Is it legal to generate attention in an industry to increase stock value?
<p>Let's say I invest a large sum of money into stocks for the gun industry. Assuming I have no other affiliation with anyone in the gun industry, I do not work for a gun manufacturing company and I have no other interests outside of personal financial gain. Would I be allowed to go around and generate hype to encourage people to buy guns? An example might be going on local news and talking about new gun legislation in the works, or something to that effect. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>An example might be going on local news and talking about new gun
  legislation in the works, or something to that effect.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Sure, you can do that. The nightly news is really nothing more than self-anointed pundits and self-proclaimed experts running their mouths with little factual evidence. It's called Free Speech&trade;.</p>

<p>Take a look at <a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/libel-vs-slander-different-types-defamation.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/libel-vs-slander-different-types-defamation.html</a> before you send out press releases or speak on the news.</p>

<p>Just don't defame anyone or anything (except possibly celebrities or politicians). LSE: <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/7959/is-lying-about-a-candidate-protected-speech-in-the-united-states">Is lying about a candidate protected speech in the United States?</a></p>

<p>And be aware of what real stock and financial fraud involves. LSE: <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/7418/could-investors-plot-to-trade-shares-of-a-company-in-an-attempt-to-raise-its-sto">Could investors plot to trade shares of a company in an attempt to raise its stock valuation?</a></p>

finance