This document provides an overview of stock basics and the stock market. It defines what a stock is as a share of ownership in a company that entitles the shareholder to part of the company's profits and assets. It describes the two main types of stocks as common stock and preferred stock. It then explains how stocks are traded, primarily on exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) which uses a physical trading floor, and the Nasdaq which uses an electronic network. The document aims to provide readers with a foundational understanding of stocks and the stock market.