What unethical practice involves insiders using confidential company information for personal gain?

Insider trading is the unethical practice where individuals with access to confidential or non-public information about a company use that information to make trading decisions in their personal financial interests. This practice undermines investor trust in the fairness and integrity of the financial markets. The individuals involved, often executives or employees, exploit their privileged position to gain an unfair advantage, often purchasing or selling stocks based on information that is not yet available to public investors.

The implications of insider trading extend beyond individual gains; it can distort market prices and create an uneven playing field, leading to severe legal consequences for those who engage in it. Regulatory bodies, such as the SEC in the United States, actively monitor and prosecute insider trading to maintain market integrity and protect investors.

While market manipulation, price fixing, and collusion also represent unethical practices in business, they do not specifically involve the misuse of insider information for personal financial gain, which further highlights the unique nature of insider trading as the correct choice.