BREAKING DOWN 'NYSE Amex Equities'
In 2008 the NYSE Euronext acquired the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). The AMEX name was first changed to NYSE Alternext U.S., then became known as NYSE Amex in 2009. It used to be a strong competitor to the New York Stock Exchange, but that role has since been filled by the Nasdaq. Today, almost all trading on the AMEX is in small-cap stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivatives.