Q: Today’s question comes from Brittany. She writes: One of my goals is to start investing in the stock market – but I really don’t know where to start. Do I need a broker to buy stock?
A: Congrats on setting a big money goal! You’re in good company. Research from Fidelity shows that 7 in 10 women owned investments in the stock market in 2024. That’s an 18% increase compared to the year prior.
Now, on to your question. The short answer? No, you don’t need a broker to buy stock. There was once a time when investors called their brokers on the phone with instructions to buy and sell stocks on their behalf for a commission. Today, investors have less need for an actual human to help them with executing their transactions.
Instead, we can go directly to an online brokerage firm, like Vanguard or Fidelity. There are even robo-advisor firms designed to streamline investing for beginners and handle the rebalancing for you. There are many out there — do your research to find one with a good reputation and (ideally) low fees. Start your search with our list of top-rated options here.
