<p>The Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) is Poland's primary stock exchange, facilitating trading of stocks, bonds, and other securities. It is one of the largest exchanges in Central and Eastern Europe.</p>

<h2>How It Works</h2>
<p>The WSE operates an electronic trading platform, WSE New Connect, which uses a continuous auction system. Trading takes place in three segments:</p>
<ul>
  <li>Basic segment: for companies with a free float market capitalization of at least PLN 100 million.</li>
  <li>New Connect: for smaller companies, with a free float market capitalization of at least PLN 10 million.</li>
  <li>Alternative Trading System (ATS): for less liquid securities.</li>
</ul>
<p>Trading hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CET) on weekdays, excluding Polish public holidays.</p>

<h2>Why It Matters</h2>
<p>The WSE plays a crucial role in Poland's economy, providing a platform for companies to raise capital, and enabling investors to trade securities. For instance, in 2021, the WSE listed 420 companies with a combined market capitalization of over PLN 1.5 trillion.</p>
<p>Moreover, the WSE is a member of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), facilitating international cooperation and attracting global investment to Poland.</p>