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Understanding the Words of Wall Street:. Putting your money to work. Investment Pyramid. More Volatile/Speculative Investments and decreased liquidity. Increasing Risk = Increased chance of larger rate of return. Collectibles Property. Stocks.
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Understanding the Words of Wall Street: Putting your money to work
Investment Pyramid More Volatile/Speculative Investments and decreased liquidity Increasing Risk = Increased chance of larger rate of return. Collectibles Property Stocks More Conservative Investments and increased liquidity IRA’s/401k’s Corporate Bonds Mutual Funds Government Bonds, Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) Savings/checking accounts Investments on bottom of pyramid = low risk & low rate of return!
So What is a Stock? Stocks: • Ownership interest in a company • When you own stock/shares in a company essentially you own part of the company.
Why buy a stock? You will have… • Possibility to sell shares at a higher price later. (buy low, sell high) • May receive dividends (profit or AKA earnings) • Possible claim on assets • Voting rights
Preferred vs Common Stock • Preferred Stock: • Pays a fixed dividend • Common Stock: • Voting rights • More Volatile
Major Stock Markets • New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) • Oldest, largest exchange • NASDAQ • Pure Electronic Exchange Video
What affects the Price of a Stock? • Fundamentally: • Supply and Demand • Demand is effected by… • Company Health / Outlook • Industry Trends • Economy • National & World Events Confidence and Fear
Advantages vs. Disadvantages • Advantages: • Medium to High return potential • Historically 10%-12% return • Highly Liquid • Disadvantage: • Medium to High risk • Highly volatile
Buying Stocks Broker • A licensed professional that buys and sell stocks for investors. • Example: Schwab, Edward Jones
Buying Stocks Online • A website that allows users to buy and sell stocks. • Example: Ameritrade
Income Stocks • Older, stable companies • High dividends, low growth • Utility companies: ComEd • Low Risk/Low Return • Good for older investors
Blue-Chip Stocks • Well Known, reliable companies • Small but regular dividends • Steady growth • GE, Microsoft, Walmart • Medium risk / Medium Return • Good for long term investors who don’t want to much risk
Growth Stocks • Young, entrepreneurial companies • High Growth Potential • Example: Tech start-ups • High Risk / High Return • Good for risk takers who could afford a loss.
Mutual Funds • A collection of investments managed by professionals. • Traded just like a stock. • Pros: • Easy way to diversify • Professionally managed • Cons: • Fees
Retirement Accounts IRA’s • An investing plan with special tax benefits 401K Plan • A tax differed retirement plan set-up by your employer. • Employer may match contributions