• Shares
• Bonds
• Futures and Options
• Stock Exchange

A share or stock usually represents an ownership in a company, which can include participation in the decision-making process, having a voting right and maybe even receiving part of the profit in a form of a dividend.

There are some special kind of shares like preferred shares or convertible preferred shares which differ from a common stock in the rights and options it carries. Preferred stock usually carries no voting right, but a priority to common stock when paying out dividend. Convertible preferred stock could be converted to common stock at any time of the year.

Shares, along other financial products are usually traded in the stock exchange through stock brokers or through a bank or other financial institution that has a deal set up with a brokerage.