can we buy stocks now? Practical guide

Can We Buy Stocks Now?

can we buy stocks now is a question with two separate but related meanings. First, it asks whether you have the practical ability to purchase publicly traded equities at this moment—access to brokerages, trading hours, order types, settlement, and custody. Second, it asks an investment question: given current valuations, macro conditions, and personal objectives, is now a suitable time to buy stocks?

This article addresses both dimensions. You will learn how to place trades today, how market-timing frameworks work, strategic approaches for different horizons, a practical checklist to buy now, and the data points market participants watch. The guidance is factual and educational—not investment advice—and it highlights tools (including Bitget products) that retail investors commonly use.

Scope and definitions

Stocks (also called equities) represent fractional ownership in a publicly traded company. Shares trade on organized exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Retail investors commonly buy:

• Individual U.S. stocks (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap).
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track indexes, sectors, or themes.
• Fractional shares (partial ownership of expensive stocks offered by many brokers).

Stocks differ from bonds (debt instruments that pay interest), mutual funds (pooled vehicles with different trading rules), and cryptocurrencies (digital assets with different custody, regulation, and volatility profiles). This article focuses on retail access to U.S. equities and ETFs, including fractional-share execution where available.

How to buy stocks now (market access and mechanics)

Below are the practical steps and infrastructure to place a stock trade today.

Opening a brokerage account

To trade U.S. stocks you need a brokerage account. Common account types:

• Taxable brokerage (standard investing account for buying/selling securities).
• Retirement accounts (Individual Retirement Accounts, employer-sponsored IRAs/401(k) equivalents depending on jurisdiction) with tax advantages but contribution limits and withdrawal rules.

Typical requirements: identity verification (photo ID, Social Security or tax ID in the U.S.), residency and tax information, and funding source (bank transfer, ACH, wire). Choose a provider based on fees, available markets, research tools, and customer service.

Providers fall into broad categories:

• Online discount brokerages that offer low-cost trades, educational tools, and mobile apps.
• Full-service brokers offering advisory and wealth-management services with higher fees.

If you use crypto-native tools for fiat on/off-ramp or multi-asset custody, consider Bitget as an integrated platform that provides trading products and a Bitget Wallet for custody of tokenized assets. For stock trading, select a regulated broker that offers direct access to U.S. markets and clear custody arrangements.

Market hours and when you can trade

Regular U.S. equity market hours: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on trading days. Many brokers also offer extended trading sessions:

• Pre-market: typically 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET (varies by broker).
• After-hours: typically 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET (varies by broker).

Implications:

• Liquidity is highest during regular hours; bid-ask spreads are tighter.
• Extended-hours trades can fill at volatile or stale prices because fewer participants trade.
• Orders placed during closed markets execute at the next available session unless specifically set for extended-hours execution.

Order types and execution

Common order types:

• Market order: buy or sell immediately at the prevailing market price. Execution is fast but price certainty is low in volatile markets.
• Limit order: set a maximum buy price or minimum sell price. The order executes only at that price or better.
• Stop order / stop-loss: becomes a market order once a trigger price is reached. Useful for downside protection but can execute at an unfavorable price during gaps.
• Stop-limit: a stop that becomes a limit order—avoids immediate market execution but may fail to fill.
• Fractional-share orders: allow buying partial shares; execution rules vary by broker.

Execution concepts:

• Price improvement: some brokers route orders through venues that seek price improvement relative to the NBBO (national best bid and offer).
• Partial fills: large orders or illiquid securities may fill only partially.

Fees, commissions, and platform features

Many U.S. brokers offer $0 commissions for standard online equity trades, but other costs may apply:

• Spreads and implicit execution costs.
• Routing or regulatory fees passed through to customers.
• Wire fees, account transfer fees, or inactivity fees depending on provider.

Platform tools that matter:

• Real-time market data and level-2 quotes (order-book depth).
• Research reports, earnings calendars, analyst consensus data.
• Mobile trading apps and order management features.

