basic levinson argued november decided march securities exchange commission rule promulgated securities exchange act act prohibits connection purchase sale security making untrue statement material fact omission material fact render statements made misleading december combustion engineering basic incorporated agreed merge preceding two years representatives two companies various meetings conversations regarding possibility merger time basic made three public statements denying merger negotiations taking place knew corporate developments account heavy trading activity stock respondents former basic shareholders sold stock basic first public denial merger activity suspension trading basic stock prior merger announcement filed class action basic directors alleging basic statements false misleading violation rule respondents injured selling shares prices artificially depressed statements district certified respondents class granted summary judgment petitioners merits appeals affirmed class certification agreeing theory respondents reliance petitioners misrepresentations presumed thus common issues predominated questions pertaining individual plaintiffs appeals reversed grant summary judgment remanded rejecting district view preliminary merger discussions immaterial matter law holding even discussions might otherwise material become virtue statement denying existence held standard set forth tsc industries northway whereby omitted fact material substantial likelihood disclosure considered significant reasonable investor expressly adopted rule context pp test preliminary merger discussions become material merger partners reached agreement price structure transaction rejected materiality test rationales justify exclusion otherwise significant information definition materiality pp appeals view information concerning otherwise insignificant developments becomes material solely affirmative denial existence also rejected rule requires statements misleading material fact pp materiality merger context depends probability transaction consummated significance issuer securities thus materiality depends facts determined basis pp courts properly applied presumption reliance supported part theory instead requiring plaintiff show direct reliance basic statements presumption relieves rule plaintiff unrealistic evidentiary burden consistent supportive act policy requiring full disclosure fostering reliance market integrity presumption also supported common sense probability investor trades stock price set impersonal market reliance integrity price publicly available information reflected market price investor reliance public material misrepresentations may presumed purposes rule action pp presumption reliance may rebutted rule defendants may attempt show price affected misrepresentation plaintiff trade reliance integrity market price pp blackmun delivered opinion brennan marshall stevens joined parts ii iii white joined white filed opinion concurring part dissenting part joined post rehnquist scalia kennedy took part consideration decision case joel sternman argued cause petitioners briefs stephen madsen norman jeavons william golub ambrose doskow arnold roth katherine blakeley wayne cross argued cause respondents brief david elkind lee pickard briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed american corporate counsel association stephen shapiro andrew frey kenneth geller daniel harris mark levy arthur andersen et al victor earle iii carl liggio donald dreyfus harris amhowitz kenneth lang richard murray leonard novello eldon olson american institute certified public accountants louis craco solicitor general fried deputy solicitor general cohen jerrold ganzfried daniel goelzer paul gonson jacob stillman eric summergrad katharine gresham max berueffy filed brief amicus curiae justice blackmun delivered opinion case requires us apply materiality requirement securities exchange act act stat amended et securities exchange commission rule cfr promulgated thereunder context preliminary corporate merger discussions must also determine whether person traded corporation shares securities exchange issuance materially misleading statement corporation may invoke rebuttable presumption trading relied integrity price set market prior december basic incorporated publicly traded company primarily engaged business manufacturing chemical refractories steel industry early combustion engineering company producing mostly refractories expressed interest acquiring basic deterred pursuing inclination seriously antitrust concerns entertained see app however regulatory action opened way renewal combustion interest strategic plan dated october combustion industrial products group included objective acquire basic million app beginning september combustion representatives meetings telephone conversations basic officers directors including petitioners concerning possibility merger basic made three public statements denying engaged merger negotiations december basic asked new york stock exchange suspend trading shares issued release stating approached another company concerning merger december basic board endorsed combustion offer per share common stock following day publicly announced approval combustion tender offer outstanding shares respondents former basic shareholders sold stock basic first public statement october suspension trading december respondents brought class action basic directors asserting defendants issued three false misleading public statements thereby violation act rule respondents alleged injured selling basic shares artificially depressed prices market affected petitioners misleading statements reliance thereon district adopted presumption reliance members plaintiff class upon petitioners public statements enabled conclude common questions fact law predominated particular questions pertaining individual plaintiffs see fed rule civ proc district therefore certified respondents class merits however district granted summary judgment defendants held matter law misstatements immaterial negotiations ongoing time first statement although negotiations taking place second third statements issued negotiations destined reasonable certainty become merger agreement principle app pet cert appeals sixth circuit affirmed class certification reversed