Investing in stocks makes you a part-owner of an individual company – so you can take part in its potential growth over time.
A stock (also called an equity or share), is an investment that lets you own part of a public corporation and may allow you to vote on key decisions about its future. Stocks have the same risks that come with being a business owner: They let you take part in a company’s gains – like and potential income – and losses, too.
Choose from a vast number of exchange-listed Canadian and U.S. stocks and other equity investments.
Investors comfortable with risk can trade Options to generate income, protect against market losses or lock in a gain.
Get real-time bid/ask quotes for Canadian and U.S. stock and ETFs to make decisions in the moment. They’re available to all RBC Direct Investing clients — no minimum balance required.
React to the most current market news with pre-market and after-hours trading, available now at no additional cost.
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Use expert research, and powerful tools and analysis to take a closer look at the stocks you’re interested in, evaluate company financials and identify investments that meet your needs.
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)Disclaimer 2 automatically invests your cash dividendsDisclaimer 3, so you get additional shares commission-free.
Visualize and track your asset mix to make sure you’re staying within your target asset allocation and investor profile.
Open a Practice Account to buy and sell stocks without using real money. You’ll have the same online experience as with a real account.
Find out why self-directed investors choose stocks and how they may be able to strengthen your portfolio.
Complete your application online in just minutes and your account can be opened in 24 hours5.
When you buy a stock you are participating in the future gains and losses of the company. Stocks are considered a higher-risk investment than fixed-income investments like bonds or guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), so investors tend to expect a higher rate of return in exchange for that risk.
Companies issue stock so they can raise money to run and grow the business. Every share in the company's stock represents a small part of the company's assets and earnings. The total value of stock held by the public is known as the company's market capitalization, or market cap.
It's easy to place orders to Buy or sell investments on our secure online investment site, using the RBC® MobileDisclaimer 5 app or over the phone with an Investment Services Representative.
If you’re comfortable with fluctuating returns, stocks offer a variety of benefits, including:
Like most investment accounts, you can hold stocks, options, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, bonds and guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) in a TFSA, RRSP, RRIF or RESP, so long as they are qualified investments.
If you choose to hold foreign investments in your TFSA or RESP, many governments — including the U.S. — apply a non-resident withholding tax to foreign-source income received. Withholding taxes are unrecoverable, and may reduce your potential returns. For example, the IRS imposes a 30% withholding tax to dividends paid on U.S. stocks – which can be reduced to 15% by submitting a W-8BEN or W-9 form. Check with your tax advisor to learn more.