The Different Types of Stock Investments

This course explores the different types of stocks you can buy. Read on to find out what they are, why they're different, and which best suit your goals.
4.5/5 Rating
26 Lessons
Beginner
2 hours 8 mins
Written by: Jonah Keri
September 1, 2020
Updated: March 4, 2021
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What you'll learn

  • Why it's important to understand stock types
  • How to identify different stock types
  • The strengths and weaknesses of type of stock

Key course lessons

  • Which stock types are available to buy
  • How stock types can influence your investment strategy
  • How stocks differ can differ by size

More about this course

Our Stock Types course will break it all down for you so you have a full overview of the different types of stocks you can invest in, and the advantages and drawbacks of each one.

Part of our free stock market education series, this Stock Types course provides in-depth investor education that’s also simple to follow, even if you’re brand new to stock investing. We use easy-to-understand language and important details to bring you up to speed on how to jump into stock investing, by giving you a complete view of the different stock types available to trade. These easily digestible lessons will help you understand the meaning and importance of key investing concepts. 

Requirements

Because the Stock Types course is catered to beginners, there are no major prerequisites required for you to start learning. You can come into this course knowing very little about the market and still grow to understand everything there is to know about all different types of stock. However, it would certainly help somewhat taking the Stock Markets 101 course first.

Course overview

1. Introduction to stock types

What are stock types?

This lesson will help you understand how we classify different types of stocks, and what those specific types are. Let’s get started. What are stock types? Stock types refer to different classifications of stocks. There are many ways you can classify stocks, and since the term “stock types” is so…
Beginner 8 min read Stocks Courses

How different investment strategies impact the stock types you choose

Choosing the best investment strategy for your particular goals will help you start to narrow down the type of stock you want to buy and make you more likely to succeed in the market. What are investment strategies? Investment strategies refer to the approach you want to take when buying…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

How stock type size affects your investment decisions

Every publicly-traded company has a market capitalisation, and this refers to the total value of the company’s outstanding stocks. The size of the market cap you prefer in a stock will say a lot about your preferred approach to investing, so let’s take a look at what you want to…
Beginner 6 min read Stocks Courses

How market conditions affect different stock types

Bull markets tend to push stocks higher across the board, while bear markets tend to have the opposite effect. Finding stock types that move in concert with the market as a whole can prove to be a highly lucrative venture if you’re able to read the market correctly. What are…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

How the quality of different stock types affects your investment outcomes

Whether you’re looking for the comfort and security that can come with investing in a well-known brand, or you’re the type of investor that looks to find the next big thing and buy-in early, you should know your way around how to assess the quality of each stock. What are…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What different sectors say about an investor’s stock type preferences

Let’s narrow down our search parameters a bit by focusing on stocks that are constituents of different sectors.  What are the different types of sectors that separate different stock types? We’ve identified nine broad sectors that serve as differentiators between stock types and which can help you when categorising the…
Beginner 11 min read Stocks Courses

2. Stock types by investment strategy

What are growth stocks?

In this lesson, you’ll learn what growth stocks are, their key characteristics, and where you can get your hands on them. We’ve also compiled a list of some of the top growth stocks you might want to add to your portfolio. What are growth stocks? Growth stocks are stocks…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are value stocks?

This is known as investing in value stocks. In this lesson, you’ll learn what value stocks are, their key characteristics, and examples of some of the top value stocks you can buy right now. What are value stocks? Value stocks are stocks of companies that are trading at lower…
Beginner 6 min read Stocks Courses

What are dividend stocks?

In this lesson, you’ll learn what dividend stocks are, their key characteristics, and where you can go in order to buy them. We will also provide you with examples of some of the top dividend stocks available today. What are dividend stocks? Dividend stocks are stocks of companies that…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

3. Stock types by size

What are small-cap stocks?

Investing in small-cap stocks could help generate good future returns if you make the right decisions. In this lesson, you’ll learn what small-cap stocks are, their key characteristics, and where to buy them. We will also provide you with examples of some of the top small-cap stocks right now. What…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are mid-cap stocks?