district summary judgment remanded case reasoned petitioners general duty disclose discussions combustion statement company voluntarily released incomplete mislead quoting sec texas gulf sulphur en banc cert denied sub nom coates sec appeals view basic statements negotiations taking place knew corporate developments account heavy trading activity misleading respect materiality rejected argument preliminary merger discussions immaterial matter law held statement made denying existence discussions even discussions might material absence denial material make statement made untrue appeals joined number circuits accepting theory create rebuttable presumption respondents relied petitioners material misrepresentations noting without presumption impractical certify class federal rule civil procedure see granted certiorari resolve split see part iii infra among courts appeals standard materiality applicable preliminary merger discussions determine whether courts properly applied presumption reliance certifying class rather requiring class member show direct reliance basic statements ii act designed protect investors manipulation stock prices see underlying adoption extensive disclosure requirements legislative philosophy honest markets without honest publicity manipulation dishonest practices market place thrive upon mystery secrecy repeatedly described fundamental purpose act implementing philosophy full disclosure santa fe industries green quoting sec capital gains research bureau pursuant authority act securities exchange commission promulgated rule judicial interpretation application legislative acquiescence passage time removed doubt private cause action exists violation rule constitutes essential tool enforcement act requirements see ernst ernst hochfelder blue chip stamps manor drug stores previously addressed various positive requirements violation rule see santa fe industries green supra manipulative deceptive requirement statute blue chip stamps manor drug stores supra connection purchase sale requirement rule dirks sec duty disclose chiarella ernst ernst hochfelder supra scienter see also carpenter confidentiality also explicitly defined standard materiality securities laws see tsc industries northway concluding context omitted fact material substantial likelihood reasonable shareholder consider important deciding vote acknowledging certain information concerning corporate developments well dubious significance careful set low standard materiality concerned minimal standard might bring overabundance information within reach lead management simply bury shareholders avalanche trivial information result hardly conducive informed decisionmaking explained fulfill materiality requirement must substantial likelihood disclosure omitted fact viewed reasonable investor significantly altered total mix information made available expressly adopt tsc industries standard materiality rule context iii application materiality standard preliminary merger discussions impact corporate development target fortune certain clear tsc industries materiality definition admits straightforward application hand event contingent speculative nature difficult ascertain whether reasonable investor considered omitted information significant time merger negotiations possibility contemplated transaction effectuated fall latter category petitioners urge upon us third circuit test resolving difficulty see brief petitioners approach preliminary merger discussions become material price structure transaction reached merger partners see greenfield heublein cert denied definition information concerning negotiations yet stage withheld even misrepresented without violation rule three rationales offered support test first derives concern expressed tsc industries investor overwhelmed excessively detailed trivial information focuses substantial risk preliminary merger discussions may collapse discussions inherently tentative disclosure existence mislead investors foster false optimism see greenfield heublein reiss pan american world airways two justifications standard based management concerns requirement limits scope disclosure obligations helps preserve confidentiality merger discussions earlier disclosure might prejudice negotiations test also provides usable rule determining disclosure must made see greenfield heublein flamm eberstadt cert denied none rationales however purports explain drawing line reflects significance information upon investor decision first rationale one connected concerns expressed tsc industries stands soundly rejected even appeals otherwise accepted wisdom test assumes investors nitwits unable appreciate even told mergers risky propositions closing flamm eberstadt disclosure paternalistic withholding accurate information policy chosen expressed congress recognized time fundamental purpose various securities acts substitute philosophy full disclosure philosophy caveat emptor thus achieve high standard business ethics securities industry sec capital gains research bureau accord affiliated ute citizens santa fe industries green role materiality requirement attribute investors simplicity inability grasp probabilistic significance negotiations flamm eberstadt filter essentially useless information reasonable investor consider significant even part larger mix factors consider making investment decision tsc industries northway second rationale importance secrecy early stages merger discussions also seems irrelevant assessment whether existence significant trading decision reasonable investor avoid bidding war target acquiring firm often insist negotiations remain confidential see carnation exchange act release docket least one appeals stated silence pending settlement price structure deal beneficial investors time flamm eberstadt need ascertain however whether secrecy necessarily maximizes shareholder wealth although note proposition least disputed matter theory empirical research case concern timing disclosure concerns accuracy completeness face narrow question whether information concerning existence status preliminary merger discussions significant reasonable investor trading decision arguments based premise disclosure premature sense properly considered rubric issuer duty disclose secrecy rationale simply inapposite definition materiality final