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OTC Markets Blog

Latest commentary on Market Structure, Compliance, Small Cap and Reg A+ issues, including insights on the news and trends that affect the public markets.

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Understanding Short Sale Activity

Quality data is essential to well-functioning markets. Improving the availability, relevance and usefulness of data aligns with OTC Market Group’s mission to create better informed, more efficient financial markets.  In our experience, short selling remains one of the most highly-debated topics among academics, companies, investors, market makers and broker-dealers. As a market operator and company CEO, I believe it’s critical to address the misconceptions that still exist around short sale data and the correlation to a stock’s fundamental value.

Short selling, the sale of a security that the seller does not own, has long been a controversial practice in public markets.  Advocates for short selling believe it builds price efficiency, enhances liquidity and helps improve the public markets, while critics are concerned that it can facilitate illegal market manipulation and is detrimental to investors and public companies.  Given the diverse range of opinions and opposing views, we believe the first step is to take a deeper dive into the data and help separate out the noise.

Continue reading “Understanding Short Sale Activity” →

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OTC Markets Group Named One of Crain’s 2018 100 Best Places to Work in New York City

We spend a significant amount of time focused on providing the best experience for the companies and broker-dealers that trade on our market –  seeking opportunities to raise our profile, build connections with our stakeholders and help the broader investment community. But while much of our marketing focus is external, we believe everything we do starts with the engagement of the team that embodies our brand. Continue reading “OTC Markets Group Named One of Crain’s 2018 100 Best Places to Work in New York City” →

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Benefits of Cross-Trading in the United States

For many international companies, the successful listing of their security represents an important milestone.  It’s a sign of recognition, prestige and success, demonstrating to the market a desire to be open and transparent.  Continue reading “Benefits of Cross-Trading in the United States” →

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Need Help Navigating the Public Markets? Let Us Be Your Guide

As the home for thousands of small-cap companies, we meet with issuers daily to help them work through the challenges associated with operating as a successful public company.  For each of these companies there are numerous aspects to consider – from how to take the company public and raise capital, to developing an effective IR program and targeting the right types of investors.  Our goal is simple – to help alleviate much of the cost, time and complexity associated with being a public company.

That’s why we’ve developed a straightforward guide in collaboration with IR Magazine.

Continue reading “Need Help Navigating the Public Markets? Let Us Be Your Guide” →

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New Independent Study: Benefits for International Companies Trading on OTCQX

We often hear questions from foreign issuers and their respective exchanges surrounding the decision to pursue secondary trading in the U.S. Many harbor the misconception that cross-trading in the U.S. will lead to a loss of trading volume and drain in liquidity from their primary home market. Continue reading “New Independent Study: Benefits for International Companies Trading on OTCQX” →

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Cromwell Coulson’s Fireside Chat with Bob Pisani

Cromwell Coulson’s Fireside Chat with Bob Pisani

Cromwell Coulson’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Dedication to STANY

April 19, 2018

The Security Traders Association of New York (STANY) honored OTC Markets Group CEO Cromwell Coulson with its 5th Annual Award for Lifetime Achievement and Dedication to STANY at its 82nd annual conference. Cromwell joined CNBC’s Bob Pisani for a Fireside Chat to talk about the evolution of OTC Markets Group and the contributions of  industry professionals that have leveraged their knowledge for the benefit of  both the trading community and investors.

Continue reading “Cromwell Coulson’s Fireside Chat with Bob Pisani” →

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New Promotion Risk Flag Among the Latest Data Points to Increase Transparency and Investor Protection

New Promotion Risk Flag Among the Latest Data Points to Increase Transparency and Investor Protection

Stock Promotion

Late last year, OTC Markets Group published a new Stock Promotion policy, along with Best Practices for public companies.  These policies outline OTC Markets efforts to establish best standard practices, improve market transparency and better address the problem of fraudulent stock promotion. Continue reading “New Promotion Risk Flag Among the Latest Data Points to Increase Transparency and Investor Protection” →

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2018 Regulatory Initiatives & Targeted Rulemaking: Improving Transparency, Focusing on Market Efficiency

Over the past 20 years, the reputation and recognition of the OTC markets has grown.  Part of that positive transformation has come from technology, both at OTC Markets Group and from the broker-dealer community, that has fostered a vibrant, data-driven, electronic trading market. Continue reading “2018 Regulatory Initiatives & Targeted Rulemaking: Improving Transparency, Focusing on Market Efficiency” →

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Why Can’t I Deposit my Shares?

Why Can’t I Deposit my Shares? Issues facing small cap issuers.

Issues Facing Small Cap Issuers

As the market operator where thousands of small and micro-cap securities trade, we occasionally hear from issuers and their investors who are frustrated when brokers won’t deposit their stock. While this is generally perceived to be an OTC issue, the reality is that this affects privately issued shares on all public markets, including national exchanges. Continue reading “Why Can’t I Deposit my Shares?” →

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