What do I need to know???

Hello, I just start involving with stock markets (xom and ppl), until now I lost 250 usd but I think that in some time I'll be quite good in the matter; December arrived, and I know I should be waiting and reading a lot because a new year is starting, Could someone tell me what should I be focused on and where to find that information, for example, I know I need to find somewhere the information about year's inflation.
what else??\
TIA

I would not be overly concerned about inflation as I would be concerned about my investments.

Remember, "you only loose money in stocks when you SELL at a loss."

Inflation index: CPI (Consumer Price Index).

Only invest risk capital in stocks, or for retirement planning 10+ years out.

For most people, buy broad market index funds.

S&P 500 (SPY)

80% of mutual fund manager underperform the S&P. So you're likely to be 80% ahead of the pack.

Suggest Dollar cost average. Place the same dollar amount in the fund every month. If the market has a huge down day 300-500 points at curr levels, put 1/2 of the money you intended to put in over the next 12 month.

Have a min 5-8 time horizon for non retirement money. Never invest in the market money you will need in 2-3 years or less.

Open IRA, or Roth IRA. Contribute the max each year and on a monthly basis.
Max out any employers contributions each year.
Pay yourself first (retirement). Use the rest of your earnings to pay the bills.

Good Luck!

go to motley fool -- good stock advice. but I recommend not "playing" the market for short-term gain but investing for long term. that's why blue chip stocks tend to perform better over time than the fly-by-night offerings. you can make a bundle, but you can also lose your shirt. this isn't a game for the faint of heart and you need to get an education, fast. also read the business section of a good newspaper as well as the personal money section. good luck

You don't know what you don't know - or, in this instance, how much you don't know.

Go to:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tr...

and check out the books listed on the front page. That will give you a solid foundation.

You may also want to join the group to follow some of the picks and talk to successful traders.

I hope your money last long enough for you to find out.