THE BEECHMONT CREST ONLINE GUIDE TO STOCKS AND INVESTING
THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the largest securities exchange. It is also the oldest exchange, dating back to the days of J.P. Morgan.
The trading of securities began to flourish on Wall Street during the 1850s. By the end of the decade, hundreds of railroad, bank, and insurance stocks were regularly traded on the NYSE (The NYSE was originally known as the New York Stock and Exchange Board, before its current name was adopted in 1863.) Today the NYSE is also known as the Big Board.
Not just any company’s stock can be traded on the NYSE. In order to be listed, a company must have a market capitalization of at least $100 million. (Market capitalization = stock price x number of shares outstanding.)
Other requirements for a listing on the NYSE include a minimum of 2,200 shareholders, and pre-tax earnings of $6.5 million or more during the past three years.