Who must publicly file a report with the SEC according to the Securities Exchange Act of 1933?

The Securities Exchange Act of 1933 requires publicly traded companies to file reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This act was established to ensure transparency in financial statements and protect investors. Publicly traded companies are those that issue stock traded on public exchanges and must disclose certain financial and operational information to the SEC, allowing investors to make informed decisions.

This requirement does not extend to private corporations, as they do not offer shares to the public and are therefore not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight. Non-profit organizations also do not fall under this requirement, as they do not issue stock and operate differently from for-profit entities. Additionally, small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are typically not required to publicly file a report unless they are publicly traded.

In this context, option B correctly identifies that only publicly traded companies are mandated to publicly file reports with the SEC, thereby ensuring that pertinent information is available to current and potential investors. This transparency fosters trust in the financial markets and supports the integrity of the overall economy.