insider trading?

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Discussion

danhf

Original Poster:

339 posts

263 months

Monday 21st July 2003
quotequote all
I'm in the process of starting up a new firm and it is likely that a small PLC will be bankrolling it - they will own a considerable amount of shares.

Before I got involved with the PLC I had a number of private investors wanting to be involved - would it be considered insider trading/dealing if they (the private investors) bought shares in this PLC on the basis that they believe my venture will result in a price increase in that PLCs shares?

tia

dan

tomash

175 posts

287 months

Monday 21st July 2003
quotequote all
If it is public knowledge that this PLC will be funding your company then no.
Have you circulated a business plan that your potential investors have seen and then withdrawn the offer of shares in favour of the PLC or have you or the PLC made a public announcement of the venture.

If there has been no public announcement then tecnically yes.

However is this project likely to boost the value of the PLC's shares by a considerable margin at this stage as a take over would. If no then while tecnically it may be construed as insider trading it is highly unlikely that any one would take any action.

The other thing to consider is when do the PLC publish their year end accounts because if your investors buy and then the company anounces spectacular growth/profits that could drew attention to purchaces of any size just prior to the announcement. Of course the flip side is that the PLC announces a loss or just fail to meet expectations of their investors and their share price is depressed then are your investors going to thank you for getting them into that company on the back of a good idea of yours.

Your potential investors are going to have to decide weather the PLC backers of the project are a sound investment already and then see if your new venture will add value to the whole.

danhf

Original Poster:

339 posts

263 months

Monday 21st July 2003
quotequote all
thanks for that.

It's not public knowledge that the PLC may invest.

The business plan isn't complete yet - i've been working on it for two weeks and I'm about 50% of the way through it!

the private investors are interested in the concept rather than the details and I know most of them so it's me they're backing really. I didn't ask any of them to invest - they volunteered nor did I suggest that they buy shares in the PLC.

I doubt the accounts will show a huge increase this year but possibly next.

thanks again

dan