| Updated: July 10, 2025Stock trading has become more accessible and widespread in recent years, evolving from a niche activity primarily reserved for professional traders and corporations, to one where retail investors can readily participate.
This transformation has been largely driven by technological advancements and the rise of online trading platforms. Additionally, user-friendly mobile apps and a noticeable improvement in financial literacy among the general public have helped popularize stock trading and make equity markets more accessible. As a result, both the volume and value of stocks traded globally have surged, reflecting not only increased investor interest but also a more advanced and dynamic market environment.
Overview of 2025 Global Stock Market Activity
In 2025, global stock markets continue to evolve rapidly, driven by increasing trading volumes, expanding international exchanges, and shifting investor interests across key sectors:
- Exchange Highlights
- Global Expansion of Trading Hubs
- Shifts in Investor Preferences
As of 2025, global stock markets process billions of dollars in monthly transactions. Major exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ remain industry leaders. The NYSE reported an average daily trading volume of 38.3 million contracts in the first half of 2022. NASDAQ, known for its tech-heavy listings, often surpasses an average daily volume of 9 billion shares. According to Statista, the U.S. stock market capitalization is expected to reach $54.88 trillion in 2025.
Stock trading hubs are no longer limited to Wall Street. Exchanges in Asia (Shanghai Stock Exchange, Japan Stock Exchange, NSE of India, Shenzhen Stock Exchange), Europe (London, Euronext), and North America (Toronto Stock Exchange), have seen significant growth, contributing to a global marketplace that runs nearly 24/7. This geographic expansion reflects both the internationalization of listed companies and the appetite for equities as a primary investment vehicle.
As investor preferences evolve, changes in trading activity have become increasingly apparent. Trading volume has surged for technology companies, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, and biotechnology firms. Meanwhile, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have enabled smaller investors to gain exposure to high-value stocks and entire sectors, boosting overall market liquidity.
This surge in trading activity has amplified the importance of understanding trading volume and trading value – two metrics that offer critical insight into a stock’s liquidity, popularity, and price behavior. The sections below explore these metrics in detail and provide a comprehensive analysis of the most traded stocks across key global exchanges.
What are Trading Volume and Value – and Why Do They Matter?
In stock trading, trading volume and trading value are two of the most important metrics used to analyze market activity. Although they are often presented together, they measure distinct aspects of how a stock behaves. As we’ll explore in this section, both metrics help investors evaluate liquidity, understand stock performance, and anticipate potential price movements.
What is Trading Volume?
Trading volume refers to the total number of shares of a stock that are bought and sold during a certain period (usually a day).
Example: If 10 million shares of a company are exchanged in one day, the company has a daily trading volume of 10 million.
- High volume indicates a strong interest in a stock.
- Volume can be driven by news, market trends, and earnings announcements.
- Volume spikes usually signal turning points or heightened volatility.
What is Trading Value?
Trading value refers to the total dollar amount of shares exchanged for a specific stock over a given period. This metric is especially useful when comparing stocks with different price points. A high-priced stock may have fewer trades but still account for more capital movement than a lower-priced stock with higher trading volume.
Trading Value = Number of Shares Traded × Price Per Share
Example: If 10 million shares of a stock trade at an average price of $50, the daily trading value is $500 million.
- A high trading value signals that substantial capital is moving into or out of a stock.
- It is influenced by both the number of shares traded and the stock’s price.
- Significant shifts in trading value often reflect rising investor interest or the impact of major market events.
Why Do These Metrics Matter?
- Liquidity – A stock with high trading volume is considered liquid, meaning it can be bought or sold easily without significantly affecting its price. Liquidity is crucial for both institutional and retail traders who need to enter and exit positions efficiently.
- Price Discovery – Price discovery refers to the process by which buyers and sellers interact to determine a stock’s current market price, reflecting real-time supply and demand.
- Market Sentiment – Investors rely on volume and value data to assess market sentiment. Spikes in volume often occur when investor enthusiasm or fear reaches a peak. A high trading value may indicate confidence from large market participants.
