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StockCram is not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial institution. All content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.Simple Definition
The overall system where stocks are bought and sold. When people say "the market is up," they mean stock prices generally rose.
Why It Matters
The stock market is how everyday people can own pieces of the world's best companies. Historically, it has returned about 10% per year on average (7% after inflation). While it can drop 30-50% in bad years, it has recovered from every crash in history. Understanding how the market works is the foundation of building long-term wealth.
Key Points
- The US stock market is worth over $50 trillion - the largest in the world
- "The market" usually refers to major indexes like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones
- Market hours are 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
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What Is the Stock Market?
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Common Questions
The overall system where stocks are bought and sold. When people say "the market is up," they mean stock prices generally rose. The stock market is how everyday people can own pieces of the world's best companies. Historically, it has returned about 10% per year on average (7% after inflation).
The stock market is how everyday people can own pieces of the world's best companies. Historically, it has returned about 10% per year on average (7% after inflation). While it can drop 30-50% in bad years, it has recovered from every crash in history. Understanding how the market works is the foundation of building long-term wealth.
The US stock market is worth over $50 trillion - the largest in the world
"The market" usually refers to major indexes like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones
Market hours are 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)