Links to Major Exchanges and Investor Research Sites

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) traces it humble beginnings to May 17, 1792, when 24 prominent brokers and merchants signed the Buttonwood Agreement, in which they agreed to trade securities for a uniform commission rate. Today, there are 1,366 members and more than 3,000 domestic and non-U.S. companies listed on the "Big Board," with a total market capitalization of more than $15 trillion. Trading begins each weekday at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. EST. The NYSE's openings and closings are believed to be the most widely viewed daily events in the world.

In the mid-60s, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) determined to organize over-the-counter (OTC) trading and assigned the task of creating an automatic trading system to the National Association of Securites Dealers (NASD). The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation, or NASDAQ, was launched on February 8, 1971 with 2,500 OTC securities. Today, it is the fastest growing stock market in the United States and ranks second among the world's securities markets in terms of dollar volume.

In the late 1700s, a group of outdoor brokers began making markets in early government securities and new enterprises. The Curb Exchange, as it was first known, eventually became The American Stock Exchange (AMEX). However, the AMEX didn't move to inside quarters until 1921. On November 2, 1998, the AMEX joined with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) to create the Nasdaq-Amex Market Group. The American Stock Exchange and The Nasdaq Stock Market continue to operate as separate markets.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. All told, FINRA oversees nearly 5,000 brokerage firms, about 174,000 branch offices and approximately 677,500 registered securities representatives. Created in July 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the New York Stock Exchange, FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology- based services. Through its foundation, FINRA offers an investor education section on its Website.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent, nonpartisan, quasijudicial regulatory agency with responsibility for administering the federal securities laws. The laws protect investors in securities markets that operate fairly and ensure that investors have access to disclosure of all material information concerning publicly traded securities. The SEC maintains the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR), a database of securities filings by companies and others who are required by law to file forms with the SEC. Its primary purpose is to increase the efficiency and fairness of the securities market for the benefit of investors, corporations, and the economy. In addition to maintaining the EDGAR Database, the SEC also provides an investor education and assistance section on its Website. "We are the investor's advocate." -William O. Douglas, SEC Chairman 1937-1939

The Securities Industries Association (SIA) was established in 1972 to join the interests and accomplish the common goals of more than 740 securities firms. The SIA's members - investment banks, broker-dealers, and mutual fund companies - are active in all U.S. and foreign markets and in all phases of corporate and public finance. Member firms directly manage the accounts of more than 50 million investors, and indirectly manage the accounts of tens of millions of investors through corporate, thrift, and pension plans. SIA members generate more than $300 billion of revenues annually in the U.S. economy. The SIA maintains an investor information section on its Website.