SEC (Securities): Securities, also referred to as ‘securities’, refer to a wide range of financial instruments in the public and private markets. They include stocks, bonds, commodities, and other assets that are purchased with the intention of providing income or capital gains. Securities can be issued by governments, corporations, or other entities in an IPO or secondary market offering. Investing in securities carries risk, as they can be subject to market volatility, inflation, fraud, or bankruptcy.