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This is preferable for broker-dealers because they receive commissions on both the buy and sell-side of the trade. In executing client orders, broker-dealers may also buy or sell for their own (principal) account, at their own risk. If, however, there is no match for a trade or a broker-dealer does not wish to trade for their own account then a broker-dealer must find another broker-dealer willing to trade that particular security.
Only FINRA registered broker-dealers may execute trades, so investors must select a broker-dealer (or multiple broker-dealers) to execute trades.
FINRA has established OATSSM as an integrated audit trail of order, quote, and trade information for NASDAQ and OTC equity securities. FINRA uses this audit trail system to recreate events in the life cycle of orders and monitor more completely the trading practices of its members.
Many OTC securities are relatively illiquid, or "thinly traded," which tends to increase price volatility. Illiquid securities are often difficult for investors to buy or sell without dramatically affecting the quoted price. In some cases, the liquidation of a position in an OTC security may not be possible within a reasonable period of time.
If the firm is unable to do so, and the account has remained inactive for the period of time specified by state law, the firm must report the account to the state where the account is held. The state then claims the account through a process called "escheatment," whereby the state becomes the owner of the account.
The OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) is an electronic inter-dealer quotation system that displays quotes, last-sale prices, and volume information for many OTC equity securities that are not listed on a national securities exchange. Securities quoted on the OTCBB include domestic, foreign and American depository receipts (ADRs).
Inter-dealer Quotation/Trading Systems allow broker-dealers to post and disseminate their ‘quotes’ (prices) to the market place and, in the case of OTC Link, negotiate trades at agreed-upon prices.
Generally, OTC Markets will remove Caveat Emptor designation once the security meets the qualifications for OTC Pink Current Information or OTCQB and we are satisfied that there is no longer a public interest concern, typically no sooner than 30 days. For information on how to qualify for the OTC Pink Current Information tier, please visit the Upgrade Your OTC Tier page.
To trade OTC securities you must open an account with a brokerage firm that provides services in OTC securities. Investors may not buy or sell securities directly through OTC Markets. For more information on trading OTC Securities.
The company was first established in 1913 as the National Quotation Bureau (NQB). For decades, the NQB reported quotations for both stocks and bonds, publishing the quotations in the paper-based Pink Sheets and Yellow Sheets respectively. The publications were named for the color of paper on which they were printed. In September 1999, the NQB introduced the real-time Electronic Quotation Service.
Be wary of buying stocks on margin. Make sure you understand how a margin account works, and what happens in the worst case scenario before you agree to buy on margin.
To trade OTC securities you must open an account with a brokerage firm that provides services in OTC securities. Investors may not buy or sell securities directly through OTC Markets. For more information on trading OTC Securities.
OTCQX US – OTCQX offers domestic companies a quality-controlled trading platform on the OTC Market. OTCQX provides the compliance driven process and shareholder services of an exchange at significant cost savings.
With the exception of some foreign issuers, the companies quoted on OTC Link tend to be closely held, very small and/or thinly traded. Most issuers do not meet the minimum listing requirements for trading on a national securities exchange. Many of these companies do not file periodic reports or audited financial statements with the SEC, making it difficult for the public to find current, reliable information about those companies.
Volatility makes it possible for market makers to lose money providing liquidity to both sides of the market. Security purchases at the bid price can become unprofitable if the price quickly or significantly moves lower. Therefore, spreads tend to be wider (larger) in very volatile or illiquid (not easily tradable) securities.
Current Information - Reporting companies that submit filings to regulators with powers of review and that make the filings publicly available or non-reporting companies that make current information publicly available on the OTC Disclosure and News Service pursuant to OTC Markets OTC Pink Basic Disclosure Guidelines.
Although exchange-listed stocks can be traded OTC on the third market, it is rarely the case. Usually OTC stocks are not listed nor traded on exchanges, and vice versa. Although stocks quoted on the OTCBB must comply with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting requirements, other OTC stocks have alternative disclosure guidelines (for example, OTCQX stocks through OTC Market Group Inc), and others have no reporting requirements, for example Pink Sheets securities.
These institutions manage portfolios of derivatives involving tens of thousand of positions and aggregate global turnover over $1trillion. The OTC market is an informal network of bilateral counterparty relationships and dynamic, time-varying credit exposures whose size and distribution are tied to important asset markets. International financial institutions have increasingly nurtured the ability to profit from OTC derivatives activities and financial markets participants benefit from them. As a result, OTC derivatives activities play a central and predominantly a beneficial role in modern finance.
With the exception of some foreign issuers, the companies quoted on OTC Link tend to be closely held, very small and/or thinly traded. Most issuers do not meet the minimum listing requirements for trading on a national securities exchange. Many of these companies do not file periodic reports or audited financial statements with the SEC, making it difficult for the public to find current, reliable information about those companies.
OTC Markets Group does not regulate the OTC marketplace. It is neither a stock exchange nor self-regulatory organization (SRO) and is not itself regulated by FINRA or the SEC.
