The effect on businesses

Does anyone know how to trade stocks on the American markets, maybe Buy Apple. I'm not a US citizen and I'm residing in the Philippines.

 

And, of course, usually the stocks less likely to suffer from the virus crisis will have declined less. The trick is to find the best defensive stocks at the lowest prices - the experts run computers 24 hours a day to find that out, so we can merely guess.

When stocks go into free-fall we, as humans (using OUR own money), hesitate - the brokers go head in as it is not their money (and there is also the point that if they all put our money into stocks that crash then they can point the finger around at everyone else).

In 2008 I saw AVIVA (big insurance company) at about £1 per share with a dividend of 19p - a 19% annual dividend ('interest rate'). But my human instincts rocked in - 'what if?' So 'what if' they fell another 30%, 'what if' they cut the dividend? I didn't buy - only to see the dividend stay fairly high and the share price go above £4.40. £100,000 invested in 2008 would have seen its value go to over £440,000 and at times it would have given from £9000 to £20,000 per annum income.

Now Aviva is at £2.05 and the yield is 15% - should I buy? Will I buy? Now, my 'what ifs' are based on insurance claims - I have no idea how exposed they are to the economy. I suspect natural human fear will kick in and I won't buy. It takes steel to buy at this time but some who do will be well rewarded (and some will lose a lot!).

This is a better 'gamble' for the young.

 

Ok maybe Apple is a bad buy, I just thought down 30% one of the most recognisable brands in the world.

Hertz is another one down 50% since the beginning of the month.

You're right though, I'm not sure if we can trust a local broker or even bank. Plenty of international online platforms.

I was not able to open a Schwab account as I do not hold a Social security number for the US.

 

Thanks for the tip but is this applicable for US TIN only ,because I only have my Philippines TIN.
I will contact Schwab customer service.
Thanks.