You are a registered agent with a large brokerage firm. Your client is a very busy woman. She is interested in purchasing 500 shares of Google, but she thinks this morning’s opening price is too high. She’s going to be in meetings and then on a transatlantic flight. She wants the purchase to take place today because she believes Google’s price is just going to keep rising with only the occasional daily ups and downs. She wants you to use your discretion and try to get her the best price for the stock in today’s trading session. Which of the following statements are true?
Explanation
Answer: C - You can tell her that you will be able to execute this for her as a “market not held” order that permits you to use your discretion in timing the purchase in order to try to get a better price than currently exists. As long as you are only being requested to use your discretion in the timing and price of the transaction, and not in the actual security being traded or the size of the trade, you do not need written authorization. However, if written authorization is required, you must have it in your hand before you can effect a transaction. In other words, it isn’t good enough for it to be in the mail.