- Institutional Targeting – Institutional investors, such as hedge funds and mutual funds, prefer stocks with high trading volume and value because they can move substantial capital without causing large price swings. These metrics help institutions identify equities that suit their scale of operations.
| Factor | Trading Volume | Trading Value |
|---|---|---|
| Measures | Number of shares traded | Total dollar amount traded |
| Indicates | Market interest, liquidity | Capital flow, investment weight |
| Useful for | Spotting momentum, volatility | Understanding institutional activity |
| Influenced by | News, earnings, sentiment | Stock price and trade size |
Most Traded Stocks on NASDAQ and NYSE
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are the two leading global stock trading hubs, accounting for most of the world’s equity trading volume and value. While both host prominent companies, their trading profiles differ: NASDAQ is concentrated in technology giants, whereas the NYSE offers a broader mix of blue-chip, industrial, and financial firms.
On the NASDAQ, mega-cap tech leaders such as Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), and Apple (AAPL) consistently rank among the most traded stocks by both volume and value. Their strong retail following, high liquidity, and ongoing innovation contribute to heightened trading activity. In contrast, on the NYSE, companies like Palantir (PLTR) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) stand out as key contributors to daily turnover, although the exchange tends to have a lower concentration of technology firms compared to NASDAQ.
The trading data reflects broader trends: institutional investors tend to gravitate toward the stability of NYSE-listed companies, while NASDAQ stocks frequently attract high-frequency traders and retail speculators. This divergence underscores the distinct roles each exchange plays in the broader market structure and illustrates why analyzing trading activity by venue provides valuable insights into investor behavior and market momentum. We will review the most traded stocks on both exchanges by both volume and value.
Top 10 Stocks With the Highest Trading Volume
TThe companies listed in the table below are ranked by their trading volume on a single day. The data, sourced from TradingView, offers a snapshot of market activity across major exchanges and ensures accuracy and real-time relevance.
At the time of publication, BigBear.ai, Inc. (BBAI) topped the list with 254.9 million shares traded in a single day, reflecting heightened investor interest. NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) followed closely with 213.14 million shares traded, driven by its prominence in artificial intelligence and technology. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) also saw significant activity, with 145.09 million shares exchanged, underscoring its continued volatility and strong market appeal.
Top 10 Stocks by Trading Volume (as of July 02, 2025)
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Exchange | Volume Traded 1 Day (Number of Shares) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBAI | BigBear.ai, Inc. | NYSE | 254.9 M |
| 2 | NVDA | Nvidia Corporation | NASDAQ | 213.14 M |
| 3 | TSLA | Tesla, Inc. | NASDAQ | 145.09 M |
| 4 | F | Ford Motor Company | NYSE | 140.15 M |
| 5 | HOOD | Robinhood Markets, Inc. | NASDAQ | 121.17 M |
| 6 | SOFI | SoFi Technologies, Inc. | NASDAQ | 93.55 M |
| 7 | PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc. | NASDAQ | 91.48 M |
| 8 | NU | Intel Corporation | NASDAQ | 79.09 M |
| 9 | INTC | Intel Corporation | NASDAQ | 79.09 M |
| 10 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | NASDAQ | 78.79 M |
Source: www.tradingview.com
Top 10 Stocks With the Highest Trading Value
The stock market’s most actively traded companies by value provide insight into where investor interest and capital flows are concentrated. As noted earlier, a company’s trading value is calculated by multiplying the number of shares traded in a day by the share price.
At the time of publication, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) led the list with a trading value of $43.63 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence and notable price movement. Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) followed with $32.67 billion in trading value, while Apple Inc. (AAPL) came in third at $16.37 billion, signaling continued interest in the tech giant amid persistent market volatility.
Market participants who track these metrics can gauge market sentiments and identify opportunities connected to the liquidity of these large-cap stocks.
Top 10 Stocks by Trading Value (as of July 02, 2025)
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Exchange | Trading Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TSLA | Tesla, Inc. | NASDAQ | $43.63 B |
| 2 | NVDA | Nvidia Corporation | NASDAQ | $32.67 B |
| 3 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | NASDAQ | $16.37 B |
| 4 | PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc. | NYSE | $11.95 B |
| 5 | HOOD | Robinhood Markets, Inc. | NASDAQ | $11.19 B |
| 6 | MSFT | Microsoft Corp. | NASDAQ | $9.81 B |
| 7 | META | Meta Platforms | NASDAQ | $9.66 B |
| 8 | AMZN | Amazon.com | NASDAQ | $8.65 B |
| 9 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc. | NASDAQ | $7.64 B |
| 10 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc. | NASDAQ | $7.52 B |
Source: www.tradingview.com
Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple Side-By-Side Comparison
In this section, we compare Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), and Apple (AAPL) – three of the most actively traded and closely watched stocks in today’s market. The first company represents the Consumer Durables sector, whereas the latter two belong to the Electronic Technology sector.
