Exchange

What does it Mean? A marketplace in which securities, commodities, derivatives and other financial instruments are traded. The core function of an exchange - such as a stock exchange - is to ensure fair and orderly trading, as well as efficient dissemination of price information for any securities trading on that exchange. Exchanges give companies, governments and other groups a platform to sell securities to the investing public.

An exchange may be a physical location where traders meet to conduct business or an electronic platform.

May also be referred to as "share exchange" or "bourse" depending on geographical location.  
Investopedia Says... Exchanges are located all around the globe, with some of the more famous ones being the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. More and more trading is being done on electronic exchanges as markets become more advanced and as the exchanges themselves are able to ensure fair trading without requiring all members to be on the same trading floor.  

Each exchange will have certain listing requirements for any company or group that wishes to offer securities for trading. Some exchanges are more rigid than others, but basic requirements for stock exchanges include regular financial reports and audited earnings reports.  

Terms Related Links

Centralized Market
Commodity
Futures
International Securities Exchange - ISE
Nasdaq
New York Stock Exchange - NYSE
Security
Shanghai Stock Exchange
Toronto Stock Exchange - TSX
Xetra

Terms Related Links
The Birth Of Stock Exchanges - Learn how British coffeehouses helped give rise to the juggernaut that is the NYSE.

Getting To Know The Stock Exchanges - Here are the answers to all the questions you have about stock exchanges but are too afraid to ask!

The Tale Of Two Exchanges: NYSE And Nasdaq - Learn some of the important differences in the way they operate and the securities that trade on them.

The Global Electronic Stock Market - The way trading is conducted is changing rapidly as exchanges turn toward automation.

Stock Basics Tutorial - If you're new to the stock market and want the basics, this is the tutorial for you!

IPO Basics: What Is An IPO? - Learn how the first public sale of a stock (or how ''going public'') can affect your stock.

Can stocks be traded on more than one exchange?

Why did the New York Stock Exchange report prices in fractions before it switched to decimal reporting?




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