The Vegas Market

**Luke** · August 8th, 2011, 19:33

I always have felt the Stock Market was a little like Las Vegas for rich folks. Here is where I could use some help with my hillbilly logic. If the "Market" is dropping in value by 500 points does that not mean someone is "buying" the stocks that are being "sold" off? No wonder I am a poor sob..

**American Patriot** · August 8th, 2011, 19:37

I think you got it right, but I defer to the ex-spurts.... (Ex being "has been" and a spurt being "drip under pressure")....

**Malsua** · August 8th, 2011, 19:52

Originally Posted by Luke

I always have felt the Stock Market was a little like Las Vegas for rich folks. Here is where I could use some help with my hillbilly logic. If the "Market" is dropping in value by 500 points does that not mean someone is "buying" the stocks that are being "sold" off? No wonder I am a poor sob..

No. It doesn't mean that someone is buying.

It means the stocks are offered for sale at X price. The aggregate of all the stocks that make up the dow comprise the index.

If there are no buyers at X price, the price goes down. You may get a trader to offer you 100 points less than it's currently at. If you take the deal, that instantly becomes the new price.

This is why it's called "Bid/Ask" not "Price"