In 2022, the world of trade has changed quite significantly. Once upon a time, the stock market was available only to a select few people. One needed to be a big fish in the trading industry, a top banker, or the chief executive officer of a company in order to participate in the market. This, however, has all changed in the past 20 years or so.
Rising Popularity of Trading
One of the big reasons that have led to this change is the opening of discount brokerages. These institutions offer an affordable service to private citizens who might not have the funds or connections to compete in the market. The exact shares, stocks, commodities, and other securities are traded in discount brokerages as in standard brokerages. The only difference is; the prices are made much more affordable.
However, there is another reason for the rise in the popularity of trading. That is the emergence of online trading platforms, such as ones that offer automated trading. These websites, much like discount brokerages, offer the exact same services as the classic stock market brokerages, at much more affordable prices, with the added benefit that they can be accessed from home. They are safe, secure, easily accessible, and newbie-friendly. An invaluable tool for any trader who is trying to break into the market.
And speaking of markets, the question we need to ask is; what are the top stock exchanges in the world today? In this article, we are taking a look at a few of the biggest stock exchanges based on popularity, market capital, and name recognition.
NYSE
For some, NYSE might sound a bit strange. But, we are certain that everyone reading this has heard of the New York Stock Exchange. If not by that name, then by its much more popular colloquial name, Wall Street.
The New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, is headquartered in New York City, on the famous Wall Street. It makes up 40% of all of the trades that happen on the stock market and has the highest market capital out of any other stock exchange in the world today.
For many, succeeding in Wall Street means you’ve succeeded in the world of trade. Tons of films have been made, celebrating, parodying, or otherwise depicting the culture which has formed around the New York Stock Exchange, so we are certain that anyone is familiar with it. So, let us spend some time on the other popular and big-name stock exchanges the world over.
NASDAQ
Before we do so, however, we will stick around New York just a bit longer because the second biggest Stock Exchange in of market capitalization is also situated in New York City. NASDAQ, or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, is located in New York City, where it has been operating for 50 years.
As of 2021, NASDAQ has achieved a market capitalization of over $19 trillion, making it second only to its big brother, Wall Street. There are over 3500 listed companies that trade their securities at NASDAQ, and the stock exchange has platforms in quite a few countries in Scandinavia and Northern Europe in general.
Euronext
Finally, we leave New York and the United States, and our first stop is the Netherlands. Here we can find the headquarters of the European New Exchange Technology bourse (or Euronext for short). Euronext is among Europe’s biggest stock exchanges, and with a market capitalization of close to €7 trillion, it may just take the number one spot.
Euronext holds the distinction of being one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world, if not the oldest. It first opened its doors under the name Huis ter Beruze in 1285 before changing it to Amsterdam Stock Exchange in the early 1600s. This means that the bourse’s history goes back close to 800 years.
Tokyo Stock Exchange
From Europe, we move to Asia, and our first stop is Japan. The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE/TYO) can be found in Japan’s capital, Tokyo. The Stock Exchange was founded in 1878 and officially became known under the name Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1949.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange is among the top trading markets in Asia and certainly the biggest in Japan. With a market capitalization of $5.6 trillion and a trading volume of close to $4 trillion, it certainly is worth mentioning.
Shanghai Stock Exchange
From Japan, we go to China, where we can find the biggest Asian stock exchange today. The Shanghai Stock Exchange has a market capitalization exceeding $7 trillion, making it the biggest Asian stock exchange and one of the top 5 stock exchanges in the world. The stock exchange is also the youngest on our list, as it was first founded in 1990, making it only 32 years old.
Conclusion
These are a few of the markets that online traders from all over the world can access from the comfort and safety of their very own homes. The biggest markets await you, as you can be the next big name.