When comparing providers, read fee schedules and execution policies. Bitget provides a modern interface and multi-asset support; for purely equities-focused accounts, ensure the broker is regulated to custody and clear U.S. securities.

Settlement, custody, and clearing

Stock trades settle on T+2 (trade date plus two business days) for most U.S. equities. That means the buyer must have settled funds or margin available. Key points:

• Cash availability for withdrawals occurs after settlement.
• Custody: brokers hold securities in street name at a custodian, which protects you under the broker’s regulatory charter. Understand whether the custodian segregates assets and how they insure client holdings.
• Margin accounts allow trading with borrowed funds but carry higher risk and maintenance requirements.

Is now a good time to buy stocks? (market-timing considerations)

Short answer: whether now is a good time to buy depends on valuation metrics, macroeconomic conditions, and your investment horizon. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Below are the frameworks investors use to judge timing.

Market valuations and concentration

Aggregate valuation metrics: common gauges include trailing P/E, forward P/E, and the cyclically adjusted P/E (Shiller CAPE). High headline valuations can reflect concentration in megacap leaders—if a few stocks drive the index, aggregate metrics may overstate broad market valuations.

Considerations:

• A market dominated by a handful of high-flying technology or AI-exposed names can exhibit high headline P/E while many other sectors trade at lower multiples.
• Sector-level valuations (financials, energy, consumer staples) vary; diversification helps mitigate concentration risk.

Macro and policy drivers

Near-term market direction is influenced by:

• Interest rates / central bank policy: tighter policy typically pressures growth assets; easing can support higher equity valuations.
• Inflation trends: persistent inflation can compress multiples if real growth expectations decline.
• Economic growth indicators: GDP, industrial production, and consumer spending inform earnings outlooks.
• Trade and regulatory policy: tariffs or regulation can affect multinational revenue and supply chains.

Example (market context as of reporting date): as of January 21, 2026, markets were tracking corporate earnings and macro commentary, while analysts monitored Federal Reserve guidance and geopolitical developments that influence risk sentiment (source: StockStory reporting).

Expert and institutional perspectives

Professional investors commonly emphasize selectivity and long-term focus. Typical views include:

• If markets appear richly valued, favor selective buying in undervalued sectors or high-quality names with durable cash flow.
• For long-horizon investors, maintaining exposure to equities aligns with long-term growth objectives while managing volatility through diversification.

Institutional strategies often balance portfolio-level risk controls with tactical allocations to themes or sectors judged under- or over-valued.

Investment strategies for deciding whether (and how) to buy now

Below are practical strategies matched to different investor goals and uncertainty about timing.

Long-term buy-and-hold

Rationale:

• Over multi-year horizons, reinvesting dividends and compounding earnings matter more than short-term price swings.
• If your time horizon is measured in decades, the focus shifts to company fundamentals and cost basis over macro timing.

When appropriate:

• Building retirement or long-term savings portfolios.
• Investing in diversified index funds or high-quality dividend growers.

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)

Definition:

• DCA means investing a fixed amount at regular intervals (monthly, quarterly) regardless of market level.

Benefits:

• Reduces timing risk by smoothing entry across market cycles.
• Can psychologically ease starting in volatile markets.

Notes:

• DCA does not guarantee better returns than lump-sum investing, but it lowers the risk of poor timing in a single large purchase.

Value vs. growth and sector/size tilt

Style choices:

• Growth investing targets companies with above-average revenue or earnings growth, often commanding higher multiples.
• Value investing targets companies trading at lower multiples relative to fundamentals.

Sector/size tilt:

• Sector allocations (financials, technology, healthcare) and market-cap exposure (large, mid, small) change risk and return profiles.
• If headline valuations are concentrated in mega-cap growth, value or small-cap exposure may offer different risk/reward dynamics.

Tactical vs. strategic buying

• Strategic: building a long-term core portfolio using index funds or broad ETFs.
• Tactical: shorter-term trades based on events, earnings beats/misses, or macro catalysts.