By examining their trading volume, value, and price behavior, we gain insights into different types of market activity, from high retail speculation to institutional investment flows. This comparison highlights how liquidity, investor sentiment, and sector dynamics drive trading patterns in modern equity markets.
Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple – Comparison of Key Metrics (as of July 02, 2025)
| Metric | TSLA | NVDA | AAPL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Volume | 145.09 M | 213.14 M | 78.79 M |
| Trading Value | $43.63 B | $32.67 B | $16.37 B |
| Price Per Share | $300.71 | $153.30 | $207.82 |
| Price Change | -$16.95 (-5.34%) | -$4.69 (-2.97%) | +$2.65 (+1.29%) |
Source: www.tradingview.com
Which Industries Dominate Stock Trading: A Sector Comparison
Stock trading is not just about individual companies. It reflects broader sectoral trends that shape the global market. According to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), the stock market is divided into 11 sectors, each representing a broad area of market activity. The table below provides a brief overview of these sectors, along with their growth drivers and impact on trading activity.
In 2025, Information Technology remains dominant in both trading volume and value, holding the highest weighting in the S&P 500, at an average of 33.09%. Tech giants such as Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia contribute significantly to daily turnover, driven by investor interest in innovation, growth, and market volatility.
The Financials sector ranks second as of June 2025, with a 14.03% share. This sector includes major institutions like Berkshire Hathaway B, JP Morgan Chase, Visa, Mastercard, and Bank of America Corp. Meanwhile, the Consumer Discretionary sector, home to companies such as Amazon and Tesla, commands an average of 10.37% of trading activity. These stocks are highly sensitive to economic data, interest rates, and shifts in consumer sentiment, making them appealing to both short-term traders and long-term investors.
The Consumer Discretionary sector, represented by companies like Amazon and Tesla, also commands a big portion of trading, averaging 10.37%, as of June 2025. These stocks react strongly to economic data, interest rates, and consumer sentiment. That makes them suitable choices for both short-term traders and long-term investors.
| Sector | Growth Drivers | Impact on Trading |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | AI, Cloud, Semiconductors, SaaS | High innovation attracts volume and institutional interest; volatile but rewarding |
| Financials | Interest rates, loan growth, credit quality, fintech adoption | Institutional flows increase with economic cycles; highly cyclical |
| Consumer Discretionary | Shifting consumer trends, EVs, e-commerce | Strong growth narratives boost trading activity and price momentum; highly sensitive to economic cycles |
| Communication Services | Digital ads, streaming, and social media monetization | Business model shifts fuel steady volume and investor engagement; mixed (cyclical/defensive) |
| Healthcare | Aging population, biotech innovation, drug approvals, healthcare policy, technological advances | Demand keeps stable trading during volatility; Defensive sector |
| Industrial | Infrastructure spending, automation, supply chain upgrades | Trading rises with economic optimism and capital investment; often a leading indicator for broader markets; cyclical sector |
| Consumer Staples | Population growth, brand strength, and emerging markets | Steady trading, less volatility in downturns; Defensive sector |
| Energy | Commodity prices, renewables, and geopolitical events | Trading spikes with commodity price swings and global news; highly volatile |
| Utilities | Infrastructure investment, decarbonization, and regulation | Attracts flows in risk-off environments, lower volatility; Defensive sector |
| Real Estate | Interest rates, urbanization, lease renewals, property values, and e-commerce logistics | Trading linked to yield trends, and economic outlook; Sensitive to rates |
| Materials | Commodity prices, global demand, and innovation in materials | Trading volume is tied to global growth, inflation, and supply chain shifts; Cyclical sector |
S&P 500 Sector Breakdown (as of June 2025)
Source: www.en.macromicro.me
Historical Growth of the U.S. Equity Market Value
Between 2012 and 2022, the U.S. equity market experienced significant growth, driven by economic expansion, technological innovation, and increased investor participation. The total value of the US equity market went from around $18.7 trillion in 2012 to an estimated $40.51 trillion by the end of 2022. That is a rise of nearly two times in 12 years.
