Newsletters

Disclosure of Material Facts

The duty of disclosure is a component of the duty of loyalty, but it also implicates the director's obligation to act with due care and in good faith. As part of the duty of care, a director should reveal all relevant material information that he possesses about a transaction to all who are in the position of making a decision about that transaction. The director has a duty to make an informed decision because it will ultimately affect the corporate interest and welfare.

Trading Plans to Avoid Insider Trading Presumptions

An insider of a public company who trades in the company's stock while aware of material but nonpublic information about the company is presumed to be trading on the basis of that information in violation of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5. To counter that presumption, companies may adopt Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans.

Significance of Par Value of a Stock

Common stock and other securities may be issued with or without a stated face value or "par" value. Issuing stock with or without par or face value may have several consequences.

Disclosure of a Corporate Opportunity

Generally, a corporate director breaches the duty of loyalty if she seizes a business opportunity for herself that the corporation was financially capable of undertaking or in which the corporation had a reasonable interest or expectancy. Additionally, the director's loyalty is called into question if she takes personal advantage of a business opportunity that was in line with the corporation's business.