What is the difference between primary and secondary financial markets?

Primary and secondary financial markets are two different types of markets where securities are traded.

In the primary market, new securities are issued and sold for the first time by companies, governments or other organizations that want to raise capital. This is where the initial public offerings (IPOs) take place. In the primary market, investors buy securities directly from the issuer, and the proceeds from the sale go directly to the issuer. This is also known as the "new issue" market.

In contrast, the secondary market is where previously issued securities, such as stocks and bonds, are bought and sold among investors. These securities have already been issued and sold in the primary market, and are now being traded among investors in the secondary market. The secondary market provides liquidity to investors, as they can buy and sell securities easily and quickly, and it also allows for price discovery, where the market determines the value of the security based on supply and demand.

Overall, the primary market is where new securities are issued and sold for the first time, while the secondary market is where previously issued securities are bought and sold among investors.