A stock exchange, securities exchange, or bourse is an exchange where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities, such as shares of stock, bonds and other financial instruments. Stock exchanges may also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividends. Securities traded on a stock exchange include stock issued by listed companies, unit trusts, derivatives, pooled investment products and bonds. Stock exchanges often function as "continuous auction" markets with buyers and sellers consummating transactions via open outcry at a central location such as the floor of the exchange or by using an electronic trading platform.
The New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan is the world's largest stock exchange per total market capitalization of its listed companies.
A 17th-century engraving depicting the Amsterdam Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange in 1810
The New Oriental Bank and Share Market, Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1875 acting as Bombay Stock Exchange
Exchange (organized market)
An exchange, bourse, trading exchange or trading venue is an organized market where (especially) tradable securities, commodities, foreign exchange, futures, and options contracts are bought and sold.
The "Huis ter Beurze" (center) in Bruges, Belgium
Decorative sculpture of a purse (Spanish: bolsa) on the Palace of la Bolsa de Madrid, early 1890s
Interior hall of the Helsinki Stock Exchange in Helsinki, Finland, 1965