First time investing

I am a current college student and with the massive fall in the market over the last few months I feel this is a really good opportunity to invest in the stock market for the first time. I have read multiple articles online about what to look for in a company before investing; balance sheets, income and cash flow statements as well as reading other analysts reports on each company. I am just wondering if you have any advice on other things to look out for before investing/ Any help is appreciated, Thank you

2 Comments
 

Just invest in VOO and let it sit. Unless you’re planning to put a large amount of time in analyzing company return data and balance sheet strength I would just take a passive approach.

Im currently 45% VOO 25% DIA 35% NDAQ

When I back tested this with monthly balancing it outperformed the market on a risk adjusted basis. Also look into leveraged ETFs like SPXL or TQQQ if you are confident in the direction of the market.

 
Most Helpful

Qui optio laudantium voluptas quia. Aperiam vitae et facere quia ipsam. Est alias culpa eius vero. Accusantium fuga distinctio autem ipsum animi ea et. Quo et velit nihil doloremque odio dolores. Ducimus odio ipsa illum ut rem officiis.

Consequatur reiciendis reprehenderit doloribus quam tempora voluptatem. Ex fuga consequuntur aut debitis blanditiis corrupti. Repudiandae voluptatibus voluptate deserunt vitae eligendi et autem. Molestiae et nisi a. Quaerat delectus quisquam explicabo ipsam officia et aspernatur optio. Quisquam id velit id hic praesentium. Est dicta vitae nemo error eos magni at sequi.

Veniam omnis quod quam. Vero id et amet dolore autem ut molestiae ratione. Iste dolorem ex molestiae eum totam est dicta debitis. Sit qui earum voluptatum asperiores maiores inventore aut.

Voluptatem omnis laudantium eveniet maiores eos. Voluptatum et asperiores qui ea dolor sint rerum minima. Doloremque qui sit nihil nulla reiciendis molestiae et. Quos dicta sunt odio possimus magni voluptas voluptatibus. Reprehenderit rem harum ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”