Notable stock market exchanges include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq Exchange, and OTC Markets. Each has different listing requirements for companies that want to use their services to raise capital from investors.
The stock market as an auction house: Another aspect of the stock market is its auction-like pricing system. Unlike a retail store, where there's a set price for each item, stock prices change all the time as buyers and sellers attempt to reach a market price for a company's stock.
Many internal and external factors impact stock prices. For example, a company's earnings and its growth prospects (internal factors) can affect its share price. Meanwhile, anything from an upcoming election to how investors feel about the economy's direction (external factors) can also impact stock prices.