The stock market is a place to invest money and earn a return on your investment. Companies issue stocks as a means to raise money and fuel their growth. Investors purchase stock because they want to participate in the growth and development of a company. Each stock represents ownership of a portion of the company’s assets and earnings. These shares are issued by a corporation’s board of trustees.
Investments in stocks and bonds have many risks. For example, they may not generate the income you expect. Investors may have to pay a CDSC, or cost-share adjustment, to offset the risk of losing their money. This charge will typically decline with time. Some investors may want to hold only stock in companies that have a proven track record of making their payments on time.
Stock owners usually buy stock because they believe that their shares will be worth more in the future. A common example of this is when a private company sells its first round of stock to the public. This is known as an IPO. The most common stock among equity investors is the publicly traded common stock, which gives them voting rights and the chance to earn a dividend. Other investors may prefer preferred stock.
Stockbrokers are the firms that facilitate secondary market transactions. An increasing portion of secondary market volume flows through online brokerage firms. In the past, middlemen charged commissions to match buyers and sellers. However, the development of automated trading platforms and competition among firms has lowered the cost of stock trading and reduced the need for middlemen. Some of the leading firms offer a wide range of services, including custodial banking, advisory support, customized research, and data.
