University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The World's Simplest Guide to the Stock Market
Book

The World's Simplest Guide to the Stock Market

An introduction to companies, stocks, and making money from investing

Edward W. Ryan
Harriman House, 2024
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Background
  • For Beginners
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Many Americans’ fortunes are closely tied to the stock market, and yet few investors receive any formal training in what stocks are or how they work. Into that breach comes stock trader Edward W. Ryan, who offers this simple, easy-to-digest explanation of what stocks are and how to buy them. This guide is as basic as the title promises — Ryan doesn’t delve into economic theory, and he gives only glancing coverage of advanced trading tactics. This is very much a Stock Market–101 guide, delivered in clear, engaging prose that market newcomers will welcome.

Summary

Companies are the cornerstone of the stock market — and people are the most important part of any company.

Anyone can grasp the concept of what a leader of a small business is: This person sets the tone and tenor, decides the strategy, and generally calls the shots. At larger, publicly traded companies, the layers of complexity get confusing. But whether the company in question is a Fortune 500 firm with thousands of employees or a small business with a handful of workers, the general idea is the same: Businesses are all about people.

The executive team of a publicly traded company is typically made up of a chief executive officer (CEO), a chief operating officer (COO), and a chief financial officer (CFO). The CEO is similar to a ship’s captain — this officer is in charge. The CEO gets the credit when things go well and takes the blame when business sours. While the CEO focuses on broad strategy, the COO is more focused on day-to-day details. The CFO, meanwhile, is in charge of financial and accounting functions, including monitoring performance, preparing financial statements, and calling attention to red flags.

Publicly traded companies also have...

About the Author

Edward W. Ryan has spent more than 15 years in institutional equity sales and proprietary trading. His first book, The World’s Simplest Stock Picking Strategy, has been translated into six languages.

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