Online accounts comprised 27 percent of some , brokerage accounts in , PSE data show. The times were volatile but that was also when Villar decided to open an account with online stock broker COL Financial Group Inc. She started small, parking an initial P5, in three blue-chip companies with little support other than seminars given by COL and encouragement from family and a local ministry. That decision came with risks and without a live broker to lean on, Villar said she initially lost money.

But she held on to her portfolio of Ayala Land Inc. The move turned out to be the correct call, given how much these companies have gained, riding on the booming Philippine economy.

She has also been paying it forward. Moreover, investing in the stock market remains limited to a small part of the population, despite the relatively low cost of starting an account. Interviews with officials from two of the biggest players, COL Financial formerly CitisecOnline and First Metro Securities Brokerage Corp.

Data from the PSE showed that online accounts comprised 27 percent of about , brokerage accounts in He said this was driven by so-called millennials, or young, tech-savvy individuals born in the s and onward.

As such, he is optimistic that there is room for growth. Like Villar, the difference can be as basic as a preference for limited to zero interaction with a live broker.

[Tutorial] How to open an online stock trading account in COL Financial (Citiseconline) – for OFWs and newbies – Smart Pinoy Investor – Investing and Personal Finance for Pinoys

Certain advantages come with speaking with a live broker, however. They execute your trades, usually via a phone call or text message, and depending on the relationship, they can also make suggestions and even dissuade clients from making a potential bad bet. Online trading commissions are pegged at 0.

An option for a broker-assisted trade means increasing that commission to 0. Bate said there was little difference in the process of opening an account either with a traditional brokerage house or an online-based platform.

Application forms and the necessary government IDs will need to be filled out, copied and submitted for processing. Online-based brokers allow application forms to be downloaded, as do a number of traditional brokerage houses.

Because of their focus on the retail market, the minimum investment amount required by an online-trading platform is relatively small. COL and First Metro Securities require initial funding of P25, for a trading account. Metrobank and PSBank account holders are exempted from the minimum amount for First Metro Securities. COL Financial also offers a so-called Easy Investment Program that allows an investor to start with a minimum of P5, The main features and benefits of an online platform are felt once an account is opened, and these revolve around real-time access and full control for the investor, as long as one has an Internet connection.

Online platforms also provide support via seminars, market updates and regular research analysis. This also helps differentiate each company from rival services.

Foreigners dominate Phl stock trades in | Business, News, The Philippine Star | cozosen.web.fc2.com

Information for self-traders is not the sole domain of the platforms that operate them. Witness to this growing trend are individuals who parlay their stock market expertise—for a fee. He is better known outside his office as the technical whiz behind the year-old blog tsupitero. For a fee of P1, per month, a trader gains access to a daily technical report compiled by Sayo that includes three to five recommended short-term plays.

A lot of firms have research and do fundamental reports. The digital age has also made it easier for investors access information across multiple platforms. There are countless Facebook groups dedicated to stock trading as well as online forums where investors can swap tips and even gossip. In some cases, however, that information is unverified, misleading and possibly outright false. For the unseasoned investor or trader, that can spell the difference between a windfall and painful losses.

He said this was also why it was important for investors, especially newbies, to attend the seminars: The common message is clear: Whether online or through a live broker, in stocks or other financial instruments, setting aside money for these various vehicles should help protect individuals from financial uncertainty.

That is advice that Villar has taken to heart.

Since , she has been setting aside P10, to P15, of her monthly income toward her stock investments. She said the amount was just like paying off a car loan. But instead of losing value, this is one vehicle that has the opportunity to appreciate.

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