FINRA Urges Caution Around Small-Cap IPOs in Wake of Pump-and-Dump Schemes
FINRA warned investors to exercise caution when investing in small capitalization initial public offerings ("IPOs") due to an increase in pump-and-dump schemes.
In a Regulatory Notice, FINRA noted that some pump-and-dump schemes have targeted investors using social media platforms. FINRA highlighted several identifying characteristics that were found across many of the schemes that have affected small-cap IPOs. These IPO factors include instances where there were:
-
less than (i) 20,000,000 shares issued, (ii) $25,000,000 raised, and (iii) $100,000,000 in valuations;
-
foreign issuers and broker-dealers including, but not limited to, those based in China and Hong Kong;
-
a significant number of shares concentrated in the hands of a limited number of investors;
-
nominee and omnibus accounts opened at U.S. institutions on behalf of foreign entities;
-
extreme levels of price volatility, which were not based on news or other material events; and
-
allegations of individuals using social media to establish connections with investors for the purposes of encouraging them to place orders at set prices and times.