Market Performance: January 24, 2024.

The S&P 500 has rallied 15% over the past three months, and the markets look to be in strong shape. But that is a bit misleading, because many individual stocks are still struggling.

While many stocks related to artificial intelligence and tech have been doing well, this hasn't been a big, broad market rally. However, when the index set a new all-time high on Jan. 19, it signaled we've been in a bull market since the old bear market bottomed in October 2022.

And there could be more gains coming, especially if a long-feared recession doesn't weigh down the economy. In a strong bull market, three stocks that could be among the biggest winners include PayPal (PYPL -2.72%), Realty Income (O -1.79%), and Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF 4.12%).

How Should a Beginner Invest in Stocks? Start With This ETF.

Gaining broad exposure to the most successful businesses is a smart financial move. Investing in the stock market can be one of the best financial decisions you make as the long-term returns can be life-changing for individuals looking to achieve their retirement goals.

While getting started as an investor can feel like a daunting challenge, one of the most effective strategies is actually very simple. If you're a beginner looking to invest in stocks, consider starting with this exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Exposure to a broad swath of the market Investors new to the markets should consider adding some of their savings to the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.08%). Like a mutual fund, an ETF pools capital from many investors, then allocates that based on a specific strategy. The difference is that ETFs trade like stocks, adding more liquidity and convenience.

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As the name suggests, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF gives investors exposure to the S&P 500, which includes the 500 largest and most profitable U.S. companies. This includes dominant tech firms like Apple and Amazon and also less well-known businesses like Pool Corp. and Mohawk Industries. In essence, investors in the ETF are betting on the ongoing growth of the American economy.

Historically, this has been a good strategy.

How to Invest Money: A Step-by-Step Guide

First of all, congratulations! Investing your money can be an extremely reliable way to build wealth over time. If you're a first-time investor, we're here to help you get started. It's time to make your money work for you.

Before you put your money into the stock market or other investments, you'll need a basic understanding of how to invest your money the right way. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here.

The best way to invest your money is the way that works best for you. To figure that out, you'll want to consider your investing style, your budget, and your risk tolerance.

1. Your style

How much time do you want to put into investing your money?

The investing world has two major camps when it comes to the ways to invest money: Active investing and passive investing. Both can be great ways to build wealth, as long as you focus on the long term and aren't just looking for short-term gains. But your lifestyle, budget, risk tolerance, and interests might give you a preference for one type.

Active investing

Active investing means taking time to research investments yourself and constructing and maintaining your portfolio on your own. In simple terms, if you plan to buy and sell individual stocks through an online broker, you're planning to be an active investor.

Passive investing

On the other hand, passive investing is the equivalent of an airplane on autopilot as compared to one flying manually. You'll still get good results over the long run, and the effort required is far less.

Alternative Investing