Stock Market

A stock market, equity market or share market is the aggregation of buyers and sellers (a loose network of economic transactions, not a physical facility or discrete entity) of stocks (also called shares); these may include securities listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately.

A stock exchange is a place or organization by which stock traders (people and companies) can trade stocks. Companies may want to get their stock listed on a stock exchange. Other stocks may be traded "over the counter" (otc), that is, through a dealer. A large company will usually have its stock listed on many exchanges across the world. Exchanges may also cover other types of security such as fixed interest securities or interest derivatives.