Can I really trade my dollars in for gold bullion?

You can trade your dollars in for gold bullion from Fort Knox whenever you want -- right? Maybe not.

Can tax rebates really prevent an economic downturn?

Tax rebates are one trick lawmakers and economists use to prevent a recession. But do they knock the economy back on track or merely delay the inevitable?

Can the government control a stock market crash?

In a free market economy, the law of supply and demand dominates. But if the economy is in a downward spiral, could the government really save it?

How Currency Works

When you hear the word "currency," you probably think of the stuff in your wallet. But currency is more than that -- it's a complex aspect of human civilization. Find out all about these symbols of financial value.

How Electronic Trading Works

Millions of people trade billions of shares of stock every day on a collection of computer systems that are incredibly reliable and, very nearly, inerrant. Learn about the complex world of electronic trading.

How Exchange Rates Work

What exactly is the cost of money? What are the fundamentals of exchanging dollars for other currency? We'll explore these questions, plus give tips for money-changing travelers.

How Interest Rates Work

Interest rates are simply the cost of borrowing money. Without them, lenders would have no reason to let you borrow money.

How IPOs Work

Initial public offerings have been around for centuries -- every company with shares that are publicly traded on the stock market had an IPO at one point. Find out what an IPO is and how it makes people rich.

How NASDAQ IPOs Work

Find out what a NASDAQ IPO is and see cool videos from a recent HowStuffWorks trip to this Wall Street wonder.

How NASDAQs Opening and Closing Cross Works

The NASDAQ opening and closing cross process allows NASDAQ to calculate the correct average of a stock price during off-market hours. Read more and watch a video on how this process works.

How Recessions Work

Who decides when the economy is in recession, and on what grounds? What actually constitutes a recession anyway?

How the Euro Works

Believe it or not, the Euro was the idea of Winston Churchill in 1946, when he suggested the creation of the "United States of Europe." A lot has happened since then, including a switch to this new currency in 2002, which replaced currencies for 12 member nations of the European Union.

How the Fed Works

The Fed: It's a very mysterious part of the government. But if you own a house, have a bank account or write checks, the Federal Reserve System affects your life every day. See how this 'gatekeeper' of the U.S. economy aims to keep things level, even in tumultuous times.

How the NASDAQ MarketSite Works

The NASDAQ MarketSite broadcast studio is an amazing facility that can host dozens of reporters simultaneously and send direct feeds out to all of their separate news organizations. Learn about the technology behind the NASDAQ MarketSite.

How the NASDAQ Stock Exchange Works

The NASDAQ stock exchange, also known simply as the NASDAQ, is the place where people go to buy and sell shares of stock. How does this bustling business center work?