Answer

I heard, from a news report, that a company will be going public soon. How do I found out if they are selling stock? Where can I purchase it? Is online purchasing better than a broker?

I assume you're talking about an IPO (initial public offering). You should be able to get information (e.g., company research) from a stock broker. Also, try a search engine (e.g.,Yahoo!) with the company name and see what information you get. If there is an address or toll free number for the company's "shareholder relations" department, call it. As for purchasing, you may or may not be able to buy from the company direct. You'll need to ask. You might need a broker. As for online purchasing, it is obviously cheaper than a broker, but you'll get no personal advice beyond what's on their Web site. Beware of IPOs in their initial "hype" phase. Often, prices cool dramatically by the time small investors get to buy shares. You may want to wait a while until the initial buying frenzy cools down.