New York Stock Exchange

Principal stock market in the USA. The market was founded in 1792 under the Buttonwood Agreement, signed by 24 New York City stockbrokers and merchants, and the exchange was first operated in 1817. In 1934 the exchange registered as a national securities exchange with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and it was incorporated in 1971 as a not-for-profit corporation. Over 3,000 companies are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

To acquire a listing on the exchange a company must be registered with the SEC and meet a range of specific criteria. Listed companies are usually larger, better established companies. The stock listed for the longest period is Consolidated Edison – first listed in 1824 as the New York Gas Light Company.