Stocks are a key component of most investment portfolios. They provide the opportunity to earn higher returns than other assets, such as cash and bonds. However, stocks expose investors to near-term market fluctuations and can be volatile. Keeping an eye on the long-term picture can help you manage these risks and maximize your potential for investment success.
Companies use stocks to raise funds that can be used to grow their businesses and expand into new markets. They issue these shares to investors through a process called an initial public offering, or IPO. Investors then buy and sell these stocks among themselves on a regulated exchange like the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. This allows small, medium and large investors to participate in the growth of a company.
The value of a stock depends on many factors, including the company’s performance and the overall economy. For example, if interest rates rise or there’s political turmoil in the country or abroad, investors may shift out of stocks and into bonds. Similarly, if the company has serious problems with its product or service, a stock could drop in value.
When a company does well, its share price goes up and you can make money by selling your shares for more than you paid for them. These profits are known as capital gains. In addition, if the company pays dividends to shareholders, you can also receive a regular income from your investments. You can choose whether to reinvest these dividends or take your profits as cash.
There are several types of stocks, and the type you own determines how much influence you have at shareholder meetings and other corporate decisions. For instance, common stockholders usually get a vote on matters like company policies, board decisions and mergers. Preferred stockholders don’t usually have these voting rights. There are also various classification systems for stocks, such as blue chip, which refers to stocks of well-known, stable companies; large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap, which indicate the size of a company; and growth, income or value, which point to investments that have good prospects for future returns, dividends or stock price increases.
Stocks can be grouped by sector, which describes the economic area in which they operate. For example, technology and health care stocks tend to react differently to economic conditions than consumer staples or energy stocks. This can be helpful when constructing your investment portfolio, as it’s important to have broad exposure to the different parts of the economy to minimize risk.
The best way to invest in stocks is through a brokerage account, which is an account offered by investment firms. You can open one by submitting personal information, such as your Social Security number and name, along with answers to questions about your income, employment status, investment goals and level of risk tolerance.