Securities are first issued in primary markets like the NYSE and later traded in secondary markets. Underwriters help distribute new issues. The SEC regulates markets through acts regulating disclosure, insider trading, and other rules. Stocks trade on exchanges through specialists or market makers and various order types. Bonds trade over-the-counter. Mutual funds and other vehicles provide diversification. Risk and return concepts include expected return, variance, covariance, and efficient portfolios offering the highest return for a given risk.