Learn how to invest

How to start investing on the JSE

Investing on the JSE

Starting your investment journey does not have to be a daunting experience. Here at the JSE we aim to provide you with the best information so that your investment decisions are made through well informed decisions.

The first step is to get an understanding of what the JSE is all about.

When gold was discovered in South Africa in 1886, it quickly became apparent that a stock exchange was needed to raise money for the booming South African mining and financial industry. Thus, in 1887 the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) was born.

The JSE has a history of over 130 years offering secure and efficient primary and secondary capital markets across a diverse range of securities.

We allow buyers and sellers to trade in five different markets: Equities (Shares/Stocks), Equity Derivatives, Commodity Derivatives, Currency Derivatives and Interest Rate Products.

The JSE moved from the traditional ‘outcry’ floor-based trading to make way for a modern fully electronic trading, clearing and settlement system in June 1996. With online trading access available to anyone or a stockbrokers only a phone call away, investing on the JSE is quicker, easier and more accessible than ever before.

Let the JSE help you get connected to reach the full potential of your earnings and achieve your financial goals.

Access JSE Learning Modules here:

Learn how to invest Accessing the market Being an investor

JSE Top Stock Picks Virtual Trading Game

What are Shares?

Once you have decided that you are interested in buying shares, it is important to have a clear understanding of the act of investing and the different shares available to trade with.

Why Invest in Shares?

We have taken the time to understand our current financial situation which will help us make wise decisions about our future investment goals. It is time to understand why buying shares is a good method of investing and growing your money as part of the wealth creation process.

What are Dividends?

This module will take a look at what dividends are and the different ways in which companies pay these out. As you invest in shares, it is important for you to understand how much you may get paid from these as well as whether the company has a good long-term strategy based on how they distribute their profits to shareholders (including you).

What are Derivatives?

In this module we are going to uncover derivatives and understand what these tools are and why people make use of them. Understanding derivatives will provide you with a foundation to grasp futures and options which will be expanded on in separate modules.

Need a broker?

Find a broker

Accessing the market

The Different Ways to Invest?

At this stage, we have grown to understand a little more about what it takes to become an investor. A crucial step is how to actually invest your money. This module will help us to understand the different ways that you can invest your money in shares. You could decide that you would like to hand over full responsibility to a firm or person, or perhaps you could be the type of investor who likes to be hands on. Then again you could appreciate a bit of both. By the time we are done with this module, you should have a better idea of the avenues available to you in terms of investing your shares.

Who to Invest in and Where to Find Them

The purpose of this module is to give you insight into accessing the list of companies that you are able to invest in as well as how to access their information in order to guide your investment decisions going forward.

Functions of an Exchange

This module will introduce you to the systems that process your investments. You can expect to learn about: What a share exchange is The purpose of a share exchange The benefits of a share exchange The main share exchanges The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Trading vs Investing

Investing and trading are two very different methods of trying to profit in the financial markets. Both investors and traders look for profits by participating in the financial markets.

Learn how to invest

How to start investing on the JSE