When you hear about a stock being halted, it can be confusing to understand what is happening. What happens when a stock is halted?

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about stock halts. We will also discuss how long stock can be halted for and whether or not it is good or bad for a company if its shares are stopped from trading. 

Finally, we will provide some tips on what to do if your stock is halted. 

What is a stock halt? 

A stock halt is a temporary suspension of trading in a security. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including regulatory investigations or pending news announcements. For example, if the SEC is investigating a company for possible fraud, the stock may be halted to allow investigators to gather more information. 

Once the investigation is complete and no wrongdoing is found, trading will resume. Another example would be if a company is about to announce a major acquisition. The stock may be halted so that the announcement can be made without any insider trading. 

When a stock halt occurs, it can be frustrating for investors who are trying to buy or sell the security. However, it is important to remember that stock halts are usually temporary and do not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with the company. 

What does it mean when a stock is being halted? 

When a stock is halted, it means that trading in the security has been temporarily suspended. This can be due to several reasons, including but not limited to: 

  • The company may be in the process of issuing a news release 
  • There may be too much volatility
  • Some sort of event may have occurred that could impact the price of the security 
  • If the stock does not meet the exchange requirements to be listed
  • Circuit break which is a wide halt on stocks in periods of high volatility

A stock halt can mean various things but as an investor or trader, it means that you will not be able to buy or sell the security until trading resumes. 

Why are stocks halted? 

There are a few reasons why a stock may be halted. The most common reason is that there is an order imbalance. This means that there are more buyers than sellers or vice versa. When this happens, the stock exchange needs time to match up the orders so that trades can occur at fair prices. 

Another reason for a stock halt may be that there is news pending about the company. This could be anything from an earnings release to a merger or acquisition announcement. When this happens, the stock exchange wants to make sure that everyone has access to the same information before trading resumes. 

Finally, a stock may be halted due to "circuit breaker" rules. These rules are in place to prevent panic selling (or buying) from happening. If the stock price moves up or down by a certain percentage, trading is halted for a period of time so that everyone can calm down and make rational decisions. 

Stocks are halted to make sure that trading is fair and orderly. When a stock is halted, it gives everyone time to assess the situation and make sure that they are getting the best possible price for their trade. Halts also help to prevent panic selling (or buying) from happening. If you're wondering why a particular stock is halted, it's likely for one of these reasons. 

How long can stock be halted? 

A stock halt usually lasts for around an hour, although it can sometimes last for longer. How long a stock is halted depends on the reason for the halt. If there is news that could impact the stock, such as an earnings release, the stock may be halted until the news is released. 

Some stock halts can last longer if the reason for the halt is not immediately clear. For example, if there is a sudden drop in the stock price, the stock may be halted to allow for an investigation. In these cases, the stock may be halted for several hours or even days. 

Is it good or bad if a stock is halted? 

It really depends. If you were in the middle of buying or selling a stock when it was halted, then it's probably not good. But if you're just holding the stock, it might not make much of a difference to you. 

In terms of the company's stock, a halt usually indicates that there is some sort of news or event that is pending and the stock market is trying to digest it. Once the news is out, the stock will likely resume trading. The news can be good or bad. 

For example, if a company is about to release earnings, the stock might be halted so that investors have time to digest the news before trading resumes. On the other hand, if there is some sort of scandal or bad news pending, the stock might be halted so that investors don't make any rash decisions. 

In either case, it's important to remember that a stock being halted is not necessarily a good or bad sign. It's just an indication that there is some news pending that the market is trying to digest. Once the news is out, the stock will likely resume trading. 

If you're holding the stock, you might want to wait until after the news is released before making any decisions. If you're in the middle of buying or selling the stock, you'll just have to wait until the stock resumes trading. 

What to do when a stock is halted 

stock halt

When a stock is halted, investors are not able to buy or sell shares of the security until trading resumes. If you have an order in to buy or sell shares of a security that is halted, your order will not be executed until trading resumes. 

You can check the status of a halted stock by looking up the stock quote on a financial website like Yahoo Finance or Google Finance. The quote will typically say "Halted" next to the stock price. If you're holding the stock, there's not much you can do when the stock is halted. 

You can check the news to see if there is any information about why the stock is halted and what the expected time of trading resume is. 

If you're wondering what happens when a stock is halted, the answer is - not much. It's best to just stay calm and be patient, and try to avoid investing fear and anxiety take over. 

The stock will likely resume trading soon and you'll be able to buy or sell shares as usual. 

Trading halt vs suspension 

When a stock is halted, trading of the security is paused for a period of time by the exchange on which it trades. A suspension, on the other hand, is a more serious action that can be taken by an exchange, regulator, or the issuer of the security. 

A suspension can last for an indeterminate amount of time and can happen without prior notice. A company may be suspended for numerous reasons, including but not limited to: 

  • The company is bankrupt 
  • It has failed to meet listing requirements 
  • There is a pending merger or acquisition 
  • The company is under investigation for fraud 

Another difference is that suspensions are generally due to a company’s financial or regulatory problems while trading halts are usually instituted for technical reasons. For example, if a stock is halted because the exchange needs time to gather more information about an abnormal price movement, it will resume trading once the issue has been resolved. 

A suspension occurs when there is a material change in the company that could affect the price of the security, and it is not likely to resume trading any time soon. These two terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, but it’s important to know the difference. 

If you are in a position where trading has been suspended on a stock you hold, it’s best to consult with your broker or investment advisor to discuss your options. 

Conclusion 

When you see that a stock in your portfolio has been halted, don't panic. Trading will likely resume soon and the price will return to normal. In the meantime, you can check the news for information about why the stock is halted and when you can expect to trade the stock again. 

While you wait, feel free to read other articles published on this website. This will help you get familiar with the different types of financial news and how to interpret them.