US stocks have high risks, expecially stocks listed on NASDAQ. They are more speculative, but they can give you more than 100% in few days. If you play safe/ long term, you can buy blue chip stocks usually they are big companies like GE, they have average 20% return this year compared to 50% on NASDAQ. You need to do a lot of anaysis/ learning before jump into the market, both fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Anyway, if you are new to the stock, the first thing is to protect you capitals not to earn money.
If you want to invest in US market, you can open your account on those online brokers... Etrade, ameritrade..