1. STOCK MARKET
How it Works

2. Wall Street Open M-F, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (EST)
Largest stock exchanges in the U.S. are the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ
Other stock exchanges include AMEX, regional exchanges, and international exchanges

3. Features of the Stock Market
Stocks buy ownership in a corporation
Bonds are a loan
Mutual Funds are a combination of the two; group of investors who pool their money

4. Features of the Stock Market
Commodities and futures are other investments options on stock market
The stock market prices are based on bids by buyers and offers by sellers
This market is very open; all sides know the same information about the corporations
The market is based on supply and demand and can change price for a variety of reasons
Runs like an auction

5. Regulations
SEC is in charge of regulating the buying and selling on the stock exchange
All information must be made available to all parties, no one can change their portfolio through “insider trading”

6. What the Stock Market Does
Purpose for businesses is to raise financial capital (money) for expansion
Goal of investors is to make a return on the purchase of stocks, etc.
1) buy low, sell high
2) earn dividends (corporate profits to owners)

7. What the Stock Market Does
Buying and selling can occur through the stockbrokers, online
Only brokerage firms with a seat on the floor can buy and sell

8. Types of Markets Bull Market: prices are rising; dividends are up
Considered good; time to sell or keep dividends
Bear Market: prices are falling; dividends are down
Considered bad; time to buy or reinvest dividend

9. Stock Market Indexes/Averages
An average of how the market behaved that day, for comparison over time
Main averages:
DOW Jones: NYSE, 300 solid corp.
NASDAQ Composite: NASDAQ companies
S&P 500: 500 richest companies

10. STOCKS Advantages Disadvantages High rate of return
Simple and cheap to buy ($ few hundred)
Can buy and sell anytime
Disadvantages
High maintenance
Higher risk

11. BONDS Advantages Disadvantages Safe Money secure from your spending
Low maintenance
Disadvantages
Low rate of return
Cannot sell until mature
May not keep up with inflation
Expensive to start

12. MUTUAL FUNDS Advantages Disadvantages
Money is diversified (spread out)
Medium rate of return
Cheap to start
Buy/sell anytime
Disadvantages
Some maintenance required
No control over companies bought
Less $ than stocks
Medium risk

13. Rates of Return Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds 7-12% return Starts at $500
riskiest
Bonds
3-5% return
Starts at $1000
safest
Mutual Funds
5-11% return
Mid and variable risk