Web Street

Electronic investing or "E-investing," (i.e. online trading) has developed concurrently with the World Wide Web. The growth of discount brokers and the popularity of the Internet have led to "do-it-yourself" investing. The Web has transformed from a stock market research tool into a transaction tool for online investors. And it's not just big banks or electronic brokers who are offering online accounts. Many mid and full-service brokers have created online services, so customers can create their own portfolios. Plus, online brokerages have dropped prices and increased services.

There's no longer anyone to stand between the investor and the process. It's one way the World Wide Web can empower people - and Internet technology makes it all possible. But this technology also brings new responsibilities. While people can save money and conduct transactions at their leisure, the last domino falls on them. By eliminating the salesman, the broker or the financial adviser, they've accepted all the risks of the decision making process. Whether they win or lose depends on them and them alone.

Just as the Automatic Teller Machine changed the way people can do their banking, online investing will release people from the many constraints that

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There are nominal fees involved, but they differ from service to service, but the fees for trading on the internet are substantially less than going through a traditional brokerage house," Carol says. For example, Mary Lopez* recently opened an account with E*Trade. It also helps to watch the news for events that affect the economy and subsequently the stock market.

Many online investors manage only a small part of their portfolio and leave larger portions in the hands of an advisor. Anyone who has access to the Internet can participate in the market. The floor trader communicates to the clerk and the order department tha!

t the order was executed. The investor should determine to what extent they will need to lean on professionals for advice, and choose an online broker or financial advisor accordingly. These two women offer advice to anyone interested in becoming an online investor. People who thought buying stocks were out of reach or that playing the stock market is something only the wealthy do, now have investment opportunities literally at their fingertips.

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