Stocks are generally bought and sold electronically through stock exchanges, the two primary ones in the United States being the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASDAQ). While some companies sell stock directly to investors, most only sell stock through a brokerage such as Schwab. Investors buy and sell stocks for a number of reasons including the potential to grow the value of their investment over time, to potentially profit from shorter-term stock price moves, or even to earn an income by investing in dividend-paying stocks. Keep in mind that the price of a stock can fall as easily as it can rise. Investing in stock offers no guarantee that you will make money, and many investors lose money instead.
Asset classes perform differently, and it's nearly impossible to predict which asset class will perform best in a given year. If you had invested $100,000 in just U.S. Stocks in 1997, it would have almost quadrupled to $400,000 by 2017, but there would have been many ups and downs due to volatility. A more diversified investment portfolio would have had a lower return, but reduced volatility.
Learn about three main types of stocks, as well as some potential advantages and considerations.
A common stock represents a share in the ownership of a company, including a claim on the company's earnings and assets. As such, stockholders are partial owners of the company. Fractional shares of stock also represent ownership of a company, but at a size smaller than a full share of common stock.
Potential for higher long-term return. Voting rights (does not apply to owners of fractional shares). Liquidity depending on trading volume.
Dividends, if available, are often lower, variable, and not guaranteed. Stock price and dividend may experience more volatility than preferred stock. More likely to lose investment if company goes bankrupt.
Preferred stocks (or preferred securities) are hybrid investments that share characteristics of both stocks and bonds. They can offer higher yields than many traditional fixed income investments, but they come with different risks.
Dividends are typically higher and fixed. Share price experiences less volatility compared to common stock. Preferred shareholders are more likely to recover at least part of their investment if company goes bankrupt.
Lower long-term growth potential, if any. No voting rights in most cases. Generally less liquid than common stock.
Many non-U.S. companies, that would otherwise be unavailable or inconvenient to trade, do trade in the U.S. markets as ADRs (receipts for shares of the foreign stock issued by U.S. banks). They are denominated in U.S. dollars and pay dividends in U.S. dollars.
Local U.S.-based trading tends to be more liquid than local foreign markets. Investors may be able to access financial information more easily than if you invest directly overseas.
Exposure to fluctuations in a foreign company's local currency could affect value of investment. Political or economic events in a foreign company's home country could potentially harm your investment.
While stock performance changes over time, successful stocks can help your money grow—at times, they can even outrun inflation.
Some stocks pay regular dividends—that's income you can keep or reinvest.
Since stocks trade by the millions every day, you can move quickly when you're buying or selling.