Just as you are buying, another person somewhere else may be selling their shares of that same company at that exact moment.
This includes mutual funds , pension funds , or hedge funds that are rebalancing their portfolios. who do you buy stocks from
While you buy through a broker and from a seller, the transaction typically happens on a , such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Nasdaq . The exchange acts as a regulated marketplace that ensures the trade is fair, the price is transparent, and the ownership of the shares is legally transferred to you. Just as you are buying, another person somewhere
The process of buying can be viewed from two perspectives: the intermediary you use to place the order and the actual seller on the other side of the trade. 1. The Intermediary: Stockbrokers The exchange acts as a regulated marketplace that
These are the most common for individual investors (e.g., Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Robinhood). They offer low or zero commissions and user-friendly apps.
These are professional firms (like Citadel Securities or Virtu Financial) that stand ready to buy or sell stocks at any time. Their job is to provide liquidity , ensuring you can buy a stock even if there isn't an individual seller available at that precise second. 3. The Venue: Stock Exchanges
These firms provide personalized investment advice and wealth management in addition to executing trades, though they typically charge higher fees. 2. The Counterparty: Who is selling?

