How does the performance of the stock market affect individual businesses? (2024)

Thestock marketaffects individual businesses in an economy in many different ways. In the United States there are just under 4,000 publicly-traded stocks that can be divided broadly into 11 global industry classifications (GICS). With daily movements across the board, there can be a multitude of effects.

Many analysts often zero in on the S&P 500 Index as a barometer for market performance overall and as such as one of the most influential drivers. Here we will look at two of the most basic affects for businesses: 1) consumer spendingand 2) business operations.

The Stock Market and the Economy

Defined as the market in whichequityshares of publicly-traded businesses are bought and sold, the stock market measures the aggregate value of allpublicly-traded companies. Comprehensively, this can be represented by the Wilshire 5000, but generally, most . Both indexes can be valuable tools for gauging the health of the overall economy, though occasionally stocks may be misleading.

Typically, the stock market and economic performance are aligned. Thus, when the stock market is performing well, it is usually a function of a growing economy. Economic growth can be measured in several ways, but one of the most prominent is by following gross domestic product (GDP).

How does the performance of the stock market affect individual businesses? (1)

When GDP is growing, individual businesses are producing more and usually expanding. Expanding business activity usually increases valuations and leads to stock market gains.

Historically, steep market declines preceded theGreat Depressionin the 1930s as well asthe Great Recessionof 2007–2009. However, some marketcrashes, most famously Black Monday in 1987, were not followed by recessions.

The Stock Market and Consumer Spending

Often, consumers spend more duringbull marketsbecause they are making more from the effects of a strong economy and also feel wealthier when they see theirportfoliosrise in value. Duringbear markets, the economy is usually not doing as well and spending recedes. A simultaneous fall in stock values also creates fear for the loss ofwealthandpurchasing poweras the value of investments contracts.

A rising stock market is usually aligned with a growing economy and leads to greater investor confidence. Investor confidence in stocks leads to more buying activity which can also help to push prices higher. When stocks rise, people invested in theequity markets gain wealth. This increased wealth often leads to increased consumer spending, as consumers buy more goods and services when they're confident they are in a financial position to do so. When consumers buy more, businesses that sell those goods and services choose to produce more and sell more, reaping the benefit in the form of increasedrevenues.

Stock market losses erode wealthin both personal and retirement portfolios. A consumer who sees his portfolio drop in value is likely to spend less. This reduction in spending negatively affects businesses--particularly ones that sell non-necessity goods and services, such as luxury cars and entertainment, that customers can live without when money is tight.

The Stock Market and Business Operations

The stock market's movements can impact companies in a variety of ways. The rise and fall of share price values affects a company’s market capitalization and therefore its market value. The higher shares are priced, the more a company is worth in market value and vice versa. The market value of a company can be important when considering mergers and/or acquisitions that involve shares as part of the deal.

Share issuance decisions can also be affected by stock performance. If a stock is doing well, a company might be more inclined to issue more shares because they believe they can raise more capital at the higher value.

Stock market performance also affects a company’s cost of capital. Companies must average the costs of both their debt and equity capital when arriving at a weighted average cost of capital, which is used for many analysis scenarios. The higher the expected market performance, the higher the cost of equity capital will be. As cost of equity capital rises, present value calculations lower because companies must use a higher discounting rate.

Companies may also have substantial capital investments in their stock which can lead to problems if the stock falls. For example, companies may hold shares as cash equivalents or use shares as backing for pension funds. In any case, when shares fall, the value decreases, which can lead to funding problems.

Lastly, positive increases in stock values can also potentially generate new interests for a particular company or sector. This can possibly add to revenue growth from sales or attract investors.

How does the performance of the stock market affect individual businesses? (2024)

FAQs

How does the performance of the stock market affect individual businesses? ›

The stock market's movements can impact companies in a variety of ways. The rise and fall of share price values affects a company's market capitalization and therefore its market value. The higher shares are priced, the more a company is worth in market value and vice versa.

How does the stock market influence the finances of individuals? ›

The rise and fall of the stock market also affect consumer spending. For instance, if a person is employed and experiencing growth at work, they are likely to increase spend, whereas if a person is laid off, his or her spending will drastically decrease.

