Stock Market 101 Series for Beginners

It's a common reality that far too many Filipinos haven't yet embraced investing, and that's something we need to change. In this video, we're going to dive into the compelling reasons why every single one of us should start investing, and why there's an urgency to begin now. We'll face the reality of old age head-on, understanding that preparing for it is a long and potentially expensive journey. However, it's a solvable challenge, thanks to the incredible power of compounding – not just of our wealth, but also of our knowledge. Let's explore why starting early is key to building a secure future.

Investing is a lifelong journey—it can stretch across decades, shaping our future little by little. But it only works if we stay on the path. Setbacks happen, but too many resets can slow or even stop the steady power of compounding. That’s why it’s important to prepare before we begin. Not to remove all risk, but to give ourselves the best chance to grow without constantly starting from zero. With a solid foundation in place, it becomes easier to ride out the ups and downs. And there are four things that can help us build that foundation.

Stock investing can be confusing at first. It’s market-based, and for many beginners, it feels like stepping into a world where the rules don’t always make sense. Prices go up and down—even when nothing seems to change—and it can take months, sometimes even years, to truly accept that value constantly fluctuates. No matter how smart or prepared we think we are, the first few months often come with mistakes… and most likely, losses. That’s normal—it takes real experience to get better, to make sense of the chaos, and eventually become consistently profitable. That’s why it’s so important to build a solid base first. There are a few key things worth investing in before jumping into stocks—so we don’t just survive the early stage, but grow from it.

For me, stock investing was something I naturally enjoyed. I liked digging into businesses, studying numbers, and learning how markets worked — it became a passion. But back then, I didn’t recommend it to others. I thought it was too risky, too volatile, and honestly, too much work for most people. I believed not everyone would have the time or interest to study and handle the emotional ups and downs of the market. But over the years, my mindset changed. I saw how powerful stock investing can be, especially when done with patience, discipline, and the right approach — like value investing. I realized that even ordinary investors, with enough curiosity and guidance, can use it to build wealth, earn growing dividends, and reach financial goals faster than with traditional instruments.

There are many myths and misconceptions about the stock market that often discourage Filipinos from even trying to invest. Maybe you’ve heard some of them before — like “The stock market is only for the rich, not for minimum wage earners,” or “Investing is just another form of gambling.” Others might say, “You need to be a math genius or an expert to understand how it works,” or “You have to monitor it every day or you’ll lose your money quickly.” These kinds of beliefs have kept a lot of people from exploring what could actually be an opportunity to grow their savings. But how true are these statements, really? Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Before we dive into the world of investing, it’s worth asking—why does the stock market even exist? Most people know it’s where you buy and sell shares, but few really understand its purpose. Is it just a place for the rich to get richer? Or is there a bigger reason behind why companies offer shares to the public in the first place? The stock market wasn’t created by accident—it plays a key role in how businesses grow and how ordinary people can build wealth. Let’s take a moment to explore why the stock market exists and what it's really for.

The stock market is where businesses and investors meet to help each other. Business owners who need capital can raise money by offering shares, while retail investors—like you and me—may not have millions, but together we can provide billions in funding. Just like a real marketplace, it’s a place where people can buy and sell. In the video above, we’ll explore how the stock market works and how this exchange benefits both sides.

In the video above, we explain that common stock is not just a symbol or a price that goes up and down—it represents real ownership in a real business. This idea is very important if you want to succeed in stock investing. Understanding that you’re becoming part-owner of a company, not just trading numbers, is a key mindset we’ll explore further in the video.

In the video above, we explore how all the opportunities to earn in the stock market are closely tied to how the business behind the stock performs. If the business grows and does well, it can build our wealth. But if the business struggles, we can also lose money. We dive into how we actually earn—whether through dividends, stock price increases, or both—and how it's always connected to the company’s performance.

Many people think there's a government agency or institution that decides stock prices—but that's a common misconception. In the video above, we explain that stock prices are set by supply and demand, based on how we, the market participants, are willing to buy and sell. We use real-life examples to show how this works in action.

Before we invest in stocks, it's important to understand that while there's a chance to earn big money, there's also a real risk of losing. In the video above, we discuss these basic risks so you can be better prepared. Understanding the risks is the first step, and in the future, we’ll guide you through risk management strategies—because learning how to manage risk is just as important as learning how to earn.

In this video, we go over common stock market terms you’ll often hear. Knowing these basics will help you better understand what people are talking about and make you feel more prepared as you start your investing journey.

In this video, we explore the different types of businesses in the Philippine stock market and share insights on how each one behaves. You'll also learn which industries are more beginner-friendly and which ones are better suited for more experienced investors.

In this video, we talk about the different types of stocks based on company size—from small caps to blue chips. You'll learn how size can affect risk, growth potential, and where you might want to start depending on your investing style and experience.

In this video, we go over things specific to the Philippine stock market—like market hours, charges, taxes, and other local details. It’s a helpful guide for anyone starting out and getting familiar with how things work in the PH market.

In this video, we explain what the PSEi is and why it matters. You’ll learn how it represents the overall performance of the Philippine stock market and why investors often use it as a benchmark when making decisions.

In this video, we show that you don’t need advanced math to start investing. For retail investors like us, basic math is more than enough. What matters most is being comfortable with simple calculations that help you make better decisions.

In this video, we talk about the difference between company-wide metrics and per share metrics—why both are used, what they tell us, and when each one is more practical. Understanding this helps you make better comparisons between stocks and see the full picture behind the numbers.

In this video, we expand your stock market vocabulary by introducing more terms you’ll often hear. The goal is to help you feel more prepared and comfortable as you continue learning and exploring the world of investing.