How to buy Canadian Stocks/Shares?

Question

What is the reason I cannot buy shares/stocks without going through a broker? Do you know of any short course about Canadian Investments? (I mean 6 months or less, just for my own knowledge). Any comments will be appreciated.

Answer 1

u need to go through broker or get seat on exchange..course is available through canadian securities institute.

go to csi.ca.

Answer 2

SnowingCanada,

Not sure if you live in Canada or the US but the answer is pretty much the same either way. In almost every country, the stock exchange is regulated by requiring members to get a "seat on the exchange," i.e. to register as a broker on the exchange. This is simply to curb anyone from coming in and trading stocks because there are LOTS of shady things one can do to manipulate it. While registering as a broker does not entirely stop this, it helps greatly to regulate it.

So the short answer to your question is that if you want to purchase shares/stocks, you have to either register on the exchange (usually $100,000-$500,000) depending on the exchange, or go through a broker.

However there are quite a few options for brokers (including online ones which trade for very cheap). One great resource is a website called:

http://www.emerginvest.com

It has a broker list for exchanges around the world. You have to register, but its free and a great resource.

Hope this helps!