The Minneapolis Grain Exchange, founded in 1881 as the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, is the state's major commodity exchange. The MGE is used primarily for the pricing of grains. Enforcement of statutes governing securities, franchises, and corporate takeovers (as well as charitable organizations, public cemeteries, collection agencies, and bingo) is the responsibility of the Securities Division of the Department of Commerce.
Approximately 1,104 securities dealers operate in Minnesota, with 18,901 employees; 238 investment advisory organizations do business in the state. Minnesota is headquarters to 197 NASDAQ companies, 15 NASDAQ market makers; and is the incorporator of 45 NYSE companies. The top five companies in terms of revenues are Target, Supervalue Inc., United Health Group Inc., Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., and Best Buy Co., Inc.