Stock markets are a security marketplace where investors buy and sell shares, and companies list their shares for sale. The stock markets are an important cog in the economic machine. They enable liquidity and promote economic growth. Stock markets consist of different stock exchanges.
There are around 60 stock exchanges in the world. The volume of a stock exchange is measured by a scale called stock market capitalization. Market capitalization is the total value of the market. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the total number of shares listed in an exchange by the total value of each share. According to that, the largest market cap stock exchange is the New York Stock Exchange, followed by Nasdaq.
Below is the list of the top 20 biggest stock markets in the world in no particular order.
1. New York Stock Exchange
2. Nasdaq
3. London Stock Exchange
4. Shanghai Stock Exchange
5. Hong Kong Stock Exchange
6. Toronto Stock Exchange
7. Bombay Stock Exchange
8. Euronext
9. Shenzhen Stock Exchange
10. Taiwan Stock Exchange
11. National Stock Exchange
12. SIX Swiss Exchange
13. Johannesburg Stock Exchange
14. Korea Exchange
15. Japan Exchange Group
16. Australian Securities Exchange
17. Tehran Stock Exchange
18. Deutsche Börse AG
19. Saudi Stock Exchange
20. B3 Brasil Bolsa Balcão
Let us now explore each stock exchange from the above list.
1. Nasdaq
Nasdaq is another stock exchange listed in the New York City. It is the world’s second-largest stock exchange on the basis of market cap. Nasdaq has one of the highest numbers of listing in the world, with the number touching 3500 in the recent past.
| Nasdaq | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XNAS | United States | New York City | 17.36 | EST/EDT | 09:30 | 16:00 |
2. New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market cap. NYSE is an American Stock Exchange, and it is situated in Lower Manhattan in New York City. New York Stock Exchange has a history of about 230 years and is considered a milestone for the world economy.
| New york stock exchange | ||||||
| Market identified code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XNYS | the United States | New York City | 25.85 | EST/EDT | 09:30 | 16:00 |
3. London Stock Exchange
The London stock exchange is the prominent stock exchange in the United Kingdom. Situated in Paternoster Square, London, the London stock exchange is a part of a public company called the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The London stock exchange has a history dating back to 1571.
| London Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XLON | United Kingdom | London | 3.07 | GMT/BST | 8:00 | 16:00 |
4. Shanghai Stock Exchange
The Shanghai Stock Exchange is the biggest stock exchange in China. It is one of the stock exchanges in mainland China. It is also China’s first stock exchange and has over 2000 companies listed.
| Shanghai Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XSHG | China | Shanghai | 7.37 | CST | 09:30 | 15:00 |
5. Hong Kong Stock Exchange
The Hong Kong stock exchange is the only stock exchange in Hong Kong. Several surveys say that it is the fastest-growing stock exchange in Asia. Hong Kong Stock exchange’s physical trading floor was closed in 2017.
| Hong Kong Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XHKG | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 4.97 | HKT | 09:30 | 16:00/16:08–16:10 |
6. Toronto Stock Exchange
The Toronto Stock Exchange is Canada’s official stock exchange, situated in Ontario, Canada. The Exchange was founded in 1860 and now has a listing of about 2200. Toronto Stock Exchange is the 11th largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market cap.
| Toronto Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XTSE | Canada | Toronto | 2.85 | EST/EDT | 09:00 | 16:00 |
7. Bombay Stock Exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange is one of India’s official stock exchanges. Located in Dalal Street, Mumbai. It was founded in 1875 by cotton merchant Premchand Roychand. It is the oldest stock exchange in Asia and has more than 5400 listings.
| Bombay Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XBOM | India | Mumbai | 3.96 | IST | 09:15 | 15:30 |
8. Euronext
Euronext N.V.is a group of stock exchanges that serves the stock markets across Europe. Euronext trades a wide variety of assets, including equities, debts, commodities, etc. Euronext is based in the Netherlands and was founded in 2000.
| Euronext | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XAMSXBRUXMSMXLISXMILXOSLXPAR | Europe | AmsterdamBrusselsDublinLisbon\MilanOsloParis | 6.41 | CET/CEST | 9:00 | 17:30 |
9. Shenzhen Stock Exchange
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange is one of the stock exchanges in China. It is one of the three stock exchanges in China. Situated in Shenzhen, China, it has over 2000 listings.
| Shenzhen Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XSHE | China | Shenzhen | 5.74 | CST | 9:30 | 15:00 |
10. Taiwan Stock Exchange
Taiwan Stock Exchange is a part of The Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation situated in Taipei, Taiwan. TSE started its stock exchange in 1962 and has just a shy of 900 listings.
| Taiwan Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XTAI | Taiwan | Taipei | 1.55 | NST (Taiwan) | 9:00 | 13:30 |
11. National Stock Exchange
The national stock exchange is one of the two stock exchanges in India. The national stock exchange is located in Mumbai, India. The national stock exchange is the largest derivatives market in the world as of 2021.