justification offered support test seems directed solely comfort corporate managers rule indeed easier follow standard requires exercise judgment light circumstances ease application alone excuse ignoring purposes securities acts congress policy decisions approach designates single fact occurrence always determinative inherently finding materiality must necessarily overinclusive underinclusive tsc industries explained determination materiality requires delicate assessments inferences reasonable shareholder draw given set facts significance inferences much study advisory committee corporate disclosure cautioned sec administratively confining materiality rigid formula courts also well heed advice therefore find valid justification artificially excluding definition materiality information concerning merger discussions otherwise considered significant trading decision reasonable investor merely price structure yet reached parties representatives sixth circuit explicitly rejected test today place adopted rule taken literally equally insensitive view distinction materiality elements action rule company whose stock publicly traded makes statement basic negotiations underway corporation knows reason stock activity management unaware present pending corporate development result abnormally heavy trading activity information concerning ongoing acquisition discussions becomes material virtue statement denying existence analyzing whether information regarding merger discussions material must affirmatively disclosed avoid violation rule discussions progress primary considerations however statement made denying existence discussions even discussions might material absence denial material make statement made untrue emphasis original even decision tsc industries second circuit explained role materiality requirement rule respect contingent speculative information events manner gave term meaning independent provisions rule circumstances materiality depend given time upon balancing indicated probability event occur anticipated magnitude event light totality company activity sec texas gulf sulphur interestingly neither third circuit decision adopting test petitioners take issue general standard rather suggest respect preliminary merger discussions good reasons draw line agreement price structure subsequent decision late judge friendly writing second circuit panel applied texas gulf sulphur approach specific context preliminary merger negotiations acknowledging materiality something determined basis particular facts case stated since merger bought important event occur small corporation life wit death think inside information regards merger sort become material earlier stage case regards lesser transactions even though mortality rate mergers formative stages doubtless high sec geon industries whether merger discussions particular case material therefore depends facts generally order assess probability event occur factfinder need look indicia interest transaction highest corporate levels without attempting catalog possible factors note way example board resolutions instructions investment bankers actual negotiations principals intermediaries may serve indicia interest assess magnitude transaction issuer securities allegedly manipulated factfinder need consider facts size two corporate entities potential premiums market value particular event factor short closing transaction need either necessary sufficient render merger discussions material clarify today materiality depends significance reasonable investor place withheld misrepresented information inquiry endorse consistent approach number courts taken assessing materiality merger negotiations standard materiality adopted differs used courts remand case reconsideration question whether grant summary judgment appropriate record iv turn question reliance theory succinctly put fraud market theory based hypothesis open developed securities market price company stock determined available material information regarding company business misleading statements therefore defraud purchasers stock even purchasers directly rely misstatements causal connection defendants fraud plaintiffs purchase stock case less significant case direct reliance misrepresentations peil speiser case required resolution several common questions law fact concerning falsity misleading nature three public statements made basic presence absence scienter materiality misrepresentations amended complaint named plaintiffs alleged reliance basic statements sold shares basic stock depressed market created petitioners see amended complaint nd ohio see also alleging effect market price basic statements requiring proof individualized reliance member proposed plaintiff class effectively prevented respondents proceeding class action since individual issues overwhelmed common ones district found presumption reliance created theory provided practical resolution problem balancing substantive requirement proof reliance securities cases procedural requisites federal rule civil procedure district thus concluded reference public statement impact upon open market basic shares common questions predominated individual questions required federal rules civil procedure petitioners amici complain theory effectively eliminates requirement plaintiff asserting claim rule prove reliance note reliance long element fraud see restatement second torts keeton dobbs keeton owen prosser keeton law torts ed argue analogous express right action includes reliance requirement see act amended must action implied agree reliance element rule cause action see ernst ernst hochfelder quoting senate report reliance provides requisite causal connection defendant misrepresentation plaintiff injury see wilson comtech telecommunications list fashion park cert denied sub nom list lerner however one way demonstrate causal connection indeed previously dispensed requirement positive proof reliance duty disclose material information breached concluding necessary nexus plaintiffs injury defendant wrongful conduct established see affiliated ute citizens similarly require proof material omissions misstatements proxy statement decisively affected voting proxy solicitation rather defect solicitation materials served essential link transaction see mills electric modern securities markets