How to Buy Broadcom (AVGO) Stock: A Beginner's Guide

Broadcom (AVGO) has become one of the most-searched stocks among new investors, driven by its growing role in AI infrastructure chips and its $61 billion acquisition of VMware. If you found this guide after seeing Broadcom in a semiconductor story, an S&P 500 performance list, or an AI investing podcast, you are in the right place. This guide covers how to buy Broadcom stock online from start to finish: choosing a brokerage, opening and funding your account, searching for AVGO by ticker symbol, selecting an order type, and placing your first trade. The account opening process takes about 15 minutes, and purchasing shares takes only a few clicks after that. Before placing your first trade, here is what you need to know about Broadcom as a company.

What Is Broadcom (AVGO) Stock?

Broadcom Inc. is a global semiconductor and infrastructure software company that designs chips for networking, broadband, storage, wireless communications, and other connectivity applications. It also supplies custom AI accelerator chips to major tech companies including Google, Meta, and Apple. Since acquiring VMware in October 2023, Broadcom provides enterprise virtualization and cloud infrastructure software too, making it one of the few companies that generates substantial revenue from both hardware and software at scale. Broadcom operates in the Information Technology sector, primarily within the Semiconductors and Software sub-industries, and consistently ranks among the top 15 U.S. companies by market capitalization.

Broadcom's ticker symbol is AVGO. It trades on the NASDAQ exchange (the technology-focused U.S. stock exchange also home to Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and other major tech firms). You can view the current listing at AVGO on NASDAQ. The AVGO ticker traces back to Avago Technologies, the semiconductor company that acquired the original Broadcom Corporation in 2016 and adopted the Broadcom name. The original Broadcom Corporation traded under the ticker BRCM, which was retired at the time of that acquisition. Yes, AVGO and Broadcom refer to the same company: Broadcom Inc. is the publicly traded entity, and AVGO is its stock ticker.

Important: Broadcom's stock ticker symbol is AVGO, not BRCM. BRCM was the ticker for the original Broadcom Corporation before it was acquired by Avago Technologies in 2016. Always search for AVGO when looking up or buying Broadcom stock.

Broadcom is a constituent of both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ-100, meaning it is held by virtually every major index fund and institutional investor. This gives AVGO a level of institutional credibility that many individual stocks lack.

Broadcom's AI business has drawn significant investor attention in 2024 and 2025, with analysts projecting continued growth as outlined in the Broadcom stock forecast. The company designs and supplies custom AI accelerator chips, sometimes called XPUs or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), purpose-built for specific AI training and inference workloads at hyperscale companies. Google, Meta, and Apple are among the companies that have partnered with Broadcom for this custom silicon. While NVIDIA dominates the broader AI GPU market by selling standardized chips to a wide range of customers, Broadcom occupies a differentiated position by building chips tailored to individual hyperscaler specifications. This creates deep, recurring customer relationships that serve as a growth driver within Broadcom's Semiconductor Solutions segment. Broadcom also operates alongside semiconductor industry peers including Qualcomm, though its product focus and customer relationships differ significantly.

In October 2023, Broadcom closed its acquisition of VMware for approximately $61 billion, one of the largest technology acquisitions on record. VMware is a leading provider of enterprise virtualization and cloud infrastructure software used by businesses worldwide to manage data center operations. The deal fundamentally changed Broadcom's revenue mix: where Broadcom was previously a semiconductor-focused business, it now generates a large and growing portion of revenue from recurring software subscriptions. For investors, the VMware integration represents both an opportunity (more predictable, software-based revenue) and a risk (integration complexity and reported customer pushback on pricing changes). Broadcom is led by CEO Hock Tan, who has helmed the company since 2006 and is widely credited with its aggressive acquisition-led growth strategy.

In July 2024, Broadcom completed a 10-for-1 stock split. The price section below covers what this means for new investors and why shares are more accessible today than pre-split history suggests.

Now that you understand what Broadcom is and why it trades under AVGO, here is how to buy shares.

