Exploring Backing Away [Securities]: Legal Definition and Consequences
Definition & Meaning
Backing away in securities refers to the failure of a market maker to complete a transaction after providing a firm quote. This means that when a market maker commits to buying or selling a specific quantity of a security, they do not follow through with the transaction. This practice is deemed unethical and violates the rules set by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).
Legal Use & context
Backing away is primarily relevant in the context of securities trading and market regulation. It is often associated with financial law and regulations governing market makers and brokers. This term may come into play in disputes involving securities transactions, where users can utilize legal forms to address issues related to market maker obligations.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A market maker quotes a price of $50 for 100 shares of a stock. An investor agrees to this price, but the market maker later refuses to complete the transaction. This situation constitutes backing away.
Example 2: A broker provides a firm quote for a security but then fails to execute the trade when the investor accepts the offer (hypothetical example).