Stock Markets

A Brief History of the Stock Market and Stock Exchanges The stock market history dates back hundreds of years to 13th-century Europe, but the U.S. stock market didn’t become an established part of economic life until much later, during the 18th century. Today, the performance of various stock markets in the U.S. and around the world is used daily to gauge the health of different parts of the economy. But the history of the stock market is a long, winding road, with many twists and turns. Key Points • The stock market has a long history dating back to 13th-century... View Article