The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the U.S. federal agency charged with overseeing the securities markets to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. In brief:
- Protect investors: The SEC enforces federal securities laws, promotes transparency, and pursues misconduct such as fraud, insider trading, and misleading disclosures to help investors make informed decisions.
- Maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets: The agency regulates and oversees securities markets, including exchanges, brokers, dealers, and investment professionals, to ensure fair trading practices and reliable market information.
- Facilitate capital formation: By providing clear disclosure requirements and a stable regulatory environment, the SEC aims to help companies raise capital from investors while ensuring investor protection.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific audience (individual investors, students, or professionals) or provide a concise one-paragraph summary suitable for citations.
