What are stock exchanges and how do they work? | Vanguard (2024)

A trading post for stocks

A stock exchange is simply a marketplace where traders buy and sell stocks. (Some other types of investments—like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and notes (ETNs)—are also traded on stock exchanges.)

Some exchanges have physical locations—for example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) located on Wall Street in Manhattan. But some exchanges are completely electronic, like the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Countries and regions around the world have their own exchanges, like the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Stocks can be "listed"—offered for trading—on one stock exchange or on multiple exchanges.

How exchanges work

On a physical exchange like the NYSE, "market makers" who specialize in a particular stock will buy and sell that stock to brokers. The trading floor functions like an auction house, with bid and offer prices changing throughout the trading day.

In the U.S. stock market, trading sessions are held Monday through Friday (excluding certain holidays) from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.

Electronic exchanges work in a similar way, except that it's computers that connect buyers and sellers.

Listing requirements

Each exchange sets requirements for the stocks traded there. For example, stocks traded on the NYSE must, among other things, have a share price of at least $4 and a market capitalization of at least $4 million.

Other types of requirements involve the way the company reports its financial information and the kinds of board members the company has.

If a company can't maintain the requirements for an exchange, it will be "delisted." But stocks that don't trade on an exchange can still be traded "over the counter," or through a network of dealers.

Over-the-counter (OTC) markets

Stocks can be traded over the counter if they don't meet an exchange's requirements or if the company issuing the stock wants to avoid the costs associated with meeting those requirements. ADRs also often trade over the counter.

Stocks traded over the counter may be very similar to those traded on the exchanges. Some, however, are different—they have very low share prices ("penny stocks") and minimalliquidity(buyers and sellers are harder to come by so orders may not be filled right away or even at all).

What are stock exchanges and how do they work? | Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

What are stock exchanges and how do they work? | Vanguard? ›

A stock exchange is simply a marketplace where traders buy and sell stocks. (Some other types of investments—like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and notes (ETNs)—are also traded on stock exchanges.) Some exchanges have physical locations—for example, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) located on Wall Street in Manhattan.

What is the stock exchange and how does it work? ›

Key Takeaways. A stock exchange is a centralized location where investors can buy and sell equities. Various financial instruments are traded, including equities and bonds, sometimes additional assets as well. Stocks become available on an exchange after a company conducts its initial public offering (IPO).

What is the stock exchange answer? ›

The stock exchange in India serves as a market where financial instruments like stocks, bonds and commodities are traded. It is a platform where buyers and sellers come together to trade financial tools during specific hours of any business day while adhering to SEBI's well-defined guidelines.

What are stocks and how do they work? ›

Stocks are a type of security that gives stockholders a share of ownership in a company. Companies sell shares typically to gain additional money to grow the company. This is called the initial public offering (IPO). After the IPO, stockholders can resell shares on the stock market.

What is the stock exchange in your own words? ›

In other words, a stock exchange is a forum where securities like bonds and stocks are purchased and traded. This can be both an online trading platform and offline (physical location).

How do exchanges work? ›

An exchange centralizes the communication of bid and offer prices to all direct market participants, who can respond by selling or buying at one of the quotes or by replying with a different quote.

What is stock trading and how does it work? ›

Stock trading is the process of buying and selling stocks in stock markets. It is a way for companies to raise capital by selling shares of their company to investors.

What is a stock exchange quizlet? ›

Stock Exchange. it is a place where stocks are bought and sold. This is known as trading stocks. A stock exchange can be a real, physical location (the building where trading takes place), but it can also be more of an idea, too.

What is the stock market simple answer? ›

The stock market is where investors buy and sell shares of companies. It's a set of exchanges where companies issue shares and other securities for trading. It also includes over-the-counter (OTC) marketplaces where investors trade securities directly with each other (rather than through an exchange).

What is the stock short answer? ›

A stock is a financial instrument which represents partial ownership of a corporation. Stocks are issued by companies in units called shares. Investors who buy the shares help the company raise funds, and in return the shareholder shares in the companies assets and profits.

What is the function of the stock exchange? ›

A stock exchange or securities exchange is an organized financial market where traders trade in securities. In these exchanges, the issue and redemption of securities are also performed. Stock exchanges function as 'continuous auction' markets where traders consummate transactions through electronic trading platforms.

How does the stock market really work? ›

For every stock transaction, there must be a buyer and a seller. Because of the immutable laws of supply and demand, if there are more buyers for a specific stock than there are sellers of it, the stock price will trend up. Conversely, if there are more sellers of the stock than buyers, the price will trend down.

How do you explain stocks for dummies? ›

Stocks, which are also called equities, are securities that give shareholders an ownership interest in a public company. It's a real stake in the business, and if you own a majority of the shares of the business, you control how the business operates.

What is a stock exchange and how does it work? ›

What is a Stock Exchange? A stock exchange is a marketplace where securities, such as stocks and bonds, are bought and sold. Bonds are typically traded Over-the-Counter (OTC), but some corporate bonds can be traded on stock exchanges.

What is stock exchange one word answer? ›

A stock exchange is a place where people buy and sell stocks and shares. The stock exchange is also the trading activity that goes on there and the trading organization itself.

What is stocks in simple words? ›

A stock is a form of security that indicates the holder has proportionate ownership in the issuing corporation and is sold predominantly on stock exchanges. Corporations issue stock to raise funds to operate their businesses.

What is the stock market and how does it work for dummies? ›

The stock market is where investors buy and sell shares of companies. It's a set of exchanges where companies issue shares and other securities for trading. It also includes over-the-counter (OTC) marketplaces where investors trade securities directly with each other (rather than through an exchange).

What is the main function of the stock exchange? ›

One of the most important functions of stock exchange is maintaining liquidity. As securities can be easily sold and bought on an exchange, there is a higher probability of converting them into cash. This function allows investors to stay confident about trading in the stock exchange.

What is stock exchange for beginners? ›

The stock market refers to the collection of stocks that can be bought and sold by the general public on a variety of different exchanges. Where does stock come from? Public companies issue stock so that they can fund their businesses. Investors who think the business will prosper in the future buy those stock issues.

How do you make money in the stock market? ›

The way you make money from stocks is by the selling them at a higher price than you bought them. For instance, if you bought a share of Apple stock at $200 and sold it when it reached $300, you would have made $100 (minus any taxes you'd have to pay on the money you made).

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