Knowledge Center

Intro to the Stock Market

Stock Market Basics

The stock market may appear daunting at times, but it is a system that has proven to be effective and accessible for all types of investors.

Broker-Dealer

A broker-dealer is a brokerage firm with a license from the SEC that enables its employees to execute trades on behalf of its clients and the firm.

Clearance & Settlement

The process of completing an order is called clearance and settlement. By law, the final transfer of stock ownership must be completed within three business days of the trade. The transfer happens in three steps.

Stock Ownership

Originally, investors received stock certificates when they bought shares of stock. Today, the vast majority of stock purchases are recorded electronically in book entry form.

Online Investing

Online investing brings the stock market into today's high-speed world, allowing investors a more convenient and accessible way to participate in financial markets.

Trading Hours

Regular market hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Extended hours trading is also available for NASDAQ National Market and Listed Securities on normal market days and half-day market holidays.

FDIC Insurance

CDs offered at Scottrade are insured to the maximum amount allowed by FDIC law. Each CD can be insured for up to $250,000 per depositor per institution.

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