How to Buy Stock on the Swiss Exchange (4 Steps)

Choose a brokerage firm or bank that is able to execute orders for you to buy stock on the Swiss Exchange. Most major US brokerage firms can trade on the Swiss Exchange through a Swiss bank. Another option is to open a brokerage account directly with a Swiss brokerage firm or bank. Some online discount brokers also can place buy and sell orders on the Swiss Exchange.
Familiarize yourself with the rules and costs of buying Swiss stocks. Switzerland has liberal regulations for foreign investment, but you should check on your liability for paying Swiss taxes in addition to US taxes on any profits you may realize. Any purchase of foreign stock must be made in that country's currency. This means you will have to pay an additional fee to exchange US dollars for Swiss francs.
Learn the basics of foreign currency exchange and how it affects buying stock on the Swiss Exchange. When the Swiss franc is 'strong' against the dollar, Swiss stocks are relatively more expensive. The reason this is important is that if the dollar strengthens while you hold a Swiss stock, the change in currency rates will cause you to receive fewer dollars for the Swiss francs---and this can turn a paper profit from stock appreciation into a net loss. To monitor the exchange rate, go to any foreign exchange website and look for the US dollar/Swiss franc rate. This will be listed as USD/CHF, followed by the exchange rate, which tells you how many Swiss francs it takes to buy one US dollar.
Execute your order via your brokerage or bank trading account. This is a much simpler process than it once was. Your broker needs only to enter your buy order using the SIX Swiss Exchange trading platform, and your trade is normally executed in seconds. As with other exchanges, you can place limit orders, buy on margin, and do all the other types of transactions you are used to.

How to Buy Paper Stock Certificates

Determine which company you want to purchase. You can purchase paper certificates from some companies for a substantial fee (usually around $50 to $75, as of January 2010). This is in addition to the market value of the stock.
Contact your broker. Ask them if they have access to paper stock certificates. If you are already paying brokerage fees, they might provide a discount. If your broker is large enough, they might also sell actual certificates. The part of the brokerage or bank that does this is called Custody Operations.
Contact RealStockCertificates.com. This company specializes in stock certificates. They have stocks that are over 100+ years old, as well as an online database where you can view stock certificates and the current selling price.
Visit OneShare.com. Oneshare allows you to purchase framed shares of stock to keep for yourself or give as gifts. The price of the frame stock certificate will depend on the actual price of the stock. For instance, Cheesecake Factory (NYSE: CAKE) might be trading for $20, however, the fee may differ with the inclusion of a frame, matte, and anything you want engraved on the certificate.

How to Buy Stock as Gifts For Children (4 Steps)

Decide how to invest in or buy the shares of stock you are planning to give. The easiest and most financial efficient way to buy stocks for children as gifts is through Dividend Reinvestment Plans, or DRIPs. Many companies accept direct investments from anyone who wants to invest. This means that you can invest without going through a broker and without paying high fees and commission. Once you buy the first share for the child, anyone can continue adding to the account by buying more shares. The dividends earned by the shares of stock can be automatically reinvested to buy more.
Decide how to invest in the DRIP. Contact the individual companies via their Investor Relations department and ask if you can purchase shares of stock directly. Alternately, use a DRIP service company, which requires the child's Social Security number and the creation of a custodial account.
Choose a company in which to invest, which often means buying stocks with which you are familiar. Remember a child has a long-term horizon for investing. Buy shares in companies that offer growth over the long-term. Typically, growth companies don't pay dividends, or pay only a minimal amount. Income stocks pay dividends, but may not experience as much growth.
Buy the share of stock as a gift for your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. If you decide to buy directly from a company, you will receive a statement from the company representing the purchase. If you buy from a DRIP service company, you'll receive a statement with the purchased shares held in the custodial account.