Market share is the percentage of total sales in an industry generated by a particular company. It's a key indicator of a company's size and competitive strength within its market. It shows how much of the total available business the company is capturing.

The basic formula for calculating market share is:

Market Share = (Company's Total Sales Revenue ÷ Total Sales Revenue of the Entire Market) × 100%

This can also be calculated based on units sold instead of revenue, depending on the industry and purpose of the analysis.

The terms "Share Market" and "Stock Market" are often used interchangeably. They refer to a collection of markets and exchanges where the issuing and trading of stocks (shares of ownership in publicly-held companies), bonds, and other securities take place. It's where buyers and sellers meet to trade these investments, typically through brokers.

Companies issue shares to raise capital. These shares are then listed on a stock exchange (like the NYSE or NASDAQ) where they can be bought and sold by investors. Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, company performance, industry trends, economic conditions, and investor sentiment. Investors typically buy and sell shares through brokerage accounts.

Major global stock markets typically operate on weekdays, Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays specific to that country or exchange. Trading hours vary by exchange. For example, the main trading session for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq is typically 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

To know if a specific market is open today, you should check the official website or calendar for that particular stock exchange (e.g., NYSE, Nasdaq, London Stock Exchange, BSE, NSE, etc.), as holiday schedules differ.

Share prices move based on the fundamental principle of supply and demand. When there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise (market goes up), and when there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall (market goes down). This imbalance is influenced by a vast range of factors, including:

• Company performance (earnings reports, news, product launches)
• Industry trends
• Economic indicators (inflation, interest rates, employment data, GDP)
• Political events
• Global events and news
• Investor sentiment and psychological factors

To participate in the share market, you typically need to:

1. **Open a brokerage account:** Choose a licensed stockbroker or online brokerage platform.
2. **Fund the account:** Deposit money into your account.
3. **Research:** Learn about different types of investments (individual stocks, ETFs, mutual funds) and specific companies or sectors. Understand your investment goals and risk tolerance.
4. **Place trades:** Use the brokerage platform to buy or sell shares.

It's recommended to start with learning and potentially consider starting with low-cost index funds for diversification. "Trading" often implies short-term buying and selling, which involves higher risk than long-term investing.