
Where are stocks traded?
How Stocks are Traded – Exchanges and OTC. Most stocks are traded on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. Stock exchanges essentially provide the marketplace to facilitate the buying and selling of stocks among investors.
Where did stock trading start?
Although stock trading dates back as far as the mid-1500s in Antwerp, modern stock trading is generally recognized as starting with the trading of shares in the East India Company in London.
What is the stock market?
The stock market refers to public markets that exist for issuing, buying, and selling stocks that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter. Stocks.
What is it called when you own stock?
An individual who owns stock in a company is called a shareholder and is eligible to claim part of the company’s residual assets and earnings (should the company ever be dissolved). The terms "stock", "shares", and "equity" are used interchangeably. , also known as equities, represent fractional ownership in a company, ...
When was the New York Stock Exchange established?
The Beginnings of the New York Stock Exchange. Enter the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), established in 1792. Though not the first on U.S. soil – that honor goes to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PSE) – the NYSE rapidly grew to become the dominant stock exchange in the United States, and eventually in the world.
Is the NYSE a European market?
Domestically, the NYSE saw meager competition for more than two centuries, and its growth was primarily fueled by an ever-growing American economy. The LSE continued to dominate the European market for stock trading, but the NYSE became home to a continually expanding number of large companies. Other major countries, such as France and Germany, eventually developed their own stock exchanges, though these were often viewed primarily as stepping stones for companies on their way to listing with the LSE or NYSE.
What is an OTC stock?
Although the vast majority of stocks are traded on exchanges, some stocks are traded over-the-counter (OTC), where buyers and sellers of stocks commonly trade through a dealer, or “market maker”, who specifically deals with the stock.
What are the factors that affect the stock market?
The stock market can be impacted by a variety of factors, including world events, exchange rates, interest rates and global politics.
Why do we divide stocks into sectors?
Dividing stocks into sectors helps investors compare stocks with their industry peers, which is one of the best ways to judge which ones are doing best. Sectors also provide a guide to spreading your investments into different industries, a key to portfolio diversification.
What is GICS index?
The GICS was developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International ( MSCI) and Standard & Poors (S&P) in 1999 to help global companies and investors compare and sort stocks. The system is used by MSCI indexes and has been modified many times since its inception to account for major shifts in the global economy.
What is consumer discretionary?
Consumer discretionary. Businesses in the consumer discretionary sector include companies that sell nonessential services and products to consumers. These are services and products consumers purchase with discretionary income — that portion of their income left after paying taxes and essential living expenses.
What is consumer staples?
The consumer staples sector is filled with companies that manufacture and distribute essential goods and services like food, household goods and personal care products. This sector is especially well-positioned to weather recessions because people continue to purchase these goods and services, even during an economic downturn.
What are the four pillars of healthcare?
The healthcare sector is made up of four major pillars: medical services, healthcare equipment, biotech services and pharmaceuticals. These businesses are typically well-positioned to weather the ups and downs of the market.
What is the backbone of the telecom industry?
Media, entertainment and communications companies form the backbone of the telecom sector. Here, you’ll encounter Internet service providers, streaming services, cable companies and more. With the advent of the Internet, this sector was forced to evolve alongside our consumption habits.
What is electronic trading?
Electronic trading now accounts for the majority of trading in many developed countries . Computer systems were upgraded in the stock exchanges to handle larger trading volumes in a more accurate and controlled manner. The SEC modified the margin requirements in an attempt to lower the volatility of common stocks, stock options and the futures market. The New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced the concept of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker halts trading if the Dow declines a prescribed number of points for a prescribed amount of time. In February 2012, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) introduced single-stock circuit breakers.
What is stock exchange?
A stock exchange is an exchange (or bourse) where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell shares (equity stock ), bonds, and other securities. Many large companies have their stocks listed on a stock exchange. This makes the stock more liquid and thus more attractive to many investors. The exchange may also act as a guarantor of settlement. These and other stocks may also be traded " over the counter " (OTC), that is, through a dealer. Some large companies will have their stock listed on more than one exchange in different countries, so as to attract international investors.
How many stock exchanges are there in the world?
As of December 31, 2019, the total market capitalization of all stocks worldwide was approximately US$70.75 trillion. , there are 60 stock exchanges in the world. Of these, there are 16 exchanges with a market capitalization of $1 trillion or more, and they account for 87% of global market capitalization.
What is the largest stock market in the world in 2020?
By country, the largest stock markets as of January 2020 are in the United States of America (about 54.5%), followed by Japan (about 7.7%) and the United Kingdom (about 5.1%).
When was the stock market invented?
One of the oldest known stock certificates, issued by the VOC chamber of Enkhuizen, dated 9 Sep 1606. The first formal stock market in its modern sense – as one of the indispensable elements of modern capitalism – was a pioneering innovation by the VOC managers and shareholders in the early 1600s.
