what is an equity market 
an equity market is a market in which shares of companies are issued and traded either through exchanges or over the counter markets also known as the stock market it is one of the most vital areas of a market economy it gives companies access to capital to grow their business and investors a piece of ownership in a company with the potential to realize gains in their investment based on the company s future performance understanding an equity marketequity markets are the meeting point for buyers and sellers of stocks the securities traded in the equity market can either be public stocks which are those listed on the stock exchange or privately traded stocks often private stocks are traded through dealers which is the definition of an over the counter market 