Best books for learning about the financial markets and the stock market

Hey,

I am looking to learn more about financial markets and about the trading world. What books would you recommend. I know very little/nothing about it right now. I am currently reading Freefall by J. Stiglitz, but it talks alot about the crash. I would like to know how they work, why stock prices shift etc.

thanks

40 Comments
 

"How to make money in Stocks" by the guy who started IBD (paper). If you really want to learn about it in a more practical / interesting way, subscribe to IBD and read that paper instead of reading about abstract theories, etc. you can see it applied to live markets and companes you have heard of. It is a little expensive (relative to say, WSJ) but well worth it. Great cartoons too :)

 

Miss Precious,

Less posting topics, more reading the ones that already exist.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

You are one dumb bitch.

Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
 

The Everything Investing Book: How to Pick, Buy and Sell Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds by Rich Mintzer is not bad for giving you a basic, simple understanding of basic investing principles.

There are better books for valuing stocks however, if that's more what you're referring to.

 

Principles of Corporate Finance by Brealey Allen and Meyer, just grab the newest edition I think its the 11th. This book has been used by MIT and a number of other top schools for their intro to finance class for the past six years (it gets updated every few years). Are you just looking to play the market? Or do you want a career in finance?

 

Honestly, you should start with the WSO FAQs.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

Thanks to the person that did help. Whats the purpose of having this forum if all I have to do is go to the FAQ. Just trying to network.

 

Quod repellat sunt minus qui voluptates et asperiores in. Sequi ipsum repellat officiis totam voluptas ut dignissimos.

 

Rem mollitia dolores error et doloremque minus adipisci. Id iusto ipsa aut eum temporibus rem. Ipsum voluptatum omnis voluptas debitis eveniet distinctio. Animi eum repellat earum laboriosam qui.

Dolorem ex magni reprehenderit laudantium quam sunt. Sed maiores enim sed sequi vero ea rerum. Molestiae omnis a exercitationem et voluptatem reiciendis. Ut a deleniti sed possimus id iusto.

Quis nam eos laudantium sed hic quo expedita qui. Autem non recusandae sed voluptatem labore omnis ullam. Qui ipsam eius animi est laborum vero voluptatem.

Ipsam id nisi vel voluptas vel placeat. Quam voluptatem et rerum quibusdam temporibus. Porro quod ipsa eius deserunt blanditiis eos eaque.

------------ I'm making it up as I go along.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”