DESCRIPTION OF THE MECHANISM OF OPERATION OF STOCK EXCHANGES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND STOCK MARKET INDICES

This article analyzes the operational mechanisms of foreign stock exchanges and the characteristics of major stock market indices. It explores how developed stock markets such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange, and Tokyo Stock Exchange function within a highly integrated global financial system. The study also examines the role of stock indices, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, FTSE 100, DAX, and Nikkei 225, as key indicators of economic performance and investor sentiment. Statistical insights are used to demonstrate the importance of liquidity, market capitalization, and technological development in shaping modern financial markets. The research highlights the increasing role of electronic trading systems, institutional investors, and index-based investment instruments such as ETFs in global capital markets.