A chief research scientist at a publicly traded biotechnology firm informs an old university classmate during a private dinner that the firm's core drug candidate received unexpected regulatory approval earlier that day, prior to any public disclosure. The scientist does not receive any financial payment or tangible benefit and tells the classmate to keep the information confidential. The classmate immediately buys call options on the biotechnology firm's stock and realizes significant profits once the approval is publicly announced. Under federal securities regulations governing insider trading, which of the following statements correctly evaluates the legal liability of both individuals?
- AOnly the classmate is liable because the scientist did not execute any trades or receive direct financial compensation for the information.
- Both the scientist and the classmate are liable because disclosing material nonpublic information constitutes a breach of duty by the tipper, and trading on such information creates liability for the tippee.Cevap
- CNeither party is liable because the communication occurred within a private social setting without a formal agreement to share trading profits.
- DOnly the scientist is liable because the classmate is an outside party who holds no direct fiduciary duty to the biotechnology firm or its shareholders.
Cevap
Both the scientist (as the tipper) and the classmate (as the tippee) are liable under federal insider trading regulations.
Both the insider (tipper) and the trader (tippee) violate federal securities laws. The insider breaches a duty of trust by revealing material nonpublic information (even without direct financial compensation), and the tippee inherits liability by knowingly executing trades based on that improperly disclosed information.
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Tipper and Tippee Liability under Insider Trading Regulations