Is AMEX an over-the-counter (OTC) market?
NYSE American, associated with the name Amex, is a separate exchange. Distinguish it from over-the-counter (OTC) stocks.
Table of contents
Remember this first
First, 3 things to remember
- 1AMEX is a term linked to the former American Stock Exchange.
- 2Currently, NYSE American is a separate exchange.
- 3The characteristic of having many small-cap stocks is different from being an over-the-counter market.
The old name may still appear on screens.
Amex is the name read from AMEX, an abbreviation for American Stock Exchange. The market that continues that history is the current NYSE American. You may encounter the AMEX label on data screens.
NYSE American and NYSE are not the same exchange. It is easier to distinguish them as different markets within the same group.
It is an exchange focused on growth companies and small-cap stocks.
NYSE American focuses on listing growth companies and small-cap stocks. It trades electronically and has electronic designated market makers that facilitate trading for assigned stocks.
This characteristic does not mean that all stocks are cheap or will surge. You must look at the company's size, actual trading volume, and financial status separately.
Do not use AMEX and OTC as synonyms.
The term OTC stock usually refers to stocks that are not listed on an exchange and are traded over-the-counter. Since NYSE American is an exchange, you should not label it as an OTC stock just based on that indicator.
When looking at AMEX in WAPE, first read it as a market label. Trading halt codes or the company's country and industry are separate pieces of information.
You should not make such assumptions
“Are all small company stocks on AMEX considered over-the-counter stocks?”
NYSE American is an exchange. A company being small in size is different from it being an OTC stock.
Check what you have read.
- Did you understand the relationship between AMEX and NYSE American?
- Have you distinguished it as a separate market from the NYSE?
- Did you confuse it with OTC?
Apply what you read to the actual screen
Try it on WAPE
Source and scope of verification
Reviewed · Version 1
- Equities MarketsNew window
NYSE · Verify 2026-10-20
NYSE electronic trading, floor, DMM, and auctions · History of NYSE American and its characteristics as an electronic, small-cap focused exchange
This is educational material for observation and information comprehension. Hypothetical examples do not represent actual stocks or performance and do not provide buy or sell recommendations.