Stocks are a cornerstone of many investor portfolios. They provide investors the opportunity to participate in the growth of some of the world’s largest and most successful businesses. For companies, stocks serve as a way to raise money that can then be used to fund new products, expansion and other initiatives. The value of a company’s stock rises and falls as the market reflects the company’s financial performance, the overall economy and a variety of other factors. When a company’s stock price rises, you’ll receive a positive return on your investment; when it falls, you’ll realize a loss.
The term stock can be a bit misleading; owning shares of a company doesn’t automatically grant you a parking spot in the lot or a desk at headquarters. What it does mean, however, is your share of the company’s profits and losses. It also entitles you to vote at shareholder meetings, depending on the company’s rules. The goal, of course, is for the company’s stock to increase in value while you own it, allowing you to sell it at a higher price than you paid for it.
You can invest in individual stocks directly by buying them in the marketplace, or you can invest through your employer’s retirement plan, such as a 401(k) (used by private employers), 403(b) (for nonprofit organizations, public schools and some churches), or 457(b) (used by state and local government employees). These plans are commonly known as ‘tax-deferred’ retirement accounts because your contributions are tax-deductible and the investments grow tax-free.
Whether you’re investing through a direct purchase or your workplace plan, it’s important to consider your risk tolerance and capacity before diving into the stock market. While stocks have historically provided a high rate of return, they can also come with the potential for larger losses due to a number of factors, including general market volatility and company-specific events.
In addition to the potential for capital gains, owning stocks can provide you with regular cash flow from dividends. These are payments made to shareholders from a company’s earnings, often distributed in the form of quarterly or annual distributions. They can be a great source of income in retirement or beyond.
There are a multitude of metrics and ratios that can be used to assess the health of a company, but relying on them alone can paint an incomplete picture. You need to build a holistic narrative about the company and its potential for long-term success before deciding to invest in it.
The stock market is a fascinating example of the laws of supply and demand. Every trade transaction must involve a buyer and seller, and the supply of a particular stock is determined by the number of people who want to buy it at any given time. If there are more buyers than sellers, the price will rise; if there are more sellers than buyers, the price will fall. Professional traders known as market makers maintain continuous bids and offers for each stock in order to facilitate transactions.