Securities and Exchange Commission

(SEC) Aims to ”protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.” Founded in 1934, it is the federal agency that holds primary responsibility for enforcing Federal securities law.

The SEC is focused on ensuring that there is accurate, clear, public information about securities from the companies that are offering them. The SEC says that this disclosed information allows all investors to make sound business decisions about if and when to buy, sell, or hold securities. This information is related to the businesses themselves, the securities being sold, and the risks involved in investing. The SEC also has oversight power over people and entities who sell and trade securities, such as brokers, dealers, and exchanges.