Stock market investment gives you the unique opportunity to take a direct part in the growth and success of companies. When you buy shares in a company, it means that you actually own a portion of that company. As part owner, you benefit by receiving part of the profits or dividends¹ and sharing in the growth of the value of the company. 股市投资给你一个独一无二的直接参与公司发展的机会。当你购买了某个公司的股票，也就意味着你实际上拥有了公司的一部分。作为公司的部分拥有者，你有权分享公司发展所带来的利润或者红利和公司发展所带来的增值。

The company benefits by raising funds or capital when your shares and other shares are first sold. These funds are used to operate and expand the business. 公司通过发行股票募集资金或资本获利。当你或他人购买了公司新发行的股票，公司也就募得了资金，用于公司的运营和业务拓展。

In general, share investments produce better returns than fixed² interest investments, particularly when money is invested long term. 总体来说，股票投资比固定利率投资的回报率要高，尤其是在长期投资方面更是如此。

Although there are rises and falls in the stock market, history shows that over the long term, the value of the stock market rises. In the US, which has a long history of deregulated stock market, the average real return per annum after inflation is approximately 10%. 虽然股市有涨有跌，但历史证明，从长期来看，股市呈上升趋势。美国股市历来不受什么管制，其年均回报率，扣除通货膨胀率以后为10%左右。

Direct investment in the stock market also gives you control over where you put your money. You decide which companies you want to invest in and when the time is right for you to see your shares. If you want to be in control, stock market investment is a good option. 直接投资于股市让你可以把握投资去向。你可以自己决定投资于哪家公司，何时卖出股票。如果你想对投资有所把握，股市是一个不错的选择。

Another attractive feature of stock market investment is the flexibility³ to change your investments when your personal circumstances change. For example, if you need money for a well-earned break, an extension on our house or your children's education, all you need to do is sell your shares. 股市投资另一个吸引人的地方就是它的灵活性。你可以根据自身情况的变化而改变投资。比如说当你想去度假，扩建房子或者为孩子的教育而需要用钱的时候，你卖出股票就可以了。

Stock market investment allows you to follow your investment. You'll receive regular information from companies you invest in and can attend meetings. This enables you to gain a unique insight into the results and strategies of the organization and learn a lot in the process. 股市投资让你可以跟踪投资去向。你可以从所投资的公司定期得到信息，还可以出席公司的会议。这将使你更加深入地了解到公司的发展战略和进程，从中你也会学到很多东西。

Market investment also allows you to follow a particular interest you have. For example, you may have lived all you life in a forestry⁴ area and are interested in supporting this industry and benefiting from its success, by investing in listed forestry stocks. 你还可以按照各人爱好进行投资。比如，你一辈子都住在林区，你也想支持林业的发展，就可以投资上市的林业公司，你还可以从公司的发展中获益。