literally involving millions shares changing hands daily differ transactions contemplated early fraud cases understanding rule reliance requirement must encompass differences transactions inquiry investor reliance upon information subjective pricing information investor presence market market interposed seller buyer ideally transmits information investor processed form market price thus market performing substantial part valuation process performed investor transaction market acting unpaid agent investor informing given information available value stock worth market price ltv securities litigation nd tex presumptions typically serve assist courts managing circumstances direct proof one reason another rendered difficult see louisell mueller federal evidence courts accepted presumption created theory subject rebuttal petitioners persons traded basic shares done reliance integrity price set market petitioners material misrepresentations price fraudulently depressed requiring plaintiff show speculative state facts acted omitted material information disclosed see affiliated ute citizens misrepresentation made see sharp coopers lybrand cert denied place unnecessarily unrealistic evidentiary burden rule plaintiff traded impersonal market cf mills electric arising considerations fairness public policy probability well judicial economy presumptions also useful devices allocating burdens proof parties see cleary mccormick evidence ed see also fed rule evid advisory committee notes presumption reliance employed case consistent facilitating rule litigation supports congressional policy embodied act drafting act congress expressly relied premise securities markets affected information enacted legislation facilitate investor reliance integrity markets investor speculator safely buy sell securities upon exchanges without intelligent basis forming judgment value securities buys sells idea free open public market built upon theory competing judgments buyers sellers fair price security brings sic situation market price reflects nearly possible price artificial manipulation tends upset true function open market hiding secreting important information obstructs operation markets indices real value presumption also supported common sense probability recent empirical studies tended confirm congress premise market price shares traded markets reflects publicly available information hence material misrepresentations noted hard imagine ever buyer seller rely market integrity knowingly roll dice crooked crap game schlanger systems supp sdny indeed nearly every considered proposition concluded materially misleading statements disseminated impersonal market securities reliance individual plaintiffs integrity market price may presumed commentators generally applauded adoption one variation another theory investor buys sells stock price set market reliance integrity price publicly available information reflected market price investor reliance public material misrepresentations therefore may presumed purposes rule action appeals found petitioners made public material misrepresentations respondents sold basic stock impersonal efficient market thus class defined district established threshold facts proving loss acknowledged petitioners may rebut proof elements giving rise presumption show misrepresentation fact lead distortion price individual plaintiff traded traded despite knowing statement false showing severs link alleged misrepresentation either price received paid plaintiff decision trade fair market price sufficient rebut presumption reliance example petitioners show market makers privy truth merger discussions combustion thus market price affected misrepresentation causal connection broken basis finding fraud transmitted market price gone similarly despite petitioners allegedly fraudulent attempt manipulate market price news merger discussions credibly entered market dissipated effects misstatements traded basic shares corrective statements direct indirect connection fraud petitioners also rebut presumption reliance plaintiffs divested basic shares without relying integrity market example plaintiff believed basic statements false basic indeed engaged merger discussions consequently believed basic stock artificially underpriced sold shares nevertheless unrelated concerns potential antitrust problems political pressures divest shares certain businesses said relied integrity price knew manipulated summary specifically adopt rule context standard materiality set forth tsc industries northway reject price structure rule materiality also reject proposition information becomes material virtue public statement denying materiality merger context depends probability transaction consummated significance issuer securities materiality depends facts thus determined basis inappropriate apply presumption reliance supported theory presumption however rebuttable district certification class appropriate made subject remand adjustment developing circumstances demand judgment appeals vacated case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes addition basic petitioners individuals members board directors prior anthony caito samuel eels john gelbach harley lee max muller chapman rose edmund sylvester john wilson another former director mathew ludwig party proceedings died july petitioner see brief petitioners ii light disposition case characterization discussions must await application remand materiality standard adopted today october heavy trading new high basic stock following news item appeared cleveland plain dealer basic president max muller said company knew reason stock activity negotiations way company merger said flintkote recently denied wall street rumors make tender offer share control maker refractories steel industry app management unaware present pending company development result abnormally heavy trading activity price fluctuation company shares experienced past days regard stock market activity company shares remain unaware present pending developments account high volume trading price fluctuations recent months respondents initially sought represent sold basic shares october december see amended complaint nd ohio district however recognized class period extending october date first public statement rather date negotiations allegedly