Mid-cap stocks can give you the best of both worlds. In this lesson, you’ll learn what mid-cap stocks are, their key characteristics, and where you can buy them. You’ll also find examples of some promising mid-cap stocks in which you might want to consider investing. What are mid-cap stocks? Mid-cap…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are large-cap stocks?

Investing in large-cap stocks could be your best bet. In this lesson, you’ll learn what large-cap stocks are, their key characteristics, and where you can buy them. You’ll also find examples of some large-cap stocks that could make great additions to your portfolio. What are large-cap stocks? Large-cap stocks are…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

4. Stock types by market conditions

What are cyclical stocks?

In this lesson, you’ll learn what cyclical stocks are, their key characteristics, and where you can go in order to buy them. You’ll also find examples of some cyclical stocks that could make for promising investments. What are cyclical stocks? Cyclical stocks are stocks whose prices are heavily influenced by…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are defensive stocks?

Defensive stocks are worth considering for any portfolio. This lesson will walk you through what defensive stocks are, their typical characteristics, and where they can be bought. On top of that, we’ve also prepared a list of defensive stocks that could make for attractive buys. What are defensive stocks? Also…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

5. Stock types by quality

What are blue-chip stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what blue-chip stocks are, their typical characteristics, and where you can go in order to invest in them. We’ve also prepared a list of blue-chip stocks that could make for attractive buys. What are blue-chip stocks? Blue-chip stocks are stocks of companies with a long-lasting…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are penny stocks?

You can always look into penny stocks. In this lesson, we’ll explain what penny stocks are, go through their typical characteristics, and let you know how to invest in them. We’ve also prepared a list of penny stocks that could make for attractive buys. What are penny stocks? Penny stocks…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

6. Stock types by sector

What are technology stocks?

Then it’s worth looking into technology stocks. In this lesson, we’ll explain what technology stocks are, detail their typical characteristics, and let you know the best places to go in order to purchase them. We’ve also prepared a list of technology stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are energy stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what energy stocks are, detail their typical characteristics, and tell you where to go in order to invest in them. We’ve also prepared a list of energy stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are energy stocks? Energy stocks are stocks of companies that…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are healthcare stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what healthcare stocks are, go through their typical characteristics, and let you know where to go in order to invest. We’ve also prepared a list of healthcare stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are healthcare stocks? Pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks are stocks of…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are financial stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what financial stocks are, go through their typical characteristics, and let you know where they can be bought. We’ve also prepared a list of financial stocks you can consider for potential buys if you’re looking to add to your portfolio. What are financial stocks? Financial…
Beginner 5 min read Stocks Courses

What are utilities stocks?

Utility stocks could be right for you. In this lesson, we’ll explain what utility stocks are, their typical characteristics, and where to go in order to invest your money. We’ve also prepared a list of utilities stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are utilities stocks? Utilities stocks are…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are retail stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what retail stocks are, as well as their typical characteristics and why you might consider investing in them. We’ve also prepared a list of retail stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are retail stocks? Retail stocks are stocks of companies that sell various…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are telecom stocks?

Give telecommunications stocks a look. In this lesson, we’ll explain what telecommunications stocks are, as well as their typical characteristics and where to look to find stocks to invest in. We’ve also prepared a list of telecommunications stocks you can consider for potential buys. What are telecommunications stocks? Telecommunications stocks…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are industrial stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what industrial stocks are, what their typical characteristics are, and where to find more information about them. We’ve also prepared a list of industrial stocks that sport remarkable recent price performance, strong fundamentals, or both.  What are industrial stocks? Industrial stocks are stocks of companies…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

What are materials stocks?

In this lesson, we’ll explain what materials stocks are, what their typical characteristics are, and where to find more information about them. You’ll also find a list of materials stocks that sport remarkable recent price performance and strong fundamentals that make them attractive investment opportunities.  What are materials stocks? Materials…
Beginner 4 min read Stocks Courses

Outro

Anyone can master stock investing – it just takes research and patience. After reading our Stock Types course, you now understand all the different stock types and have a better feel for the ones that could work for your specific investing goals.  So what’s next? We recommend checking out some…
Beginner 1 min read Stocks Courses

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