How to Buy Broadcom (AVGO) Stock: Step-by-Step

1. Choose an online brokerage.
2. Open and fund your account.
3. Search for AVGO.
4. Choose your order type and place your trade.
5. Monitor your investment.

You can buy Broadcom stock online through any major brokerage account. The steps below walk through each stage from choosing a platform to placing your first AVGO trade, with enough detail to get you through the process confidently even if this is your first individual stock purchase.

Step 1: Choose a Brokerage

A brokerage account is a regulated financial account that allows you to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and other securities. Most major brokerages offer two main account structures: a standard taxable brokerage account, where gains and dividends are subject to annual taxes, and a tax-advantaged retirement account such as a Roth IRA or traditional IRA, where growth may be tax-free or tax-deferred. Both account types can hold AVGO shares.

The best brokerage for buying AVGO depends on your priorities. For investors seeking access to both traditional stocks and crypto-native features, Bybit offers AVGO trading alongside its broader financial platform. For beginners focused on U.S. equities, Fidelity and Charles Schwab offer strong research tools, fractional share support, and $0 commissions. For a mobile-first experience, Robinhood is a popular choice. For more active trading features, E*TRADE and Webull provide additional tools. Use FINRA BrokerCheck to verify the registration and background of any brokerage before opening an account.

Data current as of publication date. Verify current terms directly with each brokerage before opening an account.

Pro Tip: All major platforms listed above offer $0 commission trades for AVGO. Bybit additionally provides access to crypto markets within the same account, which is useful for investors diversifying across both traditional equities and digital assets.

You can also purchase AVGO inside a Roth IRA or traditional IRA at any of these brokerages, which offers tax advantages for long-term investors. See the FAQ section for details on tax treatment of AVGO dividends and capital gains.

Step 2: Open and Fund Your Account

Opening a brokerage account takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires your Social Security number, home address, and basic employment information. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the brokerage's website or download its mobile app.
2. Click "Open Account" or "Get Started."
3. Select your account type: individual taxable brokerage account, or IRA if you want tax-advantaged treatment.
4. Enter your personal information: full legal name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment details.
5. Verify your identity. Most platforms complete this automatically using your SSN.
6. Receive your account confirmation, typically by email within minutes.

Once your account is open, fund it by linking your bank account and initiating a transfer. ACH transfers from a bank account typically settle within one to three business days. Wire transfers are faster but may carry a fee. Some platforms, including Fidelity and Schwab, offer instant provisional purchasing power that lets you place trades while your deposit is still processing.

Step 3: Search for AVGO

Log in to your brokerage account and type "AVGO" or "Broadcom" into the search bar. Either term will surface the correct stock. Select Broadcom Inc. from the results to view the quote page, where you will see the current price, daily price change, and trading options.

Important: Always enter AVGO (not BRCM) when searching for Broadcom stock. BRCM was the ticker for the original Broadcom Corporation and was retired in 2016. Searching for BRCM will not return Broadcom Inc. results.

AVGO trades on the NASDAQ exchange. Regular trading hours run from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding market holidays.

Step 4: Choose Your Order Type and Place Your Trade

A market order buys stock immediately at the current price. A limit order lets you set a maximum price you are willing to pay, and the order only executes if the stock reaches that price or lower.

A stop-loss order is a separate order type that automatically sells your shares if the price drops to a specified level, useful for managing downside risk on existing positions.

Pro Tip: For most beginners buying a highly liquid large-cap stock like AVGO, a market order during regular trading hours (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET) is the simplest and most reliable choice.

To place your trade:

1. On the AVGO quote page, click "Buy" or "Trade."
2. Select your order type (market order is appropriate for most first-time buyers).
3. Enter the dollar amount you want to invest, or the number of shares you want to purchase.
4. Review the order details carefully, including the ticker symbol and amount.
5. Confirm and submit.

Pro Tip: Double-check that you have entered AVGO (not BRCM) before confirming your order.

Step 5: Monitor and Manage Your Investment

Once your AVGO purchase confirms, your brokerage portfolio tab will show your position: the number of shares held, your average purchase price, and the current market value. Most platforms update this in real time during trading hours.

