2. Why were joint stock-companies popular during the Age of Exploration? OA. Joint-stock companies allowed multiple investors to raise money for costly automatic weapons that could conquer foreign populations. B. Joint-stock companies allowed native populations to pool their resources together to raise money for modern weapons to defend against invaders. OC. Joint-stock companies allowed kings throughout Europe to pool together resources in order to conquer the New World together. O D. Joint-stock companies allowed multiple investors to pool together resources, reducing the risk for individuals and encouraging investment in costly exploration ventures despite limited wealth.