The ability to invest online using the speed and power of the Internet is a great feature for stock investors. However, you need to be aware of certain aspects that solely relate to trading on the Internet. Here are a few things that you need to know which are extra important when you buy and sell stocks online.

1. Although online transactions can be made in a split-second, you need to invest a lot of time in making your investment decisions. Split-second transactions are great, but split-second decisions can be very dangerous., even when you buy funds that seem safe.

You could lose a lot of money by making hasty decisions and misusing the speed of the Internet. So take time to do your home work, and then use the speed of the Internet to your advantage.

Exchange-traded funds or ETFs are baskets of securities which trade on stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, and precious metals. They are ideal for maintaining flexible, low-cost and tax-efficient portfolios. They do carry their own risks as other investment products. Here are a few points that show you how to buy ETF funds and make profits.

Although the past performance of a particular fund is no guarantee for future performance, it is wise to base one’s investment decisions on funds that have historically performed well. The following Mutual Funds have been identified as some of the top mutual funds to buy in 2012, based on these funds’ three years of risk and return data.

Mutual funds are often discussed as wise ways to invest. For those who are new to investing or are cautious investors, mutual funds can be an excellent tool for investing. Why buy mutual funds? Because they are diversified investments by design, and are managed professionally, your risks are minimized.

While you may not get to invest in the flavor of the month with a mutual fund, you also don't have to worry about your hot stock suddenly going cold, either. So what are mutual funds?