Which group is primarily responsible for executing trades on the floor of a stock exchange?

The group primarily responsible for executing trades on the floor of a stock exchange is often referred to as specialists. Specialists are members of the exchange who are tasked with overseeing the trading of a specific stock, ensuring smooth transactions, and maintaining an orderly market. They facilitate trades by matching buyers with sellers, and they may also act as a market maker by providing liquidity to the market.

While market makers provide liquidity by continuously buying and selling to maintain a two-sided market, specialists have a more focused role on the exchange floor and manage specific securities. Floor traders, on the other hand, are individual traders who buy and sell for their own accounts or on behalf of clients, but they do not necessarily have the same responsibilities as specialists. Dealers typically operate outside of the exchange, providing liquidity in off-exchange transactions.