|
| |
A competitive market is an open, fair and liquid market for assets, securities, goods or labor.Market LiquidityMarket liquidity is a term for the trading volumes on a market. Generally speaking, a market with many independent buyers and sellers closing many transactions is more competitive than a market with low trading volume. A competitive market typically has such high trading volumes that a single buyer or seller has little influence over price.
Perfect competition is a theoretical type of market that is so efficient that every participant must accept a market price. This means that all goods are commodities such that consumers see no difference between brands. This generally doesn't happen as many firms work to establish a competitive advantage to stand out in the market such that they don't need to accept a market price.
In order to have perfect competition, you need perfect information whereby all market participants have the same set of facts that are relevant to a transaction at a point in time. In reality this rarely happens, for example a seller of a home typically knows much more about the home and neighborhood than the buyer.Competitive advantage is a capability or asset that allows a firm to stand out in a crowded market. For example, a luxury fashion brand that is able to charge a premium price based in its reputation and brand image.
The efficient market hypothesis is a theory about the stock market that suggests that it is impossible to beat the market as prices always perfectly reflect the probable future earnings of a firm. This assumes that all buyers and sellers have the same information and level of market access such that nobody has any advantage. According to the efficient market hypothesis, individuals who beat the market are simply examples of random chance. In other words, you can get lucky on markets but you can't outthink the collective intelligence of an efficient market.
Mr Market is an analogy for the market meant to convey the common observation that the market isn't efficient. It suggests that the market is a noisy and moody neighbor who offers to sell you his house everyday. The price swings wildly from day to day based on Mr. Markets moods. Sometimes he goes on a prolonged period of irrational exuberance whereby his prices are consistently high. At other times, he is depressed and willing to sell low.
A free market is an idealized market where entities trade without government intervention. Prices and quantities are set by supply and demand driven by the self-interested decisions of buyers and sellers. In this idealized market, despite everyone's self-interested motivations the market works well and efficiently allocates the resources of a nation.
A pure free market doesn't function very well because there are many ways that market participants small and large can hinder competition to gain an advantage at the expense of everyone else. Generally speaking, a market requires a well designed and regulated system to function efficiently. Most markets are driven by the self-interested motivations of buyers and sellers with a few rules in place to make things run more smoothly.Market EquilibriumMarket equilibrium is a state of balanced supply and demand. The prices and output quantities of a competitive market are typically close to equilibrium. In a perfectly competitive market, supply always equals demand. As such, there are never shortages or surpluses and prices perfectly reflect the economics of production and value.|
| Type | | | Definition | An open, fair and liquid market for assets, securities, goods or labor. | | Related Concepts | |
Economics
This is the complete list of articles we have written about economics.
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
A definition of markets with examples.
An overview of the Efficient Market Hypothesis.
A definition of two-sided market with examples.
The definition of market failure with examples.
A complete overview of free markets.
The primary forces that shape competition in a market.
The definition of a threat of substitutes with examples.
A complete overview of the gig economy with examples.
The definition of barter with examples and comparisons.
Everyday examples of economics.
An overview of economic scale with examples.
An overview of trade wars with examples.
The common types of market conditions.
The definition of macroeconomics with examples.
The definition of information economics with examples.
A complete overview of traditional economies with examples.
The definition of a developed country with an overview of common characteristics.
TrendingThe most popular articles on Simplicable in the past day.
Recent posts or updates on Simplicable.
Site Map
© 2010-2023 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.
View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.
|
