[proxy_user]

This is the nominal value of all the stock that exists.

But most stock is not traded, but permanently held by large institutions. They cannot sell at the ‘market price’ because potential buyers do not have enough net liquidity. So is their stock really ‘worth’ ‘the market price’? Only if nobody sells!

[SamAdams76]

That is a very good point. I've been purchasing stock since the early 1980s, either directly or through my 401(k). I've never actually sold any of that stock. I just dump the money in and let it ride. On paper, I could say I'm a millionaire but it doesn't feel that way because it's all just out of reach. Much of it I can't even touch until I'm 59 1/2 (401k) without incurring steep penalties.

So I live within my means and hope that some of it is still there when I'm older! So far, so good since Trump got into office.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Price is not set by people who will not sell nor by people who will not buy. At any given time the price is set by the most willing seller and the most willing buyer.