Market Structure
IPOs, market cap, short selling, float, and market mechanics
22 articles in this category
What Is an IPO? How Initial Public Offerings Work
An IPO is when a private company sells shares to the public for the first time. Learn the full process, risks, and strategies for trading IPOs.
Penny Stocks: What They Are, Risks & How to Trade Them
Penny stocks are cheap but extremely risky. Learn the dangers of pump and dump schemes, low float traps, and how to approach them if you choose to trade.
Market Cap Explained: Mega, Large, Mid, Small & Micro Caps
Market cap classifies stocks by total value. Learn the tiers from mega-cap to micro-cap and how market cap affects volatility, liquidity, and risk.
Short Selling: How It Works, Risks & Mechanics
Short selling lets you profit when stocks fall. Learn the mechanics of borrowing shares, the risks of unlimited loss, and how short squeezes happen.
Stock Float: Why Low-Float Stocks Move More
A stock float is the number of shares available to trade. Learn why low-float stocks have explosive moves and how to use float in your scanning.
Stock Splits: What They Are & How They Affect Your Shares
Stock splits divide shares into more units at a lower price. Learn how regular and reverse splits work and whether they create trading opportunities.
Margin Trading: How It Works, Risks & Margin Calls
Margin trading lets you borrow money from your broker to increase position sizes. Learn how leverage works, margin call triggers, and risk management.
Blue Chip Stocks: What They Are & Why Traders Watch Them
Blue chip stocks are large, financially stable companies with reliable track records. Learn their characteristics and how traders use them for lower-risk plays.
Bid-Ask Spread: What It Tells You About Liquidity
The bid-ask spread is the difference between buy and sell prices. Learn how it reflects liquidity and how it impacts your trading costs.
Dark Pools: What They Are & How They Affect Stock Prices
Dark pools are private exchanges for large institutional trades. Learn how they work, why they exist, and how dark pool data can inform your trading.
Short Interest: How to Read & Trade Short Squeeze Setups
High short interest can lead to explosive short squeezes. Learn to read short interest data, days to cover, and identify potential squeeze setups.
Market Makers: Who They Are & How They Influence Prices
Market makers provide liquidity by continuously quoting bid and ask prices. Learn who they are, how they profit, and how they influence stock prices.
What Is a SPAC? Blank Check Companies Explained
SPACs are blank check companies that raise money through an IPO to acquire a private company. Learn how they work, their risks, and how to evaluate them.
OTC Stocks: What They Are, Risks & How to Trade Them
OTC stocks trade off major exchanges and come with unique risks. Learn how the OTC market works, the different tiers, and how to trade them safely.
Direct Listing vs IPO: How Companies Go Public Without Underwriters
Direct listings let companies go public without underwriters or new share issuance. Compare this approach to traditional IPOs and what it means for you.
Secondary Offerings & Stock Dilution: What Happens to Your Shares
Secondary offerings increase shares outstanding and can dilute existing shareholders. Learn how they work, why companies do them, and how price reacts.
Share Buybacks: Why Companies Repurchase Their Own Stock
Share buybacks reduce outstanding shares and can boost EPS and stock price. Learn why companies do them, how they work, and whether they help investors.
Trading Halts & Circuit Breakers: Why Stocks Get Halted
Trading halts pause a stock to prevent panic and ensure fair markets. Learn the different types of halts, why they happen, and how to handle them.
Pattern Day Trader Rule: $25K Requirement & How to Avoid It
The Pattern Day Trader rule requires $25K in your account to day trade freely. Learn how it works, when it applies, and legitimate ways to work around it.
ADR Stocks: How to Trade Foreign Companies on US Exchanges
ADRs let you trade foreign companies on US exchanges in US dollars. Learn how they work, the different levels, currency risk, and tax implications.
When Does the Stock Market Open? Market Hours Worldwide
The US stock market opens at 9:30 AM ET and closes at 4:00 PM ET, but trading happens beyond those hours. Get the full schedule including global markets.
Stock Warrants vs Options: Key Differences Explained
Stock warrants and options look similar but differ in key ways. Learn how warrants are issued, how they dilute shares, and how they compare to options.