Australian Stock Exchange

The Australian Stock Exchange, or ASX, is the organisation responsible for the operation of Australia's primary stock exchange.

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The ASX was formed in 1987 by an amalgamation of the separate exchanges located in the six state capitals. It is now located in Bridge St in the Sydney CBD.

Related Topics:
Sydney - CBD

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The biggest stocks traded on the ASX, in terms of their market capitalization, include BHP Billiton, Telstra, and the National Australia Bank. Their ranking changes quite often. The mining sector makes up a relatively high proportion of the market, and comparatively few manufacturing stocks are listed.

Related Topics:
BHP Billiton - Telstra - National Australia Bank

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The major market index is the S&P ASX 200, an index made up of the top 200 shares in the ASX. This supplanted the previously significant All Ordinaries index, which still runs parallel to the S&P ASX 200. Both are commonly quoted together.

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The ASX is a public company, and shares in it are themselves traded on its exchange. The corporation's charter however restricts maximum holdings to a small fraction of the company. The new managing director Tony D'Aloisio was appointed in October 2004.

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While the ASX is listed on the ASX, and regulates other listed companies, it cannot regulate itself, and the ASX is regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Related Topics:
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - ACCC

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