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When was the New York Stock Exchange founded?

The New York Stock Exchange is the oldest and largest stock exchange in America. It dates to May 17, 1792, when local brokers met under a designated tree to buy and sell securities (bonds to raise money). The New York Stock Exchange most people would recognize today began operation on Wall Street in New York City in 1825 for the purpose of buying and selling stocks. Stock represents a share of ownership in a company and gives the shareholder the right to a part of the company's profits. Companies sell shares of stock in order to raise money to expand operations. A stock market provides an organized way to sell stocks and other financial instruments. The largest and oldest companies in the United States usually offer shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Smaller companies use other stock exchanges, such as the AMEX (American Stock Exchange) and nine smaller,...

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