Step 1: Key Trading Rules to Know Before Buying U.S. Stocks
Trading Hours
U.S. stocks trade on Eastern Time (ET):
- Regular Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM (no midday break).
- Pre-Market: 4:00–9:30 AM ET.
- After-Hours: 4:00–8:00 PM ET.
- Overnight Trading: 8:00 PM–4:00 AM ET (Sunday–Thursday).
Hong Kong Time Equivalent:
| Trading Session | Summer (March–Nov) | Winter (Nov–March) |
|----------------|-------------------|--------------------|
| Regular | 21:30–04:00 | 22:30–05:00 |
| Pre-Market | 16:00–21:30 | 17:00–22:30 |
👉 Note: Overnight/pre-market sessions have lower liquidity and higher volatility.
Entry Requirements
- No "lot" minimums: Trade single shares (e.g., buy 1 share of AAPL).
- T+0 Trading: Buy and sell stocks the same day.
- T+1 Settlement: Funds clear one business day after sale.
Price Limits & Circuit Breakers
No price limits, but market-wide circuit breakers pause trading if the S&P 500 drops:
- 7% (15-minute halt)
- 13% (another 15-minute halt)
- 20% (market closes).
Step 2: Why Invest in U.S. Stocks?
- Largest global market (NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX).
- Diverse sectors: Tech (AAPL, MSFT), Finance (JPM), Healthcare (UNH).
- High liquidity and transparency.
Top 3 Exchanges
- NYSE: Blue-chip stocks (e.g., Coca-Cola).
- NASDAQ: Tech/growth stocks (e.g., Tesla).
- AMEX: Small/mid-cap stocks (now NYSE American).
Key Indices
| Index | Focus | Example Stocks |
|---------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| S&P 500 | Large-cap diversity | Apple, Microsoft |
| NASDAQ Composite | Tech-heavy | Amazon, Google |
| Dow Jones | 30 blue-chip leaders | Visa, Walmart |
Step 3: How to Buy U.S. Stocks
- Open a brokerage account (e.g., Futu).
- Fund your account via bank transfer.
- Trade via web/mobile platforms.
Step 4: Stock Types & Sectors
11 GICS Sectors:
- Tech: AAPL, NVDA
- Healthcare: LLY
- Energy: XOM
- Full list: Tech, Finance, Healthcare, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Communication Services, Utilities, Real Estate, Materials, Energy, Staples.
Tip: Use thematic investing tools to identify trends.
Step 5: Key Dates to Watch
- FOMC Meetings: Interest rate decisions (8x/year).
- Earnings Seasons: Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct.
- Triple Witching: Quarterly derivatives expiry (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec).
- 13F Filings: Institutional holdings reports (45 days post-quarter).
Step 6: U.S. vs. Hong Kong Stocks
| Feature | U.S. Stocks | Hong Kong Stocks |
|---------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| Trading Time | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM ET | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM HKT |
| Min. Order | 1 share | 1 lot (varies) |
| Dividends | 30% withholding tax | No tax |
FAQ
Q: Can I trade U.S. stocks 24/7?
A: Only via overnight sessions (limited liquidity).
Q: What’s the cheapest way to start?
A: Use fractional shares (e.g., $10 in AAPL).
Q: How do I track market trends?
A: Follow S&P 500 or sector-specific ETFs.
👉 Explore crypto trading alongside stocks for portfolio diversification.
Disclaimer: Trading involves risks. Past performance ≠ future results.