The growth was largely driven by the Top 500 U.S. companies, whose combined market capitalisation grew from $13.5 trillion in 2012 to around $33.78 trillion in 2022. These large-cap companies represent the bulk of the US market’s value, underscoring the concentration of capital among the largest players.
Trends and Market Events (2012–2022)
Steady Expansion (2012-2015)
Between 2012 and 2015, global stock market trading values increased significantly. This growth reflected the post-Great Recession recovery and renewed investor interest. The period was marked by consistent gains in equity market capitalization, supported by low interest rates, strong corporate earnings, and broader market participation.
Volatility and Stagnation (2016-2019)
Between 2016 and 2019, global trading values stopped growing and even slightly declined in 2019. However, U.S. equity market value continued to grow steadily.The dip in global trading activity may have been influenced by reduced turnover and uncertainty driven by trade tensions and shifts in monetary policy.
Pandemic Shock and Rapid Rebound (2019-2021)
Between 2019 and 2021, global trading values rose sharply. In 2019, the total value of stocks traded globally was $75.07 trillion. Despite the initial shock of the pandemic in 2020, recovery measures pushed the value of stocks traded globally up to $102.94 trillion. By 2021, it reached a record high of $120.65 trillion, fueled by government stimulus, the tech sector’s performance, and rising retail investor participation.
Correction and Normalisation (2022)
In 2022, trading values declined from their 2021 peak, due to rising inflation, interest rate increases, and geopolitical tensions. This coincided with a drop in U.S. equity market value, which fell to around $40.51 trillion. Despite the downturn, trading activity remained elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting continued investor engagement amid volatility.
The chart below provides historical data from 2012 to 2022 on the US equity market value, the top 500 US companies’ market value, and the Magnificent Seven Companies’ market value, sourced from Siblis Research. Additionally, data on the total value of stocks traded globally was sourced from the World Bank Group.
Source: www.data.worldbank.org, www.siblisresearch.com
US Holdings of Equities, Traded by Retail and Institutional Investors
The equity market is primarily shaped by two types of investors: institutional and retail. Institutional investors, such as banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies, typically dominate in terms of dollar volume, executing large trades that often exceed $100,000 per transaction. Retail investors, in contrast, represent a smaller share of total capital but account for the majority of trades by quantity.
This contrast highlights how institutional investors move significant capital with fewer trades, whereas retail investors engage in smaller, more frequent transactions. Percentages may vary by market, region, and time period.
The U.S. capital markets are the largest in the world, accounting for 42.6% of the global equity market capitalization in 2023. Below you can find a detailed table showing the variations in US holdings of equities by households and institutions for a period spanning 2009 to 2023. Data is sourced from SIFMA’s 2024 Capital Markets Factbook. Note that the household sector data includes non-profit organizations. Only directly held equities are under review.
