Activities on and around the stock exchange, as well as the operations of the stock exchange itself, are strictly regulated by law. The Stock Exchange Act defines the rights and obligations of market participants. It contains provisions concerning the admission of securities (e.g. stocks) to trading, the obligations of listed companies (issuers), and the Financial Market Authority (FMA).
The FMA oversees the lawful operation of the stock exchange organization and trading in Austria. In doing so, it considers both the economic interest in a functioning stock exchange system and the interests of investors. For example, under Austrian law, it is a criminal offense to use insider information to buy or sell securities. Insider information refers to confidential facts that are closely related to a security or an issuer and that, if made public, could significantly influence the price of the security.
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You can find an overview of the legal framework and relevant laws under Legal.
