By country, the largest stock markets as of January 2022 are in the United States of America (about 59.9%), followed by Japan (about 6.2%) and United Kingdom (about 3.9%).
A 2019 study by Harvard Business Review found either Vanguard, BlackRock or State Street is the largest listed owner of 88% of S&P 500 companies. There is a perception that a few select companies own a vast majority of the stock market.
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New York Stock Exchange in New York City, US, is the largest stock exchange in the world. Nasdaq in New York City, US, is the second-largest stock exchange in the world. Shanghai Stock Exchange in Shanghai, China, is the third-largest stock exchange in the world.
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Who owns 93% of the stock market?
The wealthiest 10% of U.S. households own approximately 93% of the stock market's value, a record concentration of wealth, with the top 1% holding over half of all stocks. This ownership is concentrated among the richest Americans, while the bottom half of households own a very small fraction, illustrating significant wealth inequality in stock market participation.
European stock exchanges make up two of the top ten global major stock markets. Europe's biggest stock exchange is the Euronext which combines five markets based in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Oslo and Paris.
The wealthiest 10% of Americans own like 90% of stocks, and the top 1% own 50%. While the poorest 50% of the population own about 1% of the stock market. So "publicly" traded (the term public ownership can be confusing because it can also mean state control) just means it's open for the elite to invest in.
What if I invested $1000 in Coca-Cola 30 years ago?
A $1,000 investment in Coca-Cola 30 years ago would have grown to around $9,030 today. KO data by YCharts. This is primarily not because of the stock, which would be worth around $4,270. The remaining $4,760 comes from cumulative dividend payments over the last 30 years.
The US holds the largest share at 34.7% (€150.9 trillion), followed by China with 19.4% (€84.2 trillion). Japan ranks third with 4.5% (€19.7 trillion).
The term 'Magnificent 7 stocks' refers to seven dominant tech companies—Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla—that have played a crucial role in driving market growth.
The American economy is fueled by high productivity, well-developed transportation infrastructure, and extensive natural resources. Americans have the sixth highest average household and employee income among OECD member states.
As a result of his success, Buffett is one of the best-known investors in America. According to Forbes, as of January 2026, Buffett's estimated net worth stood at US$148.9 billion, making him the ninth-richest individual in the world.
So, if you are 40, then the rule states that 70% of your portfolio should be kept in stocks. The remaining 30% should be kept in bonds and cash. This rule of thumb can be adjusted to reflect your own personal risk tolerance.
The "Big Three" of Europe generally refers to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK), especially in foreign policy and security, forming the informal "E3" for major diplomatic initiatives like Iran nuclear talks. Within the EU, the trio often includes France, Germany, and Italy due to their combined economic power and founding roles, though the UK was part of the grouping before Brexit, while France, Germany, Italy, and the UK are collectively called the "Big Four".
Trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CET. The times for bonds are different (8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Intermediary-based trading according to the specialist model with equities, funds and products of the ETP family takes place from 8:00 to 22:00.
All investments carry some degree of risk. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can lose value—even their entire value—if market conditions sour. Even conservative, insured investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs) issued by a bank or credit union, come with inflation risk.