Characterize how the securities market facilitates investing by addressing the following:

a. Describe the difference between the primary market and the secondary market. If you were purchasing a newly-issued share of stock in a technology startup company, in which market would this occur? Next, if you were buying a share of previously-issued stock in General Motors, indicate the market in which this would occur.

b. Summarize the role of the NYSE and the NASDAQ stock exchange in facilitating the investment process.

c. Describe the role of the stockbroker in facilitating investment transactions. If you were to start an investment program today, indicate if you would utilize the services of this type of individual, or of you would conduct your own investing online and provide your rationale.