How to Invest in Microsoft Stock

Open a brokerage account if you do not have one. Alternatively, you can invest 'directly' via Microsoft's transfer agent. Either way, you will need an account which you can use to purchase Microsoft stock from (see Resources below).
Deposit funds in your new account, or if using an existing account, verify that you have sufficient funds to complete your purchase.
Decide how many shares you want purchase, and under what conditions. If you want to buy Microsoft stock today without regard to its current price, you need a market order. If you want to buy only if the price is a certain amount you need a stop or limit order.
Give the order. Whether online, through a broker, or as part of your application, you must instruct the agent to purchase your shares. You must specify the quantity of Microsoft shares you would like to purchase, the type of order to execute (market, limit, stop), and any time limits on the order (Good Til Close or Good Until Canceled).
Verify proper execution of order. Review your trade confirmation to ensure that your order was executed as you instructed.

How to Find a Stock Broker

Determine your investment objectives. If you're only using a small fraction of your assets to invest every now and then, you should make cost control your main priority. Use financial publications such as Kiplinger's and Barron's to compare one brokerage against the other, and see who offers the lowest commissions and fee structures. If you're investing larger sums that constitute the majority of your assets, you might want to choose your broker based on capabilities rather than price. Be aware that price and capability are not mutually exclusive, however, since some of the lowest-cost brokerages such as TradeStation and Interactive Brokers have consistently received the highest customer satisfaction rankings.
Decide whether you want to trade or invest. Trading involves frequent buying and selling of stocks in hopes of making small, recurrent profits. Investing, on the other hand, involves deploying your capital in one or more companies for at least a year. Typically, larger full-service stock brokers are better equipped to assist longer-term investors looking for help with analyzing the financial statements and business prospects of the companies they want to invest in, while discount brokers are essential for people who are self-directed, actively trade and seek to keep the cost of their commissions down.
Figure out how much active help and advice you want from your broker. If you're relatively new to investing or trading, you might want the assistance of a full-service broker, who can give you some advice on investing methods and procedures, such as how to buy a stock with a stop-limit order or how to set a trailing stop loss. If you're more independent-minded and already checked out the basics of investing and trading, you should set up an account with a discount broker. Be aware that even if you use a full-service broker, the advice you get will not necessarily improve your stock market returns.
Determine which types of stocks you want to invest in or trade. Some brokerages are only equipped to buy and sell shares of mainstream American companies that have minimum market capitalizations of tens of millions of dollars. If you intend to purchase shares in low-market capitalization companies, illiquid penny stocks, foreign entities, or other irregular securities, be sure that your broker can accommodate.
Make sure that the broker you're considering opening an account with is registered with the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which insures your account for up to $250,000. If you have a larger account, consider looking for brokers that carry extra insurance from private providers such as Lloyd's of London.

How to Direct Buy Nike Stock (3 Steps)

Obtain and read the plan brochure carefully before you enroll in the Nike DSPP. This brochure discloses the full terms and conditions of the Nike DSPP, including current fees. It is available for download through Nike's transfer agent, ComputerShare (see link below) or you may request the brochure and enrollment form by mail by calling ComputerShare at (800) 756-8200.
Decide what investment method you want to use and how much you wish to invest. Your initial investment must be by check, but after that you can deposit money by check or through electronic debiting. The cost for electronic debiting is less. As of 2009 each transaction cost 3 cents per share plus $2 (electronic debit) or $5 (by check). The minimum initial investment is $500, but this may be paid in 10 $50 monthly installments through automatic debiting of your bank account.
Download and complete the enrollment form and send it to the address shown. You must provide your name, address and Social Security number. You also need to give your bank account information and fill out a debit authorization form to set up electronic transfer payments. Include a check for your initial investment plus $10 for the setup fee (this is a one-time charge). Make the check payable to ComputerShare. Drop the enrollment form in the mail and you are on your way to becoming a Nike stockholder.

How to Buy Sprint Stock

Find a broker. These are companies like E*trade, Ameritrade, and others that allow you to buy and sell stock. There are two major types of brokers. Full service brokers provide many investor support services, such as research on companies and advice on stocks. Discount brokers charge less of a commission for trades, and some offer online research services, but will not have as many investor services as full service firms.
Decide how much money you want to invest in Sprint stock.
Find the current price of Sprint stock. The full company name is 'Sprint Nextel Corporation', and the stock symbol is: NYSE:S. Online brokers will have a search function on their websites, but you can also find stock prices without a broker through Google Finance or similar personal finance websites. (See Resource 1.)
Divide the amount of money you want to invest by the current price of Sprint stock to determine how many shares you should buy.
Place the order with your broker. Online brokers will have account management options that allow you to buy stock through their websites. Some online brokers will also have you register a bank account or debit card to cover payments for stock; payment will either be taken out automatically as you buy stock, or you will need to send a payment through their websites after purchasing. Other online brokers, such as Charles Schwab, allow you to deposit money into a brokerage account and use those funds to purchase stock.

How to Buy Exxon Mobil Stock Direct (7 Steps)

Download copies of the Exxon Mobile DSPP brochure and enrollment form from ComputerShare.com. You may also request copies by calling ComputerShare at (800) 252-1800.
Read the brochure, which discloses the terms of the Exxon Mobil direct stock-purchase program.
Decide if you want to sign up for automatic debiting from your checking or savings account to make the required $250 initial investment in five installments of $50 per month.
Choose the plan features you want. You can reinvest dividends at no charge or have them paid to you. You may set up the plan as a traditional or Roth IRA or a Coverdell Educational Savings Account.
Complete the enrollment form. Provide your Social Security number and contact information. Include your bank-account information on the attached authorization form if you want to set up automatic debiting.
Fill out and attach a W8-BEN form, available from ComputerShare, if you are opening the DSPP as a custodial account for a child.
Mail the enrollment form with a check or money order for your initial investment--or first month's installment if you chose automatic investing--to the address on the form.