Which of the following was created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934?

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was a significant piece of legislation in the United States that established the framework for regulating the securities industry. Among its key outcomes was the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC was formed to enforce federal securities laws, ensure transparency in the securities markets, protect investors, and regulate the securities industry, including stock exchanges, brokers, and dealers.

The establishment of the SEC marked a crucial step in improving the integrity and efficiency of the stock market following the Great Depression. It was intended to restore public confidence in the financial markets by requiring standardized reporting and disclosures from companies.

In contrast, while NASDAQ, AMEX, and NYSE are prominent stock exchanges, they were not directly created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. NASDAQ emerged later as an electronic trading platform, AMEX evolved from earlier stock exchange efforts but is not directly tied to this act, and NYSE has a longer history that predates the act. Therefore, recognizing the role of the SEC highlights its foundational importance in the regulation and oversight of the securities market established by this legislation.