Financial markets are venues or platforms where buyers and sellers engage in the trade of assets such as stocks, bonds, currencies, and derivatives. These markets facilitate the transfer of funds between savers, investors, and borrowers, playing a crucial role in the allocation of resources within an economy. Financial markets can be categorized into various types, including capital markets (for long-term funding), money markets (for short-term funding), foreign exchange markets (for currency trading), and derivatives markets (for financial contracts based on underlying assets). The efficiency and stability of financial markets are vital for economic growth and development, as they enable the pricing of assets and risk sharing among participants.
Profit Surge Due to Strong Consumer Spending American Express has reported a remarkable **12% increase** in its fourth-quarter profits, fueled by a surge in consumer spending during the bustling holiday…