The stock market is a collection of markets and exchanges where activities related to the buying, selling, and issuance of shares of publicly traded companies occur. It serves as a platform for investors to trade ownership in businesses through stock shares, which represent a claim on a company’s assets and earnings. The stock market is crucial for economic growth as it provides companies with access to capital in exchange for giving investors a slice of ownership in the company.
Prices for stocks are determined by supply and demand dynamics, influenced by various factors including company performance, investor sentiment, economic indicators, and market trends. Stock markets can be categorized into primary markets, where new issues of stocks are sold to investors, and secondary markets, where investors trade previously issued shares among themselves. Major stock markets include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ, among others. The performance of the stock market is often seen as an indicator of the overall health of the economy.
### Wildfires Rage in Southern California, Impacting Utility Stocks The recent wildfires engulfing Southern California have unleashed chaos, leading to multiple evacuations and a surge in anxiety among investors. **Smoke…