commenced certification decision subsequently amended district also excluded class purchased basic shares october statement sold september statement app pet cert sold shares close market friday december relevant part rule provides shall unlawful person directly indirectly use means instrumentality interstate commerce mails facility national securities exchange make untrue statement material fact omit state material fact necessary order make statements made light circumstances made misleading connection purchase sale security tsc industries arose amended act rule cfr application definition materiality rule disputed see brief petitioners brief respondents brief sec amicus curiae see also mcgrath zenith radio cert denied goldberg meridor cert denied address kinds contingent speculative information earnings forecasts projections see generally hiler sec courts approach disclosure earnings projections asset appraisals soft information old problems changing views md rev see staffin greenberg defining duty disclose existence ongoing merger negotiations triggered reached greenfield heublein applying test materiality inquiry cert denied citing staffin appeals second circuit rejected claim defendant obligation disclose various events related merger negotiations reiss pan american world airways seventh circuit recently endorsed test materiality see flamm eberstadt describing agreement price structure cert denied cases unclear whether based decision finding duty arose reveal existence negotiations whether concluded negotiations immaterial interpretation opinion tsc industries northway reasoning backwards goal economic efficiency appeals stated rule fraud fraudulent conduct business way makes investors better see brown corporate secrecy federal securities laws disclosure ongoing negotiations cath rev bebchuk case facilitating competing tender offers harv rev flamm eberstadt citing scholarly debate see also carnation exchange act release docket importance accurate complete issuer disclosure integrity securities markets overemphasized extent investors rely upon accuracy completeness issuer statements less likely invest thereby reducing liquidity securities markets detriment investors issuers alike see sec texas gulf sulphur en banc rule violated whenever assertions made manner reasonably calculated influence investing public assertions false misleading incomplete mislead cert denied sub nom coates sec although committee believes ideally desirable absolute certainty application materiality concept view goal illusory unrealistic materiality concept judgmental nature possible translate numerical formula committee advice sec avoid quest certainty continue consideration materiality basis disclosure problems identified house committee interstate foreign commerce report advisory committee corporate disclosure securities exchange commission comm print subsequently sixth circuit denied petition rehearing en banc case app pet cert concurring separately judge wellford one original panel members explained read panel opinion create conclusive presumption materiality undisclosed information claimed render inaccurate statements denying existence alleged preliminary merger discussions view decision merely reversed district judgment based standard ibid sec present case endorses highly balancing approach texas gulf sulphur explains possibility merger may immediate importance investors company securities even merger ultimately takes place brief sec amicus curiae sec insights helpful accord due deference see tsc industries northway actionable course statement must also misleading silence absent duty disclose misleading rule comment statements generally functional equivalent silence see carnation exchange act release docket see also new york stock exchange listed company manual reprinted cch fed sec premature public announcement may properly delayed valid business purpose adequate security maintained american stock exchange company guide reprinted cch fed sec similar provisions suggested given current market practices comment statement tantamount admission merger discussions underway see flamm eberstadt may well hold true extent issuers adopt policy truthfully denying merger rumors discussions underway issuing comment statements midst negotiations course statement policies firms adopt need advise issuers kind practice follow within range permitted law perhaps importantly think creating exception regulatory scheme founded prodisclosure legislative philosophy complying regulation might bad business role congress see also opinion concurring judgment concurring part find authority statute legislative history previous decisions varying standard materiality depending brings action whether insiders alleged profited see pavlidis new england patriots football club fact become material shareholder decision withheld insider insider might profit withholding cf aaron sec cienter element violation rule regardless identity plaintiff nature relief sought recognize trading profit making insiders serve indication materiality see sec texas gulf sulphur general portland lafarge coppee cch fed sec nd tex prepared agree however cases disclosure inside information favored determination materiality different aspect issue example inaccuracy publicly disseminated press release sec geon industries devising two different standards materiality one situations insiders traded abrogation duty disclose abstain matter disclosure duty breached another covering affirmative misrepresentations duty disclose duty mislead effectively collapse materiality requirement analysis defendant disclosure duties see sec shapiro light projected substantial increase earnings per share negotiations material although merger still less probable holmes bateson merger negotiations material although yet reached point discussing terms sec gaspar cch fed sec pp sdny merger negotiations material although proceed actual tender offer dungan colt industries supp nd fact defendants seriously exploring sale company material american general ins equitable general supp ed merger negotiations material four months reached cf susquehanna pan american sulphur holding immaterial unilateral offer negotiate never acknowledged target repudiated two days later berman gerber products supp wd mere overtures immaterial sixth circuit