How to Find Stock Symbols

Go to an established, reliable stock Web site, such as nasdaq.com or etrade.com.
Click on 'Symbol Look Up.'
Type in the name of the company you want to research. The results will display the company symbol, the type of stock (common or preferred) and the exchange it trades on. Amazon, for example, trades on the Nasdaq as common stock. Its symbol is AMZN.

How to Join the Stock Market

Determine how much you're willing to invest. Find a balance between what you might be willing to lose and how much you would potentially like to make. Consider that with diversification and the 10 percent average growth per year, in the long run you'll come out ahead.
Educate yourself on the market to decide on companies to invest in. It's better to stay in the stock market for a long term rather than simply for short-term profits. Pick large, stable, growing companies to start. Keep an eye on the big picture and look at the long-term growth patterns of these companies. Consider investing in big companies in several sectors. The more diversification in a portfolio, the safer it is.
Find a broker that fits your needs. This can be either an investment broker, which helps you make decisions, or a discount broker, which offers no advice but has a less expensive price. Ensure that the amount you have to invest meets the minimum required by the broker.
Keep an eye on your investments. Be smart about them, however. Don't simply be a trader; be an investor. While in the short run stock numbers can go down, in the long run they most likely will grow.

How to Download Stock Data (6 Steps)

Go to your favorite investment research site. Yahoo! Finance and Google Finance are top-rated sites that provide free price quotes. You may also be able to download stock data directly into a spreadsheet from a company's website.
Input the name of the company or the ticker symbol in the Quote Box for a quote. For example, the ticker symbol for General Electric is GE, and you would input GE to get the data.
Click on 'Historical' or 'Historical Prices' in the left-hand pane.
Input the date range you want to study.
Click on the time increment for sorting the data. Options include daily, weekly and monthly price charts.
Click on 'Get Prices' for a list of historical stock prices. In Yahoo! Finance, to download the data to a spreadsheet, scroll to the bottom and click on 'Download to Spreadsheet.' In Google Finance, this is located in the right-hand pane.

How to Cancel a Stock Certificate (5 Steps)

Retrieve the stock certificate from your broker, or vault, if it is stored in your possession.
Flip the stock certificate over and write 'VOID,' in bold letters, across the back of the certificate. Your broker can perform this task for you.
Record a date of cancellation, such as 'January 01, 2010' or '01/01/10.'
Jot down the transaction date printed on the right side of the certificate. Record the date in your books.
Figure the age of the canceled stock certificate. For example, 'Certificate 1234 was canceled on January 01, 2010, just nine months after the original transaction date.' Record this information in your books.

How to Measure Stock Performance

Determine the original stock price. This is the price of the stock when you purchased it. Let's say you purchased the stock for $50 per share.
Determine the current or ending stock price. The ending stock price is its price when sold, say, at the end of the year for tax purposes. Let's say you are considering the sale of your stock, but want to know its performance first. The current value of the stock is $60.
Determine the stock's earnings. This is the difference between the ending (or current) price and the original purchase price. The calculation is: $60 - $50 = $10.
Calculate the stock's performance. Divide the stock's earnings by the original amount paid. The calculation is: $10 / $50 = .20, or 20 percent. This is your return on investment.

How to Find Out If a Stock Is Worthless (5 Steps)

Look for Form 1099-DIV to be mailed to you at the end of the year by the company. Companies send out these forms once they have liquidated their assets, which means that the stocks are worthless.
Contact the company to get proof that the stock is worthless if it did not liquidate its assets. A letter from the company saying that it has shut down will provide proof that you need to deduct money from your taxes.
Ask your stockbroker for information on whether the stock has been proven worthless, if you have been trading with a stockbroker. He can provide a letter saying that the company has closed its doors, which is proof to deduct money from your taxes for the worthless stock.
Hire a company that specializes in investigating stocks and securities to find out if your stocks have market value. These companies will charge you for the investigation, but provide an easy way to find proof that the stocks are worthless. These companies include Stock Research Services and Stock Search International.
Keep your certificates from worthless stocks, as they might have value for collectors in the future.

How to Change the Beneficiary on Walmart Stock

Contact the transfer agent used by Walmart. Walmart's transfer agent is Computershare. You can contact Computershare at 1-800-438-6278.
Inform the transfer agent you want to change the beneficiary on your TOD registration. The transfer agent will mail you the necessary paperwork to change the beneficiary on your Walmart stock.
Complete the paperwork with information about the new beneficiary, including the beneficiary's name, address, phone number and Social Security number. Take the paperwork to a notary and have the forms notarized. Mail the completed notarized forms to the address listed on the form.

