The STREETS

Dalal Street

A term that refers to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the major stock exchange in India. The street is home not only the Bombay Stock Exchange but also a large number of other financial institutions.

Notes:

The term "Dalal Street" is used in the same way as "Wall Street" in the U.S., referring to the country's major stock exchanges and overall financial system. These terms are often seen in the financial media.

Wall Street

1. A street in lower Manhattan that is the original home of the New York Stock Exchange. The street is the historic headquarters of the largest U.S. brokerages and investment banks. Many have since relocated to other areas of Manhattan and the United States. Wall Street was named after the wooden wall Dutch colonists built in this area in 1653 to defend themselves from the British and Native Americans.

2. The collective name for the financial and investment community, which includes stock exchanges and large banks, brokerages, securities and underwriting firms, and big businesses. Some people believe that the interests of these big firms contrast those of smaller businesses, or "Main Street".

Notes:

1. Today, the Southern tip of Manhattan is known as New York's financial district, which covers Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park, the Southstreet Seaport, Trinity Church and the Woolworth Building.

2. Because of their abilities to quickly raise capital through the investment community, some argue that big businesses have an unfair advantage over small businesses. Outsiders feel that Wall Street businesses are an exclusive circle made up of the powerful, greedy and corrupt. Others believe that this view is outdated. Today, there are brokerages all over the country, allowing investors free access to the same information available to Wall Street's tycoons.

Bay Street

1.The street in Toronto where the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) is located.

2. The collective name for the financial institutions in Toronto including stock exchanges, banks, commodity markets, money markets, etc.

Notes:

Bay Street is the Canadian version of Wall Street.

Main Street

Shorthand for "the investing public"--in the same way that "Wall Street" is used to refer to investment professionals and brokers.

Notes:

If you are investing in the market, you are considered a part of the "Main Street" fraternity.