Glossary · Defined term
NYSE
The NYSE is the largest U.S. stock exchange by market value of listed companies, founded in 1792. Definition, how it works, and related terms.
Last updated Oct 2, 2026
What it means
The New York Stock Exchange is the largest U.S. stock exchange by total market value of its listed companies. Founded in 1792 under the Buttonwood Agreement, it operates a hybrid market that combines electronic trading with a physical trading floor in Manhattan, where designated market makers help maintain orderly trading. NYSE listing standards are among the strictest, and a NYSE listing has long signaled corporate prestige. The exchange lists many of the world's biggest industrial, financial, and consumer companies. Its most cited benchmark is the NYSE Composite index, though the Dow Jones Industrial Average is also composed mainly of NYSE-listed stocks.
An example
For illustration, a multinational bank listing its shares chooses between the NYSE and Nasdaq. Listing on the NYSE means its stock trades in the hybrid auction market with a designated market maker assigned to the stock. The opening bell ceremonies and floor traders seen on financial news are the visible face of that market structure.