Question

why were joint - stock companies created?
to allow individuals to finance and share the benefits of trade
to reduce the risk of overseas business
to let two or more individuals buy stock in a company
to create bigger companies

Explanation:

Joint-stock companies emerged primarily to pool capital from multiple individuals, enabling large-scale trade ventures that single individuals could not fund alone. This structure also let participants split both the profits from successful trade and the risks of failure. While reducing overseas risk, enabling stock purchases, and creating larger companies are related outcomes, the core founding purpose is enabling collective financing and shared trade benefits.

Answer:

to allow individuals to finance and share the benefits of trade