SECURITIES

SEC Proposes to Simplify Stock, Bond Offerings: The SEC proposed to cut paperwork and introduce other steps to make it easier for companies, including small businesses, to sell stocks and bonds. The SEC wants to expand the range of securities that can be offered through the “shelf registration” process. In a shelf registration, a company can fill out the required paperwork up to two years before the securities are put on sale. That allows companies to issue the securities when the market timing is good. It also wants to encourage more companies to utilize shelf filings when they sell common stock.