What is considered an investment company under the 1940 Act?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, an entity is classified as an investment company if it is primarily engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities. More specifically, the Act covers any issuer that is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities; is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of issuing face-amount certificates of the installment type; or is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of the issuer’s total assets on an unconsolidated basis. This comprehensive definition ensures that entities like mutual funds, unit investment trusts, and closed-end funds are subject to regulatory oversight, registration, and reporting requirements designed to protect investors from potential fraud, mismanagement, and inadequate disclosure of information within the financial markets.

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