Let's break down what stocks actually are. Think of stocks as owning a piece of a company—literally a fractional stake. Own a slice of Tesla, a piece of Microsoft, or a share of Dangote Cement. Pretty cool, right? That's the essence of equity ownership. Here's the thing: instead of dropping cash on a luxury Hermès bag, you could own a fraction of the company making those products. Companies issue shares so people like you can become partial owners. When the company grows, your stake grows with it. Whether it's tech giants, industrial companies, or consumer brands, stocks let you participate in their success. No need to buy the whole business—you just need the share.