Which option best describes the process of price discovery?

The process of price discovery fundamentally revolves around how the market determines the right price for a security or an asset. This mechanism is primarily influenced by the interplay of demand and supply within the marketplace. When buyers and sellers engage in transactions, their willingness to pay and the amount they wish to sell at directly affect the price.

As transactions occur, and new information comes to light—such as economic indicators, company news, or broader market sentiments—demand can increase or decrease, thereby influencing the price. In ideal market conditions, this constant negotiation between buyers' readiness to purchase and sellers' willingness to sell leads to a price that reflects the current value of an asset.

In contrast, while assessing historical price movements and analyzing market patterns can inform traders and investors about potential future movements, these methods do not directly define how prices are determined in real time. Similarly, government price controls disrupt the natural price discovery process by artificially setting prices rather than allowing the market forces of demand and supply to dictate them. Thus, the establishment of price based on demand and supply accurately encapsulates the essence of price discovery in financial markets.