Indicates companies that are not able or willing to provide disclosure to the public markets - either to a regulator, an exchange or OTC Markets Group. Companies in this category do not make Current Information available via OTC Markets Group's News Service, or if they do, the available information is older than six months. This category includes defunct companies that have ceased operations as well as 'dark' companies with questionable management and market disclosure practices. Publicly traded companies that are not willing to provide information to investors should be treated with suspicion and their securities should be considered highly risky.
Does it sound too good to be true? Then it probably is. You should never make a decision about investing your money in a particular company solely on the basis of a "hot tip" or someone's advice. It is important that you make an informed decision based on your thorough research which includes the company's annual report, current financial statements and material news.
To initiate quotations in any OTC Equity security or resume quotations after a four day absence or SEC suspension on either the OTC Link or OTCBB inter-dealer quotation system, a market maker must first obtain and review certain specified information regarding the issuer. The information requirements are specified in the SEC's Rule 15c2-11. The information is supplied to FINRA on Form 211. When approved by FINRA, the member may submit its quotation to OTC Link or the OTCBB, as sufficient reliable current information is available in the marketplace to support the member’s quotation.
Investors should clearly understand that trading practices for OTC securities are different from those of securities traded on exchanges. Your broker-dealer or the broker-dealer they route your order to, may not provide you with limit order display or instantaneous executions in OTC securities.
All OTC securities are assigned a market tier based on their reporting method (SEC Reporting, Alternative Reporting Standard) and disclosure category – Current, Limited or No Information. Securities on OTCQX, the highest tier of the OTC market, are required to have Current disclosure and meet minimum financial qualifications. Securities in OTCQB tier must be SEC, Bank or Insurance reporting and must be Current in their disclosure.
To trade OTC securities you must open an account with a brokerage firm that deals in OTC securities. Investors cannot buy or sell securities directly through OTC Markets Group.
Market Order – a market order does not have a set price and is therefore executed immediately at the current ‘market’ price. Markets, especially OTC markets, can be highly volatile and therefore the price of execution may differ dramatically from the price at time of order entry. Those who use market orders are more concerned about the speed of the execution as opposed to the price.
Dovish: Refers to the tone of language when describing a non-aggressive stance or viewpoint regarding a specific economic event or action. It’s often used when describing the economy or interest rates of a country.
Central bankers are described as "dovish" because they generally favor economic growth and employment over tightening interest rates.
Opposite of Hawkish (hawk).
Double Top: Any chart pattern similar to the one show below is known as a ‘Double Top’ and it is arguably one of the most widely recognized and compelling technical signals known amongst the forex trading community. It is considered a reliable test of a previous high or low.
The double top formation is identified as a distinctive chart pattern revealing a rally to new high followed by a moderate retreat which is then in turn followed by a second rally in which to test the new high.
The double top chart pattern classically reveals itself by occurring in the shape of the letter ‘M’. A third rally added to this would result in the occurrence of a triple top resulting in three peaks.
A double top is considered a bearish and is generally thought to be stronger when the equal points are further apart and the price objective usually occurs at an equal distance beyond the correction low.
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Monetary Policy Monthly Report: Release schedule : 6:00 (GMT); in the middle of the month
Revisions schedule : None
Source of report : Bank of Japan
Web Address : http://www.boj.or.jp/en/
Address of release : http://www.boj.or.jp/en/theme/seisaku/handan/gp/index.htm
Bank of England (BOE) Rate Decision: Release schedule : 11:00 AM GMT (about 7:00 AM EST); Monthly in the first or second week.
Source of report : Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee
Web Address : http://www.bankofengland.co.uk
Address of release : http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetarypolicy/decisions.htm
Bearish Reversal Candlestick Patterns: The Bearish Reversal Candlestick Pattern comes in over 12 different forms. These include the Abandoned Baby, the Bearish Engulfing Pattern, the Harami, the Dark Cloud Cover, the Evening Star and the Shooting Star. Bearish Reversal Candlestick Patterns should form in an uptrend and most will require Bearish Confirmation as reinforcement of the pattern. Use additional anaylsis to further support your findings.
Bullish Reversal Candlestick Patterns: The Bullish Reversal Candlestick Pattern has over 14 different pattern styles. These include the Bullish Engulfing, the Piercing Pattern, the Harami, the Hammer, the Inverted Hammer, the Morning Star, and the Abandoned Baby. To use Bullish Reversal Candlestick Patterns succesfully, look for the pattern in a downtrend and use Bullish Confirmation to validate your analysis. Further reinforce your results by using additional analysis to confirm the patterns.
Bailout: A bailout is a financial term referring to an extraordinary act of lending, or outright giving, capital to an entity (a company, bank, individual, etc.) that is in danger of failure due to bankruptcy or insolvency. A bailout can also be given to a failing entity to allow it to exit gracefully without leading to a contagion.