rejected district narrow reading basic developments statement see supra focused whether petitioners knew reason activity basic stock whether petitioners aware leaks concerning ongoing discussions see also comment disclosure preliminary merger negotiations rule rev noting prevalence leaks studies demonstrating substantial trading activity immediately preceding merger announcements rule exception accept appeals reading statement natural one emphasizing management knowledge developments opposed leaks explain unusual trading activity see see also sec texas gulf sulphur keeton dobbs keeton owen prosser keeton law torts ed reasons separate development tort action misrepresentation nondisclosure peculiar limitations part historical part connected fact great majority cases come courts misrepresentations made course bargaining transaction parties consequently action colored considerable extent ethics bargaining distrustful adversaries omitted actions rule distinct deceit misrepresentation claims see blue chip stamps manor drug stores part designed add protections provided investors common law see herman maclean huddleston contrary dissent suggestion incentive investors pay attention issuers disclosures comes motivation make profit attempt preserve cause action rule facilitating investor reliance market consistently congress expectations hardly calls dismantling federal scheme mandates disclosure see post see ltv securities litigation nd tex citing studies fischel use modern finance theory securities fraud cases involving actively traded securities bus law citing literature theory dennis materiality efficient capital market model recipe total mix wm mary rev need determine adjudication economists social scientists debated use sophisticated statistical analysis application economic theory purposes accepting presumption reliance case need believe market professionals generally consider publicly announced material statements companies thereby affecting stock market prices see peil speiser harris union electric cert denied lipton documation cert denied raney sons fort cobb oklahoma irrigation fuel authority cert denied sub nom linde thomson fairchild langworthy kohn van dyke raney sons panzirer wolf vacated remanded sub nom price waterhouse panzirer ross robins cert denied blackie barrack cert denied see black fraud market criticism dispensing reliance requirements certain open market transactions rev note theory harv rev note fraud market emerging theory recovery sec rule geo rev appeals held order invoke presumption plaintiff must allege prove defendant made public misrepresentations misrepresentations material shares traded efficient market misrepresentations induce reasonable relying investor misjudge value shares plaintiff traded shares time misrepresentations made time truth revealed see given today decision regarding definition materiality preliminary merger discussions elements may collapse one accepting rebuttable presumption intend conclusively adopt particular theory quickly completely publicly available information reflected market price furthermore decision today interpreted addressing proper measure damages litigation kind note may certain incongruity assumption basic shares traded efficient market allegation market remain misinformed valuation basic shares depressed months basis three public statements proof sort matter trial throughout district retains authority amend certification order may appropriate see fed rules civ proc see wright miller kane federal practice procedure thus see need engage kind factual analysis dissent suggests manifests oddities applying rebuttable presumption reliance case see post justice white justice joins concurring part dissenting part join parts opinion agree standard materiality set forth tsc industries northway applied actions rule dissent remainder holding agree theory applied case even compared relatively youthful private see kardon national gypsum supp ed theory mere babe yet today embraces theory sweeping confidence usually reserved mature legal doctrines fear decision may many adverse unintended effects applied interpreted years come outset note portions holding agreement importantly rejects version theory heretofore adopted courts equates causation reliance permits recovery plaintiff claims merely harmed material misrepresentation altered market price notwithstanding proof plaintiff way rely price ante agree rule reliance requirement left content presumption must capable rebutted showing plaintiff rely market price example plaintiff decides months advance alleged misrepresentation purchase stock one buys sells stock reasons unrelated price one actually sells stock short days misrepresentation made surely none people state valid claim rule yet federal courts allowed claims stand one variety another theory happily majority puts rest prospect recovery circumstances nonrebuttable presumption reliance even worse allowing recovery face affirmative evidence nonreliance zweig hearst ely dissenting effectively convert rule scheme investor insurance shores sklar en banc cert denied support securities exchange act rule cases result even attempts limit theory endorses today pitfalls approach revealed previous uses lower courts broader versions theory confusion contradiction rulings inevitable traditional legal analysis replaced economic theorization federal courts general case law developed respect rule based doctrines judges familiar doctrines fraud deceit see santa fe industries green even extended civil liability rule broader reach common law previously permitted see ante retained familiar legal principles guideposts see herman maclean huddleston federal courts proved adept developing evolving jurisprudence rule manner staff economists experts schooled hypothesis ability test validity empirical market studies well equipped embrace novel constructions statute based contemporary microeconomic theory wrong turns appeals district decisions implicitly rejects going far ample illustration dangers economic theories replace legal rules basis recovery yet today ventures area beyond expertise beyond admission confines previous fraud cases see ante even agreed modern securities markets involving millions shares changing hands daily require understanding rule reliance requirement changed prefer changes