Stock Market 101
Crash Course
Stock market is
like a market place for businessmen. In a public market, goods are sold to the
public. In a stock market however, stocks are sold to the public. Company
stocks are sold in the form of shares. The more shares a person buys in a
company, the higher his or her stocks are for that particular company.
The stock market
consists of the primary market and the secondary market. Primary market is
where companies raise finances for their operating expenses by selling shares
to investors. The secondary are investors who buy and sell those shares to
other investors. Their decisions are constantly based on changing market
conditions.
A stock market is
like an auction house. It is a systematic method of buying and selling. In a
stock market though, it is a common sight to see people shouting and gesturing
at one another.
The buying and
selling of stocks begins in different places. If a person decides to purchase
stocks in a particular company, a broker is contacted. This broker in turn
takes the money of the investor and coordinates with a floor broker at the
stock exchange. Usually a floor broker works for the broker or with the company
selling the stocks.
At the stock
exchange, floor brokers purchase the stock that the investor wants. When a deal
is consummated, it is made known to a broker and the investor becomes a
stockholder of the company.
That investor may
decide to sell the stock. This is usually done when the price per share has
gone up. This entails profit for the investor. For example, if a person bought
100 shares at $20.00 per share and the price increased to $25.00, selling those
100 shares results in $500.00 profit.
The economic
principle of supply and demand is the driving force of the stock market. The
number of shares of stocks that are open to the public dictates the supply and
the number of shares that investors want affects the demand.
Movement of
stocks in a certain market causes the constant changes in the prices of stocks.
For example, if
most people believe that the economy is growing, they would buy more stocks.
But if the economy is in a downfall, their tendency is to sell their stocks.
Many businessmen
choose to make a long term investment in the stock market. There are instances
where stocks decrease in value causing a stockholder to lose money. The stock
market does not guarantee profit. The better a person is in reacting to the
changes at the stock exchange; the better his chances are for profit.
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