Stocks, explained
What you own when you buy a share, and why everyone watches the S&P 500.
A stock is a slice of a real business. An index is a basket of many slices.
Marcus What do I actually own when I buy a share?
2.1
A stock is a slice
- A company is the whole bun.
- A share is one slice.
- When the bun earns, slice owners share it, as dividends or as a higher share price.
Tap a slice.
2.2
What is the S&P 500
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2.3
The Magnificent 7
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2.4
Why it's the benchmark
Broad
500 companies across every sector.
Rule-based
Companies join and leave by rules, not by someone's opinion.
Hard to beat
Most professional funds trail it over long periods. Source: S&P SPIVA scorecard
2.5
Around the world
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2.6
Every market falls
Falls are normal weather. What you do during them matters more.
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2.7
What's inside
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Quick check
What is a share?
What is the S&P 500?
Why does buying one stock carry more risk than buying the index?
Try it
See who's in each basket
The screener filtered to S&P 500 or STI members.