1 Introduction
1.1 Public confidence in a fair and orderly market, one that reflects the forces of genuine supply and demand, enhances its liquidity and efficiency. Improper conduct which gives a false or misleading impression of trading activity, price movements or market information leads to a reduction in market efficiency and confidence. SGX-ST seeks to ensure that its markets are fair and orderly and free of manipulative trading.
1.2 There are rules regulating trading activity in SGX-ST Rules and the Securities and Futures Act. Trading Members and Trading Representatives must ensure that their trading is conducted in accordance with SGX-ST Rules and the Securities and Futures Act.
2 Market Manipulation and False Market
2.1 Rule 13.8.1 says, A Trading Member or a Trading Representative must not engage in, or knowingly act with any other person in, any act or practice that will or is likely to:—
(1) create a false or misleading appearance of active trading in any securities or Futures Contracts; or
(2) lead to a false market in respect of any securities or Futures Contracts. For avoidance of doubt, a false market includes a market in which:—
(a) information is false, exaggerated or tendentious;
(b) contrived factors are in evidence, such as buyers and sellers acting in collaboration to bring about artificial market prices; or
(c) manipulative or fictitious orders, transactions or other devices have been employed.
2.2 In broad terms, market manipulation involves intentional interference with the free forces of supply and demand to deceive or defraud investors, or for some other ulterior purpose.
2.3 Rule 13.8.1 is concerned with the effect or likely effect of an order or a transaction, and involves an objective assessment of whether a false or misleading appearance, or false market, has been created. Whether an activity is "false or misleading" will depend on circumstances in each case. The Rule does not prevent Trading Members and Trading Representatives from carrying out legitimate trading strategies which reflect the forces of genuine supply and demand. However, Trading Members and Trading Representatives must do so bearing in mind their obligations to the market, and with an appropriate degree of care.
2.4 Although Trading Members and Trading Representatives must carry out their customers' instructions, a Trading Member or Trading Representative should not accept a customer's instructions blindly, but should exercise judgment in each case.
2.5 Naturally, some orders or transactions will have an impact on the market. They are not prohibited if there is a legitimate commercial rationale and the order or transaction is executed in a proper manner.
2.6 Rule 13.8.2 identifies the factors that Trading Members and Trading Representatives should take into account when considering the circumstances of an order or a transaction.