I think I recall there being a rule that an insider can't buy or sell shares for x days before releasing big news. Is that right? How long is "x"? Does it include company buybacks?
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1062613/000106261315000049/ex995insidertradingpolicy.htm Each of the following periods will constitute a “Blackout Period”: The period commencing on the tenth calendar day of the third fiscal month of each of the first three fiscal quarters (i.e. March 10, June 10 and September 10, as applicable) and commencing on the first calendar day of the third fiscal month of the fourth fiscal quarter (i.e. December 1) and, in each case, ending at the close of business on the second Trading Day following the date of public disclosure of the financial results for such fiscal quarter (which is generally 30 to 75 days after the end of such quarter). If such public disclosure occurs on a Trading Day before the markets close, then that day shall be considered the first Trading Day. If such public disclosure occurs after the markets close on a Trading Day, then the date of public disclosure shall not be considered the first Trading Day following the date of public disclosure. The purpose behind the Blackout Period is to help establish a diligent effort to avoid any improper transactions. Trading in the Company’s securities outside a Blackout Period should not be considered a “safe harbor”, and all employees, officers and directors and other persons subject to this Policy should use good judgment at all times. Even outside a Blackout Period, any person possessing Material Nonpublic Information concerning the Company should not engage in any transactions in the Company’s securities until such information has been known publicly for at least two Trading Days after the date of announcement. Although the Company may from time to time impose special Blackout Periods, because of developments known to the Company and not yet disclosed to the public, each person is individually responsible at all times for compliance with the prohibitions against insider trading. Every employee, officer and director has the individual responsibility to comply with this Policy against insider trading, regardless of whether a transaction is executed outside a Blackout Period or is pre-cleared by the Company. The restrictions and procedures are intended to help avoid inadvertent instances of improper insider trading, but appropriate judgment should always be exercised by each employee, officer and director in connection with any trade in the Company’s securities. An employee, officer or director may, from time to time, have to forego a proposed transaction in the Company’s securities even if he or she planned to make the transaction before learning of the Material Nonpublic Information and even though the Insider believes he or she may suffer an economic loss or forego anticipated profit by waiting.