The Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) represents 46 exchanges in equities, bonds, derivatives and commodities through 21 full members from 30 countries, as well as 7 Corresponding Members from European emerging markets. FESE is a keen defender of the Internal Market and many of its members have become multi-jurisdictional exchanges, providing market access across multiple investor communities. FESE represents public Regulated Markets. Regulated Markets provide both institutional and retail investors with transparent and neutral price-formation. Securities admitted to trading on our markets have to comply with stringent initial and ongoing disclosure requirements and accounting and auditing standards imposed by EU laws.

In June 2010, FESE members had up to 8,827 companies listed on their markets, of which 8% are foreign companies contributing towards the European integration and providing broad and liquid access to Europe’s capital markets. Many of our members also organise specialised markets that allow small and medium sized companies across Europe to access the capital markets; 866 companies are listed in these specialised markets/segments in equity, increasing choice for investors and issuers.

Through its members’ activities on a global scale, FESE enjoys links with the regulatory community and industry from around the world and and works closely with the European Association of Central Counterparty Clearing Houses (EACH) and European Central Securities Depositries Association (ECSDA) in particular in the context of the Code of Conduct on Clearing and Settlement.

FESE's main counterparts at the European level are the European Commission, European Parliament, EcoFin Council, the European Securities Committee, and the Committee of European Securities Regulators. At the international level, FESE engages in a dialogue especially with the CFTC, the SEC, and IOSCO.

In all of its activities, FESE is guided by the following overarching objectives: