A Young Investor

The stock market is a foreign topic to many teens. Yet FCHS junior Ethan Smialek knows a surprising amount about it. About two years ago, Smialek’s grandmother introduced him to stocks and began investing for him. Once he felt comfortable, Smialek took over his account on his own.

He makes anywhere from $100 to $2000 a month off his stocks. He also has about $700 in his bank account and puts many of his earnings in savings accounts for college or emergencies. Smialek has made roughly $50,000 to $65,000 in the stock market. He loves having stocks because, “Once you find how to invest smartly, you might lose money, but you know how to get it back.”

Smialek especially likes penny stocks, which are cheap. “You can pay one dollar for a penny stock, and in a matter of time, you could have $20-30,” he said.

Although Smialek “loses” money everyday, he said he gains it back eventually, and makes money overall. “I just recently read a book, called “The Young Investor,” he said, noting that it really helps him with stocks. He trades in the stocks market approximately twice a week. Sometimes he just sits down and watches the stock market grow for fun.

In addition, Smialek bought his 2010 Audi Convertible not only as a car, but as an investment, hoping it will keep its value.

Smialek encourages students interested in getting into stocks to read about them. He said he knows which stocks to pick because he watches them for awhile. Whether you choose to buy shares or not, you have to be certain with your decision, he says. “You win some, you lose some, but you’ve got to overcome the stock market, be certain with your decisions, and you’ve got to make that money.”