This is easily done whether you’ve got a Windows PC, a laptop or a smartphone within reach. Let’s look at the different ways to go about this depending on the platform you’re using at the time.
Use an app like SoFi that you can access through a browser as well as on your mobile device
Modern platforms such as SoFi are set up to let you invest and trade whether you’re on the move or at your desk. The first way to do this is through the dedicated mobile app, which can be installed on your handset of choice and offers a range of features and functions. You can see how your portfolio is faring in real time, buy or sell your assets in real time, and even deal with alternative investments like cryptocurrencies. The second is within your computer’s web browser. By visiting the SoFi site you can sign in and enjoy all of the same capabilities as are found on the app, but formatted to fit the larger screen of a typical Windows PC or laptop. The added benefit of using a browser-based approach to checking your investments is that this is likely to be compatible with your device even if the official app doesn’t support the operating system you’re using. So remember that you can even use your mobile phone’s web browser to access SoFi and other trading platforms, without needing to install a separate app. This might also be relevant if you’re running out of storage space.
Monitor the markets via Microsoft Start
If you’d prefer to get a snapshot of your investments using a first party app, then Microsoft Start is a popular option that is probably already available to you. It’s baked into Windows PCs as standard, and can also be installed to Android and iOS devices if you’re looking for a mobile news hit. The idea is that you can create a custom reading experience that’s personal to you and your interests, and for PC users all you need to do is find the News and Interests element in the taskbar if you’re running Windows 10, or as a widget if you’ve upgraded to Windows 11. Through customization you can choose to have the financial markets appear in a real time graph, showcasing the ups and downs that are most important to you. This could mean seeing what the FTSE is up to, or putting the focus on currencies, including crypto assets like Bitcoin.
Harness social media to see what leading experts are saying
Another option for staying abreast of market performance, and getting in-depth analysis and insights into why things are heading in a given direction, is using social media platforms like Twitter to follow leading commentators. So many of us are in the dark about the inner workings of the stock market, so it’s useful to have a direct line to those who are specialists in unpicking and explaining the often mysterious heart of the world of finance. For mobile users, installing the Twitter app, creating an account and following some of the movers and shakers is a straightforward process. If you’re on desktop, then the Twitter website is just a click away in your browser, whether you’re using Edge, Chrome, Firefox or any other piece of software. It’s a good idea to follow a broad range of people from across the financial and political spectrum, as this will help you to avoid entering into the oft-criticized social media echo chamber. It’s better to have your views of the markets challenged and informed from different angles, rather than only hearing the same narrative over and over.
Use a search engine
A simple and speedy way to give the key components of your portfolio a quick glance is to Google the stock you want to track. Searching on your smartphone or your Windows PC will pull this information up in a heartbeat, and of course if you’re loyal to Microsoft you can always use Bing to achieve much the same result. Millions of people around the world search for stocks and shares every day to track their performance, and it’s a convenient way of doing this if you don’t fancy installing a dedicated app, or signing up for an account with a web-based trading platform. It’s still possible to keep things old-school in terms of managing your investments, while embracing modern technology as well.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are methods for monitoring your investments to suit everyone, and you’ll probably find that a combination of smartphone-based market tracking and traditional desktop browser use will serve you well.
