Learn trading online

What is trading?

Publicly traded companies sell stock to raise capital. Retail (e.g., individuals) and institutional (e.g., companies) investors can buy stock in companies they believe will rise in value. If the stock price rises, investors can sell their stock and make a profit.

Why should people learn to trade stocks?

Everyone can benefit from knowing more about stocks, the stock market, and investing. Learning trading online may improve your personal finance and financial literacy skills. Mastering stock market and trading fundamentals can also help you:

• Compare different investment vehicles, such as IRAs and 401(k)s.
• Pick the right investment advisor.
• Plan for retirement.
• Further your economics education.
• Start a savings account for your child's college education.
• Compare stocks with bonds and other investments.
• Explore related regulated securities.
• Avoid stock scams, such as "pump and dump" schemes and meme stocks.

Trading course curriculum

Wall Street isn't forgiving. If you're serious about trading as a wealth-building strategy or as a career, online courses can help you prepare.

These courses offered by edX partners can give you a better chance of achieving your goals. They may help you build foundational knowledge for how to understand market trends, evaluate stocks, and understand the data.

Courses can cover a range of topics, including how markets worked before electronic trading, how to leverage trading technology and data, and how foreign exchange markets work differently from U.S. markets.

Depending on the length and depth of the course or program, learners may develop a deeper understanding of global finance as a whole. Specific lessons on trading platforms, technical analysis, and stock trading across many circumstances are designed to help you build a comprehensive trading strategy.

How to get started learning to trade stocks

1. Enroll in a trading course

Start learning with an edX stock trading course. A typical course lasts 4-12 weeks and costs $50-$300. With edX, you can explore introductory and intermediate topics, including:

• Trading with technical analysis
• Capital markets
• Finance
• Market research

Before investing time and money in a course, reflect on what you want out of your education. Making a list of objectives can help you choose the right educational pathway. Friends, family, and colleagues can also help you make an informed decision.

2. Research market trends and data

Once you're familiar with stock market vocabulary and fundamentals, further your education by researching market trends and data. Subscription-based online services can connect you with the latest information. All prices are current as of June 2025.

• Finsheet: You don't need to be tech-savvy to master Finsheet, which uses Excel and Google Sheets to present financial data in a simplified and condensed format. You can get started with a free plan and pay up to $90 per month for all of Finsheet's features.
• Seeking Alpha: On Seeking Alpha, you can review stocks' performance and the latest investing advice. Premium members pay $299 per year.
• ValueInvesting.io: The ValueInvesting.io platform lets you easily compare stocks, research forecasts, and determine earnings potential. You can research as many stocks as you want with the $43 per month Global Plan.

3. Develop a training strategy with the help of a financial advisor

Personal financial advisors help clients reach their financial goals, such as creating an emergency fund, preparing taxes, and planning for retirement. They can also assist you with your stock trading training strategy. Use their expertise to refine how you approach the stock market.

Becoming a personal financial advisor requires a mix of education, on-the-job training, and licensure. The federal government requires the latter for financial advisors who purchase and sell securities for clients.

Last updated July 8, 2025