A long position is when an investor buys an asset, hoping it will appreciate over time. Because this view holds a positive outlook on the market, long-position investors typically benefit when prices increase. Suppose you purchase 100 shares of ABC Company’s stock at $50 per share because you think the firm’s projections look promising. If the price goes up to $70, you can sell your stock and make a profit of $20 per share, a total of $2,000 ($20 x 100 shares).