Duane Roberts 
We can trace the history of stock trading in Australia back to the colony’s early days. The first recorded instance of stock trading was in 1813 when the Sydney Gazette advertised the sale of shares in the Bank of New South Wales. Since then, the Australian stock market has grown steadily, with several significant exchanges established in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
The beginning of stock trading in Australia
In 1813, the Sydney Gazette published an advertisement to sell shares in the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac). It is presumed to be the first recorded instance of stock trading in Australia.
The colony’s early days were dominated by a few large landowners and merchants, who controlled most of the economic activity. However, with the growth of the colony and the arrival of more settlers, there was an increasing need for capital to finance businesses and other ventures.
It led to the establishment of several banks, which began issuing shares to raise capital. The Bank of New South Wales was the first bank in Australia, and it soon became one of the most boundless companies in the country.
In 1825, another major exchange, the Australian Agricultural Company, was established. The company was formed to finance the development of agricultural land in New South Wales. It offered shares to investors and soon became one of the largest landowners in the colony.
The growth of the stock market
The 1830s saw a period of economic growth in Australia, which led to an increase in trading activity on the stock market. Several new banks and other companies were established, and existing businesses began to expand, which resulted in a boom in share prices, with many shares doubling or even tripling in value.
However, this period of prosperity ended in the 1840s, when many factors, including severe drought and the financial crisis familiar as the Panic of 1837, caused a sharp economic downturn, leading to a collapse in the value of many shares, and businesses went bankrupt.
The 1850s were a period of recovery for the Australian economy, and the stock market began to grow again. Several new exchanges were established, including the Melbourne Stock Exchange (now the ASX) and the Perth Stock Exchange.
The 20th century
The Australian stock market continued to grow in the early 20th century, with several new companies listing on the exchanges. The First World War led to a temporary slowdown in trading activity, but the market soon recovered and reached new highs in the 1920s.
However, the Great Depression of the 1930s caused a sharp fall in share prices, with many companies going bankrupt. The stock market did not fully recover from the Depression until the 1950s.
In 1987, the Australian Stock Exchange was formed from a merger of the Sydney Stock Exchange, the Melbourne Stock Exchange, and the Perth Stock Exchange. The ASX is now the largest and most active stock market in Australia.
The 21st century
The ASX has continued to grow in the 21st century, with many new products and services introduced for investors. In 2006, ASX launched a new electronic trading platform, which has made it easier and faster for investors to buy and sell shares.
The ASX is now a leading global exchange, with around $1.6 trillion in market capitalisation. It is home to many high-profile companies, such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.
There have been several changes to the Australian stock market in recent years. In 2016, ASX introduced a new trading platform called Chi-X. This alternative trading system allows investors to trade shares on the ASX without using the traditional exchange.
In 2018, ASX also announced plans to introduce a new form of equity trading, known as blockchain technology, allowing investors to trade shares directly with each other without the need for a centralised exchange.
The future of stock trading in Australia
The Australian stock market is expected to grow in the coming years. It will be driven by the increasing use of technology, which will make it easier and faster for investors to buy and sell shares.
It is also expected that the ASX will continue to introduce new products and services, making it an even more attractive haven for global investors.
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