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Insider Information

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Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Insider Information'

A non-public fact regarding the plans or condition of a publicly traded company that could provide a financial advantage when used to buy or sell shares of the company's stock. Insider information is typically gained by someone who is working within or close to a listed company. If a person uses insider information to place trades, he or she can be found guilty of insider trading. Insider trading is illegal when the material information has not been made public and has been traded on. This is because the information gives those having this knowledge an unfair advantage.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Insider Information'

Insider information is knowledge about a publicly traded company that could be used to an investor's advantage. Knowing about a company's significant, confidential corporate developments, such as the release of a new product, could provide an unfair advantage if the information is not public, that is, if only a few people know about the developments.

In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulated legal insider trades - where corporate insiders, including officers, directors and employees, buy and sell stock in their own companies. In addition, the SEC investigates instances of illegal insider trading. Those found guilty of insider trading can serve jail time and be fined.

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