Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) offers a vast open world filled with mayhem, missions, and, surprisingly, financial opportunities. Beyond the heists and robberies, the stock market presents a legitimate (and often lucrative) way to amass wealth. However, navigating the in-game stock exchanges requires understanding, strategy, and a little bit of insider knowledge. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of how to exploit the GTA 5 stock market to become a virtual millionaire.
Understanding the Two Stock Exchanges: LCN vs. BAWSAQ
GTA 5 features two distinct stock exchanges, each with its own characteristics:
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LCN (Los Santos City National): This exchange is directly influenced by your actions in the single-player story mode. It’s affected by Lester’s assassination missions, which we’ll discuss in detail later. You can access the LCN exchange through your in-game smartphone or computer.
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BAWSAQ (Bank of America Securities Quotient): This exchange is theoretically tied to the Rockstar Games Social Club and, in the past, was intended to fluctuate based on the collective actions of all GTA 5 players online. However, due to various issues and server instability, the BAWSAQ exchange is generally considered unreliable and less predictable than the LCN. It’s primarily influenced by the actions of other players in the online mode, making it difficult to manipulate in the single-player campaign. The stocks listed on BAWSAQ are typically those of fictional companies related to the game’s online features.
The Key to Riches: Lester’s Assassination Missions
The most reliable method for making significant money in the GTA 5 stock market involves strategically utilizing Lester’s assassination missions. These missions, given to Franklin by Lester Crest, allow you to manipulate the LCN exchange for substantial profit. Here’s the crucial information:
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Do NOT Complete the Missions Immediately: This is the most common mistake players make. The assassination missions should be saved until AFTER you’ve completed the main storyline, specifically after "The Big Score" heist. This ensures you have the maximum amount of capital to invest.
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Invest Wisely Before and After Each Mission: The strategy involves investing in the target company’s competitor BEFORE the assassination mission and then investing in the target company itself AFTER the mission.
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Follow This Order and Strategy: Here’s a breakdown of each assassination mission and the recommended investment strategy:
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The Hotel Assassination:
- Before: Invest all available cash across all three characters (Franklin, Michael, and Trevor) in Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET) on the LCN exchange.
- After: Complete the mission. Sell all your BET stock when it peaks (typically around 50-80% profit).
- Later: Once BET’s price drops significantly, invest all your cash into Bilkington (BIL) on the LCN exchange. Wait for its price to rise (usually around 50-80% profit) and then sell.
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The Multi Target Assassination:
- Before: Invest all available cash across all three characters in Debonaire Cigarettes (DEB) on the LCN exchange.
- After: Complete the mission. Sell all your DEB stock when it peaks (typically around 80-90% profit).
- Later: Once DEB’s price drops significantly, invest all your cash into Redwood Cigarettes (RWC) on the LCN exchange. Wait for its price to rise (usually around 300% profit) and then sell. This is one of the most profitable missions.
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The Vice Assassination:
- Before: Invest all available cash across all three characters in Fruit Computers (FRT) on the BAWSAQ exchange. This one is tricky as BAWSAQ can be unstable. Save before investing.
- After: Complete the mission. Sell all your FRT stock when it peaks (typically around 50-60% profit).
- Later: Once FRT’s price drops significantly, invest all your cash into Facade (FAC) on the BAWSAQ exchange. Wait for its price to rise (usually around 30-40% profit) and then sell.
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The Bus Assassination:
- Before: Invest all available cash across all three characters in Vapid (VAP) on the BAWSAQ exchange. Again, BAWSAQ’s volatility makes this riskier. Save before investing.
- After: Complete the mission. Sell all your VAP stock when it peaks (typically around 90-100% profit).
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The Construction Assassination:
- Before: Invest all available cash across all three characters in Gold Coast (GCD) on the LCN exchange.
- After: Complete the mission. Sell all your GCD stock when it peaks (typically around 80-90% profit).
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Monitor Your Investments Carefully: Regularly check the stock prices on the LCN and BAWSAQ exchanges. Use the in-game bed to sleep and advance time. This will help the stock prices fluctuate. Be patient and don’t sell prematurely.
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Manual Saving is Crucial: Before investing large sums of money, create a manual save. If the stock market doesn’t behave as expected, you can reload the save and try again. This is particularly important for the BAWSAQ exchange.
General Stock Market Tips and Tricks
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Don’t Invest Until After "The Big Score": As mentioned earlier, wait until after you’ve completed the final heist. This ensures you have a substantial amount of money to invest.
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Diversification is Generally Not Necessary: In the single-player game, the most effective strategy is to concentrate your investments in a few key stocks related to Lester’s missions.
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Pay Attention to News Reports: While not always reliable, in-game news reports can sometimes provide hints about potential stock fluctuations.
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Consider Competing Companies: Look for companies that are direct competitors. If one company does poorly (e.g., due to an assassination mission), its competitor is likely to benefit.
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High Risk, High Reward: Some stocks are more volatile than others. While they carry a higher risk of loss, they also offer the potential for greater profits.
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Patience is Key: The stock market takes time to fluctuate. Don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight. Regularly check your investments and be prepared to hold onto stocks for several in-game days or weeks.
Stocks to Watch Outside of Lester’s Missions (LCN)
While Lester’s missions offer the most reliable profits, you can also make money by exploiting other events in the game. Here are a few stocks to keep an eye on:
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Cluckin’ Bell (CLB): If you destroy Cluckin’ Bell trucks or cause damage to their restaurants, their stock price might decrease. Conversely, avoiding such actions could lead to a slight increase.
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Burger Shot (BSH): Similar to Cluckin’ Bell, damaging Burger Shot establishments can negatively impact their stock price.
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FlyUS (FUL) and AirEmu (AME): These are rival airlines. If you destroy AirEmu planes, FlyUS stock may increase. The opposite is also true.
Why BAWSAQ is Less Reliable
The BAWSAQ exchange, while conceptually interesting, is often unreliable in the single-player game due to its dependence on the Rockstar Games Social Club. Its fluctuations can be erratic and difficult to predict, making it a less dependable source of profit. While the above guide has suggested what to invest in, there are no guarantees. The online mode is where BAWSAQ’s volatility and unpredictability are more pronounced, but exploiting it can also lead to significant gains (or losses).
Ethical Considerations (In-Game, of Course!)
While the stock market in GTA 5 is fictional, it’s worth noting that you’re essentially profiting from assassination and economic disruption. This adds a layer of moral ambiguity to the game, fitting with its overall satirical tone.
Conclusion
The GTA 5 stock market, particularly the LCN exchange and Lester’s assassination missions, provides a fun and rewarding way to earn a fortune in Los Santos. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can strategically manipulate the market to your advantage and become a virtual millionaire. Remember to invest wisely, monitor your investments carefully, and save your progress frequently. While BAWSAQ is unpredictable, focusing on LCN and Lester’s missions offers the most reliable path to financial success in GTA 5. Good luck, and happy investing!
