Stocks in 10 chapters.

From “What is a stock?” to your first order. Each chapter takes just a few minutes.

Start with chapter 1

01What is a stock?A stock is a small piece of a company. Owning one makes you a part-owner. It sounds big, but the idea is simple. 5 min
02Why do stock markets exist?A stock exchange is a marketplace. Not for fruit and vegetables, but for pieces of companies. It solves two problems at once. 5 min
03How are prices made?Nobody sets the price of a stock. It is formed anew every second, out of everyone's wish to buy or sell. 5 min
04DividendsWhen a company makes a profit, it can pay part of it out to its owners. That payout is called a dividend. 5 min
05Compound interestWhen your returns start earning returns of their own, your money grows like a snowball. Slowly at first, then faster and faster. 5 min
06Risk and diversificationAny stock can fall. Some never come back. The good news: you can cut your risk a lot without predicting the future. The tool for that is called diversification. 5 min
07ETF or single stock?You can buy individual companies, or hundreds of them with a single security. Both have their place. Here is how they differ. 6 min
08Your brokerage accountTo buy stocks, you need a brokerage account, called a Depot in Germany. It sounds like paperwork, but these days it usually takes minutes. Here is what it is and what kinds of providers exist. 6 min
09Taxes on stocksTaxes sound complicated. For stocks in Germany, they are surprisingly manageable. Three terms and one form, and you are well covered. 7 min
10Your first stockYou now know the basics. This last chapter is about putting them into practice: four calm steps to get started without rushing anything. 5 min

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