Why is the stock market so important to individuals? ›

The stock market is also where companies raise capital and from which investors can grow their wealth. It thus plays a vital role in the global economy. Even if you don't trade on the stock market directly, it influences the products you buy, the type of jobs available, and the retirement you might plan.

How can the stock market help the individual? ›

The stock market helps both businesses and investors by: Offering companies a place to raise money to help grow their business and the economy. Enabling individuals to choose from a wide range of investments and give their retirement savings a chance to grow in value over time.

How does the stock market benefit businesses? ›

The stock market helps companies raise money to fund operations by selling shares of stock, and it creates and sustains wealth for individual investors. Companies raise money on the stock market by selling ownership stakes to investors.

How does the stock price affect a company? ›

The stock market's movements can impact companies in a variety of ways. The rise and fall of share price values affects a company's market capitalization and therefore its market value. The higher shares are priced, the more a company is worth in market value and vice versa.

How does the financial market impact the company? ›

If you buy stock, you are purchasing a part of the company. . When you invest, the company may use the money to grow, purchase equipment, advertise, hire workers, research new products, or conduct many other business activities.

Who benefits the most from the stock market? ›

But the booming markets are likely to benefit White families more than families from other racial and ethnic groups. That's because White families are the most likely to own publicly traded stocks, either directly or indirectly – for example, through a retirement account or mutual fund.

Why is investing important for individuals? ›

Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and potentially build wealth. Smart investing may allow your money to outpace inflation and increase in value. The greater growth potential of investing is primarily due to the power of compounding and the risk-return tradeoff.

How do stocks affect the economy? ›

The stock market impacts the economy because it influences consumer confidence, which in turn influences the overall economy. The relationship also works the other way, in that economic conditions often impact stock markets.

Why is stock so important? ›

Stocks offer investors the greatest potential for growth (capital appreciation) over the long haul. Investors willing to stick with stocks over long periods of time, say 15 years, generally have been rewarded with strong, positive returns. But stock prices move down as well as up.

What is the primary purpose of the stock market? ›

First, it helps companies raise money often referred to as capital from the public by offering shares for sale, which can be used to fund and expand their business. Secondly, it gives an investor, who purchases those shares, an opportunity to have a share in the company's profits.

What does the stock market allow a person to do? ›

The stock market is where investors buy and sell shares of companies. It's a set of exchanges where companies issue shares and other securities for trading. It also includes over-the-counter (OTC) marketplaces where investors trade securities directly with each other (rather than through an exchange).

How can you benefit from the stock market? ›

How to make money in stocks
  1. Open an investment account.
  2. Pick stock funds instead of individual stocks.
  3. Stay invested with the "buy and hold" strategy.
  4. Check out dividend-paying stocks.
  5. Explore new industries.
Apr 3, 2024

Why is market share important to a business? ›

Market share is the percent of total industry sales a company has. The higher the market share, the more sales a company has than its competitors in their industry. Market share indicates how large a company is and how much influence it has in its industry. It can also be an indicator of growth and success.

How does selling stock help a business? ›

Selling shares in your business can offer multiple benefits beyond immediate cash flow. It can help you pay down debts or expand your business, or diversify your personal assets, for example.

What does the stock market influence? ›

The stock market impacts the economy because it influences consumer confidence, which in turn influences the overall economy. The relationship also works the other way, in that economic conditions often impact stock markets.

How does the stock market make people money? ›

The way you make money from stocks is by the selling them at a higher price than you bought them. For instance, if you bought a share of Apple stock at $200 and sold it when it reached $300, you would have made $100 (minus any taxes you'd have to pay on the money you made).

What is the role of a stock market in the financial system? ›

The major socio-economic role of a stock exchange is the valuing of securities and the provision of a well-run market-place where investors can buy and sell shares. The 'proper' valuation of securities is important as it provides signals for the allocation of scarce capital resources.

What is the stock market in personal finance? ›

The stock market is a financial marketplace that matches those who want to buy securities with those who want to sell them. People invest in the stock market with the expectation of earning returns from price appreciation and dividends. You can get started investing in the stock market with a brokerage account.

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