Re: Serious questions about stock purchasing process

Roman Vasin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> What is almost clear is direct purchasing scheme: company - person
> that purchases shares. So, for example, John Smith wants to purchase
> 100 shares of Microsoft. He comes to Microsoft's investors department
> and buys 100 shares directly. He receives a paper-certificate: John
> Smith owns 100 shares of Microsoft. So John can put these shares under
> his desk or put it in safe place somewhere: bank, loft etc.

*Typically* a company issues shares initially in an IPO. Getting those
is not an easy thing. :) After that people who own/want these shares
trade with one another on an exchange. Your shares remain with your
broker. All accounting in electronic, although your broker will send
statements periodically.