Stock markets exist to allow multiple people to invest in a company which allows for spreading risk for the venture. The price of the shares reflects the underlying view of the price of the risk in buying a stake in the company, in addition to the outright value of the firm / venture.
Clear, transparent information about these prices and the ability to buy and sell this risk reduces overall costs to the economy for operating these ventures, greatly increases overall liquidity in the market, and overall greatly lowers overall costs and provides much more ready access to capital for ventures.
Clear, transparent information about these prices and the ability to buy and sell this risk reduces overall costs to the economy for operating these ventures, greatly increases overall liquidity in the market, and overall greatly lowers overall costs and provides much more ready access to capital for ventures.