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Step 1
Call a stock broker or sign on to your own online brokerage account with a company such as Fidelity or E-trade.
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Step 2
If you are using a broker, simply ask to invest X amount in Wal-Mart. Your broker should advise you as to whether she thinks you are planning to invest a reasonable sum or not.
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Step 3
If you're using your own online brokerage account, navigate to "Trade" and then click on "Buy stock." Input the ticker symbol for Wal-Mart, "WMT." You should then be asked how many shares you want to buy or, alternatively, how much money you want to invest. Check the current market price on your preferred financial website to determine the amount per share and calculate accordingly.
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Step 4
Click on "Buy" with a "market order" for the simplest kind of trade. A market order must be made while the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) is open and normal trade is taking place. A market order is an order that is executed at the current asking price without delay. This is opposed to a "limit order" which will only execute if the asking price reaches the limit you set to trade. For more on market versus limit orders, see Investopedia in the resources section.
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Step 5
You should receive confirmation that you have bought X number of shares of Wal-Mart. This confirmation will likely be sent to the email address you have on file with your brokerage. If you don't receive a confirmation, then contact a representative at your brokerage from their customer support page. Good luck on your investment!
