When investors buy these securities from companies, the firms use the money so raised to pay for real assets, such as plant, equipment, technology, or inventory.

若投资者购买公司的证券，公司就用筹得的资金支付厂房、设备、技术或存货等实物资产的价款。

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Normally they would place it in short-terms investments such as treasury securities, money market accounts, or stocks.

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The settlement is intended to include all customers who held property, money or securities with MF Global as of the bankruptcy filing.

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Grades assigned by these firms can affect a company's ability to raise or borrow money as well as how much investors will pay for their securities.

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