You can buy both stocks and mutual fund shares at a broker. It is important to understand the differences between these two investment products. When you buy a stock, you do so on your own initiative; you choose which company you want to invest in. When you buy a share in a mutual fund, it works differently. A fund decides for you in which stocks you will invest. You deposit a certain amount and automatically invest in a basket of stocks. You have less control over the composition of your investments. However, you can choose from funds with different flavors: an Asia fund will not invest your money in Europe.