- Stocks (Equities): Stocks, also known as equities, represent ownership shares in publicly traded companies. When you buy a stock, you become a shareholder in that company and have a claim on its assets and earnings. Stocks are the most common and well-known instruments traded in the stock market.
- Bonds: Bonds are debt securities issued by governments, municipalities, or corporations. When you buy a bond, you are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of the bond’s face value at maturity.
- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are investment funds that hold a portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or a combination thereof. They are traded on stock exchanges, providing investors with diversification and liquidity.
- Mutual Funds: Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. They are managed by professional fund managers and offer investors an opportunity to access a diversified investment portfolio.
- Options: Options are derivatives that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) a specific asset, like a stock, at a predetermined price (strike price) within a specified time frame. Options are commonly used for hedging and speculative purposes.
- Futures: Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell a particular asset at a future date for a predetermined price. Futures can be based on various underlying assets, including commodities, stock indices, and interest rates. They are often used by investors and traders to speculate on price movements and manage risk.
- Commodities: Commodities are raw materials or primary agricultural products that can be bought and sold, such as gold, oil, wheat, and coffee. They are traded in commodity markets and serve as a way to diversify investment portfolios and hedge against inflation.
- Currencies (Forex): The foreign exchange market, or Forex, is where currencies are traded. Participants in this market speculate on the exchange rates between different currencies. It is one of the largest and most liquid markets in the world.
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): REITs are investment vehicles that own, operate, or finance income-producing real estate properties. They offer investors a way to invest in real estate without directly owning physical properties.
- Preferred Stocks: Preferred stocks are a hybrid between common stocks and bonds. They offer shareholders a fixed dividend and a higher claim on assets in case of liquidation compared to common stockholders.
These are some of the key financial instruments that are actively traded in the stock market. The diversity of these instruments allows investors to tailor their portfolios to their specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategies.