What are the key differences between a bond and a stock, specifically in terms of their characteristics and how they function within the financial markets?

Bonds are debt securities issued by companies or governments, while stocks represent ownership in a company. Bonds pay fixed interest and have a maturity date, while stocks offer ownership in a company and potential dividends. Bonds are considered less risky than stocks but offer lower returns. In the financial markets, bonds are traded in the bond market, while stocks are traded in the Stock Market.