Welcome to the Buy Shares In page on Stock Markets around the world. Here you will learn some more basics of the world of share trading. We will tell you all you ever needed and wanted to know about stock markets.
This is a foundation page connected to many guides on global stock markets, but on this page we’ll also answer many common stock market questions with a stock market FAQ. These include:
- What is a Stock Market?
- What is a Stock Exchange?
- Can I Make a Profit on the Stock Market?
- What is an IPO?
- What are Dividends?
Stock Markets Around the World
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Stock Market FAQ
If you’re new to stock markets then you probably have a few questions. So, let’s get those cleared up with this Stock Market FAQ.
What is a Stock Market?
A stock market is a financial hub where listed companies can sell “shares” to the general public. The stock market is simply a place where shares are bought and sold. This “exchange” is why stock markets are typically known as “stock exchanges”.
What is a Stock Index?
An index is a list of shares available in a particular stock market. We’ll try and keep things simple so we can keep this stock market FAQ short, but essentially it is a “best of” that you can bet on or against. If the financial climate is looking good in that country, then the index will likely perform well. If it is looking poor, then it will perform poorly.
Stock indexes include the FTSE 100 on the London Stock Exchange (which is the UK Stock Market) as well as the Dow Jones and the NASDAQ Composite on the US Stock Markets.
What is a Share?
A share is essentially a small piece, or “share” of a company. This share is an incredibly small amount of that company, the exact percentage of which will depend on the value or market cap of the company. If you buy more shares, you are buying a larger share in that company.
Shares are also known as “stocks”. These two words are interchangeable and mean the same thing.
What Are the Biggest Stock Markets in the World?
The biggest stock market in the world is the New York Stock Exchange. This is based in the United States and is three times larger than the second largest stock exchange, which is the NASDAQ (also in the US). These are followed by the London Stock Exchange in third.
What Are Dividends?
A dividend is a small payment made by a company to its stockholders. Not all companies pay these, and there is no set amount that they need to pay. The dividend is set a few months prior to the date it is released and is based on a price-per-share basis.
The best way to think of a dividend, if you’re not accustomed to the stock market, is like interest paid out of a savings account. Your initial investment is untouched, but the more you have, the more that payment will be.
Are Shares Taxable?
This is a question we have been asked a lot and one that warrants inclusion in this stock market FAQ.
If you reside in a country that taxes you on your profits then yes, shares are taxable. But it’s not that simple. First, you have to consider your other earnings and expenses. You also have to consider the dividends, and any losses you have experienced. The good news is that most first-time investors will never have to concern themselves with this issue and the moment they do is the moment they are rich enough for it not to bother them!
Are Shares Overvalued?
They can be. There is no one checking on the valuation of shares to make sure that they are valued in accordance with the company’s profits and assets. That’s the job of the investor who is tasked with studying the company to determine whether the shares are worth it or not.
What is an IPO?
IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. This is essentially the moment that a company lists itself on the stock exchange, providing an initial offering to the public. The reason they generate so much interest is because there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the way a market will react to a new company. IPOs have been known to double during the first few hours, a trend that is particularly common with tech stock.
However, they can also go the other way, with few investors taking notice and the shares suffering as a result.
Is it Easy to Make Money on the Stock Market?
It can certainly seem like it, but it’s not. You need to do your research. You need to play it smart and you need to hit the right stocks at the right time. Some people think of stock markets like a casino, but that’s not the case. Your capital is always at risk and it is possible to lose it all, but it’s far from as risky as the spin of a roulette wheel.
That pretty much does it for this stock market FAQ. But there is so much more to learn, so start clicking and searching Buy Shares In now!