In economics a financial market is a mechanism that allows people to easily buy and sell (trade) financial securities (such as stocks and bonds), commodities (such as precious metals or agricultural goods), and other fungible items of value at low transaction costs and at prices that reflect efficient markets.

Financial markets have evolved significantly over several hundred years and are undergoing constant innovation to improve liquidity.

Both general markets, where many commodities are traded and specialised markets (where only one commodity is traded) exist. Markets work by placing many interested sellers in one "place", thus making them easier to find for prospective buyers. An economy which relies primarily on interactions between buyers and sellers to allocate resources is known as a market Financial System in contrast either to a Control Market or to a non-market economy that is based, such as a gift economy.

In Finance, Financial markets facilitate:

• The raising of capital (in the capital markets);
• The transfer of risk (in the derivatives markets); and
• International trade (in the currency markets).