A share of stock is a claim on a company’s assets and earnings. Depending on how many shares a person owns, he or she can also earn dividend payments and vote at shareholder meetings. In addition, the value of a share can rise or fall as a result of market changes or new investment opportunities. Investing in stocks can be an effective way to grow wealth and outpace inflation over time, though there are risks that need to be considered.

A stock’s price reflects the current perception of a company’s fair value, which is determined by the market. The quality of management, industry and broader market conditions all play a role in the valuation of a company’s stock. A booming economy may lead to higher expectations for future growth, which can cause the price of a stock to rise. Conversely, a company’s stock may be discounted if investors are expecting poor results or if the industry is in decline.

Public companies sell their stock on a stock exchange like the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. To do so, the company will work with investment bankers to set a primary market price for the initial stock offering (IPO). Once the shares are publicly traded, they can be purchased or sold at any time through a brokerage account. Some people also invest in mutual funds, which are pools of a large number of company stocks that are managed by an experienced fund manager. Individuals can also buy and sell stocks in employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s.

There are several types of shares, including common stock, preferred stock and treasury stock. Common stock is the most common type of share and represents an ownership stake in a business. Preferred stock is an investment that offers a fixed income and has priority over common stock in the event of bankruptcy. Treasury stock is a type of preferred share that can be converted to common share at the option of the investor or the business, or automatically by law.

Figuring out a stock’s valuation is essential to making sound investments. There are a variety of stock ratios that can be used to assess the value of a share, but we recommend starting with these five fundamentals.

The stock market is a complex machine, but understanding how it works can help you make smarter decisions about investing in stocks. To get started, read up on general economic news in the business section of your local newspaper to learn about what’s happening in the world around you. This will affect everything from interest rates to the price of oil, which can have a huge impact on the prices of stocks. You can also find helpful information by reading stock tables, which list a company’s shares and trading activity in one place.