The Value of Stock According to today’s investors, the stock market is simply the pairing of a buyer and a seller. An investor must first understand the meaning of a stock and that it is simply a small part of ownership of a company. Several options are offered to an investor such as bonds and stock (preferred or common). Bonds are a more secure option for an investor. With a bond, the investor has a contract with the company that in a certain time period the investors’ interest grows. If the company does not due well the investor still receives a return in principle and interest. Common stock is simply a security that represent ownership of a company. Common stock holders are at the bottom of the priority ladder when it comes to ownership structure of a company. Preferred stock holders are in between the ownership ladder. Preferred stock is a stock that entitles the stock holder/investor to a fixed dividend but unlike common stock holders, they do not have voting rights when selecting board members. Investors now believe that attitudes and the approach to investing have changed as now people see it more of a sport. Another noticeable change is that current investors are now starting to participate more in the way they manage their stocks and that is due mostly to it being attached to their retirement plans. With now more information being available to the individual investors, they are able to make a more educated decision in how they