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A stock exchange is a marketplace where investors can buy and sell securities, including stocks, bonds, derivatives, commodities and other financial instruments. This is the most powerful component of the financial market. Also, it serves as a measure of the economy’s health and a key indicator of the world’s economic strength.This article explains about the top 10 largest stock exchanges in the world.
The stock exchange gives membership to designated brokers and members who act as intermediaries to carry out buying and selling securities transactions. Also, it ensures compliance related to fair trade policies and transaction activities. Furthermore, the stock exchange comprises different indices which reflect the country’s financial health.
Traditionally, these exchanges were physical buildings in each country of operation, but it has now shifted to electronic trading and closed their trading floors. Also, the price of securities depends on the market’s demand and supply as buyers and sellers place their orders for execution. Here is the list of the Top 10 Stock Exchanges in the World –
The following table lists the largest stock exchange of different countries:
| Stock Exchange | Year of Incorporation | Country | Market Capitalisation |
| New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | 1792 | USA | $26.2 trillion |
| National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | 1971 | USA | $28.28 billion |
| Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) | 1866 | China | $6.87 trillion |
| European New Exchange Technology (EURONEXT) | 2000 | Europe | $6.65 trillion |
| Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) | 1891 | Hong Kong | $43.64 trillion |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) | 1898 | Japan | $5.67 trillion |
| Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) | 1990 | China | $5.24 trillion |
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | 1801 | United Kingdom | $4.13 trillion |
| Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) | 1861 | Canada | $3.1 trillion |
| Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) | 1875 | India | $3.5 trillion |
1. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), USA
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world’s largest stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street, New York City, USA. NYSE has a market capitalisation of $26.2 trillion (world’s biggest stock exchange) and has more than 2400 companies listed. The companies listed include many blue-chip companies and are diversified across all sectors.
NYSE is one of the oldest and largest stock market in the world that was established in the year 1792. The average trading volume on this exchange is between 2 to 6 billion shares. Thus, it has the power to affect other stock market indices because of high trading volumes across multiple countries and nations worldwide.
The most common indices present on NYSE are DJIA (index of 30 prominent stocks), S&P 500 (tracking 500 largest companies in the USA) and NASDAQ Composite Index (free float weighted market cap index comprising most common stocks of NYSE).
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2. National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), USA
NASDAQ is the world’s second-largest stock exchange located at 151 W, 42nd Street, New York City. It was the first electronically traded stock exchange in the world, established in 1971. NASDAQ has a total market cap of $28.28 billion (second biggest share market in world) and more than 3000 companies listed with an average trading volume of $1.26 every month.
NASDAQ exchange includes big heavyweight technology companies which contribute 9% of the total market value in the world. However, it has no company listed from the oil, gas or utility sectors. It is more inclined towards the technology, health care and consumer services sector. Some big companies include Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Tesla, Apple, etc.
The common indices on the NASDAQ exchange are NASDAQ Composite Index, NASDAQ 100 and NASDAQ Non-Financial.
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3. Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), China
Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is the third largest stock exchange in the world and the biggest in Asia, located in Shanghai, China. It was established in the year 1866. However, it was adjourned in 1949 due to the Chinese revolutions and laid its modern foundations for re-establishment in 1990. SSE comprises more than 1500 public limited companies whose combined market capitalisation is $6.87 trillion.
Each share listed on SSE has Class ‘A’ shares priced in local yuan currency and Class’ B’ shares quoted in US dollars. Class ‘A’ shares are for domestic investment only, except for investors who qualify for the foreign investment scheme. On the other hand, Class ‘B’ shares are available for both foreign and domestic investors.
The SSE comprises the SSE Composite Index, which includes all stocks on the exchange. Other indexes include SSE 50 Index and SSE 180 Index. Some of the largest stocks on this exchange are PetroChina, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agriculture Bank of China.
4. European New Exchange Technology (EURONEXT), Europe
Euronext is a multi-state stock exchange which is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In other words, it operates exchanges in Amsterdam, London, Paris, Lisbon, Brussels, Dublin, Milan, and Oslo. It was founded in the year 2000. This is also known as the European stock exchange and is considered the best stock exchange in Europe. Also, Euronext has more than 1300 companies listed with a total market capitalisation of $6.65 trillion.
The most dominant index is the blue-chip Euronext 100, which comprises the largest and most liquid 100 stocks. Also, French companies make up 65% of this index. And the other indices include AEX-INDEX (Netherlands companies), BEL 20 (Belgium), FTSE MIB (Italy), and OBX 25 (Norway). Some of the largest stocks on this exchange are Procter & Gamble, LVMH, Royal Dutch Shell, Merck & Co., and L’Oreal.
5. Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), Hong Kong
Hong Kong Stock Exchange was established in the year 1891 and is the third largest exchange in Asia. It is considered to be the world’s major financial hub. Also, it has more than 2200 companies, of which 50% are from main China. The current market capitalization of HKEX is $43.64 trillion, where the large portfolio comes from the top 20 companies.
The primary index is the Hang Seng Index, a free-float, adjusted-MCap-weighted index comprising 50 stocks and forms about 58% of the total HKEX’s MCap. The exchange includes some of the biggest companies in the world, like PetroChina, China Mobile, HSBC Holdings, AIA, Bank of China, etc.
Even big companies can trade at less than HK$4 per share on HKEX. Penny stocks are classified only if the price falls below HK$0.5.
6. Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), Japan
Tokyo Stock Exchange is also known as Tosho, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in the year 1898. After World War II, TSE suspended its operations for four years and later resumed operations in 1949.
TSE has more than 3500 companies listed whose cumulative market capitalisation is more than $5.67 trillion. The two leading indices on TSE are Tokyo Price Index (TOPIX) and the Nikkei 225. The TOPIX uses a free-float capitalization-weighted metric to rank companies, while the Nikkei 225 ranks the top 225 stocks by price. Some Japanese conglomerates are Honda, Toyota, Sony, Suzuki, etc. – all household names worldwide.
Additionally, TSE has two sections; the first section comprises large companies, and the second section includes mid-cap companies. Moreover, TSE is best known for providing compliance and market surveillance mechanisms.
7. Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), China
Shenzhen Stock Exchange oriented in Shenzhen, popularly known as the Silicon Valley of China. SZSE was established in 1990 and is the second largest stock exchange in China after Shanghai Stock Exchange. Also, it is an independent running stock exchange in China, followed by Shanghai Stock Exchange and Beijing Stock Exchange.
SZSE comprises more than 1900 companies with a market capitalisation of $5.24 trillion. Most companies are based in China and trade in the Yuan currency. Also, it provides a trading platform for two sets of shares, i.e. A shares that trade in local currency and B shares trading in US dollars for foreign investors.
The common indices on this exchange are SZSE Component Index, comprising 500 stocks and the SZSE 100, which lists the top 100 companies on the exchange. Even though SZSE is a self-regulatory authority, China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has the power to intervene in times of volatility. For instance, they can stop trading for a day if there is any adverse news or event impacting stocks.
8. London Stock Exchange (LSE), United Kingdom
London Stock Exchange is among the oldest stock exchanges in the world, which was set up in 1801. It is owned and administered by the London Stock Exchange Group. It was the first to set up European benchmark price, market, and equity-market liquidity data. There are approximately 3000 companies listed on the LSE with a total market capitalization of $4.13 trillion.
The main index on LSE is the Financial Times and London Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index, and the other indices include FTSE 250, FTSE 350, and the FTSE All-Share index. Also, LSE has two markets, i.e. the main market, which has over 300 big companies across the world. And another is the Alternative Investment Market, an international market for small-cap companies. Some prominent British companies that trade on the LSE are Barclays, British Petroleum and GlaxoSmithKline.
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9. Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), Canada
Toronto Stock Exchange is a wholly owned subsidiary of the financial services company of TMX Group. It was established in the year 1861 and is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The TSX has more than 2200 companies listed, which accounts for a total market capitalisation of $3.1 trillion.
The financial instruments that trade on this exchange are exchange traded funds (ETFs), equities, bonds, futures and options, commodities, investment trusts, etc. Also, TSX focuses more towards mining, oil and gas companies.
The main index of the TSX is Standard and Poor (S&P)/TSX 60, which energy companies dominate. Also, the top 100 companies can be tracked by the TSX Composite Index, which accounts for approximately 70% market capitalization of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Some top companies include the Royal Bank of Canada, Suncor Energy, Fortis, etc.
10. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), India
Bombay Stock Exchange is among the oldest stock exchanges in Asia, set up in 1875 during British rule. It is one of the top 10 stock exchanges in the world. BSE is the largest stock exchange in India which is located at Dalal Street, Bombay.
BSE has the highest number of listed companies, more than 5500; however, most companies are small-scale. Also, it has contributed to the growth of companies’ financial markets and corporate sectors. The total market capitalisation of BSE is $3.5 trillion.
The main index on this exchange is S&P BSE SENSEX, the most tracked index in India. Sensex is the acronym for sensitive index and comprises 30 stocks representing different sectors of the economy. Some of the blue-chip companies on this index are Reliance Industries, Infosys, TCS, HDFC Bank, etc.
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