The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), often referred to as the “Big Board”, is a stock exchange that was founded in 1792 and continues to play an important role as a global stock trading center. At the NYSE, public companies can list their shares and investors can trade equities and other securities, such as bonds. As one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world, the NYSE has gone through many changes and innovations, including the transition from manual trading on the trading floor to an efficient electronic system.
In the past, trading on the NYSE was done entirely physically by brokers on the trading floor, but as technology has evolved, most trading is now done digitally. However, the NYSE retains some of its traditional aspects, such as the opening and closing bells and the presence of Designated Market Makers (DMMs), which help maintain price stability and ensure smooth trading.