The oldest stock exchange in the world is the Amsterdam Bourse. It has been in existence for over nine hundred years. However, it was not until the 13th century that it began to facilitate the purchase of equities. This practice began when French businessmen began trading agricultural debts. Later, merchants in Venice started selling government bonds.
Amsterdam Bourse
The Amsterdam Bourse is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. Its history dates back to 1592, when the city council enacted the first trading bylaws. These laws established fixed trading hours and a code of conduct. In addition, the city also instituted a bell to signal the opening of trading. Latecomers were fined and could not trade until the bell rang. This tradition is still practiced today, though the bell has been replaced by a gong.
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is widely regarded as the oldest stock exchange in the world. In 1602, the Dutch East India Company started trading in printed stocks and bonds, and later named the exchange the Amsterdam Bourse. As the world’s first stock market, the Amsterdam Bourse was instrumental in the early development of stock trading. It was also the first publicly traded company. During its first three centuries, Amsterdam Bourse companies paid an average of 16% in dividends, making it the oldest stock exchange in the world.
Bombay Stock Exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in India. It is run by a governing board consisting of nine directors and one managing director. These people are elected by shareholders and trading members of the exchange. The governing body also elects a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The BSE’s website contains historical data and ratings on companies. It is possible to track share prices and see which companies have the highest SENSEX index.
The BSE began in 1855 with 22 stockbrokers in front of the Town Hall in South Bombay, working under banyan trees. In 1875, the government of India recognized the BSE as an official stock exchange. The BSE has its own postage stamp. It is also the oldest stock exchange in Asia.
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world and has been in existence for more than 300 years. It is not subject to any government regulation and acts as an independent institution. The stock market represents the City of London, an autonomous zone that also hosts other notable institutions like the Bank of England, Rothschild’s, and Lloyd’s of London.
When the London Stock Exchange was first established, it operated without a clear set of rules or fundamental laws. This informal system attracted scammers and dishonest traders, so it was only after the 1801 publication of the rule book that it became formalized.
Paris Bourse
Paris Bourse was founded in 1724, and today is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. It lists more than a thousand companies and has a market capitalization of $2.9 trillion. It is part of the Euronext NV, which is the second largest stock exchange in Europe after the London Stock Exchange.
The Paris bourse was first located in the Hotel de Nevers. However, it was closed during the French Revolution. In the 1820s, it moved to the Palais-Royal. This building was already in use when the Bourse was first opened, and it remained there until October 1807. The bourse then relocated again, to the former Couvent des Filles-Saint-Thomas. It remained in that location until the 19th century, when it moved to the Palais Brongniart.
