{"type":"document","data":{"id":"abc845da-f10a-48e8-87b7-9fb1f7717028","localeString":"en-GB","publishDate":"2026-04-14T10:30:30.584+02:00","contentType":"onecms:productPage","hasMacro":false,"flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"robotInstruction":{"noIndex":false,"noFollow":false},"description":"Leer de basis van beleggen met onze video's. Ontdek wat aandelen, obligaties, fondsen en ETF’s zijn en hoe ze werken."},"mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"This page is an English translation of the original Dutch version.*","title":"Step 1: The basics of investing video"},"backLink":{"textLink":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/how-does-investing-work","text":"How investing works"}}},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"In this video, you will see:"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<ul><li>What investing is.</li><li>What the difference is between stocks and bonds.</li><li>How a stock gains or loses value.</li><li>Why people invest</li></ul><p>If you still have questions after watching the video, or if you want to check whether you have understood everything, check the FAQ below the video. And if you want to quickly gain insight into what <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/ing\">investing</a> can do for you, take a look <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/investment-calculator\">here</a>.</p>"},"video":{"type":"video","originalUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6238940a1d3256ac/original/Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.mp4","videoPreviewURLs":["https://assets.ing.com/asset/a425cb52-7e43-4f48-afde-8e9f19b4d4fb/480p/Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/a425cb52-7e43-4f48-afde-8e9f19b4d4fb/1080p/Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/a425cb52-7e43-4f48-afde-8e9f19b4d4fb/720p/Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.mp4","https://assets.ing.com/asset/a425cb52-7e43-4f48-afde-8e9f19b4d4fb/mp4/Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.mp4"],"thumbnails":{"mini":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6238940a1d3256ac/mini-Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.jpg","webimage":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6238940a1d3256ac/webimage-Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.jpg","thul":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6238940a1d3256ac/thul-Video-1_Beleggen-Wat-is-beleggen_v2.jpg"},"extension":["mp4"]}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Questions about this section"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"What is investing?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Investing is a way to put your money to work, with the goal of increasing its value over time.</p>"}},{"title":"What is a stock?","richBody":{"value":"<p>A stock is essentially a small piece of a company. You can buy such a piece with the expectation that the company, and therefore your stock, will increase in value. Read more about stocks <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/beleggingsinstrumenten-aandelen\">here</a>.</p>"}},{"title":"How does a stock increase or decrease in value?","richBody":{"value":"<p>The value of a stock is expressed as its price. This price can rise or fall due to various factors. Important factors include: the company’s current performance; the performance of competitors; sentiment in the market where the company operates; overall market sentiment; and perhaps most importantly, expectations for the company’s future.</p><p>Stocks are traded on the exchange from Monday to Friday, and based on the factors mentioned above, supply and demand are constantly shifting. Is demand higher than supply? Then the price rises. But is supply higher than demand? Then the share price falls. </p>"}},{"title":"What is an ETF?","richBody":{"value":"<p>ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund. An ETF (also known as a tracker) can make diversified investing easier for you. After all, it is not easy to purchase shares in the twenty-five largest listed companies in the Netherlands all at once. But if you buy an ETF on the AEX Index, you immediately track the entire index. Read all about buying ETFs at ING <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/beleggingsinstrumenten-etf\">here</a>.</p>"}},{"title":"What are investment funds?","richBody":{"value":"<p>An investment fund invests the money of various investors. The money is spread across all kinds of <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/ing\">investments</a>.In the case of an equity fund, for example, this means spreading the money across multiple companies, sectors, and regions. This approach allows you to easily spread the risks of your investment. Read more about investment funds <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/beleggingsinstrumenten-beleggingsfondsen\">here</a>.</p>"}},{"title":"What is a bond?","richBody":{"value":"<p>A bond is a negotiable debt instrument. You lend money to a company and receive interest in return. This interest is also known as coupon interest. Want to know more? <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/beleggingsinstrumenten-obligaties\">Here</a> you can find more information about bonds.</p>"}},{"title":"Why do people invest?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Investing can be a way to grow your money. Investing can yield attractive returns compared to saving. A combination of saving and investing is preferable, and you can learn more about this in <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/investing/how-does-investing-work/step-3-the-most-important-rules-of-investing\">Step 3</a>. </p>"}},{"title":"Does investing also involve risks?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Yes, investing involves risks. Your investment may lose value and, in the worst case scenario, you may lose the money you invested in a stock if, for example, the company you invested in goes bankrupt.</p><p>That is why it is important that you only invest money that you will not need for a long time. In addition, it is wise not to put all your money into one company, but to spread it across different companies. We explain how you can do this in Step 2.</p>"}}]},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Step 1","intro":"Back to menu","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f9cd5bac-d118-4e09-8e42-5230335300d5/Women-business-chart-scene","type":"image","width":1200,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4076ec149c85d810/original/Women-business-chart-scene.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/stap-1-de-basis-van-beleggen"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Continue to Step 2","intro":"How investing works","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/0a8c1629-fc67-46a8-aba9-8c2f8b70048d/Man-happy-thumb-ok-spot","type":"image","width":160,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/3f8f31c6ba85fa9/original/Man-happy-thumb-ok-spot.svg","extension":"svg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/beleggen/hoe-werkt-beleggen/stap-2-zo-werkt-beleggen"}}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Have you gained enough knowledge? Open your investment account!","richBody":{"value":"<p></p>"}},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Easy Invest","intro":"The ready-made solution","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/fb02d4f9-a424-4cfd-a887-02af0057dc48/Young-adult-female-laughs-while-looking-at-mobile-phone-in-front-of-chalkboard-with-whimsical-writing","type":"image","width":5616,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/23290af957098917/original/Young-adult-female-laughs-while-looking-at-mobile-phone-in-front-of-chalkboard-with-whimsical-writing.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/easy-invest"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Self Invest (Dutch only)","intro":"Trading at competitive rates","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7a2701fc-94f0-4107-a7a4-9c8d5d06c556/Large_Web-and-Screen-Smiling-business-man-using-his-mobile-phone-and-relaxing-in-his-chair-at-the-office","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5ecb5382208b3f79/original/Large_Web-and-Screen-Smiling-business-man-using-his-mobile-phone-and-relaxing-in-his-chair-at-the-office.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/investing/investments-at-ing/self-invest"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Good to know"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Investing involves risks and costs. You may (partially) lose your investment amount. Read more about the <a href=\"https://www.ing.nl/particulier/beleggen/beginnen-met-beleggen/risicos-van-beleggen/index.html\">risks of investing</a> and how to limit them. And also view the <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/personal/investing/service/general-terms--conditions\">Investment Terms and Conditions.</a></p><p>Investments that contribute to environmental or social goals can be part of the ING Global Index Portfolio funds within Easy Invest as well as the Sustainable (Duurzaam) investment strategy offered through Vermogensbeheer. However, investing in such investments is not the sole purpose of these strategies, it is also important to invest in financially attractive companies. For more information about ING&apos;s Sustainable Investment Policy, please visit <a href=\"https://www.ing.nl/ing-app-open/8.83.3-release-branch-8e986fec/\">ing.nl/ESG</a> (Dutch only).</p><p>*This translation is intended for the customer’s convenience only. In the event of any inconsistency between the English translation and the original Dutch version, the original Dutch version shall prevail.</p>"}}]}}}