come congress amending congress superior resources expertise far better equipped federal courts task determining modern economic theory global financial markets require established legal notions fraud modified choosing make decisions fear embarks course genuinely understand giving rise consequences foresee economists theories underpin presumption may appeal mathematical exactitude scientific certainty end nothing theories may may prove accurate upon consideration even earnest advocates economic analysis law recognize see easterbrook afterword knowledge answers colum rev thus majority purposes reaching result need make modest assumptions way market professionals generally jobs conduct market professionals affects stock prices ante doubt much position assess theories aptly describe functioning securities industry consequently join effort reconfigure securities laws based recent economic theories better fit perceives new realities financial markets leave task others equipped job bottom conclusion theory sustains presumption reliance assumption individuals rely integrity market price buying selling stock impersonal market securities ante even prepared accept matter common sense general understanding assumption persons buying selling stock response market price theory goes adopting presumption reliance also assumes buyers sellers rely market price integrity price aspect hypothesis mystifies define term integrity market price majority quotes approvingly cases suggest investors entitled rely price stock reflection value ante quoting peil speiser meaning phrase eludes implicitly suggests stocks true value measurable standard market price scholastics medieval times professed means make valuation commodity worth doubt federal courts day similarly equipped even securities value knowable distinct market price stock investors always share presumption stock price reflection value indeed many investors purchase sell stock believe price inaccurately reflects corporation worth see black fraud market criticism dispensing reliance requirements certain open market transactions rev emphasis added investors really believed stock prices reflected stock value many sellers never sell many buyers never buy given time cost associated executing stock transaction recognized years ago nvestors act inevitably incomplete inaccurate information consequently always winners losers lost necessarily defrauded dirks sec yet today allows investors recover show little sold stock lower price might propose law retreat many protections rule interpreted prior cases provide investors extension laws approach something closer investor insurance scheme come congress courts ii congress passed theory embraces today reason enough us abstain even troubling extent view congress question inferred indirectly contrary result majority reaches past scant legislative history led us look congress intent adopting portions securities exchange act endeavor discern limits private causes action rule see ernst ernst hochfelder similar undertaking reveals congress flatly rejected proposition analogous theory adopting civil liability provision act section act expressly provides civil liability certain misleading statements concerning securities see predecessor section first considered congress initial draft provision allowed recovery plaintiff shall purchased sold security price may affected misleading statement see thus initially drafted precursor express civil liability provision act permitted suits plaintiffs based solely fact price securities bought sold affected misrepresentation theory closely akin holding today yet provision roundly criticized congressional hearings proposed securities exchange act failed include substantial reliance requirement subsequent drafts modified original proposal included express reliance requirement final version act congressional debates redrafted version bill house committee representative sam rayburn explained bill originally written much challenged ground reliance required objection met cong rec moreover previous case concerning scope rule quoted approvingly legislative history revised provision emphasized presence strict reliance requirement prerequisite recovery see ernst ernst hochfelder supra citing congress thus anticipated meaningful proof reliance civil recovery securities exchange act majority adoption theory effectively eviscerates reliance rule actions brought rule negates congressional intent contrary expressed adoption act second congressional policy majority opinion ignores strong preference securities laws display widespread public disclosure distribution investors material information concerning securities congressionally adopted policy expressed numerous varied disclosure requirements found federal securities law scheme see ed supp iv yet observers field acknowledged theory odds federal policy favoring disclosure see black conflict congress preference disclosure theory well expressed jurist rejected latter order give force former isclosure crucial way federal securities laws function federal securities laws intended put investors position help relying upon disclosures others obligated make system furthered allowing monetary recovery refuse look say plaintiff may recover circumstances even though read rely defendants public disclosures one need pay attention disclosures method employed congress achieve objective act defeated shores sklar randall dissenting iii finally particular facts case make exceedingly poor candidate theory illustrate illogic achieved theory application many cases respondents class sellers sold basic stock october december period time class period began basic stock trading share time high last members class sell basic stock got price share app indisputable virtually every member class made money sale basic stock oddities applying theory case manifest first facts plaintiffs sellers class period lengthy virtually without precedent prior cases reasons discuss margin think two facts render case less apt application hypothesis second fact case evidence petitioner basic officials made troublesome misstatements purpose manipulating stock prices intent engage underhanded trading basic stock indeed class period petitioners appear purchased sold basic stock whatsoever app pet cert agree amicus argues mposition damages