In 2024, stock markets in the United States accounted for roughly 60 percent of world stocks. The next largest country by stock market share was Japan, followed by the United Kingdom. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ are the largest stock exchange operators worldwide. What is a stock exchange? The first modern publicly traded company was the Dutch East Industry Company, which sold shares to the general public to fund expeditions to Asia. Since then, groups of companies have formed exchanges in which brokers and dealers can come together and make transactions in one space. Stock market indices group companies trading on a given exchange, giving an idea of how they evolve in real time. Appeal of stock ownership Over half of adults in the United States are investing money in the stock market. Stocks are an attractive investment because the possible return is higher than offered by other financial instruments.

The value of global domestic equity market increased from 65.04 trillion U.S. dollars in 2013 to 124.63 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. The United States was by far the leading country with the largest share of total world stocks as of 2024. Global market capitalization in different regions The market capitalization of domestic companies listed varied across different regions of the world. As of Decmber 2024, the Americas region had the largest domestic equity market, totaling 62 trillion U.S. dollars. This region is home to the NYSE and Nasdaq, which are the two largest stock exchange operators in the world. The market capitalization of these two exchanges alone exceeded 60 billion U.S. dollars as of January 2025, larger than the total market capitalization in the Asia-Pacific, and in the EMEA regions in the same period. Largest Stock Exchanges in Latin America As of December 2024, the B3 (Brasil Bolsa Balcao) was the biggest stock exchange in Latin America in terms of market capitalization and the second-largest in terms of number of listed companies. Following the B3 were the Mexican Stock Exchange and the Santiago Stock Exchange in Chile. The most valuable company in Latin America is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange: Fomento Económico Mexicano, a multinational beverage and retail company headquartered in Monterrey, had market cap of 177 billion U.S. dollars as of March 2025.

The total value of global equity trading worldwide in 2023 amounted to approximately 130 trillion U.S. dollars.What is equity trading? A stock is a piece of equity in a company. The shareholders of a publicly traded company literally own a piece of that company, although it may be very small depending on the number of outstanding shares the company has issued. These transactions typically take place through a stock exchange. Choosing the right stock Many investors use a financial advisor to help them select the stocks in their portfolio. Others do their own research, making bets on industry trends or a particular company’s strategy. While many of these lose money, the most successful investors make billions of U.S. dollars.

The main stock market index in the United States (US500) decreased 176 points or 2.99% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from United States. United States Stock Market Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

View data of the S&P 500, an index of the stocks of 500 leading companies in the US economy, which provides a gauge of the U.S. equity market.

Global equity markets have seen significant growth and regional shifts over the past decade. The Americas region has solidified its position as the dominant player, with its domestic equity market value surging from 28.3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2013 to an impressive 67.26 trillion U.S. dollars by 2024. U.S. dominance in global stock markets The United States continues to be the powerhouse of global equity markets, accounting for approximately 60 percent of world stocks in 2024. This dominance is largely driven by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, which are the two largest stock exchange operators worldwide. The NYSE alone boasts an equity market capitalization exceeding 31 trillion U.S. dollars as of December 2024, making it the largest stock exchange globally, which underscores the country's central role in global finance and investment. Regional market dynamics and emerging players While the Americas region leads in market capitalization, other regions are also experiencing growth and evolution. The Asia-Pacific region has seen its market value increase from 18.52 trillion U.S. dollars in 2013 to 37.76 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, reflecting the rising economic influence of countries in this area. Notably, the Teheran Exchange has emerged as a significant player in the derivatives market, ranking first globally in single stock options contracts traded in 2024, which highlights the increasing sophistication and diversity of global financial markets beyond traditional powerhouses.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for Montenegro (DDDM02MEA156NWDB) from 2007 to 2012 about Montenegro, market cap, stock market, trade, and GDP.

Currency and split-adjusted pricing data across open, close, high, low, volume, adjustment factor, shares outstanding, volume-weighted average price and other data points.

