The capital market is a financial market where long-term debt or equity-backed securities are bought and sold. It is where companies and governments can raise funds by issuing stocks and bonds to investors. The capital market includes the stock market, where equities are traded, and the bond market, where debt securities are bought and sold. It plays a crucial role in the economy by providing a platform for businesses to raise capital for growth and expansion.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 12
Definition:
A capital market is a financial market where long-term debt and equity securities are bought and sold. These securities are issued by corporations, governments, and other entities to raise capital.
Characteristics:
- Long-Term Maturities: Securities traded in capital markets typically have maturities of more than one year. - Large Size: Capital markets handle large volumes of financial transactions. - Diverse Instruments: Capital markets offer a wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). - Secondary Market: Capital markets provide a secondary market, where investors can buy and sell securities that have already been issued. - Liquidity: Capital markets are generally liquid, meaning that investors can easily buy and sell securities.
Types of Capital Markets:
- Primary Market: Where new securities are issued and sold for the first time. - Secondary Market: Where previously issued securities are traded between investors. - Equity Market: Where stocks, representing ownership in companies, are traded. - Debt Market: Where bonds and other debt instruments are traded.
Functions of Capital Markets:
- Capital Formation: Capital markets enable corporations and governments to raise funds for investment and growth. - Risk Management: Investors can diversify their portfolios by investing in different capital market instruments. - Price Discovery: Capital markets determine the prices of securities, which reflect the underlying value of assets. - Economic Growth: Capital markets facilitate the flow of capital to productive sectors of the economy. - Investor Protection: Capital markets are regulated to protect investors from fraud and abuse.
Benefits of Capital Markets:
- Access to Capital: Businesses and governments can access capital to fund projects and investments. - Investor Returns: Investors can potentially earn returns on their investments. - Economic Efficiency: Capital markets allocate funds to their most productive uses. - Financial Stability: Capital markets provide a mechanism for managing and absorbing financial risk. - Transparency: Capital markets are transparent, providing investors with access to information and prices.