A senior supply chain consultant working for an independent advisory firm learns during a confidential corporate audit that a publicly traded aerospace firm is about to receive an unannounced multi-billion dollar government contract. During a private dinner, the consultant discloses this material nonpublic information to a personal acquaintance, explicitly noting that the award has not been announced. The consultant receives no monetary payment or financial benefit for sharing the information. The acquaintance immediately purchases call options on the aerospace firm's stock prior to the public announcement, realizing substantial profits when the contract is disclosed. Under federal securities laws, which of the following best describes the insider trading liability of the consultant and the acquaintance?
- Both the consultant and the acquaintance can be held liable for insider trading violations.Cevap
- BOnly the acquaintance is liable, because the consultant did not execute any securities transactions or receive direct financial compensation.
- COnly the consultant is liable, because third-party tippees who are not employed by the subject company are legally exempt from insider trading provisions.
- DNeither party is liable, because material nonpublic information shared in a private personal setting is protected from statutory regulatory enforcement.