MyComplianceOffice Blog

Duncan Stewart, the son of Chris Stewart - the former Bank of Melbourne chairman and respected figure in the Australian banking industry, faces multiple charges by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) over alleged insider trading in Kidman Resources shares.

Insider trading cases have seen a variety of sentences over the years. However, some jurisdictions have recently increased their focus on these cases, seeing more convictions and higher sentences. Blackout periods are a critical component of any public company’s trading policy to minimise the risk of insider trading occurring.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has published its consultation conclusions on proposed amendments to enforcement-related provisions of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) (Note 1).

A conflict of interest happens when a person with multiple interests serves one to the detriment of another. For example, an individual may seek to create personally-beneficial outcomes at the expense of fairness and competition. They may engage in activities that put the confidentiality of their firms’ information at risk or put personal financial gains ahead of their firms’, clients’, or broader financial market’s interests.

Recent enforcements by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) highlight the need for SGX-listed companies to actively work against conflicts of interest within their organisations and maintain robust corporate compliance processes.