Original: Financial speculation can involve the buying , holding , selling , and short-selling of stocks , bonds , commodities , currencies , collectibles , real estate , derivatives , or any valuable financial instrument to profit from fluctuations in its price , irrespective of its underlying value .
Simplified: Speculation includes the buying , holding , selling , and short-selling of stocks , bonds , commodities , currencies , collectibles , real estate , derivatives or any valuable financial instrument .