Spot market trades financial instruments for immediate cash delivery. Assets include commodities, currencies, and securities. Transactions can occur on exchanges or over-the-counter. Most spot transactions settle within one business day
Global equity market capitalization grew 13.6% in 2023. Trading value and volumes declined 10.6% and 3.4%, respectively. Average trade size reached lowest level in last three years. Only 1,217 IPOs occurred, down 59.3% from 2022. Americas saw largest IPO increase at 71.3%
Emerging markets have characteristics of developed markets but don't fully meet standards. Term coined by World Bank economist Antoine Van Agtmael in 1981. Replaced "less developed countries" term in 1970s