The Vienna Stock Exchange was founded in 1771 by Empress Maria Theresa. In the early years of his work exchange it served mainly to trade in the market bonds and bills. Special intermediaries, brokers, were responsible for the smooth functioning of trade. Austrian National Bank in 1818 became the first public company, trading in its shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange.

In connection with the political and economic significance of the Habsburg monarchy at the time, the stock exchange soon gained international recognition. The economic boom has brought a wave of speculative companies on the stock exchange. The current trend has led to the collapse of the stock market in May 1873. About 90% of all listed companies have disappeared. It took decades to recover from the shock. Industrial enterprises have moved from seeking financing through the stock market to obtain loans from the major banks, which had become one of the most important factors for the market. At the same time there was a need to develop new rules and laws to gain momentum trade. In 1875 it signed the Law of the Vienna Stock Exchange, which guaranteed full autonomy Exchange and uninterrupted trade. In 1877 there was the opening ceremony of the new building of the Vienna Stock Exchange, which was built by the architect Theophil von Hansen.

In the XXI century market continued to steadily grow - currently controls Vienna Stock Exchange trading on Austrian power exchange, is the owner of shares of the Hungarian stock exchange and has close relationships with many trading platforms.