Function

• The AMEX Composite tracks all of the stocks listed on the American Stock Exchange. The index is market cap weighted.
  
  

Significance

• The American Stock Exchange is positioned as a market for small-cap and micro-cap companies.
  
  

History

• In October of 2008 the New York Stock Exchange completed its purchase of the American Stock Exchange. The American Stock Exchange business was renamed the NYSE AMEX Equities.
  
  

Time Frame

• The AMEX Composite index started tracking on December 29, 1995 at a value of 550. The record closing high was 2,530 in October 2007.
  
  

Considerations

• Since being absorbed into the New York Stock Exchange system, the American Stock Exchange has lost its visibility as an alternate stock market for companies that would not qualify for NYSE listing.