Stocks

Stocks represent ownership shares in companies. When you buy a stock, you own a small piece of that business and have a claim on its future earnings. Understanding how stocks work—what makes their prices move, how dividends work, and what risks come with ownership—is essential if you're considering adding them to your portfolio or trying to understand what you already own.

These articles explain the mechanics of stock investing: how to read stock quotes, the difference between individual stocks and stock funds, what happens when companies issue new shares, and how to think about risk and return when choosing between stocks and other investments. You'll find information about stock market basics, how to evaluate whether a particular stock might fit your goals, and how stocks typically fit into a diversified portfolio.