How to Calculate Treasury Stock Transactions

Determine the number of shares and the price per share at which your company repurchased its stock. For example, assume your company repurchased 500 shares of stock at $5 per share.
Multiply the number of shares by the price per share to calculate the repurchase cost. For example, multiply 500 by $5, which equals $2,500.
Increase your treasury stock account and reduce your cash account in your accounting records by the amount of the repurchase cost. For example, increase your treasury stock account by $2,500, and reduce your cash account balance by $2,500.



Multiply the number of shares of treasury stock you resold by the price per share at which you resold them. Then increase your cash account by that amount in your accounting records. For example, if you resold 250 shares for $6 per share, multiply 250 by $6, which equals $1,500. Then increase your cash account by $1,500.
Multiply the number of shares you resold by the price per share at which you initially repurchased them. Then reduce your treasury stock account by that amount in your accounting records. For example, if you initially repurchased the 250 shares for $5 per share, multiply 250 by $5, which equals $1,250. Then decrease your treasury stock account by $1,250.
Subtract the amount for which you initially repurchased the shares from the amount you received from reselling them to determine your profit. Then increase your paid-in-capital from treasury stock account by that amount. For example, subtract $1,250 from $1,500, which equals $250. Then increase your paid-in-capital account by $250.



Multiply the number of shares of treasury stock you resold by the price per share at which you resold them that is lower than the initial repurchase price. Then increase your cash account balance by that amount. For example, if you resold 250 shares for $4 per share, multiply 250 by $4, which equals $1,000. Then increase your cash account balance by $1,000.
Multiply the number of shares you resold by the price per share at which you initially repurchased them. Then decrease your treasury stock account balance by that amount in your accounting records. For example, if you initially repurchased the 250 shares for $5 per share, multiply 250 by $5, which equals $1,250. Then decrease your treasury stock account balance by $1,250.
Subtract the amount for which you resold the shares from the amount for which you originally repurchased them to determine your loss. Then decrease your paid-in-capital from treasury stock account by that amount. For example, subtract $1,000 from $1,250, which equals a $250 loss. Then decrease your paid-in-capital account by $250.

How to Calculate Stock Growth Rate (5 Steps)

Divide the final value of the stock by the initial value of the stock. For example, if the stock started off being worth $120 and is now worth $145, you would divide $145 by $120 to get 1.20833.
Divide 1 by the number of years the growth occurred over. For example, if it took three years to go form $120 to $145, you would divide 1 by 3 to get 0.3333.
Raise the result from Step 1 to the result from Step 2. In this example, you would raise 1.20833 to the 0.3333 power to get 1.0651
Take away 1 from the Step 3 result. In this example, you would take away 1 from 1.0651 to get 0.0651.
Convert the result from Step 4 from a decimal to a percentage by multiplying by 100 to find the compound annual growth rate. Finishing the example, you would multiply 0.0651 by 100 to find the compound annual growth rate to be 6.51 percent.

How to Buy Stock with ShareBuilder (8 Steps)

Log in to the ShareBuilder website (sharebuilder.com). If you don't have a username, then you need to register. You'll need to provide your Social Security number because earnings have to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. ShareBuilder also verifies that you aren't a professional trader.
Select the 'Trade' tab. Then click 'Trade Now.'
Select if you want to buy or sell stock. Enter the stock symbol or look it up using the 'Find Symbol' link if you don't know it. Enter how many shares of the stock you wish to purchase.
Select the type of trade you want to perform. You can select:
Market, which is a trade that happens now;
Limit, which happens once a trigger has been reached (which you enter); or
Stop-Loss, which happens once a stock drops below a certain price (which you enter).
Select your funding source. If you have already have money in your account, then you can leave it alone. If you want to add money, then click the 'Express Funding' radio button.
Click 'Next.' If you selected 'Express Funding,' you'll be prompted for your bank information like routing and account numbers.
Confirm the order and then wait for it to post. You can view your open orders by navigating to the 'Accounts' tab and clicking the 'View Orders' link.
Do your research before purchasing a stock. The tools are available on the website. If you have several thousand dollars in your account, you can trade with Margins, which means that you can borrow ShareBuilder's money to trade with at a low interest rate.

