Wondering how to invest in US stocks and don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered with a simple guide to buying US stocks and ETFs—with as little as US$1.
Investing in US stocks has long been seen as a gateway to participating in some of the world’s most innovative and influential companies. From household names in technology to leaders in healthcare, finance, and consumer goods, the US market offers investors a chance to diversify their portfolios and tap into global growth trends.
For beginners, however, navigating the US stock market can feel overwhelming—questions about where to start, how to invest, and what drives market performance often stand in the way. This guide breaks down the essentials of buying US stocks, while also highlighting the latest market trends that are shaping investor sentiment today.
Recent Performance of US Stocks
US stocks climbed higher in recent weeks, supported by expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut at its 16–17 September 2025 meeting and continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence (AI). Oracle’s strong guidance, boosted by large AI-related deals, helped lift sentiment and underscored tech’s role as a key growth driver.
The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all hit record highs, while the Russell 2000 notched a sixth straight week of gains. Inflation ticked up slightly in August, with CPI rising 2.9% year-over-year, but softening labor data—such as jobless claims reaching their highest level since 2021—has reinforced hopes of monetary easing.
Overall, a mix of rate cut optimism and AI-driven momentum has created a supportive backdrop for equities, particularly tech stocks, though the market’s next leg will hinge on the Fed’s policy decision.
How to Buy US Stocks
1. Select a brokerage platform
The first thing you’ll need before you can trade stocks is a brokerage platform. The platform will allow you to buy and sell stocks, monitor your assets, and manage your investment funds.
When it comes to choosing the right brokerage platform, there are several key factors to consider. This includes commission fees, ease of use and features.
Commissions and Fees
Most brokerages charge a commission per transaction, plus a platform fee.
Keeping in mind that the key objective of investing is to accumulate wealth, it is often ideal to pick brokerage platforms with lower commission fees since these can really eat into your profits.
Here’s a comparison of the fees charged by some well-known brokerage platforms in Singapore when investing in US stocks.
| Platform | Minimum Fee | Commissions | Other Fees |
| Syfe Brokerage | Introductory Offer: Unlimited free US trades for the first 3 months At least 2 free US trades/month, US$1.49/trade thereafter | No platform fees | No withdrawal fees |
| Moomoo | US$0.99/order, or 0.03% of transaction | US$0.99/order | No withdrawal fees |
| Tiger Brokers | US$0.005/share Min. US$1/order | US$0.005/share Min. US$0.99/order | No withdrawal fees |
Ease of Use and Features
Investing shouldn’t be that hard. Having a user-friendly interface can really help with the experience. This is why Syfe Brokerage has been designed to be simple and hassle-free.
No matter which platform you pick, explore the brokerage platform to see if it’s intuitive and easy to use for you.
2. Research stocks
Now that you have decided on a brokerage platform, it’s time to actually pick a stock. Understanding your risk appetite and financial goals can be helpful in narrowing down the choices. For instance, are you looking to gain steady compound interest over a long duration, or are you aiming for high-risk, high-reward trades?
One way to decide on stocks is to consider the global brands you use every day. List down the companies that you believe are going to continue growing, and do your due research on their financial status and future plans.
Like Warren Buffet put it, “Buy into a company because you want to own it, not because you want the stock to go up.”
Another tip you can consider is to diversify your portfolio. This means buying a range of stocks from different industries, so that they are not all affected by the same market trends and world events. Such a strategy can lower the risk of your overall investment portfolio and help you stay afloat even when a crisis happens in one particular sector.
3. Decide how much to invest
How much are you willing to invest? As a rule of thumb, experts recommend setting aside 10% to 20% of your after-tax income for investing. However, there is no one-size-fits-all and you should definitely consider your own financial situation and goals before committing.
With Syfe Brokerage’s fractional trading feature, you can buy your favourite stocks with as little as US$1.
4. Choose your order type
There are 2 main order types: market orders and limit orders.
Market orders refer to buying shares at market price. You can set market orders if you really want to buy the shares, right now. This may also be applicable if the stock is rising rapidly in price and you are hoping to jump on the train quickly.
On the other hand, limit orders can be used when you want to buy the stock at a specific price. For example, you may find that the current stock price is too high, and want to get more out of your money by only buying the stock if it fluctuates below the current price.
How to Buy Stocks with Syfe Brokerage
Buying stocks is simple with Syfe Brokerage. Our fractional trading feature allows you to buy over thousands of US stocks and ETFs with as little as US$1. This means that you can now invest easily within your budget, without worrying about hefty share prices.
With Syfe Brokerage, you get to choose your preferred order type.
Syfe Brokerage is offering free unlimited US trades for the first three months. After the introductory offer period, you’ll get two free trades each month. So, if you plan your trades carefully you might not even have to pay transaction fees. Even if you exceed your free trade allowance after the third trade, there’s a low flat fee of just US$1.49 per trade (not per share).
Opening an account is fast and simple with Singpass. Syfe Brokerage is also licensed by MAS, so you can trade with peace of mind.
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