Get started with investing on M1 by creating your first portfolio. This guide covers building your portfolio using Pies, adding stocks and ETFs, and using new features like drag and drop. For definitions of portfolios, Pies, and slices, see the M1 Glossary.
Watch our short how-to videos below for visual step-by-step help.
Step-by-step: Build your M1 portfolio
1. Start your portfolio
Log in to your M1 account.
After account setup, you’ll be prompted to build your portfolio.
2. Add stocks, funds, or Model Portfolios
Select “Choose securities” to view all supported stocks, ETFs, and Model Portfolios.
To view more details about a stock or fund, select it for news, price history, and a company profile.
Add Securities:
On Web: Check the box to the left of the security.
On App: Tap the plus sign or the “Add to Pie” button in the details screen.
Add Model Portfolios:
Go to the Model Portfolios tab.
Browse categories, then tap a portfolio for details, return history, holdings, expense ratio, and dividend yield.
Add a Model Portfolio using the plus sign (or check the box on web) or "Add to Pie" in the details screen.
3. Organize into Pies and Slices
Once you’ve selected securities, click “Done”.
Name your new portfolio.
Access the portfolio organizer tutorial for step-by-step help (select the question mark icon to toggle the tutorial).
Create or Edit a Pie
Select “Create New Pie” to group selected securities.
Pies can be renamed and described for easy identification.
Your new custom Pie appears at the top of the page.
Use Drag & Drop
Drag and drop individual securities (“Slices”) to move them into Custom Pies.
Custom Pies must contain at least one Slice to be saved.
Slices can be rearranged between Custom Pies or moved to the root level of your portfolio.
Bulk select
Move multiple Slices at once:
Check slices using the Select tool (checkboxes on the left).
Click the Pie icon (top right) to move your selections into an existing Custom Pie.
4. Set target allocations
Assign a target percentage to each Slice and Pie.
All Slices within a Pie must total 100%.
Set targets at the Pie level, then for each Slice inside your Pies.
Once each section equals 100%, select “Save” to complete portfolio creation.
Note: You cannot save a Custom Pie without at least one Slice. Delete the empty Pie, or add Slices totaling 100% to save.
5. Use Pies in multiple portfolio locations
After creation, you can add your custom Pie in multiple places across your portfolio or Invest Accounts.
Edits to a Pie used in multiple places will update that Pie everywhere—changes may trigger trades in multiple accounts.
Tip: Securities added from corporate actions or account transfers cannot be moved into a Pie used in multiple locations or across accounts.
Next step: Fund your portfolio
Once you’ve built your portfolio, see how to make your first deposit to start investing.
All examples above are for informational purposes and should not be considered an offer to buy or sell certain securities. M1 does not provide investment advice.
Brokerage accounts on the M1 platform are either fully disclosed to APEX Clearing or cleared through M1 Finance LLC. Please look at your account statement to determine how your account is cleared.
All investing involves risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Using margin can add to these risks. Users utilizing APEX cleared margin accounts should review the APEX margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. Users utilizing M1 cleared margin accounts should review the M1 margin account risk disclosure before borrowing. M1 Margin Loans are available on margin accounts with at least $2,000 invested per account. Not available for Retirement or Custodial accounts. Margin rates may vary.
Brokerage products and services are offered by M1 Finance LLC, Member FINRA / SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of M1 Holdings, Inc.
This content was generated using artificial intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, AI-generated outputs may omit key context; and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Users should independently verify all information and consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
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