The primary market refers to the market for new issues of securities. Companies raise funds directly from investors through primary market mechanisms like initial public offerings, rights issues, and preferential allotments. The primary market allows small and medium businesses to raise money from the public and accelerates capital formation. It consists of new equity capital being issued for the first time. The secondary market refers to the subsequent trading of existing securities between investors. The major difference is that primary market issues are new securities offered by companies, while secondary market involves trading of existing securities between investors.