10 Minute Guide to Investing in Stocks

The current explosion of the stock market is unprecedented by any period in its history. Since
the 1980s, the number of American households that own common stock has risen from
below 20 percent to just under half. And, this does not include households that hold stock
within their retirement plans or other indirect means. A significant portion of this growth is a
direct result of the proliferation of information available to the public through such new forums
as the Internet. Any information without explanation, however, is useless.