad choices along the way due to sudden burst of emotions as a newbie and crazy excitement which led me to jump along the bandwagon to test shallow waters. But hopefully, with those experiences which I now regard as my learning point in my young journey to financial freedom and abundance, it simply taught me two very important things -- stick with the fundamental values of the company and do cost averaging with a twist.
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My portfolio as of January 9, 2015. Note the box in red. NOTE: The Gain/Loss % will vary depending if you have sold your shares, locked in profits and/or added shares to your existing stocks. I will further explain it on my next posts. =) |
Stocks investing isn't new, even in the Philippine setting either. The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEI) had been continuously operating since its inception in the late 1920s. Unfortunately, this method of paper-based investment has not been widely spread among the common middle to lower class population due to its "for-the-rich-only-image". Back in the days, finding a stock broker and seeking platforms for stocks investing is not as easily accessible as it is now and investment products which have low minimum investment deposits are also not commonly offered by financial companies and/or banks unless you'd inquire thoroughly about it. If you are in the stock market know-how and obviously have the means back in the day, you're lucky to know this pot of gold. But as the world changes, people are now in the loop of getting more financially aware and seeking to be literate enough to care more about their financial situation and future retirement options. Thankfully, the technology that we have through the use of internet which paved the way for the creation of easy and accessible online stock brokerage platforms gives everybody a fair chance at this form of investing.
Due to this sudden demand, traditional financial companies opted to upgrade their system and adopt this new technological change. As of this writing there are more than 5 companies that offer accesible online stock investing platforms accredited by SEC. Each have their own different features to boost that entices potential investors. Out of these handful of companies, I carefully chose my online stock broker due to its proven 20 years record in the industry.
On a personal note, I use COL Financial because of their features. Recommendation from friends and numerous positive reviews that I have read on the internet also added to that decision. But among these, I primarily chose the company because they allow OFWs like me who are living abroad to process my application without any hassle of having to go back home for issues of personal appearance. I also find their site easy to navigate, their updated articles about the stock market easy to understand for a non-business major like me and a lot of friendly-to-use options. I'm not in any way connected with this company nor advertising them but simply putting my two cents on my decision when I applied to start my direct stocks investment. Like what I have stated, there are other companies to choose from and it would always depend on the potential investor's personal preference.
For information on which online accredited stocks broker to choose, I have made a list below with with their minimum amount for deposit. Click the name of the company and you will be directly linked to their site.
LIST OF 2014 ACCREDITED ONLINE STOCK BROKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
(Some changes may appear as I will try to update this list once in a while)
AB Capital Securities Inc.
Minimum Investment: 10,000 Php
Abacus Securities Corporation
Minimum Investment: 10,000 Php
Accord Capital Equities Corporation
Minimum Investment: 5,000 Php
Angping and Associates Securities, Inc.
Minimum Investment: 5,000 Php
BPI Securities Corporation
Minimum Investment: None if you have an account with BPI
COL Financial Group Inc. (former Citiseconline)
Minimum Investment: 5,000 Php (Easy Investment Program/EIP)
F. Yap Securities Inc.
Minimum Investment: 25,000 Php
First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation
Minimum Investment: 25,000 Php (initial for new clients)
RCBC Securities Inc.
Minimum Investment: Check with the company for more info.
Wealth Securities Inc.
Minimum Investment: 10,000 Php
Regarding account opening, requirements and other necessary information, it is highly recommended to CONTACT each company and inquire for further details.
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See my other posts about my journey towards financial freedom and abundance at Investing 101: The Basics of Financial Freedom and Investing 102: Enriching Financial Literacy
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