The U$.$S$.$ Securities and Exchange Commission has designated just nine credit$-$rating agencies as nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, which include Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings. These agencies provide opinions on the creditworthiness of other entities and the financial obligations issued by them. Because so few companies can compete in it$,$ the credit$-$rating industry would be considered

Multiple Choice

a dynamic monopoly.

an oligopoly.

pure competition.

monopolistic competition.

a pure monopoly.