A stock exchange is a marketplace where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold. It is a platform where buyers and sellers come together to trade stocks and other securities. Stock exchanges serve as intermediaries between companies and investors, providing a regulated and transparent platform for companies to raise capital and for investors to buy and sell securities.
When a company decides to go public and list its shares on a stock exchange, it is required to comply with certain regulatory and disclosure requirements. This includes providing detailed financial information and regular updates on the company’s performance to investors.
The buying and selling of shares on a stock exchange is done through brokers, who act as intermediaries between investors and the exchange. Investors can place buy and sell orders for shares through their brokers, who will then execute the trade on their behalf.
The price of a share on a stock exchange is determined by supply and demand. If there are more buyers than sellers, the price of the share will increase, and vice versa. The price of a share is also influenced by various other factors, such as the company’s financial performance, industry trends, and macroeconomic conditions.
Stock exchanges play an important role in the economy by providing companies with access to capital and investors with the opportunity to invest in a range of companies and sectors. They also serve as important indicators of market trends and economic activity.
What are the advantage and disadvantage of listing on the stock exchange
Listing on a stock exchange has both advantages and disadvantages, which are outlined below:
Advantages:
- Access to capital: One of the primary advantages of listing on a stock exchange is access to capital. Companies can raise significant amounts of money through the sale of shares to investors, which can be used for expansion, research and development, acquisitions, and other growth-related activities.
- Increased liquidity: Publicly traded companies have greater liquidity, which means that investors can easily buy and sell shares on the stock exchange, providing investors with greater flexibility and more opportunities to exit their positions.
- Increased visibility: Listing on a stock exchange increases a company’s visibility and credibility, which can be beneficial for attracting customers, partners, and suppliers.
- Valuation: A public listing can provide a benchmark for the valuation of the company, which can be used for future fundraising and M&A transactions.
- Employee incentives: A publicly traded company can offer stock options and other equity-based incentives to employees, which can help to attract and retain top talent.
Disadvantages:
- Regulatory compliance: Publicly traded companies are subject to a range of regulatory requirements, including financial reporting and disclosure obligations, which can be time-consuming and costly.
- Increased scrutiny: A public listing can subject a company to increased scrutiny from investors, analysts, and the media, which can result in greater pressure to perform and negative publicity if expectations are not met.
- Loss of control: Going public means that the company’s ownership is dispersed among many shareholders, potentially diluting the control of the founders and management team.
- Short-termism: The pressure to meet quarterly earnings expectations and deliver short-term results can distract management from focusing on long-term strategy and innovation.
- Costs: Listing on a stock exchange can be expensive, with significant costs associated with legal, accounting, and other professional services.
About the Author
Dr. Dawkins Brown is the Executive Chairman of Dawgen Global , an integrated multidisciplinary professional service firm .
Dr. Brown earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the field of Accounting, Finance and Management
He has over Twenty Six (26) years experience in the field of Audit, Accounting, Taxation, Finance and management . Starting his public accounting career in the audit department of a “big four” firm (Ernst & Young), and gaining experience in local and international audits, Dr. Brown rose quickly through the senior ranks and held the position of Senior consultant prior to establishing Dawgen.
He is a member of Chartered Management Institute (CMI), member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) , member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association ( ISACA ) member of American Planning Association (APA) , member of the American Finance Association (AFA) and member of Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS).
As Executive Chairman of Dawgen Global , he is responsible for the strategic guidance and strategy execution of several entities within the Dawgen Global Group.