Series 7: 17.6.3.2. Market-Wide Trading Halts

Taken from our Series 7 Online Guide

17.6.3.2. Market-Wide Trading Halts

Another type of regulatory halt occurs in the case of a severe market decline. In this case, the SEC will move to halt trading across all markets. A market-wide trading halt will be triggered at three circuit breaker thresholds. These thresholds are triggered by steep declines in the S&P 500 Index. They are calculated based on the prior day’s closing price of the Index.

Level 1 halt. A 7% drop in the S&P 500 prior to 3:25 p.m. ET will result in a 15-minute cross-market trading halt. There will be no halt if the drop occurs at or after 3:25 p.m. ET.

Level 2 halt. A 13% drop in the S&P 500 prior to 3:25 p.m. ET will result in a 15-minute cross-market trading halt. There will be no halt if the drop occurs at or after 3:25 p.m. ET.

Level 3 halt. A 20% drop in the S&P 500 at any time during the day will result in a cross-market trading halt for the remainder of the day.

These halts apply to securities and options trading on all the exchanges, as well as the OTC market. Levels 1 and 2 trading halts are permitted just once a day.

Since you're reading about Series 7: 17.6.3.2. Market-Wide Trading Halts, you might also be interested in:

Solomon Exam Prep Study Materials for the Series 7
Please Enable Javascript
to view this content!

SUMMARY TABLE

Decline in S&P 500

Level 1 (7%)

Level 2 (13%)

Level 3 (20%)

Before 3:25 p.m. ET