Is Insider Stock Trading a Crime?
Insider stock trading is a type of illegal behavior that gives an insider a substantial
advantage over other market participants. Insiders can include individuals such as
executives of companies, brokers, employees, and even family members. The legality of insider stock trading varies from state to state. However, there are several laws in most jurisdictions that prohibit this practice. These laws are meant to prevent fraud, maintain the integrity of the market, and allow for a fair trading environment for everyone.
Insider trading is when a person gains non-public material information on a company, trades in its securities, and uses the information to make a profit. If the material non-public information affects the share price of the company, it is considered to be material. This information could be a merger or tender offer, pending product release, or new product development.
Insiders have a fiduciary duty to the shareholders of their companies. In the United States, this duty is based on the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which was
enacted in response to the 1929 stock market crash. It prohibits short-swing profits
for corporate officers and stockholders who have more than 10 percent of the firm's
shares.
Those who break the laws are subject to fines, monetary penalties, and injunctions. They may also be forced to surrender their losses, if any. Depending on the offense, the Department of Justice may prosecute insiders and accomplices. One of the earliest insider trading cases was that of the Texas Gulf Sulphur Company. Several officials of the company traded ahead of an important public
announcement. Some of the infamous insider traders include Martha Stewart and former Enron president Jeffrey Skilling.
Insiders who trade on non-public information in the United Kingdom and European Union are liable for civil penalties. Trades made on material non-public information are fraudulent and can have a significant impact on large-scale shareholders. Insiders who violate insider trading laws are liable for up to three times the profits they obtained from their illegal activities. They also could face federal prison sentences.
Insiders and friends who knowingly use confidential information to make a trade have a similar responsibility. For example, journalist R. Foster Winans traded in advance of “Heard on the Street” columns appearing in the Journal.
Victimless crime
There's a reason that insider stock trading is a hot topic on the policy agenda. It can lead to a lot of bad press for investors and companies alike. And it's not just about money. Insiders can also cause damage to the financial markets through a variety of means, from shady accounting practices to illegally sharing information with competitors.
While there's no denying that insider trading is a problem, the best way to combat it is to establish clear and concise rules and penalties. For instance, the SEC has a rule that requires any person convicted of insider trading to disclose their identity within the first year of being sentenced. Similarly, companies can seek damages for any unauthorized use of official information. This could include information about merger negotiations, security breaches, or just plain bad behavior. So if you're a CEO or a
hedge fund manager, be prepared to put up with some pretty unpleasant scrutiny.
The best way to combat insider trading is to establish a clear and concise definition of what counts as an insider. This should include clear and frank disclosure of any relevant past and present business relationships, including any monetary transactions. One last thing to consider is that while you may be a C-suite executive or a hedge fund manager, your 401K, retirement account, or savings may be at risk. That's not to say that your family isn't at risk, it's just that you need to know what you're dealing with.
What's more, a well-thought out, well-publicized policy can improve the health of the nation's financial markets. Moreover, it could also save taxpayers billions of dollars in the process. Whether or not the government is able to enact these types of laws is still up for debate, but one thing's for certain: insider trading has got to go.
Olga Steiner
https://financeworld.io/!!!Trading Signals And Hedge Fund Asset Management Expert!!! --- Olga is an expert in the financial market, the stock market, and she also advises businessmen on all financial issues.