Stock is a term used to symbolize an investor’s ownership in a company. Those who own stock are commonly called stockholders or shareholders. As a shareholder, an investor theoretically owns a percentage of everything the company owns or owes. The company’s profitability or lack thereof, determines whether its stock is traded at a higher or lower price. While trading of debt and commodities has its origins in the middle Ages, the modern concept of a stock market began in the late 16th century.
Stock markets were started when countries in the New World began trading with each other. While many pioneer merchants wanted to start huge businesses, this required substantial amounts of capital that no single merchant could raise alone. As a result, groups of investors pooled their savings and became business partners and co-owners with individual shares in their businesses to form joint-stock companies. Originated by the Dutch, joint-stock companies became a viable business model for many struggling businesses. In 1602, the Dutch East India Co. issued the first paper shares. This exchangeable medium allowed shareholders to conveniently buy, sell and trade their stock with other shareholders and investors.
As the volume of shares increased, the need for an organized marketplace to exchange these shares became necessary. As a result, stock traders decided to meet at a London coffeehouse, which they used as a marketplace. Eventually, they took over the coffeehouse and, in 1773, changed its name to the “stock exchange.” Thus, the first exchange, the London Stock Exchange, was founded. The idea made its way to the American colonies with an exchange started in Philadelphia in 1790.
Today, there are many stock exchanges worldwide, each supplying the capital necessary to support industry growth. Without these vital funds, many revolutionary ideas would never become a reality, nor would fundamental improvements be made to existing products. In addition, the stock market creates personal wealth and financial stability through private investment, allowing individuals to fund their retirement and or other ventures.