Stock Market

The stock market refers to the collection of markets and exchanges where activities of buying, selling, and issuing shares of publicly-held companies take place. It serves as a platform for investors to trade equity securities and is a critical component of the broader financial system. The stock market provides companies with access to capital in exchange for giving investors a slice of ownership in the company. The performance of the stock market is often viewed as a barometer of the overall economic health of a country. The market can be divided into primary markets, where new securities are issued, and secondary markets, where existing securities are traded among investors. Stocks are traded on various exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq. The stock market is influenced by a variety of factors including economic indicators, corporate earnings, and investor sentiment.