This U.S. industry comprises legal entities known as holding companies (except bank holding) primarily engaged in holding the securities of (or other equity interests in) companies and enterprises for the purpose of owning a controlling interest or influencing the management decisions of these firms. The holding companies in this industry do not administer, oversee, and manage other establishments of the company or enterprise whose securities they hold.

• Agreement corporation (except international trade financing)
• Financial holding companies
• Holding companies (except bank, managing)
• Insurance holding companies
• Nonbank holding companies (except managing)
• Personal holding companies
• Public utility holding companies

• Holding the securities of (or other equity interests in) depository banks for the purpose of owning a controlling interest or influencing the management decisions of these firms--are classified in U.S. Industry 551111, Offices of Bank Holding Companies;
• Holding the securities of (or other equity interests in) a company or enterprise and administering, overseeing, and managing establishments of the company or enterprise whose securities they hold--are classified in U.S. Industry 551114, Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices; and
• Holding the securities of companies or enterprises and operating these entities--are classified according to the business operated.