by Julia Glum The stock market has been all over the news lately, thanks to the Apple and Tesla stock splits, the race for a coronavirus vaccine and the fluctuations in the Dow. Even amateur investors are paying attention — and, in many cases, wondering if now is the perfect time to wade into the stock market. It’s not a decision to make lightly. Buying individual stocks can be profitable, but as you might guess from the recent market volatility, it can be risky.