What is the difference between a "trading halt", a "Cease Trade Order", a "suspension" or a "business halt"?
A trading halt is issued to suspend trading in a security while material news from the company is disseminated. Halts are usually temporary - less than two hours - with trading resuming once the company has issued the important news. Halts and resumptions are issued by IIROC or a marketplace upon which the security is listed or quoted.
A Cease Trade Order (CTO) is issued against a company for a variety of reasons including failing to meet its disclosure requirements such as filing a quarterly or annual financial statement, or as a result of an enforcement action that involves an investigation of wrongdoing. A CTO is often in place for an extended period of time and can be indefinite. CTOs are issued by the Securities Commissions.
Suspensions are implemented by listing exchanges and generally are a precursor to eventual delisting. Reasons for a suspension include failure to maintain listing requirements.
A business halt, also known as an exchange halt, is implemented by a listing exchange, however in most cases it is expected that the stock will resume trading. Reasons for a business halt include a company undergoing a corporate transaction such as a reverse takeover (RTO) or an interruption in trading caused by system issues.
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