How to Calculate Stock Value Per Share

Find the total value of your stock. Many brokerage screens will give the total value of the money you have invested in a certain stock. For example, say that you have $10,000 invested in Company X.
Find the total number of shares you own for that company. For example, say you own 250 shares of Company X.
Divide the total value of the stock, by the total number of shares. Using the example, the equation reads:Value of Stock / Number of Shares = Price per Share$10,000 / 250 = $40 per share.

How to Start a Stock Brokerage

Obtain sponsorship to take your Series 7 exam. You will need sponsorship from a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firm or from a self-regulatory organization (SRO). This often comes as a result of employment as a stockbroker with a licensed brokerage.
Pass the Series 7 exam, also known as the General Securities Registered Representative Examination. This test is administered by the NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers). You also need to obtain your Series 63 license if you have not already done so, as well as the Series 24, which permits you to run your own office.
Write a business plan outlining how you will run your stock brokerage. You need to make sure your potential investors believe you have a sound vision for your stock brokerage firm. Include information such as expected expenses, your marketing plan, employee growth goals, and targeted markets.
Present your business plan to potential investors. If you worked in another stock brokerage, you might be able to meet with some of the investors from that company. Tap into your social and business network for other investors. Meet with banks to obtain a loan if you can't get enough investors on board.
Obtain a business license, as well as any required permits for doing business in your area, by filling out all the necessary paperwork through the Secretary of State's office. You also must register your firm with the National Association Of Securities Dealers (NASD).
Hire a securities lawyer and consult with him to make sure you've obtained all necessary paperwork and that everything is up to date. Having the legally required licenses and permits and to start a stock brokerage firm is of utmost importance and can get complicated depending the state you're in.
Hire a fully licensed compliance officer. Ensure that your head compliance officer has passed the Series 14 exam.
Hire employees to work in your stock brokerage. You'll want to interview many candidates and make sure they have experience and education to work for you in the capacity you require. You will mostly need stockbrokers and may later need to branch out and hire secretaries and human resource workers. Stockbrokers must be properly licensed. Ask to see documentation of this licensing before hiring anyone.

How to Refinish a Gun Stock

Lay out a drop cloth to catch runoff from the stripping process.
Unscrew the butt plate.
Apply stripper to the stock with a brush. Use either a toothbrush or a small detailing brush to get to the hard-to-reach places.
Wait between 15 and 25 minutes, as directed by the instructions on the stripper bottler.
Check the progress of the stripping by trying to move the sludge with a plastic scraper. If it comes off easily, the stripper is done. If not, wait longer.
Scrape the old finish off with the plastic scraper.
Repeat the process if necessary.



Place a wet washcloth over dents and scratches in the stock, and then even these out by pressing the wood around them with the iron.
Remove the remaining trace imperfection using the sanding block with medium-grade sandpaper. Be careful to not take off too much wood. Major dents and scratches should be dealt with by pressing, and sanding is just to touch up. Do not sand the chequering.
Create a smooth finish with the sanding block and a fine grade of sandpaper.



Apply wood finish with the brushes to the stock, and leave this to dry for several hours.
Apply lacquer to the stock with the brushes, leaving each layer to dry for several hours apiece. Between two and four layers will be necessary.
Screw the butt plate back on.

How to Thicken a Chicken Stock

Pour the chicken stock into a saucepan and heat it on the stove until simmering. The amount of stock will vary according to the recipe or desired use.
Measure one tablespoon of cornstarch and pour it into a bowl with one tablespoon of cold water.
Mix the cornstarch or water with a fork, spoon or whisk until it dissolves completely into a soft paste.
Stir the mixture slowly into the saucepan of chicken stock and cook over medium heat until the desired consistency is reached.



Heat the desired amount of chicken stock in an appropriately sized saucepan until it reaches a simmering boil.
Measure 1/4 cup of cold water and pour it into a bowl. Add two tablespoons of flour.
Mix the flour and cold water until it dissolves completely into a smooth, even paste.
Add the flour mixture a little at a time until the stock reaches the desired consistency.

