Stocks are shares of ownership in a company. A stock exchange provides a place where stocks may be bought and sold. The New York Stock Exchange is the largest exchange in the United States. Every business day of the week stock brokers all over the country buy and sell stocks at their customers’ orders. A stock might sell for one price in the morning and for another figure in the afternoon. This happens because people offer different prices for the same stock. This auction is supervised by the exchange, which is open daily from ten AM. to four PM. Eastern Time.
The New York Stock Exchange started in 1792 beneath a buttonwood tree on Wall Street in New York City. Those with stock to sell would meet there at a certain time. Others wanting to invest in a company by buying its stock would offer a price to buy. Buyer a seller might name several amounts before there was an agreement.
There are stock exchanges in this country and all over the would. The buying and selling of stocks now involves many thousands of people Millions of shares are bought and sold every business day. Vast computer systems are used to keep track of volume and prices. Soon after a stock is bought of sold, its price is known throughout the would.