Resources recommended by the Indiana Council for Economic Education

Stocks

What is a Stock? Large companies that have lots of investors often issue “stocks” or “shares” to the investors as a way of showing ownership. If you bought 100 shares of a company you might get a stock certificate like the one below indicating your ownership. If you decided you no longer wanted to own those shares you could try to sell them to another … Continue reading Stocks »

Ticker Symbol

Definition: A “Ticker Symbol” is a unique one to five letter code used by the stock exchanges to identify a company. It is called a ticker symbol because the stock quotes used to be printed on a ticker tape machine that looked like the images below. When it printed the stock quotes, it made a tick-tick-tick sound! WARNING: The ticker symbol is NOT just an abbreviation … Continue reading Ticker Symbol »

Why Invest In Stocks

stats

Why Invest in Stocks? Simply put, when you have money to invest for an extended period of time (like 20 years or more), the stock market historically has provided the greatest return. When most people are able to save money, they usually put it in the bank. Banks usually pay interest on the cash in your account, so if you have $1000 in your savings … Continue reading Why Invest In Stocks »

How To Choose Stocks

The most challenging aspect of starting to invest is picking the first few stocks to add to a portfolio. Every investor has their own techniques and strategies, but we want to give you the tools you need to place your first trades, and get your portfolio off to a running start. Establish Goals Before choosing your first stock, the first step is deciding what your … Continue reading How To Choose Stocks »

Reading Stock Quotes

Definition A stock quote represents the last price at which a seller and a buyer of a stock agreed on a price to make the trade. Because stock prices are determined by a continuous auction process between buyers and sellers, stock prices change frequently as the buyers and sellers change. Prices also change as new information about that company, that industry, or the economy becomes … Continue reading Reading Stock Quotes »

Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds are a way you can buy into a wide range of stocks, bonds, money markets, or other securities all at once. They are professionally managed, so you are basically buying a piece of a larger portfolio. Definition Mutual Funds come in several different “flavors”, but the core concept is always the same: the fund is a pool of money contributed from many different … Continue reading Mutual Funds »

Bond

Definition: Bonds are essentially a much more formal I.O.U (I owe you) used to borrow money. You buy the bond in return to interest over a given period of time. When a corporation or government needs money they issue bonds that people buy. In turn, the issuer (the person who sells the bond) takes the money. However, no one would buy something if they didn’t … Continue reading Bond »

Portfolio Diversification

How Do I Build a Diversified Portfolio? Understanding what it means to build a diversified portfolio is one of the first concepts a new investor needs to understand. When talking about stocks, diversification means to make sure you don’t “put all of your eggs in one basket.” What Does It Mean To Diversify? Simply put, to “diversify” means to make sure pick a variety of … Continue reading Portfolio Diversification »

Benefits Of Competition

One Seller

What is Competition? “Competition” is when many producers try to sell similar goods to the same set of consumers. The producers need to “compete” to try to attract more consumers, usually by lowering prices, offering better versions of the goods or services, or through marketing. Competition is the core concept of the Market Economy. Why Does Competition Work? Competition generally leads to lower prices, more … Continue reading Benefits Of Competition »

Stock Market

By kidseconposters.com Companies issue stock to raise money to finance business operations.  Stock represents ownership in a company.  Thus, if you are a stockholder, you own part of a company.  A stock certificate shows how many shares you own.

Savings

By kidseconposters.com For individuals, saving is the part of one’s income that is not spent. People often place their savings in banks and credit unions, which in turn lend the money to businesses and other individuals. Sometimes people use their savings to purchase financial securities, such as stocks or bonds. It is important to save regularly, especially for things like education, retirement, and financial emergencies.

Investing

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By kidseconposters.com Investing in capital goods occurs when businesses purchase capital goods in order to increase the productivity of workers.  This investment always involves some risk.

Interesting Interest Rates

By kidseconposters.com Financial institutions encourage people to save by offering interest on savings. They loan these savings to businesses and consumers. Banks compete with one another to attract savers and borrowers. The goal of the bank, like any business, is to make a profit.

Financial Investments

IPO Growth

By kidseconposters.com People often put their savings into financial investments like stocks, bonds, or certificates of deposit. Some of these are more risky — but have the potential of a much better rate of return — than less risky investments. Research the financial investments below. Rate each according to risk and return — with 10 high and 1 low. Click here To View More!

Buy a Bond, James!

This is a basic lesson plan talking about what savings bonds are, how the government uses revenue from bonds, and why it might be a good way to start saving as early as possible. We have more resources on Bonds available in our Education Center, but you can also give your students a great interactive assignment by using our Compound Interest Calculator or Saving to … Continue reading Buy a Bond, James! »

How Global is Your Portfolio?

Are your students studying the global economy or the stock market? Are they aware of publicly traded companies in the global market? This lesson provides research opportunities for students as they locate and investigate global companies listed on the DOW, NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).