American Stock Exchange (AMEX)

The American Stock Exchange is perhaps one of the most well-known stock exchanges that exist anywhere in the world. Until 1953, though, the American Stock Exchange was also called the New York Curb Exchange. During this time there was little organized activity that occurred in the market, mostly people just stood there and did what they wanted, when they wanted it. There were not any rules in place that were meant to keep the people from doing some activities as there are in place today. However, once the Curb Exchange became known as the American Stock Exchange, they bumped up their level of organization within the organization. During this time the Curb Exchange came about because there were those that wanted to get in on the exchange action however, were not allowed to do so because the regulations in place mandated that the company have at least one hundred stocks that they could trade on the market. This is where the idea of men standing on the curb came about and making their stock decisions. They traded outside of the company due to the stiff regulations and made their own rules. The part that they didn't know was the fact that they were doing themselves and the world of stock exchanges a huge favor by having this type of exchange in place.

Once the exchange became known as the American Stock Exchange, they were still the leading exchange in the country for stocks. Which is surprising given that this exchange started off as a small exchange that meant to change the rules and develop their own way of trading stocks, it seemed to work for them, needless to say. The stocks that they did trade were those that most people were not trading these days and something that they were not interested in trading. They often viewed these stocks as those that no upstanding trader would fool with. However, when oil did become popular, they were some of the first to start trading these stocks.

In 2008, the American Stock Exchange joined forces with the New York Stock Exchange, and the trading location was moved to Wall Street. The American Stock Exchange was also renamed the NYSE Amex Equities. The reason for the combination of the two was to provide a more diverse trading floor for those professionals that were in the field. However, it did put an end to something that most people say is where trading really came alive. The building in which the American Stock Exchange was held is to this day considered a historical landmark that many people come from miles around to see. And to learn all that they can about the early days of trading in which a group of outcasts started something that would change the way that stocks were traded.

Today, the exchange is open all days of the week, except for Saturday and Sundays, from 9:30 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon. Of course, they are also closed for federal holidays and any other holidays that they deem appropriate and let people know beforehand.