Tactical trades require active monitoring and higher risk tolerance. Strategic allocation centers on long-term objectives and rebalancing rules.

Use of ETFs and index funds

ETFs and index funds provide broad diversification in a single trade. Reasons to use them when unsure about timing:

• Instant sector or market exposure.
• Lower single-stock risk and often lower fees for passive strategies.

When buying individual stocks, many investors still hold ETFs as a core allocation to manage overall portfolio risk.

Practical step-by-step checklist to buy stocks now

1. Decide your objective: retirement growth, income, or speculation.
2. Choose account type: taxable or retirement account.
3. Select a regulated broker with access to U.S. equities and clear custody policies.
4. Complete account setup and verify identity.
5. Fund your account with settled funds or enable margin if appropriate.
6. Research securities and create a watchlist; review recent earnings and valuation metrics.
7. Choose order type (market, limit) and session (regular hours vs extended-hours).
8. Place the trade with appropriate size; consider position-sizing rules.
9. Monitor the trade, dividends, and corporate actions; save trade confirmations for tax records.
10. Rebalance periodically to maintain target allocation.

Call to action: if you are exploring multi-asset execution or secure custody for tokenized assets alongside fiat-based investment tools, explore Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet for integrated solutions.

Risk management and portfolio construction

Sound purchases align with a portfolio plan and risk controls.

Asset allocation and diversification

Principles:

• Determine target allocation across equities, bonds, cash, and alternatives based on risk tolerance and horizon.
• Diversify within equities across sectors, geographies, and market caps.

Why it matters:

• Allocation explains the majority of long-term portfolio variance; sector or single-stock bets should be sized accordingly.

Position sizing and stop-loss / risk limits

Guidelines:

• Limit single-stock exposure to a small percentage of total portfolio (commonly 1–5% depending on risk appetite).
• Use mental or explicit stop-loss levels to define downside tolerance, recognizing that stop orders can execute at worse-than-expected prices in gaps.

Rebalancing and monitoring

• Rebalance periodically (quarterly, semi-annually, or annually) to maintain target allocations.
• Monitor for material changes in fundamentals: earnings trends, leverage, management changes, or sector shifts.

Market outlook factors to watch (near-term and medium-term)

Keep an eye on these data and events when assessing whether to add to equity positions:

• Federal Reserve statements and rate decisions.
• Inflation readings (CPI, PCE) and wage growth.
• Labor market data (nonfarm payrolls, unemployment claims).
• Corporate earnings season and forward guidance from major companies.
• Geopolitical and trade developments that could affect supply chains and revenue.
• Sector-specific catalysts (e.g., AI spending for technology names).

Example market-data context: as of January 21, 2026, earnings reports from multiple companies influenced sentiment. StockStory reported that F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE:FNB) met Wall Street revenue expectations for Q4 CY2025 with revenue of $457.8 million and adjusted EPS of $0.50, beating consensus by 22.7% (source: StockStory, Jan 21, 2026). That quarter’s results caused discussion about banks’ net interest income and tangible book value per share trends in the financial sector.

Also reported: Netflix’s Q4 CY2025 revenue of $12.05 billion and GAAP EPS of $0.56 (StockStory, Jan 21, 2026) provided context for consumer internet growth and margin dynamics, while Interactive Brokers posted a strong quarter with $1.64 billion in revenue and adjusted EPS of $0.65 (StockStory, Jan 21, 2026). These corporate data points illustrate how company-level results matter for short-term stock moves and help investors decide whether to act now.

Stocks vs. cryptocurrencies — differences relevant to "can we buy now?"

