The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), established in 1792 in the [[United States of America (USA)]], is the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization and is located on Wall Street in New York City. Often referred to as the "Big Board," it serves as a primary marketplace where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold. The NYSE operates as an auction market with designated market makers (formerly known as specialists) who facilitate trading and maintain orderly markets in specific stocks. It's widely considered one of the most prestigious stock exchanges globally, with strict listing requirements for companies, and its opening and closing bells have become iconic symbols of American financial markets.