New Zealand NZ: Stocks Traded: Total Value data was reported at 11.868 USD bn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.936 USD bn for 2016. New Zealand NZ: Stocks Traded: Total Value data is updated yearly, averaging 5.407 USD bn from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2017, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.046 USD bn in 1999 and a record low of 937.670 USD mn in 1985. New Zealand NZ: Stocks Traded: Total Value data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.World Bank.WDI: Financial Sector. The value of shares traded is the total number of shares traded, both domestic and foreign, multiplied by their respective matching prices. Figures are single counted (only one side of the transaction is considered). Companies admitted to listing and admitted to trading are included in the data. Data are end of year values converted to U.S. dollars using corresponding year-end foreign exchange rates.; ; World Federation of Exchanges database.; Sum; Stock market data were previously sourced from Standard & Poor's until they discontinued their 'Global Stock Markets Factbook' and database in April 2013. Time series have been replaced in December 2015 with data from the World Federation of Exchanges and may differ from the previous S&P definitions and methodology.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for Indonesia (DDDM02IDA156NWDB) from 1993 to 2020 about Indonesia, market cap, stock market, trade, and GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for Lebanon (DDDM02LBA156NWDB) from 1996 to 2020 about Lebanon, market cap, stock market, trade, and GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for China (DDDM02CNA156NWDB) from 1993 to 2020 about market cap, stock market, China, trade, and GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for Peru (DDDM02PEA156NWDB) from 1993 to 2020 about Peru, market cap, stock market, trade, and GDP.

Prices for Global Equity Index including live quotes, historical charts and news. Global Equity Index was last updated by Trading Economics this March 26 of 2025.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the largest stock exchange in the world, with an equity market capitalization of just below 32 trillion U.S. dollars as of January 2025. The following three exchanges were the NASDAQ, Shanghai Stock Exchange, and the Japan Exchange Group. What is a stock exchange? A stock exchange is a marketplace where stockbrokers, traders, buyers, and sellers can trade in equities products. The largest exchanges have thousands of listed companies. These companies sell shares of their business, giving the general public the opportunity to invest in them. The oldest stock exchange worldwide is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, founded in the late sixteenth century. Other functions of a stock exchange Since these are publicly traded companies, every firm listed on a stock exchange has had an initial public offering (IPO). The largest IPOs can raise billions of dollars in equity for the firm involved. Related to stock exchanges are derivatives exchanges, where stock options, futures contracts, and other derivatives can be traded.

The average for 2022 based on 11 countries was 5.62 percent. The highest value was in South Africa: 57.76 percent and the lowest value was in Tanzania: 0.04 percent. The indicator is available from 1975 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Stock Market Total Value Traded to GDP for Armenia (DDDM02AMA156NWDB) from 2001 to 2012 about Armenia, market cap, stock market, trade, and GDP.

The main stock market index in Japan (JP225) decreased 2147 points or 5.38% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Japan. Japan Stock Market Index (JP225) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

The main stock market index in China (SHANGHAI) increased 22 points or 0.66% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from China. China Shanghai Composite Stock Market Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

Romania RO: Stocks Traded: Total Value data was reported at 1.617 USD bn in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.081 USD bn for 2013. Romania RO: Stocks Traded: Total Value data is updated yearly, averaging 1.153 USD bn from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2014, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.930 USD bn in 2011 and a record low of 56.520 USD mn in 2000. Romania RO: Stocks Traded: Total Value data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.World Bank.WDI: Financial Sector. The value of shares traded is the total number of shares traded, both domestic and foreign, multiplied by their respective matching prices. Figures are single counted (only one side of the transaction is considered). Companies admitted to listing and admitted to trading are included in the data. Data are end of year values converted to U.S. dollars using corresponding year-end foreign exchange rates.; ; World Federation of Exchanges database.; Sum; Stock market data were previously sourced from Standard & Poor's until they discontinued their 'Global Stock Markets Factbook' and database in April 2013. Time series have been replaced in December 2015 with data from the World Federation of Exchanges and may differ from the previous S&P definitions and methodology.