| Year | Households Value ($B) | Institutions Value ($B) | Total Value ($B) | Households Y/Y Change (%) | Institutions Y/Y Change (%) | Total Y/Y Change (%) | Households % of Total | Institutions % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7,356.20 | 13,442.30 | 20,798.50 | – | – | – | 35.4 | 64.6 |
| 2010 | 8,688.0 | 15,513.00 | 24,200.90 | 18.1 | 15.4 | 16.4 | 35.9 | 64.1 |
| 2011 | 8,213.10 | 15,215.60 | 23,428.80 | -5.5 | -1.9 | -3.2 | 35.1 | 64.9 |
| 2012 | 9,484.3 | 17,425.60 | 26,909.90 | 15.5 | 14.5 | 14.9 | 35.2 | 64.8 |
| 2013 | 12,312.80 | 22,252.80 | 34,565.60 | 29.8 | 27.7 | 28.4 | 35.6 | 64.4 |
| 2014 | 14,136.10 | 24,146.00 | 38,282.10 | 14.8 | 8.5 | 10.8 | 36.9 | 63.1 |
| 2015 | 13,833.60 | 23,443.60 | 37,277.20 | -2.1 | -2.9 | -2.6 | 37.1 | 62.9 |
| 2016 | 15,295.60 | 24,948.70 | 40,244.30 | 10.6 | 6.4 | 8 | 38 | 62 |
| 2017 | 18,101.80 | 29,918.70 | 48,020.50 | 18.3 | 19.9 | 19.3 | 37.7 | 62.3 |
| 2018 | 16,477.40 | 27,393.20 | 43,870.60 | -9 | -8.4 | -8.6 | 37.6 | 62.4 |
| 2019 | 21,176.70 | 33,632.90 | 54,809.60 | 28.5 | 22.8 | 24.9 | 38.6 | 61.4 |
| 2020 | 26,055.10 | 39,486.70 | 65,541.80 | 23 | 17.4 | 19.6 | 39.8 | 60.2 |
| 2021 | 31,684.70 | 48,354.10 | 80,038.80 | 21.6 | 22.5 | 22.1 | 39.6 | 60.4 |
| 2022 | 26,474.80 | 38,260.40 | 64,735.20 | -16.4 | -20.9 | -19.1 | 40.9 | 59.1 |
| 2023 | 31,583.80 | 45,987.00 | 77,570.80 | 19.3 | 20.2 | 19.8 | 40.7 | 59.3 |
| US Holdings of Equities Average ($B) (2023) | |
|---|---|
| Households | 17,391.6 |
| Institutions | 27,961.4 |
| US Holdings of Equities Average (% Total) (2023) | |
|---|---|
| Households | 37.6% |
| Institutions | 62.4% |
Source: www.sifma.org
Which Factors Affect Trading Volume?
Trading volume is a key metric in stock trading. Understanding what influences trading volume and how to interpret it can help investors analyze market trends, assess liquidity, and anticipate price movements. Below are several factors that affect trading volume:
- Market News and Events – Major announcements, earnings reports, economic data releases, and geopolitical events can impact trading volume. News triggers both buying and selling as investors reach new information.
- Price Movements – Sharp price changes attract traders and investors, leading to higher volume. Rising prices mean more buying interest, while falling prices can prompt selling, both increasing volume.
- Technical Factors and Trading Strategies – Many traders use technical analysis tools. Additionally, algorithmic and high-frequency trading can cause sudden bursts of volume.
- Liquidity and Market Structure – Stocks listed on major exchanges with higher liquidity tend to have higher volumes compared to less-liquid, smaller-cap stocks. Market accessibility, trading hours, and the presence of multiple trading venues may also affect volume.
How to Analyze Trading Volume?
Analyzing trading volume helps investors gauge the strength behind price movements. Typically, rising prices accompanied by increasing volume suggest strong buying interest and a potential continuation of the trend, while rising prices on low volume may indicate underlying weakness. Sharp spikes in volume often signal major news events or institutional activity and may precede breakouts or reversals. Traders commonly use tools such as On-Balance Volume (OBV), Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP), and volume-based moving averages to assess momentum and trading pressure. Comparing current volume trends with historical data and broader market context is essential to avoid false signals and better evaluate the credibility of price shifts.
Conclusion
Trading volume and value are more than just basic indicators of market activity, they are key tools for understanding the health, sentiment, and structure of financial markets. By tracking how many shares are traded and the total monetary value of those trades, investors can uncover important signals about liquidity, price trends, and whether institutional or retail participants are driving the action.
These metrics become especially meaningful when viewed in context. A price movement paired with high volume often confirms strong investor conviction, while similar moves on low volume may signal doubt or potential manipulation. Trends in volume and value can help identify market turning points, such as early accumulation, distribution, or the formation of bubbles. Additionally, factors like regulatory changes, algorithmic trading, and macroeconomic conditions can reshape trading behavior and influence how often and how heavily stocks are traded.
Importantly, volume and value do not operate in isolation. They interact with risk dynamics, influencing and reflecting market stability. Sudden surges can either boost liquidity or, in stressed environments, signal systemic fragility. Understanding these dynamics allows traders, analysts, and policymakers to better anticipate volatility, assess the credibility of price movements, and manage exposure.
In today’s fast-moving markets, where headlines, sentiment, and data compete for attention, understanding the importance and meaning of volume and value gives investors a crucial edge. It transforms passive observation into active insight, enabling more informed decisions, stronger strategies, and a deeper grasp of what truly drives market behavior.