Before any company offers its securities for sale to the general public (with certain exceptions), it must file with the SEC a registration statement and provide a "prospectus" to investors.
In its registration statement, the company must provide all material information on the nature of its business, the company's management, the type of security being offered and its relation to other securities the company may have on the market, and the company's financial statements as audited by independent public accountants.
A copy of a prospectus containing information about the company and the securities offered must be provided to investors upon or before their purchase. In addition, most companies must continue to update, in filings made with the SEC, this disclosure information quarterly and annually to ensure an informed trading market.
The SEC reviews registration statements and periodic reports for completeness, but the SEC does not review every detail and verification of each statement of fact would be impossible.
However, the securities laws do authorize the SEC to seek injunctive and other relief for registration statements containing materially false and misleading statements. Persons who willfully violate the securities laws may also be subject to criminal action brought by the Department of Justice leading to imprisonment or criminal fines.
The laws also provide that investors may be able to sue to recover losses in the purchase of a registered security if materially false or misleading statements were made in the prospectus or through oral solicitation. Investors must seek such recovery through the appropriate courts, since the SEC has no power to collect or award damages or to represent individuals.
In its registration statement, the company must provide all material information on the nature of its business, the company's management, the type of security being offered and its relation to other securities the company may have on the market, and the company's financial statements as audited by independent public accountants.
A copy of a prospectus containing information about the company and the securities offered must be provided to investors upon or before their purchase. In addition, most companies must continue to update, in filings made with the SEC, this disclosure information quarterly and annually to ensure an informed trading market.
The SEC reviews registration statements and periodic reports for completeness, but the SEC does not review every detail and verification of each statement of fact would be impossible.
However, the securities laws do authorize the SEC to seek injunctive and other relief for registration statements containing materially false and misleading statements. Persons who willfully violate the securities laws may also be subject to criminal action brought by the Department of Justice leading to imprisonment or criminal fines.
The laws also provide that investors may be able to sue to recover losses in the purchase of a registered security if materially false or misleading statements were made in the prospectus or through oral solicitation. Investors must seek such recovery through the appropriate courts, since the SEC has no power to collect or award damages or to represent individuals.