How to Replace the Stock for a Remington 11

Unload your shotgun outdoors, and double-check it to ensure all the rounds have been emptied from the chamber. Leave the action open to better ensure the barrel remains free.
Remove the two Phillips-head screws from the butt plate pad at the rear of the butt stock.
Remove the butt pad and plate from the stock. Apply slight pressure to the pad to loosen any adhesive that may have been used during assembly.
Remove the action spring tube nut and lock washer made accessible when you removed the stock pad. Remove the nut with a standard pair of needle-nose pliers by fitting the tips into the nut. Turn the nut counter-clockwise to unscrew and remove.
Remove the stock from the shotgun body by grasping the body in one hand and slightly working the stock side to side with the other while pulling it away from the gun housing.
Install the new stock by sliding it onto the action tube and into the gun body. The stock end to be fitted into the gun body is milled to fit precisely.
Reinstall lock nuts and action spring tube nut in the same order in which they were removed. Tighten the nut by hand until snug, then completely tighten with needle-nose pliers to secure the stock to the gun body.
Replace the butt stock pad mount and pad to the new gun stock. Insert the Phillips-heads screws and securely tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver.

How to Report Stock Loss on an Income Tax Return

Obtain Form 8949 for Form 1040. This form can be downloaded from the Internal Revenue Service website. Tax software should ask you if you have any capital gains or losses to report.
Determine whether your stock was a long-term or short-term holding. Stocks held less than one year are classified as short-term holdings.
Fill out the information about your particular stock in part I of Form 8949 if the stock was held short term and part II if the stock was held long term. You will need to know the date you purchased the stock, the amount you paid for the stock, the date you sold the stock and the amount you received when the stock was sold. The totals on page one and two of Form 8949 will carry over to Schedule D.
Follow the instructions on the Schedule D to finish computing the total amount of your loss and the amount of the loss you can claim in the current year. There is a limit to the amount of capital loss that can be claimed in a given tax year. You may carry over any unclaimed loss for use in future tax years.
Record the amount of loss calculated on line 21 of Schedule D and on line 13 (capital gains and losses section) of Form 1040.
When adding the first several lines on Form 1040 to arrive at your total income, deduct the amount of the loss you reported on line 13 as a capital loss.

How to Find the Average Price of Common Stock

Determine the purchase prices for the common stock and the quantity of stock purchased at particular prices. For example, assume you purchased 1,000 shares of stock in Company A at $5 per share, 1,500 shares at $4 per share and 2,500 shares at $10 per share.
Multiply the purchase prices by the quantity purchased and add. Continuing the example, (1,000 x $5) + (1,500 x $4) + (2,500 x $10) = $5,000 + $6,000 + $25,000 = $36,000
Add the total number of shares purchased. Continuing the example, 1,000 + 1,500 + 2,500 = 5,000 shares.
Divide the total cost of the shares by the total number of shares: $36,000/5,000 = $7.20. This is the average price of the common stock.

How to Cash Out Your ESOP Stock

Look at your most recent ESOP Individual Benefit Statement and review your current share holding. Consult with your most recent company financial statement to find the share value. Some companies provide a separate statement just for the ESOP, where the fair value of the stock shares is determined by an independent firm.
Once you know what you expect to receive from selling your shares, consult your Summary Plan Description (SPD) and, if available, employee ESOP handbook. These documents will discuss who you need to contact to sell your ESOP shares. If this is not available, contact your company's human resources representative.
With your statement and expected value in hand, call your ESOP representative. This person, who may be in your human resource department or an outside management company, will initiate your sale transaction. Verify that your holding and share value match, or exceed, your most recent statement with the representative.
Your representative will take care of the administrative needs of the sale. You will likely have to sign forms accepting the terms of the sale. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive a check for the value of your sold shares.

How to Trim Dead Flowers From Stock Plants

Wait until the flowers on your stock plant begin to wilt and die. The flowers are on a single stalk and will begin to die from the bottom up. As they die completely, the flowers will naturally drop off.
Trim the flower stalk from the stock plant with sharp hand pruners or snips.
Cut the stalk as close to the base of the stock plant as possible. This directs the energy of the plant to producing a new flowering stalk instead of trying to maintain the dying flower stalk.

How to Read Stock Quotes Online From Yahoo! Finance

Go to the Yahoo! Finance Web site (see Resources section).
Find the 'Get Quotes' box at the top left of the home page.
Type in your stock's ticker symbol into the box.
Click the 'Get Quotes' button.
Look at the gray bar across the top of the page with the name of your stock appearing in large black letters. The current price quote for that stock will be in large black numbers directly across from the stock name.
Spot the arrow next to the current price of the stock. If the arrow is green and pointing upward, the stock price is trading up by the amount shown next to the green arrow. However, if the arrow is red and pointing down, the stock price is trading down by the amount show next to the red arrow.