In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

There are companies that allow an investor to purchase stocks directly from the company. This is perfectly okay according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These are called Direct Stock Plans. It is called a DSPP. The company may require that you already have stocks through employment with the company. It is not required in all companies.

The Direct Stock Plan operates differently than buying stock through a broker. There is no commission charged for these stock plans, but there can be a small fee. The other difference is that the company buys and sells the stock at a given time. The investor cannot sell or trade stocks at will. The investor may turn the stocks over to a broker to sell, but the broker cannot charge a commission. You may be charged a fee by the company. It depends on your agreement.

If you have a favorite company, like the Walt Disney Company, Coca Cola or other brand names in the United State you may be able to implement a Direct Stock Plan to purchase stocks on a regular basis. You can review the list of stocks in your local library or check out the company you are interested in by accessing the company web site.

Another method of investing direct in a company is by way of the Direct Dividend Reinvestment Plan. It is commonly called a DRIP. The good aspect of this type of plan is that instead of receiving the dividends you agree to reinvest the dividends in more stock in the company. It is a regular Direct Stock Plan with a reinvestment agreement. You may do the same reinvestment plan with your other stocks and mutual funds even if you have a broker.

Most of this information comes straight from the Stock Market pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

The advantage is that if the company allows a private investor to purchase stocks directly this would allow you to set up a pay check withdrawal each pay period for the purposes of the stock plan. There are various advisory services that can assist you in locating companies that offer these direct stock purchase plan. I would suggest that you find companies you are interested in a make an inquiry with investor relations.

The advantage to contacting the individual company yourself is that it allows you to use your preferences and then do a small amount of leg work. The company representative will give you the necessary forms and provide you with individual advice on how to set up pay roll deduction. In turn you can contact your banking institution, employer human resources or bill payer and set up the account.

It will astound you the number of very good companies that will allow you to buy stocks direct
by setting up a plan. The range of possibilities include, utility companies, fast food stocks, entertainment and retail stocks.

If you have a solid company that has shown solid performance this may be a good option for investing.
The only thing you have to lose is your time. The time it takes in gathering the information has a big payoff. It will save you commission fees and provide you with a long term relationship with your favorite company.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, author of this Free Adsense eBook — make sure to claim your free adsense ebook download!

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), is the top 30 Blue Chip stock whose performance is averaged each day of trading on the stock market. The components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average reads like a who is who in the stock market.

Currently, the top 30 stocks are doing quite well on the stock market. Due to the small number of stocks that make up the DJIA all it takes it a few of the stocks to take a dive and the overall average can take a dip. It is good to analyze the sectors that make up the components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Direct consumer contact stocks in Dow Jones Industrial Average:

It should be no surprise to most people that Wal-Mart Stores Inc is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Over the past three years the price of Wal-Mart had a price adjustment due to various management decisions. The $52 to $58 per share days of 2005 has seen a drop to $43 in 2007. This stock is expected to reach the $52 range again in the foreseeable future.

Another solid past performer Home Depot is trying to make a rebound from concerns about the housing market. Recently, Home Depot has seen some return to the range where it should be trading. It closed recently in the $38 range and should see some improvements to the mid $40 range.

McDonald’s Company is also on the road to recovery after a slump in 2005. Their healthy diet adjustments have improved the overall out look on the stock. It is currently trading at the high $40 range and should easily go higher.

Walt Disney Company is a stock with many hats. It is known for resorts and films, but it has a huge international presence in all types of communications and media outlets. The product line is extensive. It has numerous media outlets, including but not limited to ESPN, The History Channel and television stations. The stock is a value stock currently selling in the range of $33.

Technology stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average:

Microsoft Corporation,United Technologies, Hewlett-Packard, Verizon Communications, International Business Machines, AT&T and Intel Corp. round out the influence of technology influence on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. .

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Stock Market than you may have first thought.

At this point an investor recognizes that if a sector is down for the day this will effect the overall Dow Jones Industrial average.

Large Multi-National stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average:

This category takes into account basic materials, drugs, machinery, autos and big cap companies that have a major influence on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

The list of noteworthy stocks are: 3m Corp., Alcoa, Boeing Co., Caterpillar Co., E. I. Du pont de Nemours and Company, Exxon-Mobil Corp. General Electric Company, General Motors, Honeywell International Co., Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Company, Pfizer Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, and Procter & Gamble Company and lastly big tobacco, Altria Group Inc. .

It is hard to imagine a more stellar group of major players with such influence on the world economy and influence. A mixed bag indeed, but there common thread is there gargantuan influence on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. All of the low to medium priced stocks may be purchased individually or in a mutual fund or index fund.

Financial Stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average:

This last group has a significant influence in the financial world. It may have some exposure to current angst in the stock market, but some are well positioned for any rocky road. The most stellar include, American International Group Inc. (AIG), American Express Company, JP Morgan & Chase & Company, and Citigroup Inc.

This groups influence on the overall Dow Jones Industrial Average is obvious. Some of the ripple effect of concerns about commercial paper and the real estate mortgage market may influence this groups effect. It will depend on whether the concerns should expand to the commercial real estate market and the extent of the defaults and foreclosures.

These are the top 30 components that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average. As you can see the overall rise and fall of small percentages in this market indicator requires a closer look at the components and sectors.

That’s the latest from the Stock Market authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.