This work provides, simultaneously and comprehensively, historical, institutional and theoretical foundations for developments in the stock market. It debunks many a myth about stock price behaviour and the valuation of stocks. The traditional valuation models are tested and shown to be often weak and unreliable, especially when applied to the valuation of technology stocks. New paradigms are suggested. The authors seek to answer many questions about the stock market: Why invest in stocks, how to invest in stocks, how to value stocks, how to ch…