Investing In Stocks: The Complete Course (17+ Hours) — Course Overview & Key Highlights (2026)
Course introduction
Investing In Stocks: The Complete Course, taught by Steve Ballinger, MBA, is a comprehensive, beginner-to-advanced guide designed to help everyday investors confidently understand and participate in the stock market. Updated for January 2026, this course focuses on practical investing knowledge, real-world decision making, and long-term portfolio building—without complex math or confusing jargon.
The course is structured to help learners move from basic investing concepts to advanced stock analysis, portfolio construction, and risk management using proven strategies followed by successful investors.
Course facts at a glance
- Instructor: Steve Ballinger, MBA
- Last updated: January 2026
- Duration: ~17.5 hours (17h 27m total)
- Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 5
- Students: 272,900+
- Language: English
- Access: Lifetime (mobile + TV)
- Certificate: Udemy Certificate of Completion
- Typical sale price: ~US$9–15 (varies by promotion)
Key highlights
- Beginner-friendly approach with no prior investing experience required
- Covers stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds in one complete program
- Step-by-step guidance on selecting and evaluating investments
- Learn how to use stock screeners effectively (basic & advanced)
- Clear explanation of dividend, growth, value, and GARP strategies
- Risk analysis using practical metrics like beta and volatility
- Real-world order types explained: market, limit, stop-loss, and more
- Focus on long-term wealth building, not speculation or hype
- No complex calculations—learn where to find reliable data for free
What you will learn
Stock market fundamentals
- How the stock market works and how investors make money
- Understanding stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds
- Market returns, volatility, and realistic expectations
Stock selection & analysis
- How to evaluate companies using qualitative and quantitative factors
- Using financial ratios without manual calculations
- Identifying strong businesses with long-term potential
Investing strategies
- Dividend investing for income
- Growth and value investing approaches
- GARP (Growth At a Reasonable Price) strategies
- Building a diversified investment portfolio
Risk & portfolio management
- Measuring risk using beta and standard deviation
- Understanding volatility and downside protection
- Portfolio diversification best practices
Practical investing skills
- Choosing the right broker or investment platform
- Placing trades: market orders, limit orders, stop-loss orders
- Avoiding common beginner mistakes in stock investing
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q — Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course is designed for beginners and intermediate investors with clear explanations and no technical background required.
Q — Does this course focus on trading or investing?
The primary focus is long-term investing, with clear explanations of trading mechanics where necessary.
Q — Are calculations required?
No. The course shows where to find financial data and how to interpret it without manual calculations.
Q — Does the course cover ETFs and mutual funds?
Yes. In addition to individual stocks, ETFs and mutual funds are covered.
Q — Is a certificate included?
Yes. You receive a Udemy Certificate of Completion after finishing the course.
Why this course is worth it
Steve Ballinger’s teaching style focuses on clarity, practicality, and real-world investing decisions. Instead of speculation or short-term hype, this course emphasizes sustainable investing strategies that align with how successful long-term investors actually build wealth.
The structured approach, combined with real examples and simple explanations, makes this course especially valuable for anyone who wants confidence and discipline in stock market investing.
Final verdict
If you want a clear, structured, and practical guide to stock market investing, this course is an excellent choice. It avoids unnecessary complexity while still covering everything needed to make informed investment decisions. Ideal for beginners who want a strong foundation and intermediate investors looking to refine their strategy.