If Broadcom pays a dividend while you hold shares, consider enabling DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan) through your brokerage settings. DRIP automatically reinvests cash dividends into additional AVGO shares, including fractional shares, which compounds your position over time without requiring manual action. The dividend section below covers AVGO's dividend history in more detail.

Set up automatic recurring investments to apply dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to your AVGO position. DCA is a strategy where you invest a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals, such as $100 per month, regardless of the current share price. This approach spreads your purchase price across multiple market conditions and reduces the risk of investing a lump sum at a single price point. Most major brokerages support automatic recurring AVGO purchases starting at as little as $1 per week.

Financial best practice suggests keeping any single stock at no more than 5 to 10 percent of your total portfolio. AVGO is a meaningful position, but it should sit within a broader, diversified investment strategy rather than represent your entire savings.

Before your first purchase, you may be wondering exactly how much AVGO costs and how little you can invest. The next section answers both.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Broadcom Stock?

Broadcom (AVGO) shares trade at a price that changes daily. Check your brokerage platform or a financial data site like Yahoo Finance or Google Finance for the current price before placing any trade, since quoting a static figure here would quickly become outdated.

Did You Know: Broadcom completed a 10-for-1 stock split in July 2024. Before the split, AVGO shares traded at over $1,500 each. After the split, the per-share price dropped to approximately $150 to $185, making Broadcom shares significantly more accessible for new investors. (Verify the current post-split price range against Broadcom Investor Relations data before publication.)

A stock split is when a company divides its existing shares into a larger number of shares, reducing the price per share proportionally while leaving the company's total market value unchanged. In Broadcom's 10-for-1 split, shareholders received 10 new shares for every 1 share they held, and the per-share price was divided by 10. The split does not make Broadcom a better or worse investment; it is a pricing adjustment that makes individual shares more accessible to new buyers.

Can You Buy Fractional Shares of Broadcom?

Yes. Most major brokerages support fractional share purchases for AVGO, meaning you can invest any dollar amount you choose rather than paying for a full share. A fractional share is a portion of one share, proportional to your dollar investment.

For example, if AVGO trades at $180 per share and you invest $50, you would own approximately 0.278 shares. If you invest $100, you would own approximately 0.556 shares. (Update these calculations using the current AVGO price at publication.)

Platforms that support fractional AVGO purchases include:

• Fidelity (Stocks by the Slice feature)
• Charles Schwab (Stock Slices feature)
• Robinhood (fractional shares available for eligible stocks)
• E*TRADE (fractional shares supported)

Most of these platforms allow fractional purchases with as little as $1 to $5. To buy fractional shares:

• On Fidelity: Search AVGO, click Buy, switch to Dollars mode instead of Shares, enter your dollar amount, review and submit.
• On Robinhood: Search AVGO, tap Buy, select dollar amount mode, enter your amount, swipe to confirm.

There is no minimum investment to buy Broadcom stock if your brokerage supports fractional shares. You can invest as little as $1 on platforms like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood. If buying a full share, your minimum investment equals the current AVGO share price.

Understanding the cost is one part of the decision. The next section examines whether AVGO fits your investment goals.

Is Broadcom Stock a Good Investment?

Whether Broadcom (AVGO) fits your portfolio depends on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. What follows is a summary of the factors investors weigh on both sides of the thesis.

