In simple terms, a stock is an ownership interest in a company. Every shareholder has one share, or one-tenth of a company’s total outstanding shares. Owning stocks gives an individual the right to vote at company shareholder meetings and receive dividends, which are the profits generated by a company. The value of a share is equal to one percent of its market capitalization, which is the total value of all its outstanding shares.

Stocks are a form of equity that represents a share of a company. If the company is successful, you’ll receive dividends and you may even have a vote in its decisions. But there are many risks associated with owning a stock, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before investing. For beginners, here’s a basic guide to stocks:

Stock prices are affected by many factors, including the global economy, the performance of sectors, government policies, natural disasters, and the sentiment of investors. A confident investor can drive a stock’s price higher. It can also cause a company’s share price to fall dramatically if investors don’t like the company. The stock market is highly volatile, so it’s best to learn about the market before you invest. Then you can use that knowledge to make more informed decisions about your investments.

Dividends can increase your profits exponentially. If a stock earns $0.50 a share, it will give you $50 per year. A $30 stock that has a market capitalization of $3,000 will pay a dividend yield of 1.7%. Clearly, compounding returns are important, but perfect timing is not. You’ll probably never get a 100% hit, but you can take advantage of the compounding effect of time in the market and get your hands on some of the best deals.

The stock market has rules that regulate the way that shares are purchased and sold. These regulations help protect investors from fraudulent activities. Stocks can be purchased online from most online stockbrokers. Investment brokerage firms provide advice on the best investments to make, and they typically charge more per trade. This makes investing easier, but it’s not for everyone. You may want to consider working with a professional investment advisor if you have the expertise to make informed decisions about which stocks to buy and which ones to avoid.

Another option for buying stock is buying put options. These involve buying shares at a predetermined price. If the price goes up, you profit. Conversely, if you buy a put option, you get paid if the stock goes down. But most financial planners recommend sticking with long-term stock holdings and diversify your portfolio. There are two main types of stock: preferred and common stocks. The former is the best investment option for most investors.