Why is the stock market important?
The stock market is one of the most important ways for companies to raise money, along with debt markets which are generally more imposing but do not trade publicly. This allows businesses to be publicly traded, and raise additional financial capital for expansion by selling shares of ownership of the company in a public market. The liquidity that an exchange affords the investors enables their holders to quickly and easily sell securities. This is an attractive feature of investing in stocks, compared to other less liquid investments such as property and other immoveable assets.
What causes stock prices to change?
Changes in stock prices are mostly caused by external factors such as socioeconomic conditions, inflation, exchange rates. Intellectual capital does not affect a company stock's current earnings. Intellectual capital contributes to a stock's return growth.
What is the financial sector?
Many people think of the Financial Sector as banking . The Financial Sector includes banks, but it also encompasses investment firms, stock brokerages, money managers, and some insurance and real estate firms.
Why is information technology stock misleading?
The term Information Technology Stocks is misleading because it is a catchall phrase that includes a wide variety of technological goods and services. The Information Technology Stock Sector includes everything from software to consumer electronics to cloud services to social media to streaming video to business services to e-commerce.
How many sectors are there in GICS?
The GICS divides the market into 11 sectors. Using the GICS makes it easy for investors to find information about stocks and sectors. investors can analyze the sectors’ past performance to understand which industries are growing/declining and which are the best performing stock in each sector and industry.
What is the basic materials sector?
The Basic Materials Sector is confusing because it includes everything from gold mining to cement to lumber to paint manufacturing.
What is the new name for the telecommunications sector?
The Communications Stock Sector is the new name for the Telecommunications Stock Sector . The best way to think of Communications Stocks is as companies that transmit data in any electronic form.
Who owns Kroger?
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) owns large amounts of the grocer Kroger (KR) and the food manufacturer Kraft Heinz (KHC). Revenues and profits at Consumer Staples companies can show how much money people have. The Market Volumes of Consumer Staples Stocks can show how much faith investors have in the economy.
What does FAANG stand for?
The FAANG stands for Facebook (FB), Apple (AAPL), Netflix (NFLX), and Google (GOOG). Buffett invests in Apple (AAPL), for example. Many people consider Apple’s smartphones essential to their lifestyle. One of the best ways to invest in Information Technology Stocks is to invest in a Tech Stock Index.
How many sectors are there in the stock market?
The stock market is often divided into eleven sectors, with each sector having unique dynamics affecting its profitability. Investors looking to build exposure to specific sectors can use any number of ETFs to achieve their asset allocation goals.
What is the financial sector?
The financial sector consists of banks, investment funds, insurance companies and real estate firms, among others. In general, the majority of the revenue generated by the sector comes from mortgages and loans that gain value as interest rates rise.
What is utilities sector?
The utilities sector consists of electric, gas and water companies as well as integrated providers. In general, the sector generates consistent recurring income by charging consumers and businesses that provide higher-than-average dividend yields.
What is consumer staples?
The consumer staples sector consists of food and beverage companies as well as companies that create products consumers are unwilling to cut from their budgets. In general, these companies are defensive plays capable of withstanding an economic downturn. The most popular consumer staples ETFs include:
What is the energy sector?
The energy sector consists of oil and gas exploration and production companies, as well as integrated power firms, refineries and other operations. In general, these companies generate revenue that’s tied to the price of crude oil, natural gas and other commodities.
What is healthcare sector?
The healthcare sector consists of biotechnology companies, hospital management firms, medical device manufacturers and many others. In general, the sector is considered to be both a growth opportunity and defensive play since people will always require medical aid.
What is the materials sector?
Materials. The materials sector consists of mining, refining, chemical, forestry and related companies that are focused on discovering and developing raw materials. Since these companies are at the beginning of the supply chain, they are vulnerable to changes in the business cycle.

Purposes of The Stock Market – Capital and Investment Income
History of Stock Trading
The Early Days of Investment Trading
The East India Company
The First Shares and The First Exchange
The Beginnings of The New York Stock Exchange
Modern Stock Trading – The Changing Face of Global Exchanges
How Stocks Are Traded – Exchanges and Otc
- Most stocks are traded on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. Stock exchanges essentially provide the marketplace to facilitate the buying and selling of stocks among investors. Stock exchanges are regulated by government agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States, that overse...
Stock Market Players – Investment Banks, Stockbrokers, and Investors
Stock Market Indexes
Energy
Materials
Industrials
- The industrial sectorconsists largely of companies that produce aircraft, construction and agriculture equipment, and industrial machinery. These companies tend to generate positive cash flow and pay regular dividends. A number of big-name, blue-chip stocks come from the industrials sector, including:
Consumer Discretionary
Consumer Staples
Healthcare
Financials
Information Technology
Telecommunication Services
Utilities