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Stock

โ€ขBy Finance Clarified Team
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Stock market trading screen showing price charts and ticker symbols

Stock

A stock (also known as equity) represents a share in the ownership of a company. When you purchase a company's stock, you're buying a small piece of that company, called a share.

Key Characteristics

  • Ownership: Stockholders own a part of the company and may have voting rights
  • Limited Liability: Shareholders are not personally liable for the company's debts
  • Potential Returns: Stocks can provide returns through price appreciation and dividends
  • Risk: Stock prices can be volatile and fluctuate based on various factors

Types of Stock

  • Common Stock: Provides voting rights but lower priority for dividends and liquidation
  • Preferred Stock: Often has no voting rights but higher priority for dividends and liquidation

How Stocks Are Traded

Stocks are primarily traded on exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or Nasdaq. They can also be traded over-the-counter (OTC) for companies not listed on formal exchanges.

Finance Clarified Team

Finance Clarified Team

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The Finance Clarified editorial team includes financial experts, certified advisors, and experienced educators dedicated to making financial knowledge accessible to everyone.

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