Money

Let’s get back to basics about the stock market

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2022

If you watch the news – and who doesn’t here at Ticker News – you’ll notice there is a lot of discussion about the stock market.

Whether a company price has moved up or down, a new feature has been announced, or if sales of a particular product have exceeded expectations, can have an impact.

So, what does it all mean? We’re here to help you get your head around it all.

WHAT IS THE STOCK MARKET?

The stock market is a place for people (typically known as investors) to buy and sell individual company shares, funds and other financial products.

Changes in share prices allow investors to buy or sell financial products they are interested in owning.

They allow for investors to trade owning part of a public company for capital.

Stock markets are regulated, and have to follow a defined set of rules and procedures, that are set out by regulators in each jurisdiction such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, to name a few.

SO, YOU WANT TO BECOME AN INVESTOR?

Now that you have a grasp of what the stock market is, and how it broadly works, you’ve decided to take the next step and buy some shares (also known as equity) in a company – congratulations.

But what should you buy?

That choice is up to you, as there are thousands of companies available on each exchange to buy into.

But before you can buy a company that is listed on a stock exchange, you have to choose your broker – or the third-party that will allow you to buy and sell shares on the stock market. The broker is the one who will be able to grant you access to all the available companies.

And with thousands of brokers out there, how do you know who to choose?

Several factors come into play: access to markets right across the world, reputation (so you know they will be around during the good and bad times of the market), fees (as you don’t want to be paying too much for the service to buy and sell your stocks), speed (to enact a purchase and sell) and technological advancements.

And if you’re a person who likes to read reviews or follow guides from others about who to choose, winning the Best Online Broker Award five years in a row is a strong endorsement for Interactive Brokers, beating the likes of Robinhood, Vanguard and Charles Schwab.

CAN IT BE RISKY?

Just like any form of investment, there is a chance that your capital can increase or decrease, and investors even need to take into consideration the possibility of losing all their invested money.

Investments in some companies are said to be riskier than in others.

This could have to do with how established a company is, how it is managed, how well it can raise money to expand, how successful their products are to the public or how nimble it is.

What’s the best thing you can do before outlaying any capital – research, research, research. And with a wealth of information at your fingertips, you can feel secure in the knowledge of the company – or companies – you are investing in.

Do your own research.

Money

U.S. jobs report, Fed decisions, and Japan’s economic risks explained

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

Published

24 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

The January US jobs report shows a mixed picture for the economy, with payroll revisions and steady unemployment leaving analysts questioning the impact on Federal Reserve policy. We break down what the numbers mean for interest rates and market confidence.

US stock markets could face turbulence as investors digest the latest jobs data. David Scutt from StoneX explains how these figures may influence equities and what the outlook is for global markets.

Meanwhile, developments in Japan and a strengthening yen could spark new macroeconomic risks. From carry trades to unexpected shocks, we explore how these factors ripple across the global economy.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#USJobsReport #FederalReserve #StockMarket #MacroRisks #JapanEconomy #GlobalMarkets #CurrencyTrading #EconomicUpdate

Money

Alphabet launches $20B bond to fund AI expansion

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Alphabet has launched a record $20 billion bond offering to finance its massive AI infrastructure build-out, signalling strong investor confidence in the company’s growth strategy. The oversubscribed sale shows that investors are betting on Alphabet’s AI potential and long-term returns.

By using debt instead of equity, Alphabet can raise funds without diluting shareholders. The money will support AI research, advanced computing, and other strategic projects, cementing the company’s leadership in the sector.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies explains how corporate debt is reshaping tech financing and how investors perceive AI-linked bonds. This record issuance could set a trend for other tech companies looking to fund innovation.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

AI tax tool sparks market turmoil for financial firms

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Shares of major financial services firms tumbled after the launch of a new AI-powered tax planning tool. LPL Financial dropped nearly 11%, while Charles Schwab and Raymond James Financial fell more than 9%, signalling investor concern over AI disrupting traditional advisory services.

Morgan Stanley also saw a 4% decline as fears grow that AI could replace some of the most profitable offerings of established firms. Earlier this year, the introduction of other AI models already caused turbulence in software stocks, suggesting this could be a broader trend affecting multiple sectors.

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers and Securities ETF was down 4% on Tuesday, reflecting the market-wide uncertainty surrounding AI adoption in finance. Investors are closely watching whether AI will complement or cannibalise the industry’s core services.

#AIImpact #WallStreet #FinancialMarkets #InvestingNews #MorganStanley #CharlesSchwab #RaymondJames #FinTech