I was just reading in Kiplinger’s that in general, the factors to seek in stocks next year will be value and quality.
Price-earnings ratios are a bit above their long-term average now, implying that stocks aren’t super expensive, but they aren’t a particular bargain now, either.
You may want to wait and buy on market dips, when P/E ratios get a bit more attractive.
Remember odd lots are not the issue they were 100 years ago when I was thinking of getting started in investing. You basically had to buy in 100 share increments. Thus, I moved towards mutual funds, where dollars were the initial investment barrier.
In those days I also had to play in the 1-800 buy and 1-800 sell field. But have been able to break out of it eventually.