"Publicly traded" refers to a company whose shares are available for purchase by the general public on a stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. This means that anyone can buy a piece of the company, allowing it to raise capital from a wide range of investors. When a company goes public, it typically conducts an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to sell its shares for the first time. Once listed, the company's stock price fluctuates based on market demand, company performance, and investor sentiment, making it accessible for trading by individuals and institutions alike.