The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is the oldest exchange in the United States. A similar exchange was founded in New York in 1817 called the New York Stock and Exchange Board, later renamed the New York Stock Exchange. Many other companies were formed to sell stocks and bonds. Some are still around, while others only lasted a short time. Nine other small regional stock exchanges also operate, the closest ones being in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois.
Stock prices rise and fall.
If they fall, you can lose much or all of your investment. Because the rewards can be great, too. Companies issue stocks and bonds to raise money to expand their business. An investor who buys stock in a company becomes a part owner of that business. If the company does well, the stock owner will receive periodic dividends, or a small part of the company's profits.