The American Stock Exchange is the third largest stock exchange in the U.S. after the NYSE and the NASDAQ, handling approximately 10% of American trades. The American Stock Exchange lists companies from all different industries and of all different sizes. However, the exchange is known as having the least strict listing requirements among the three top American exchanges, which results in many small companies joining the exchange. Once a major competitor of the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange is now mostly known for trading in small cap stocks, options, and exchange traded funds. The exchange is owned by NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers), but operated as a separate exchange from the NASDAQ.