Introduction
In the world of securities trading and investments, ethical conduct is paramount. This section delves into the prohibited activities, focusing primarily on front-running and insider trading, crucial for those preparing for the FINRA Series 7 exam. Understanding these prohibited activities is vital as they form the bedrock of ethical practices that safeguard the interests of clients and uphold the integrity of financial markets.
Body
Front-Running
Front-running is the unethical practice of trading a security based on advance, non-public knowledge of a pending transaction that will influence its price. This occurs when a broker executes orders on a security for its account while taking advantage of advance knowledge of pending orders from its customers. This activity is illegal and against FINRA’s regulations as it puts personal gain above client interests.
Example of Front-Running
Imagine a broker who knows that a client order is about to drive up the price of a stock. The broker buys shares for themselves before executing the client’s order, benefitting from the subsequent price increase. This behavior violates trust and fiduciary duty towards clients.
Insider Trading
Insider trading involves buying or selling a publicly-traded security based on material, non-public information about the company. This practice is strictly prohibited as it creates an uneven playing field and undermines market integrity. Information barriers, also known as “Chinese Walls,” are implemented within financial institutions to prevent such occurrences.
Key Concepts
- Material Information: Any data that could affect a company’s stock price or influence investor decisions.
- Non-Public Information: Information that is not legally accessible to the general public.
- Information Barriers: Policies and procedures set by firms to prevent insider trading by controlling the flow of sensitive information.
Conclusion
Understanding prohibited activities like front-running and insider trading is crucial for FINRA Series 7 exam candidates. These practices are unethical and illegal, and knowing how to avoid them ensures compliance with regulatory standards and maintains trust within financial markets.
Supplementary Materials
Glossary
- Front-Running: Trading a security for a personal account with prior knowledge of an upcoming transaction.
- Insider Trading: Dealing in a company’s securities based on confidential information.
- Material Information: Significant data affecting investment decisions or market prices.
- Information Barriers: Procedures to restrict the flow of sensitive information in financial firms.
Additional Resources
### Front-running refers to a practice where:
- [x] Brokers trade ahead of their client's orders for personal gain.
- [ ] Brokers execute orders for clients before trading for the firm.
- [ ] Brokers consult clients before executing trade orders.
- [ ] Brokers trade based on public market indicators.
> **Explanation:** Front-running involves brokers placing their own trades ahead of their clients' orders to benefit from expected stock price movements.
### An example of insider trading is when:
- [x] An executive trades company stock based on unpublished earnings.
- [ ] A broker recommends stocks based on market analysis.
- [x] A manager sells shares knowing about a future merger not yet public.
- [ ] A trader buys stocks after reading a public financial report.
> **Explanation:** Insider trading involves buying or selling securities based on confidential, non-public information which gives unfair advantage.
### Information barriers are also known as:
- [x] Chinese Walls.
- [ ] Material Walls.
- [ ] Financial Gates.
- [ ] Security Barriers.
> **Explanation:** Information barriers, or Chinese Walls, are structures in financial firms to prevent the leakage of insider information.
### Which of the following is a legal activity?
- [x] Trading stocks based on public news releases.
- [ ] Trading stocks based on insider information.
- [ ] Front-running trades before client orders.
- [ ] Providing non-public information to friends.
> **Explanation:** Trading based on public information is legal as it provides no unfair advantage over other market participants.
### Insider trading is most concerned with:
- [x] Trading based on non-public, material information.
- [ ] Making trades using outdated financial reports.
- [x] Executing trades using privileged information from company insiders.
- [ ] Buying low and selling high in a volatile market.
> **Explanation:** Insider trading involves leveraging confidential company information that affects stock prices or decisions.
### Front-running impacts clients by:
- [x] Violating trust and fiduciary duties.
- [ ] Providing better trade prices for clients.
- [ ] Increasing the efficiency of trade execution.
- [ ] Generating higher profits for the broker.
> **Explanation:** Front-running damages the trust clients place in financial professionals by putting brokers' interests before theirs.
### The key to avoiding insider trading is:
- [x] Ensuring all trading information is public.
- [ ] Avoiding all trades involving large companies.
- [x] Strictly following information barrier protocols.
- [ ] Making trades only in low-volume securities.
> **Explanation:** Using publicly accessible information and following robust information barrier protocols can prevent insider trading.
### The effect of insider trading is most detrimental to:
- [x] The integrity of the financial markets.
- [ ] Only the individual trader's reputation.
- [ ] The profitability of trading firms.
- [ ] The liquidity of traded stocks.
> **Explanation:** Insider trading undermines market integrity by creating unfair advantages and disrupting investor confidence.
### To comply with regulations against front-running, brokers should:
- [x] Prioritize client orders and interests.
- [ ] Trade for their accounts only after fulfilling client trades.
- [ ] Seek client permission before every trade.
- [ ] Trade in secret to avoid detection.
> **Explanation:** Prioritizing client interests and orders is essential to comply with front-running regulations.
### Insider trading can occur when individuals:
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True; insider trading involves the unauthorized use of confidential, material information for trading purposes.