Insights
3 regulations every high-ranking executive should know about
High-ranking employees at publicly-traded companies may be required to follow specific rules and regulations that don’t apply to the broader employee pool. And yet, very few executives inherently know that when they take on a new job or agree to an updated compensation package, they will be subject to Section 16 and Rule 144, or that a 10b5-1 plan can help you execute a financial plan despite some of these restrictions. Let’s dig into what these rules and regulations are and how they may affect you.
What is Rule 144?
Rule 144 limits the amount of stock an individual can sell. It generally applies to affiliates of a publicly traded company—officers, board members, large shareholders, or people who may have significant influence over the company. It can also apply to restricted securities, or shares that haven’t been registered with the SEC. If you’re subject to Rule 144, you must file paperwork tied to any shares you sell to ensure that the trades comply with the relevant rules and restrictions.
October 2025 market commentary
After a pause in interest rate cuts since the last cut at the December 2024 FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve finally reduced rates by 25 basis points at the September meeting. The Fed minutes, which came out on October 8th, provided more color on the Fed’s thinking and revealed that most of the Fed officials think further cuts will be enacted this year.
What is Section 16, and does it apply to me?
Section 16 refers to the 16th section of the Securities and Exchange Act. It requires that certain company insiders—executives, board members, certain key employees, investors owning more than 10%—file paperwork documenting their holdings and trades with the SEC.
What are 10b5-1 plans?
If you are in possession of material non-public information about a stock, the SEC’s Rule 10b5-1 allows you to plan trades in advance so that you can sell shares without worrying about insider trading allegations. Rule 10b5-1 plans also create a path for employees to sell shares during blackout periods. Let's dive in.
Retirement checklist
Retirement planning spans decades, so creating a checklist—many of which are designed to be completed in a much shorter span of time—may seem counterintuitive. We built this checklist so that you can come back to it over the course of your retirement journey, checking off the tasks connected to wherever you are right now.
