A publicly traded company is a company whose shares are listed on a public exchange and traded on the open market. These companies must comply with strict regulatory requirements regarding transparency, governance, and regular financial reporting. Public trading allows the company to raise capital from a broad range of investors, providing liquidity, meaning shares can be easily bought and sold on the exchange. Public trading also increases the company's visibility and enhances its prestige. However, it also comes with greater demands for information disclosure and stringent oversight mechanisms.