The New York Stock Exchange, commonly referred to as the NYSE, is the world’s largest and most well known stock exchange. Established in 1792, it has been home to some of the most storied names in American financial history. In 2013, it was purchased by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and remains the leader in terms of total market capitalization and average daily trading volume.

Publicly traded companies listed on the NYSE are largely large blue-chip corporations with a long and successful track record of business operations, such as Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola and IBM, among others. This makes the NYSE the country’s go-to source for introducing reputable stocks to the public market.

The NYSE operates via a system of live floor-trading, which is still its primary method of trading consideration 45% of the volume. The other 55% of the volume occurs via electronic communication networks (ECNs). Floor traders on the NYSE consist of market makers and specialist brokers, who position themselves at the heart of the market’s trading floor. These traders provide a link between buyers and sellers, thus enabling smooth transactions.

Traders on the NYSE typically conduct trades in shares, although other forms of confluence are also monitored by the exchange, such as options and futures. Prices of securities listed on the NYSE are determined by what is known as ‘demand and supply’. When there is a demand for a certain security, the price increases and vice versa. The exchange also enables investors to purchase and sell stock in either physical paper form or electronically.

Overall, the New York Stock Exchange remains a world leader in the stock market and is home to some of the biggest and most successful companies in the United States. The ICE ownership of the historic exchange has enabled to continue developing its reputation as an efficient and secure marketplace for investors of all kinds.