Like most of us, you have probably imagined buying shares of a company that skyrockets in a couple of years in value, making you enough money to travel and chill for the rest of your life. Maybe even AT&T was among your top picks for buying its shares, or it will be. In reality, investing is a bit more complex than waiting for the birds flying into your mouth ready roasted, but hey, you have to start somewhere right?
The good news is that unlike back in the days, today you can buy shares in companies like AT&T fully online.
While we do not specifically advise to buy AT&T shares, this article explains in layman’s terms how you can buy shares in companies in general, taking AT&T as an example. Whether your first share to buy should be AT&T or not it’s for you to decide. We strongly suggest to contact investment advisors as this article is not meant to be investment advice under any circumstance.
If you are interested in our guide about how to buy shares online, click here.
Overview of AT&T
AT&T is a US Communication Services company, traded on the NYSE under the T ticker. It is famous as a multinational telecommunication company. If you’d like to buy its stocks you need to find a broker that gives you access to the NYSE because that’s the main exchange it’s traded on (hang tight, we’ll get into this in a bit).
All of this doesn’t mean that AT&T is a good company or a bad one. As part of this example you might want to get reminded of what you are considering investing in though.
Let’s see the steps now!
Steps of buying AT&T shares
How to Buy AT&T Shares: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve decided to invest in AT&T—great starting point. Before you can call yourself a shareholder, there are a few important steps to go through. While AT&T is used as the example here, the same process applies to buying shares of most companies.
Step 1: Choose a Suitable Online Broker
A key factor when selecting a broker is the stock exchanges it provides access to. Not all platforms offer trading on the NYSE, where AT&T is listed, so make sure your broker supports it.
It’s also important to pick a broker that matches your needs. Some platforms may not be available in certain countries, while others might charge higher fees if you only invest occasionally. On the other hand, some brokers offer commission-free trading.
When evaluating your options, consider fees, platform usability, available markets, and how easy it is to open an account. Safety is also crucial, but by choosing established and regulated brokers, this shouldn’t be a concern.
Step 2: Open Your Brokerage Account
After selecting a broker, you’ll need to create an account. This is similar to opening a bank account and is usually done online.
Some brokers allow you to sign up within minutes, while others may take a few days due to identity verification checks. This account will hold your AT&T shares, making it essential for both purchasing and storing your investment.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
To buy AT&T stock, you’ll first need to deposit money into your brokerage account. This process is typically quick and straightforward—often even easier than opening the account itself.
Most brokers accept deposits via bank transfer or credit/debit cards. Some also support e-wallets like PayPal, providing additional flexibility.
Step 4: Buy AT&T Stock
Once your account is funded, you’re ready to invest. Log in to your brokerage platform, search for AT&T, choose how many shares you want to purchase, and place your order.
You’ll usually have different order types to choose from:
Market order: executes immediately at the current market price
Limit order: allows you to set the price you’re willing to pay
These options give you more control over how your trade is carried out.
Step 5: Monitor Your Investment
Buying the stock is just the beginning. It’s important to regularly review your investment and ensure it aligns with your strategy.
If you’re investing for the long term, you may want to follow company updates, earnings reports, and industry developments. For shorter-term strategies, you can use tools like:
Take-profit orders to lock in gains
Stop-loss orders to limit potential losses
Now that you understand the process, you’re ready to explore and compare brokers to find the one that best fits your investing goals.
Best 5 brokers for buying AT&T shares
| Interactive Brokers | Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. | Visit broker |
| Alpaca Trading | Alpaca Securities LLC is US-based broker providing commission-free API stock trading. The company is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA: | Visit broker |
| TradeStation Global | TradeStation Global is an introducing broker of Interactive Brokers. This practically means that assets and cash are held with Interactive Brokers, but services like fees and customer support are provided by TradeStation Global. TradeStation Global is regulated by the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
| Zacks Trade | Zacks Trade is a US discount broker that also allows international clients to open an account. Zacks Trade is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by SEC and FINRA. Customers are protected by the SIPC scheme, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). | Visit broker |
| Saxo Bank | Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the top-tier UK FCA. | Visit broker |
Fees for investing in AT&T stocks
You have to count with different kind of fees when you are trading with AT&T shares.
Commission is a fee, based on the traded volume or a flat fee per trade. For example, 0.1% of €10,000, $5/trade or $0.005/share.
Needless to say, these are different at each broker. Let’s see the fees of trading with AT&T shares at our recommended five brokers
| Â | Saxo Bank | Fusion Markets | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| GBPUSD spread | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 |
| AUDUSD spread | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| EURCHF spread | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.2 |
| EURGBP spread | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
How to reduce risks
How to Reduce Risk When Investing in AT&T Stock
Every investment comes with a degree of uncertainty, and buying shares of AT&T is no exception. The key is to approach investing with awareness and use strategies that help limit potential downsides. Below are some practical tips to help you manage risk more effectively.
Be Careful of Investment Scams
Risk:
There are many fraudulent brokers online aiming to take advantage of investors. Be especially cautious if you encounter ads for binary options or automated trading systems that promise unusually high returns—these are often strong warning signs.
How to manage it:
Stick with reputable and regulated brokers when investing online. Reliable platforms provide transparency, solid security, and a trustworthy track record. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it’s best to avoid it.
Diversify Your Investments
Risk:
Investing all your funds in just one or two stocks increases your exposure to losses. If AT&T experiences financial difficulties or market downturns, your entire investment could be affected.
How to manage it:
Build a diversified portfolio by investing in a range of different companies rather than focusing only on AT&T. This approach helps spread risk and improve overall stability. Many investors aim to hold between 20 and 30 stocks to achieve a well-balanced portfolio.
Bottom line
How to purchase AT&T shares online?
Just follow these five easy steps:
- find a broker
- open your account
- fund the account
- buy the share
- review your position
It may look tricky for the first time but all you need to do is progress step-by-step.
