Securities Exchange Act, 1934

The Securities Exchange Act of the United States was enacted in 1934.

With this Act, the United States Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Act empowers the SEC with broad authority over all aspects of the securities industry.

In this regard, the purposes of the Act are:

• to provide for the regulation of securities exchanges and of over-thecounter markets operating in interstate and foreign commerce and through the mails;
• to prevent inequitable and unfair practices on such exchanges and markets;
• and for other purposes.