U4 - Key Points Flashcards
Mastery Unit 4
What is the minimum earnings per share (EPS) requirement to qualify for a NYSE listing?
None. However the company must have earnings.
A Level I trading halt (part of Rule 80b) results from a decline in the S&P 500 from the previous day of how much? How long is the trading halt in effect for Level I?
7% decline from the close in the S&P 500 for 15 minutes.
A Level 2 trading halt (part of Rule 80B) results from a decline in the S&P 500 from the previous day of how much? How long is the trading halt in effect for Level 2?
15% decline from the close in the S&P 500 for 15 minutes.
A Level 3 trading halt (part of Rule 80B) results from a decline in the S&P 500 from the previous day of how much? How long is the trading halt in effect for Level 3?
20% decline from the close in the S&P 500 for the remainder of the day.
The Order Audit Trail System (OATS) must report each trade in an NMS security how frequently and to whom?
Daily to FINRA.
When a market maker becomes registered in an issue it must enter quotes within how many days?
5 business days
How many days may market maker have an excused withdrawal for?
5 business days.
If the market maker voluntarily withdrawals how long is the waiting period before they can re-register?
20 days.
In accordance with Regulation SHO when our customers considered “long” the security?
They own the subject securities
They own convertible securities, options, warrants or rights and HAVE ISSUED conversion instructions
How frequently does the “easy to borrow” lists need to be updated by broker-dealers?
Daily.
A customer limit order to buy 500 shares of ABCD at 20 (net or gross) including a ,25 mark-up, must be protected at what price?
19.75
What is “trading ahead”?
Trading ahead always involves research reports.
What is “front running”?
It is a violation. When a member has non-public knowledge of an impending block order to buy or sell, that member cannot place an order in front of the block order. This is for “like” type securities (i.e. long stock, long options, convertible securities)
What is “trading along”?
Trading along is permitted as long as there is an agreement in place. These agreements are on a order by order basis. No blanket agreements are allowed.
What is “marking the close”?
It is a manipulative attempt (and is prohibited) designed to induce investors to take action that they would otherwise not take.
Painting the tape (or a wash sale) is an example of that.
After a trading halt, market makers have how much time to adjust their quotes before the reopening of trading?
5 minutes.
Interpositioning, the act of inserting a third-party between a member firm in the best available market is only allowable when?
The only time it can be justified is if it results in a better execution for the customer.
Wrap fees, which include commissions, investment management, performance evaluation and custody services require the member to be registered how?
As an Investment Advisor (IA).
What is “ghosting” and is it allowed?
Collusion. Ghosting is an example of the illegal practice by multiple market makers colluding to influence the price of the stock. It’s subject to the severest of penalties.
What is the OTCBB and what is it for?
It is the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board and is an electronic interdealer quotation service for issues that do not meet the listing requirements of stock markets, such as the NASDAQ and, therefore, fall outside the National Market System.
Can stocks be traded on the NASDAQ and the OTCBB at the same time?
No. Whenever referencing the OTCBB never use the word “listed”.
What is required to register as a market maker in a bulletin board stock?
3 business day.
A form 211 needs to be filed at least 3 business days in advance of entering quotations.
What is “piggybacking”?
It allows another market maker of a bulletin board stock to “piggyback” on the quotes another market maker and does not require a form 211 filing.
Note if the firm piggybacks on existing market maker in that market maker subsequently withdrawals, the firm does not have to file a form 211. He can remain as a market maker
What is the “Third Market”?
Listed stocks that trade over-the-counter (OTC)
What is the Consolidated Quotation System (CQS) and when does it operate?
It provides quotes from both 3rd market makers and DMM’s in LISTED stocks.
What is the Series 57 license and what is it for?
Is required for NASDAQ market makers, proprietary OTC traders and for persons who directly supervise those activities.
What is the definition of a penny stock?
It is a non-NMS, OTC equity security trading at less than $5 per share.
What are members required to do relating to penny stocks?
Customers, before their initial transaction in a penny stock, must be given a copy of the Risk Disclosure Document.
Members must provide purchases with the current bid and ask quote on the stock
information relative to how members are compensated must be provided
Monthly statements are required
A Suitability Statement must be sent to the customer for a signature. Once returned, the member may effect the trade.
When must a Risk Disclosure Document be provided to a customer?
Before the initial transaction in the penny stock. Note that a member must receive written acknowledgment back from the customer that the document has been received.
A member may solicit an established customer without having to prepare a suitability statement. What is the definition of an established customer for penny stock purposes?
An established customer is one who has:
Effected a non–penny stock transaction or may deposit the funds or securities an account at least one year before the proposed penny trade or
Made 3 unsolicited purchases of penny stocks, on 3 separate days, on 3 separate issues.
In addition to the “establish customer exception” other exemptions apply for solicitation. They are:
Unsolicited trades
Transactions with institutional accredited investors
Private placements meeting the requirements of SEC Rule 506
Transactions executed by a member whose revenue from penny stocks trades is 5% or less of total revenue
The penny stock rules only apply to stocks traded where?
Pink Open Market or Bulletin Board stocks under $5 per share only
The Consolidated Tape System reports real-time trade information on what?
ALL listed equity securities that take place in any market are reported.
Are NASDAQ market makers required to accept automatic executions?
Yes.
Do Electronic Communication Networks (ECN) have to accept automatic executions or accept delivery of an order?
No. ECM’s have a choice. They can either accept automatic executions or accept delivery in order which they can respond to if they wish. If they do accept delivery, they must respond within 5 SECONDS of receipt!
May orders be sent to specific market makers?
Yes. It is called a “preferenced order” and can be sent to a specific market participant that is at the inside market.
Note: if the market participant that received the order is not the inside market, the order is sent back. If a partial fill is received (after displayed in reserve size) the un-executed portion is returned to the entering party.
What is a non-liability order?
Examples would be a “all or none (AON)” or a “minimal acceptable quantity (MAQ)”.
These are usually DIRECTED ORDERS use to access a specific quote in the system.
What is the Alternative Display Facility (ADF) and what is it for?
To keep it simple, the ADF is the FINRA operated facility allowing its members to quote or affect trades in National Market Securities (NMS) stocks other than on exchange.
It is NOT an execution facility.