Billions of dollars worth of shares and stocks are traded daily in the New York Stock Exchange. This feat is accomplished by the most technologically efficient market trading system in the world. This system and the prestige that the "Big Board" has is the reason why major players and Fortune 500 companies, from across the globe, are listed in the exchange.

Specialist auctioneers, who are authorized to handle the buying and selling of exchange members representing various international clients, are employed by an elite group of New York Stock Exchange firms. Only the most solid and financially capable firms could own a "seat" in the exchange, the most sought-after commodity in the market. Owners of these seats have the privilege to trade billions of dollars directly in the exchange.

Although the New York Stock Exchange basically started as a non-profit organization, its basic purpose is to increase the operating capital of corporations by offering shares to the public. Consumers are given the chance to own a percentage of any of the 2,800 companies (total value of $21 trillion US dollars in the global market) listed in the exchange by buying stocks or shares. They can earn through stock dividends or through selling their shares. The list comprises of small, medium to large enterprises like ExxonMobil and Colgate.

To best serve its investors, the New York Stock Exchange continually improves on the quality of its corporate governance policies. The structure of these policies are created with the consumers in mind and applicable to anyone, whether share ownership is by a person with only a small percentage invested or by a huge entity with a large stake in another company. Companies whose shares are sold to the public must meet the high-level of standards required by the exchange and practice complete financial transparency to its shareholders. Learn more about trading stock at http://www.learningtotradestock.com

The New York Stock Exchange maintains its reputation of protecting investors through the regulation of activities by its member-brokers. Seat ownership is not only a huge responsibility, it is only for solid and secure corporations who can put-up the millions of dollars needed to become a member of the exchange.

Believe it or not, the first offices for the New York Stock Exchange were opened in 1817 at 40 Wall Street in New York. The offices cost $200 a month to rent. By 1901, the amount of trading had increased six fold and more permanent offices seemed to be necessary. The New York Stock Exchange opened its new doors in 1903 at a cost of $4 million dollars and was the largest office space in New York at the time.

In order for you to be able to invest in the New York Stock Exchange, you must contact any of the stock brokers of member companies. This way, you can be assured that the people handling your account are licensed and governed by the exchange.