The world of stock trading in the United States happened almost simultaneously with the birth of the country. In late 1700s Philadelphia, the first stock exchange in American history was formed as a way to stimulate this new economy and fund business. This fledgling foray into stock exchange gave rise to a small group of merchants who formed the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE); their initial operations called for a daily meeting on Wall Street during which they would trade stocks and bonds.
Unbelievably, this outdoor trading market continued until the early 1900s when trading was happening at a frenzied pace with millions of dollars trading hands. This would not be the last time that the stock exchange would grow to accommodate public need. Today’s stock exchange has figuratively moved back outdoors as stocks and bonds are traded on a daily basis over vast networks of worldwide computers. This new world of online stock trading has ushered in a new chapter in the stock exchange one of adaptation and a new level of convenience and independence for investors.
Online stock trading has grown in popularity as investors spend more and more time on the computer...