Important: This section presents information for educational purposes only and is not personalized investment advice. All investments carry risk, including the possible loss of principal. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Reasons investors are optimistic about AVGO:

• AI custom silicon demand. Broadcom's custom AI accelerator chips (XPUs/ASICs) for Google, Meta, and Apple represent a growing revenue stream as hyperscale companies commit to building out AI infrastructure. This revenue sits within the Semiconductor Solutions segment and is driven by multi-year partnership agreements. Track AVGO's upcoming quarterly results on the Bybit StockEarningsSeason calendar.
• VMware recurring software revenue. The October 2023 VMware acquisition added a large, subscription-based software revenue stream. Investors who favor predictable, recurring revenue see this as a meaningful shift in Broadcom's business model.
• Dividend growth track record. Broadcom has grown its dividend at a compound annual rate exceeding 20% over the past decade, making it one of the strongest dividend growers among large-cap technology stocks. (Verify exact CAGR figure against Broadcom Investor Relations data before publication.)
• S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 membership. AVGO is held by virtually every major index fund, signaling institutional-grade standing. This provides baseline demand for the stock independent of individual investor sentiment.
• Acquisitive growth strategy. Under CEO Hock Tan, Broadcom has completed a series of value-creating acquisitions, including Avago's purchase of the original Broadcom Corporation, CA Technologies, the enterprise security business from Symantec, and VMware. This track record points to continued expansion through strategic deals.
• Historical performance context. AVGO has ranked among the best-performing large-cap stocks over multiple years, driven by acquisition execution and AI-related demand growth. Past performance does not predict future results.

Risks and Downsides of Buying AVGO Stock

Broadcom carries several risks specific to its business model that should be weighed alongside the bull case.

• Customer concentration risk. Apple and Google together represent a large share of Broadcom's semiconductor revenue. The loss of either relationship, or a material reduction in orders from either company, would have a significant negative impact on earnings.
• Semiconductor cycle risk. Chip demand is cyclical. Periods of reduced enterprise spending, data center investment slowdowns, or inventory corrections can weigh on AVGO revenue regardless of long-term trends.
• VMware integration execution risk. Integrating a $61 billion acquisition while simultaneously managing customer attrition from pricing structure changes is operationally complex. Reports of customer pushback on VMware licensing costs introduce uncertainty about how quickly the software revenue base will stabilize.
• Valuation premium. AVGO trades at a premium price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, a measure of how much investors pay for each dollar of the company's earnings, relative to the broader market. The forward P/E ratio, based on analyst earnings estimates rather than trailing results, is typically the more relevant metric for a growth company like Broadcom. A slowdown in AI chip demand or software revenue growth could compress this multiple and reduce the share price even if absolute earnings grow.
• Geopolitical and regulatory risk. Semiconductor export controls, supply chain policy changes, and trade tensions between the U.S. and key manufacturing regions affect all chip companies, including Broadcom.

Broadcom's Dividend: What Investors Should Know

Yes. Broadcom pays a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. A dividend is a cash payment companies make to shareholders, typically each quarter, funded from company profits.

Broadcom's dividend growth record is one of its most compelling investor narratives. For a full breakdown of payment dates and yield history, see the AVGO dividend guide. The company has grown its dividend at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20% over the past decade, making it a notable payer among large-cap technology stocks. (Fact-check the exact CAGR and current quarterly dividend amount against Broadcom Investor Relations before publication.) The current dividend yield changes as the stock price moves; check your brokerage platform or Yahoo Finance for the current figure rather than relying on any static number in this article.

A Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) is a brokerage feature that automatically reinvests your dividend payments into additional AVGO shares, including fractional shares, without any manual action on your part. Most major brokerages including Fidelity, Schwab, and Robinhood offer DRIP for AVGO. Enabling DRIP means your position grows with every quarterly payment, compounding your returns over time.

For tax purposes, Broadcom dividends are generally classified as qualified dividends for U.S. investors, meaning they are taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket) rather than as ordinary income. If you hold AVGO in a Roth IRA, dividends accumulate tax-free. Tax treatment varies based on individual circumstances; consult a tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

For a deeper analysis of the investment thesis, risks, and valuation, see Is Broadcom a Good Stock to Buy?. Before making any decision about AVGO, conduct your own research, consider how this position fits within your broader financial goals, and consult a qualified financial advisor if you need personalized guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Broadcom Stock

What is Broadcom's stock ticker symbol?