liability rule makes little sense defendant neither purchaser seller securities see brief american corporate counsel association amicus curiae fact previous cases recognized rule concerned primarily cases fraud committed one trading security issue see blue chip stamps manor drug stores difficult square liability case express provision prohibits fraud connection purchase sale security see emphasis added third peculiarities kinds investors able recover case read district class certification order app pet cert ante potentially many persons purchase basic stock first false statement october nonetheless able recover theory thus possible person heard first corporate misstatement disbelieved someone purchased basic stock thinking petitioners statement false may still included remand person undertook speculative strategy made share bought october sold december say defrauded virtue reliance integrity market price beyond speculators may uncommon least case see app pet cert indeed facts case lead casual observer almost inescapable conclusion many bought sold basic stock period question flatly disbelieved statements alleged materially misleading despite three statements denying merger negotiations underway basic stock hit class period seems quite possible like casca knowing disbelief caesar thrice refusal crown clever investors skeptical petitioners three denials merger talks going yet investors saviest savvy able recover opinion long claim believed integrity market price sold stock september december thus persons bought hearing relying falsity petitioners statements may able prevail recover money damages remand pay judgments actions suspect often majority rule lead large judgments payable last analysis innocent investors benefit speculators lawyers cf sec texas gulf sulphur en banc friendly concurring cert denied others previously recognized inexorably broadening class plaintiff may sue area law ultimately result harm good blue chip stamps manor drug stores supra see also ernst ernst hochfelder ultramares touche cardozo yet bitter harvest likely reaped seeds sewn decision today iv sum think embracement theory represents departure securities law ill suited commence even less equipped control proceeds result must respectfully dissent earliest appeals case adopting theory cited blackie barrack cert denied moreover widespread acceptance theory courts appeals placed earlier five six years ago see ante brief securities exchange commission amicus curiae see zweig hearst arthur young district cert denied pellman cinerama sdny cases illustrating factual situations respectively zweig hearst supra ely dissenting abrams cch fed sec sdny fausett american resources management supp utah abrams decision illustrates particular pliability presumption abrams plaintiff represented class purchasers defendant stock allegedly misled defendant misrepresentations annual reports deposition taken shortly plaintiff filed suit testified bought defendant stock primarily thought favorable changes federal tax code boost sales product insulation two years later defendant moved summary judgment based plaintiff failure prove reliance alleged misrepresentations plaintiff resuscitated case executing affidavit stated certainly assumed market price stock accurate reflection worth company paid price known otherwise abrams supra based affidavit district permitted plaintiff proceed theory thus abrams demonstrates easily post hoc statement enable plaintiff bring action even rare case plaintiff frank foolhardy enough admit initially factor price led decision purchase particular stock view put well two commentators wrote years ago recent developments financial economics efficient capital market hypothesis ecmh achieved widest acceptance legal culture yet legal culture remarkably rapid broad acceptance economic concept exist twenty years ago matched equivalent degree understanding gilson kraakman mechanisms market efficiency rev footnotes omitted emphasis added example judge posner economic analysis law pp ed submits theory produces economically correct result rule cases observes question damages theory quite problematic withstanding fact first blush might seem obvious proper calculation damages theory applied must rest several assumptions social costs difficult quantify ibid course answers question proper measure damages case essential proper implementation presumption surprisingly difficult damages question one expressly declines address today ante see salin price encyclopaedia social sciences see also de roover economic thought ancient medieval thought international encyclopedia social sciences rule boils practical terms theory allows rebuttal presumption reliance proviso agree see supra practice must realize courts applying theory rebuttal virtually impossible extraordinary case see blackie barrack ltv securities litigation nd tex consequently considers significant presumption endorses rebuttable one ante majority implicit rejection pure causation theory rings hollow cases theory operate causation theory creating nonrebuttable presumption reliance future rule actions see stock exchange practices hearings res senate committee banking currency pt statement richard whitney president new york stock exchange stock exchange regulation hearing house committee interstate foreign commerce statement richard whitney none appeals cases cites endorsing theory ante involved rather cases brought purchasers bought securities short period following material misstatement similar act issuer alleged falsely inflated stock price even theory provides permissible link misstatement decision purchase security shortly thereafter surely link far attenuated misstatements made october decision sell stock following september months later fact one sellers class period long distinguish case cited opinion make even poorer candidate presumption schlanger systems supp sdny permitting class sellers use theory class period eight days long recognizes person sold basic shares believing petitioners statements false may entitled recovery ante yet seems clear one bought basic stock belief hoping profit uncertainty basic merger plans permitted recover either see shakespeare julius caesar act scene ii ease post hoc claim reliance integrity market price made gain acceptance trial illustrated abrams discussed supra