The stock market is where people buy and sell stocks or securities. There are two types of transactions: open outcry and virtual. The main goal of the stock exchange is to help buyers and sellers trade securities. Different types of investors participate in the market, like banks, insurance companies, and individual investors. Studies show that individual investors and corporations trading in their own shares tend to get higher returns than retail investors. The market has become more institutionalized over time, with big institutions like insurance companies and mutual funds getting involved. This has led to improvements in how the market operates.