If your question mixes equities with crypto, here are the key contrasts:

• Regulation: Stocks trade on regulated exchanges with well-established securities laws; cryptocurrencies operate across varied regulatory regimes depending on jurisdiction.
• Custody: Broker custodians hold securities under established clearinghouses; crypto custody options include self-custody wallets and custodial providers. For Web3 wallets, consider Bitget Wallet as a custodial and non-custodial option depending on your needs.
• Volatility: Crypto assets tend to exhibit higher short-term volatility than broad equity markets.
• Trading venues: Stocks trade on exchanges like NYSE and Nasdaq with set trading hours and settlement rules; many crypto venues operate 24/7 with different counterparty risks.
• Investor protections: Stocks benefit from institutional investor protections and clearinghouse mechanisms; crypto protections vary and often depend on provider practices.

If your intent is to buy traditional equities, follow the brokerage and settlement processes above. For crypto, use dedicated wallets and exchanges that suit your custody preference.

Taxes, recordkeeping, and legal/retirement considerations

Tax treatment for stock trades (U.S. context—check local rules):

• Capital gains tax applies to profits from selling stocks. Short-term gains (assets held ≤1 year) are taxed at ordinary income rates; long-term gains (>1 year) receive preferential rates for many taxpayers.
• Dividends may be "qualified" (taxed at long-term capital gains rates if holding-period conditions are met) or non-qualified (taxed as ordinary income).
• Retirement accounts: contributions to tax-advantaged accounts defer taxes or provide tax-free growth depending on account type; contribution limits and withdrawal rules apply.

Recordkeeping:

• Keep trade confirmations, year-end broker statements, and records of cost basis and wash-sale adjustments.
• Brokers provide 1099 forms (or local equivalents) summarizing transactions for tax filings in the U.S.

Legal considerations:

• Ensure your broker adheres to local securities regulations and that your account agreements are clear on custody and dispute resolution.

Common FAQs

Q: Can I buy after hours?

A: Yes, many brokers allow pre-market and after-hours trading, but liquidity is lower and prices can be more volatile. Use limit orders to control execution price in extended sessions.

Q: Is it better to wait for a pullback?

A: Waiting for a pullback is a market-timing strategy. For long-term investors, regular investing or DCA often outperforms trying to pick the perfect entry. Tactical traders may wait for specific technical or fundamental triggers.

Q: Can beginners start now?

A: Beginners can start now after setting goals, opening a regulated brokerage account, and beginning with diversification (ETFs) or small position sizes while learning. Education and strict risk controls are key.

Q: How much should I invest initially?

A: That depends on your financial situation, emergency savings, and investment horizon. Avoid investing money you may need short-term and consider allocating small, manageable amounts while you learn.

Sources and further reading

• StockStory market coverage and company reports (as of Jan 21, 2026).
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investor education materials.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance on capital gains and dividends (U.S.).
• Federal Reserve releases and minutes for policy outlook.
• Exchange websites (NYSE, Nasdaq) for market hours and trading rules.

As of January 21, 2026, according to StockStory reporting, recent corporate results included: F.N.B. Corporation Q4 CY2025 revenue of $457.8 million and adjusted EPS of $0.50; Netflix Q4 CY2025 revenue of $12.05 billion and GAAP EPS of $0.56; Interactive Brokers Q4 CY2025 revenue of $1.64 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.65. These reported, verifiable figures illustrate how earnings can influence near-term buying opportunities (source: StockStory, Jan 21, 2026).

Final notes — actionable next steps

If your immediate question is "can we buy stocks now?" the practical answer is yes: you can open and fund a regulated brokerage account and place orders during market hours or in extended sessions today. Whether you should buy now depends on your valuation analysis, macro outlook, and personal objectives.

Practical next steps:

• Define your goal and time horizon.
• Open and fund a regulated brokerage account.
• Start with diversified exposures (index ETFs) or small positions while you learn.
• Use a disciplined plan: DCA, position-sizing, and rebalancing rules.

For a multi-asset approach that includes fiat and Web3 custody options, explore Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet to combine traditional investing workflows with secure asset management. This article is informational and not investment advice. Verify the latest data and consult a licensed professional for personalized guidance.

Explore further resources on account setup, order types, and market timing to move from asking "can we buy stocks now" to executing an investment plan aligned with your goals.