| National Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XNSE | India | Mumbai | 3.40 | IST | 9:15 | 15:30 |
12. SIX Swiss Exchange
The SIX Swiss Exchange is the primary stock exchange of Switzerland. The SIX Swiss Exchange also trades other securities such as government bonds, stock options, etc.
| SIX Swiss Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XSWX | Switzerland | Zurich | 1.80 | CET/CEST | 9:00 | 17:30 |
13. Johannesburg Stock Exchange
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Africa. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is situated in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, and was founded on 8 November 1887.
| Johannesburg Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XJSE | South Africa | Johannesburg | 1.36 | SAST | 9:00 | 17:00 |
14. Korea Exchange
The Korea Exchange is the only stock exchange in the country of South Korea. Korea Exchange is situated in Busan and has an office in Seoul as well.
| Korea Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XKOS | South Korea | SeoulBusan | 1.67 | KST | 09:00 | 15:30 |
15. Japan Exchange Group
The Japan Exchange Group is a Japanese stock exchange located in Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan. The Japan Exchange group was founded in 1949, and it has 1200 listings today.
| Japan Exchange Group | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XJPX | Japan | Tokyo | 5.16 | JST | 09:00 | 15:00 |
16. Australian Securities Exchange
The Australian Securities Exchange is the official stock exchange of Australia and is located in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in 1987 and has over 2300 listings.
| Australian Securities Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XASX | Australia | Sydney | 1.60 | AEST/AEDT | 10:00 | 16:00 |
17. Tehran Stock Exchange
The Tehran stock exchange is Iran’s largest stock exchange and was founded in 1967. The Tehran stock exchange is comparatively smaller, with 300 listings.
| Tehran Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| Iran | Tehran | 1.35 |
18. Deutsche Börse AG
Deutsche Börse AG is a German company that facilitates stock exchange activities in Germany. Deutsche Börse AG was founded in 1992 and is currently situated in Frankfurt, Germany.
| Deutsche Börse AG | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XFRA | Germany | Frankfurt | 1.75 | CET/CEST | 08:00 (Eurex)08:00 (floor)09:00 (Xetra) | 22:00 (Eurex)20:00 (floor)17:30 (Xetra) |
19. Saudi Stock Exchange
The Saudi Stock Exchange, or Tadawul, is Saudi’s official stock exchange.
20. Tadawul is situated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was founded on 19 March 2007.
| Saudi Stock Exchange | ||||||
| Market identifier code (MIC) | Region | Market place | Market Cap (trillion dollars) | Time Zone | Open time | Close time |
| XSAU | Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | 3.05 | AST | 10:00 | 15:00 |
What is the biggest stock market?
The New York Stock Exchange is the biggest stock exchange in the world. The biggest stock market in the world is often decided according to the market capitalization of the exchange. Market capitalization is the total value of the stocks that are traded in an exchange. In that terms, the New York Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in the world, followed by Nasdaq.
Who regulates the stock markets?
The stock markets are regulated by a government-backed regulated body in most countries. In America, one of the world’s largest economies, the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) is the regulatory body. SEC’s duties include formulating rules regarding the markets and ensuring the rules are followed to upkeep the interest of all the stock market entities.
In India, the regulatory body is The Securities and Exchanges Board of India (SEBI). As a Recognized Investment Exchange, the London Stock Exchange is governed by the FCA. The Securities and Futures Commission oversees Hong Kong’s securities and futures markets (SFC). The umbrella body for Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators is called the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).
The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) is Euronext Lisbon’s regulatory body. Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) is a self-regulatory organization overseen by China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The Swiss Exchange Regulation (SER) oversees and monitors exchange participants and issuers on the Swiss Stock Exchange and publishes pertinent information. The JSE is the current frontline regulator, establishing listing standards and enforcing trade rules, while the financial sector conduct authority is the secondary regulator (FSCA) for the Johannesburg stock exchange.
The Korea Exchange has regulatory control over the criteria for listing and a few trading regulations, like eligibility for membership. A division of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), which is in charge of overseeing Korea’s financial markets, is the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The autonomous self-regulatory organization known as Japan Exchange Regulation (JPX-R) is committed to preserving the integrity of the Japanese securities markets.
The Australian Government’s independent Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) serves as the country’s business regulator. The only organization permitted to serve as the Securities Exchange in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Tadawul (the Exchange).
Is it easy to invest in the stock market?
Yes, investing in the stock market is easy nowadays. Once you have figured out where to invest according to your goals and risk appetite, you just need to sign up with a broker. A broker is an entity that acts as the intermediary between the investor and the exchange. The broker also enables investors with a platform to invest.
Once you have the broker account ready, you can easily invest in stocks.
Can anyone invest in stock markets?
Yes, generally anyone who is not barred by law can invest in the stock market. However, depending on the country’s law, there are different requirements to invest in stock market. In order to buy & sell stocks in stock market, you first need a demat account.
Read more: What is the Stock Market? Definition, Types and Significance for Investors
Documents required for opening demat account varies country to country.
