Thinking about buying stock

I would realy like to invest in a certain stock and have been thinking about it for a while. The problem is that I only have 200 dollars to invest and i dont want to make any mistakes. The company is a retail clothing company for teenage girls and they are planning to expand there plus size line very soon. I know that the line is very popular but hard to get right now because the age that it targets doesnt have credit cards to buy online. Once it is more available in the malls i think it will do realy well.

I have been researching online for a while and i still have a lot of questions that i cant find answers to.

For such a small investment which broker should i use. Share Builder looks like the best to me but like i said i dont know much?

What books could i look at to learn about the stock market basics. Just so i know what i am looking at. I am only 23 and this is my first time even looking at the market so I need something very very basic.

I keep reading about divisifying so what should i invest in to balance my portfolio.

I hope that i dont sound to dumn. Please give me as much advice as you can

Thankyou

[AlleyCatNews]

congrats on starting. Check out stockdoubling.com

Go to your local bookstore in the Stock section and just see what interests you. As far as specific questions on the company. Go to yahoo finance and type in the symbol and look at some of the news. Usually at the bottom of the news they will say an investor relations person to contact etc.. Just call them up and see.

At $200 their is no point in being diversified. The commissions would eat you up. I don't know much about sharebuilder but make sure they don't have a lot of fees. I would recommend Scottrade.com you can setup an online account for $500. But I bet if you sent in $200 or went directly to them with a $200 money order they would probably get you setup as well.

Have specific goals to get out of the stock (assuming you don't plan on holding for years) so if it hits 50% or 100% or 20% whatever you take some profits etc..

The key is to have an exit plan when you enter the stock. That way you don't fall in love with the stock and you know you will get out at X no matter what. So have a profit target and a stop in mind.

That would be my advice. Take care.

check out www.StockDoubling.com I started with $550 back in Oct. 31st 2005 (16 months ago) Today that account stands at $5775. (17,500 shares of ATSX at .33)

That is a 1050% return in 16 months. It can be done but have good idea of what you are looking for.

[awty]

Congrats on looking at real investing.
For what it's worth, I started playing with stocks about 6 months ago. I'm using a broker that charges me $2.99 a trade, if I remember right (lowtrades.com), and I've only got about $300 total there, about $200 in stocks (several). The bonus is, the funds NOT currently in the market, I get paid money market interest on.
Don't know if that helps.
Hey, thanks for the link, AlleyCatNews. Interesting, might have a look.
Just my opinion,
Jeff