How to Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on WealthFront

Investing in the stock market is no longer limited to seasoned professionals or those with insider knowledge. With platforms like WealthFront, everyday investors can build portfolios, buy shares, and manage funds—all from a streamlined, user-friendly interface. In this article, we will walk through the exact steps required to buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront, using clear instructions based on a real demonstration.

Whether you’re a first-time investor or someone looking to transition to automated portfolio management, this guide will provide you with all the details you need to confidently buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront.

Getting Started: Understanding WealthFront’s Interface

To begin your investment journey, you’ll need a WealthFront account. Once you’ve signed in, head to your dashboard—the control center of your investing activity. From here, you can access your cash account, investment portfolio, and transfer options.

WealthFront provides a hybrid approach to investing. While much of the portfolio management is automated, they also allow users to explore and invest in individual stocks and ETFs.

Step 1: Exploring Available Stocks and ETFs

To buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront, start by clicking on the Explore tab. This feature allows you to search for specific investments or browse a curated list of options. For example, you can search for an ETF like “SCD”—the Charles Schwab Dividend Equity ETF—and access key information about it, such as:

• Growth percentage over time (e.g., 34.95% over the last 3 years)
• Risk rating
• Expense ratio
• Dividend yield
• Top 10 holdings

This insight allows you to evaluate whether the asset aligns with your investment goals.

Step 2: Initiating a Purchase

Once you’ve selected an ETF or stock, click Invest to start the buying process. You’ll be prompted to transfer funds from your Individual Cash Account to the selected investment. For example:

1. Choose an amount (e.g., $10)
2. Click Review Investment
3. Confirm the estimated transfer time (typically about 1 hour)
4. Hit Start Investment

At this point, WealthFront begins the transaction and you can return to your dashboard.

Step 3: Transferring Funds Properly

After initiating the investment, your dashboard might still look unchanged. That’s because the investment process isn’t complete until you move funds between your accounts within WealthFront. To do this:

1. Click Transfer Money
2. Select Transfer Between WealthFront Accounts
3. Choose the transfer from your Individual Cash Account to your Stock Portfolio
4. Enter the amount you want to transfer
5. Click Continue

This transfers the funds directly to the chosen investment. However, if you haven’t yet added the stock or ETF to your portfolio, you may get an error or default to an unintended asset (like SCD instead of VU).

Step 4: Adding Stocks or ETFs to Your Portfolio

Before transferring funds to an investment, you need to add it to your portfolio. For instance:

• Search for VU (Vanguard’s ETF)
• Click Invest
• This action effectively bookmarks the ETF for future investment

Now return to the Stock Portfolio section on your dashboard, and you’ll see both your previous investment (e.g., SCD) and the newly added ETF (e.g., VU) listed.

Step 5: Investing Again with Confidence

To make another purchase:

1. Click on the ETF or stock (e.g., VU)
2. View your current holdings (in this example, none yet)
3. Click Invest
4. Choose the amount (e.g., $10)
5. Confirm by clicking Start Investment

This method ensures your funds are allocated exactly where you want them. The logic behind WealthFront’s interface is that each fund transfer must be directed to a specific asset already added to your portfolio.

Step 6: Selling Your Investments

Eventually, you might want to cash out part of your holdings. To sell stocks or ETFs on WealthFront, follow these steps:

1. Go to your dashboard and click on your Stock Portfolio
2. Select the ETF or stock you wish to sell
3. Click Sell
4. Enter the amount (e.g., $5)
5. Click Review Sale
6. Confirm the transaction

The funds will be returned to your Individual Cash Account typically within 1–2 business days.

This smooth transaction flow ensures that selling is as simple and intuitive as buying.

Why This Matters: Smart Investing with Control

WealthFront is known for its automated investing tools, but the ability to buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront offers an added layer of customization. You can:

• Tailor your portfolio beyond the automated model
• Choose specific ETFs or stocks based on personal research
• Rebalance your portfolio as your financial goals evolve

This hybrid approach empowers users to take control of their investments without having to abandon the automation and efficiency that WealthFront is famous for.

Tips for Success When You Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on WealthFront

• Do your research before selecting an investment. Use WealthFront’s analytics to compare options.
• Add stocks/ETFs to your portfolio first before trying to transfer money—this prevents errors or accidental investments.
• Start small if you’re unsure—test the process with $10 or $20 to gain confidence.
• Monitor transaction times, especially if you’re planning to reinvest or withdraw shortly after a trade.
• Revisit your portfolio regularly to make sure your asset allocation matches your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Final Thoughts

Learning to buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront may seem daunting at first, but once you understand the platform’s logic and flow, the process becomes quite straightforward. Whether you’re investing in a dividend ETF like SCD or a broad-market fund like VU, you’ll find that WealthFront makes it easy to enter and exit positions with just a few clicks.

By following this step-by-step guide, you now have the tools to manage your investments effectively, leveraging both automated tools and manual investment capabilities. Don’t forget to revisit your investment strategy periodically to ensure you’re on track with your long-term financial goals.

Now that you know how to buy and sell stocks and ETFs on WealthFront, take your first step with a small investment and grow from there. Happy investing!