What Makes Stock Prices Move?
Stock prices fluctuate constantly during market hours due to:
Company earnings reports
Economic data (inflation, interest rates, jobs)
Industry trends
Global events
Investor expectations
If more people want to buy than sell, the price rises. If more want to sell than buy, the price falls.
Market Hours
In the United States:
Regular trading hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Some brokers offer pre-market and after-hours trading
Trades placed outside regular hours may not execute immediately or may execute at different prices.
Important Considerations
Before trading stocks, consider:
Your financial goals
Your risk tolerance
Diversification (not putting all funds into one stock)
Fees and taxes
Market conditions
If you’re unsure whether stock trading is right for you, consider consulting a licensed financial professional.