How to Read Stock Prices (6 Steps)

Look up the symbol of the company you are interested in on sites like Yahoo's Finance page, eTrade and MSN Money. Use this symbol to locate the stock price for that company on a finance website.
Find the number labeled 'Last Trade.' This number indicates the last price at which shares of the stock were bought or sold, and it will give you a good idea of the price at which experts value the stock.
Locate the time labeled 'Trade Time.' This indicates the time the last trade occurred.
Locate the number labeled 'Change.' This number measures, in dollars, a stock price's change for that day.
Compare the number labeled 'Volume' to the number under 'Average Volume.' This shows how many stocks have changed hands that day compared to the average over an indicated period.
Look at the current price. This is the current established value of a share; the current price multiplied by the total number of shares is equal to the current judged value of an organization.

How to Invest in Prison Stocks

Go to the Website for the New York Stock Exchange. You'll find much information about prison stocks. The information on the NYSE will tell you how the stocks are doing. The information will also provide you with some important information on particular stocks. The Website also provides you with a Website to each company. You'll find the NYSE Website itself in the Resources section.
Look at the market history of each prison stock in which you want to invest. Find out how the stocks have been closing. Look at the company's history to see if the stock does well during difficult economic times. Most importantly, see how often the stock price has risen and fallen over the past few years. You will get an idea of the ebbs and flows of a particular prison stock.
Set up a meeting with a professional stockbroker. This meeting will allow you to get answers to any questions you may have without any obligations to buy. Ask questions and find out anything you can about purchasing prison stocks, including when to buy and how many shares to purchase. Stockbrokers are a valuable source of information. Ask plenty of questions while you have their attention.
Search for an online brokerage account. This will allow you to invest in prison stocks on your own and maintain your own portfolio. Find an account with good terms. You'll want one with minimum and maximum trades that you can afford.
Choose a brokerage house and fund your account. You'll know how much prison stocks are per share because you've done your research. It's up to you to determine how much money to put into the account. Just keep in mind that you don't want to invest all of your money in one prison stock or in all prison stocks. Diversity is the key to survival when investing.
Look up the prison stocks you want to buy according to their symbol on the stock exchange. Buy low. When you monitor the prison stocks before purchasing, you'll have an idea when the time is right to invest.
Stay informed on major decisions regarding your prison stocks, including job cuts, decreased budgets and anything else that can affect the price of your investment. Read press releases. Stay on top of any new developments involving your prison stocks. You own a part of the company, and you have a right to know what's going on with your investment.