Cross-segment derivatives trading was treated prima facie as...

Cross-segment derivatives trading was treated prima facie as manipulative where connected companies moved futures prices through aggressive orders while holding larger, sentimentally opposite options positions and pre-positioned options orders. Artificial futures-price movements enabled favourable options execution, while cancelled, inexecutable futures orders added deceptive order-book depth. Repeated deliberate futures losses coupled with greater options gains were considered inconsistent with legitimate hedging, arbitrage, speculation, or rational profit-maximising conduct. Company directors responsible for business conduct faced a rebuttable presumption of vicarious liability and joint-and-several impounding of gains attributable to their companies. Interim directions restricted market access, preserved assets and gains, and required asset disclosures pending investigation.