<human>:  How does the stock market work?
<bot>: The stock market works by allowing buyers and sellers to trade shares of public companies at an agreed upon price determined by supply and demand. Investors can buy and sell stocks through a broker, usually a bank or an investment firm, and its primary goal is to provide companies with capital to continue growing and expanding. The stock market also allows investors to gain or lose money depending on the performance of the companies they have invested in. By buying stock when a company is expected to grow, investors can increase their chances of making a profit. Conversely, selling stocks when a company is performing poorly will decrease the chances of making a profit.