Biggest stock exchanges

We've compiled a list of stock exchanges worldwide that you can invest in.

Together, the five biggest stock exchanges in the world have a market capitalisation of more than US$65 trillion (around £45 trillion). They are home to the world’s best-known companies such as Apple, HSBC and Walt Disney.

Find out how you can invest in the world’s largest stock exchanges.

What is market capitalisation?

Market capitalisation (often referred to as “market cap”) is the total value of a company’s outstanding shares of stock. It’s pretty easy to calculate – it’s just the total outstanding shares multiplied by the market value of one share.

To find the market cap of a stock exchange, you add up the market capitalisation of all of the companies in the exchange. The biggest stock exchanges each have market capitalisations of more than US$6 trillion.

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

The New York Stock Exchange is the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalisation. Its market capitalisation is US$25.62 trillion (around £18 trillion). It’s home to some of the most recognisable brands in the world such as Twitter, Spotify and Walt Disney.

The NYSE opening hours are 9:30am to 4pm ET, which is 2:30pm to 9pm GMT.

NASDAQ

NASDAQ (sometimes referred to as Nasdaq) is the world’s second largest stock exchange by market capitalisation. It started as the world’s first electronic stock market as a quotation system. NASDAQ’s market capitalisation is US$19.51 trillion (around £13.75 trillion). There are some major well-known companies on NASDAQ, including the “FAANG stocks“, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Alphabet (Google).

The NASDAQ exchange opening hours are from 9:30 am to 4pm ET, which is 2:30pm to 9pm GMT.

Hong Kong stock exchange

Hong Kong Stock Exchange is one of China’s stock exchanges. It has a market capitalisation of US$6.76 trillion (around £4.77 trillion). The largest company on the Hong Kong exchange is AIA, an insurance and finance company. It’s also home to HSBC Holdings – HSBC Group’s subsidiary in Kong Kong.

The trading hours for the Hong Kong stock exchange are 9:30am to 4pm in the Hong Kong timezone, which is GMT+08:00. In UK time it is open from 1:30am to 8am GMT .

Shanghai Stock Exchange

Shanghai Stock Exchange is another of China’s stock exchanges. It has a market capitalisation of US$6.56 trillion (around £4.62 trillion). The bad news is that if you’ve got dreams of investing in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, you can’t. If there’s a company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange that you want to invest in, then it may also be traded on one of the US exchanges.

The opening hours for the Shanghai Stock Exchange are 9:30am to 3pm in the Shanghai timezone which is GMT+08:00. It takes a lunch break from 11:30am to 1pm.

In UK time it is open from 1:30am to 7am GMT with a lunch break from 3:30am to 5am.

Japan Exchange Group (JPX)

Japan Exchange Group is a corporation that manages several exchanges, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Stock Exchange. These exchanges merged in 2011, which puts Japan Exchange Group the fifth largest stock exchange by market capitalisation. It has a total market cap of US$6.54 trillion (around £4.61 trillion).

Japan Exchange Group’s opening hours are from 9am to 3pm JST with a lunch break between 11:30am and 12:30pm which is from midnight to 6am GMT with a lunch break between 2:30am and 3:30am. You’ll definitely need to be an early bird to get the worm.

Compare investment services

To invest in the biggest stock exchanges in the world you’ll need an investment broker.

Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Name Product UKFST Finder Score Min. initial deposit Price per trade Frequent trader rate Platform fees Offer Link
Finder Award
FREE TRADES
eToro Free Stocks
4.3
★★★★★
$100
£0 on stocks
N/A
£0
Go to site

Capital at risk. Fees apply.

Platform details
XTB
4.4
★★★★★
£0
£0
£0
£0
Earn up to 5% interest on uninvested cash.
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
Hargreaves Lansdown Fund and Share Account
4.2
★★★★★
£1
£11.95
£5.95
£0
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
interactive investor Trading Account
4.1
★★★★★
£0
£3.99 (free regular investing)
£0
From £4.99 a month
Get £50 worth of free trades if you open an ii Trading Account before 31 October. T&Cs apply. New customers only. Capital at risk.
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
SaxoInvestor Share Dealing Account
4.3
★★★★★
£0
£3
N/A
0.12% per year
Limited time offer: Zero commission on 100 US stocks for new customers. T&Cs apply.
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
OFFER
Freetrade
4.4
★★★★★
£1
£0
N/A
£0
Get a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up and deposit at least £50. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
loading

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.


List of the biggest stock exchanges in the world

These are the biggest stock exchanges in the world by market capitalisation.

Stock exchangeShort nameMarket capitalisation
New York Stock ExchangeNYSEUS$25.62 trillion
NasdaqNASDAQUS$19.51 trillion
Hong Kong Stock ExchangeHKEXUS$6.76 trillion
Shanghai Stock ExchangeSSEUS$6.56 trillion
Japan Exchange GroupJPXUS$6.54 trillion
Zoe Stabler DipFA's headshot
Senior writer

Zoe was a senior writer at Finder specialising in investment and banking, and during this time, she joined the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2022. She is currently a senior money writer at Be Clever With Your Cash. Zoe has a BA in English literature and a Diploma for Financial Advisers. She has several years of experience in writing about all things personal finance. Zoe has a particular love for spreadsheets, having also worked as a management accountant. In her spare time, you’ll find Zoe skating at her local ice rink. See full bio

Zoe's expertise
Zoe has written 167 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Share dealing
  • Reviews and comparisons of trading platforms
  • Robo-advisors
  • Pensions
  • Banking

More guides on Finder

  • Best day trading stocks for 2024

    Find out how to spot some of the best day trading stocks available in the UK and abroad, along with tips for managing your investment portfolio on a day-to-day basis.

  • Best trading apps UK

    We’ve tested, analysed and scored trading apps to find the 10 best trading apps in the UK, who they’re best for and the pros and cons.

  • How to buy Flutter Entertainment shares

    Thinking about buying shares in Flutter Entertainment? We explain how to do it and compare a range of providers who will give you access to global markets.

  • How to buy AT&T shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in AT&T? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including AT&T.

  • How to buy Wincanton shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in Wincanton? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Wincanton.

  • How to buy United Utilities Group shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in United Utilities? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including United Utilities.

  • How to buy WPP shares

    Ever wondered how to buy shares in WPP Group? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including WPP Group.

  • How to buy Merlin Entertainments shares

    Find out how to buy shares in Merlin Entertainments, see Merlin Entertainments’ share prices over the last three months and check out our must-do checklist if you’re looking to invest.

  • How to buy Howden Joinery Group shares

    We explain how to buy shares in Howden Joinery, explaining the costs and fees you could come up against. We also have a checklist for anyone looking to invest in a company.

  • How to buy Severn Trent shares

    We walk you through how to buy shares in Severn Trent, covering all of the costs and fees you could come up against. We also have a checklist for anyone looking to invest in a company.

Go to site