The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets. To achieve this mission, the SEC requires public companies to disclose meaningful financial and other information to the public. Companies worth more than $10 million in assets whose securities are held by more than 500 owners must file annual and other periodic reports. These reports are available to the public through the SEC's EDGAR database.

The SEC's Web site provides information about the SEC, Filings and Forms (EDGAR), Regulatory Actions, Staff Interpretations, and Investor Information.

GoPublicToday.com provides an article with an overview of the SEC's history, responsibilities, activities, organization, and frequently asked questions.

The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University provides an overview of securities law and links to federal statutes and regulations, state statutes and judicial decisions, and other key Internet sources.

The University of Cincinnati College of Law provides search capabilities for the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

FEI Research Foundation Products available for this topic are:

Regulation FD One Year Later: Companies Respond, December 2001