Broadcom's ticker symbol is AVGO, and it trades on the NASDAQ exchange. Do not search for BRCM. That was the ticker symbol for the original Broadcom Corporation, which was acquired by Avago Technologies in 2016 and no longer trades as an independent public company. The AVGO name derives from Avago Technologies, the predecessor entity that completed the acquisition. Any search for BRCM on a modern brokerage platform will not return Broadcom Inc.

Did Broadcom do a stock split?

Yes. Broadcom completed a 10-for-1 stock split in July 2024. Before the split, AVGO shares traded at over $1,500 per share. After the split, the per-share price dropped to approximately $150 to $185, making Broadcom shares significantly more accessible for new investors. Shareholders received 10 shares for every 1 share they held, and the price was divided by 10. The split does not change Broadcom's total market value or the underlying business; it is a pricing adjustment.

Can I buy Broadcom stock in a Roth IRA?

Yes. You can hold AVGO in a Roth IRA through any major brokerage offering self-directed IRA accounts, including Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE. In a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and your investments grow tax-free. Qualified withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free, meaning AVGO dividends and capital gains accumulated inside a Roth IRA will not be taxed when you withdraw them. Annual contribution limits apply; check the IRS IRA contribution limits for current figures, as limits are updated each year. Note that direct individual stock purchases are generally not available inside employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. A self-directed IRA through a brokerage is the standard vehicle for holding individual stocks in a tax-advantaged account.

How are Broadcom dividends taxed?

Broadcom dividends are generally classified as qualified dividends for U.S. investors. Qualified dividends are taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate, which is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income bracket, rather than as ordinary income. If you hold AVGO in a Roth IRA, dividends are tax-free. If held in a traditional IRA, taxes are deferred until withdrawal. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and the holding period of your shares; consult a tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

What taxes do I pay when I sell Broadcom stock?

When you sell AVGO at a profit, you may owe capital gains tax. Shares held for more than one year qualify for the long-term capital gains rate, which is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income. Shares held for one year or less are taxed as ordinary income, which is typically a higher rate. If your shares are held inside a Roth IRA, qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. If held in a traditional IRA, taxes apply on withdrawal at ordinary income rates. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation; this article provides an informational framework only and does not constitute tax advice.

Should I buy Broadcom stock or NVIDIA?

Broadcom and NVIDIA are both semiconductor companies with meaningful AI exposure, but they operate differently. NVIDIA sells standardized GPU products broadly across the AI developer market to a wide range of customers, from startups to large enterprises. Broadcom supplies custom-designed AI accelerator chips built specifically for individual hyperscale clients, a more concentrated but deeply integrated business model. Neither company is inherently a better investment than the other. The right choice depends on your investment thesis, risk tolerance, and existing portfolio composition. This is not investment advice; consult a financial advisor before making a decision.

Is Broadcom stock overvalued?

Whether AVGO is overvalued depends on your assumptions about future earnings growth, AI chip demand, and the pace of VMware revenue scaling. Broadcom trades at a premium price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple relative to the broader market, which reflects high investor expectations for continued growth from AI infrastructure and software. The forward P/E ratio, based on projected future earnings rather than past results, is typically the more relevant valuation metric for a growth company like Broadcom. To assess current valuation, look up the forward P/E on your brokerage platform or a financial data site like Yahoo Finance. Whether that premium is justified is a judgment call that depends on your own growth assumptions.

Can I buy Broadcom stock with $100?

Yes. Using fractional shares on platforms like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood, you can invest $100, $50, or even less in AVGO. Your dollar amount purchases a proportional fraction of one share at the current market price. With $100 and an approximate share price of $175, for example, you would own roughly 0.57 shares. The minimum fractional purchase on most platforms is $1 to $5.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. Investing in stocks involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Reviewed by the editorial team. All financial figures are subject to change and should be verified against current sources before acting on this information.

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• Broadcom Stock Prediction 2030: Long-Term Outlook for AVGO
• Broadcom Stock Split: Complete History, Date, Ratio, and Share Price Impact
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• Is Broadcom a Good Stock to Buy? Investment Analysis 2025
• Broadcom vs. NVIDIA: Which AI Chip Stock Is Better?