Code of Conduct

The sole purpose of Financial Chat is to provide a professional, moderated, real-time stock trading forum to individual investors/traders, where information regarding specific stocks and general information pertaining to the U.S. Stock Markets are freely exchanged.
It is our goal to maintain a low volume/noise, high quality concept. At all times, the standards maintained in FinancialChat, will be of the highest professional quality. We ask that all members adopt this professional manner in our channel. Active participation and discussions are encouraged, as it is what makes us unique and successful. However idle chat and off-topic conversations during active market hours of 8:00 a.m. EST and 5:30 p.m. EST are to be avoided at all measures.
Any behavior deemed to be disruptive will be dealt with quickly and with as little commotion as possible, to avoid disrupting the flow of trading. Warnings MAY be issued, however FinancialChat reserves the right to deal with disruptive users as we see fit. Use of FinancialChat and its facilities is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. You may NOTgive recommendations, you may not tell people what THEY should do. Focus on your own trades, and dont worry about other traders.(i.e. Buy XXX)
During active market hours, FinancialChat provides off-topic chat rooms for the purpose of general discussion. These off-topic chat room are to be used in conjunction with on-topic rooms for trading related questions, and/or socializing between traders. To join off-topic chat rooms simply type: /join #roomname in any text box and you will gain access to that room. Enjoy!
ActiveTraders Code of Conduct is based upon respect for fellow participants. The main goal is to develop a community of traders, colleagues in gathering and evaluating information about stocks. The use of damaging speech, such as: harassment, libel, slander, defamation, etc. is treated with zero tolerance. ActiveTrader will not tolerate language or behavior that we deem to be offensive, pejorative or less than professional in respect to our members.
Though we value well grounded opinion, we will act to cut-off all we deem to be devoid of real critical reasoning. While each persons right of expression is absolute - in their own homes - here it is a privilege granted on conditional adherence to the highest possible professional standards of decorum.
The practice of "hyping" stocks in either positive or negative fashion will not be tolerated and will be grounds for immediate removal from the channel. Be advised that some participating individuals may not be whom they appear to be and may have hidden agendas, so please use your own judgment in validating any information from others.
Hyping is the practice of stock adulation without a reasoned expression of support.
The intentional "slagging" of stocks and ideas will not be tolerated in #activetrader. From experience we have learned that allowing so called 'slagging' of stocks leads, inevitably, not to more expression- but to less, as members become less likely to bring ideas to the trading forum.
Slagging is the practice of denigrating a stock without a reasoned criticism for the sole purpose of scaring holders.
As a rule of thumb- if another member has bought a stock- if you have no involvement please abstain from vilifying his decision out of respect and basic courtesy. If you feel the need to do so there are many other online venues which will accommodate you. This one will not.
Off-topic Chatter
Time is of the essence during trading hours. Literally, seconds count. Needless comments could result in participants losing thousands of dollars. In addition, needless comments often lead to a flood of responses. This is why observance of our guidelines is necessary.
ActiveTrader moderators (ops) continuously monitor conversation in the channel and will evict participants violating OFF-TOPIC rules. Specific off topic issues to avoid during trading hours:

• Brokers / Financial Services Queries / Ratings / Extraneous Comments
• Public Comments on Channel Problems/Kicks/Policy/News or hype
• Newcomer / Channel Guidelines Queries
• Political Comments
• Wisecracks / Joke
• Flames / Personal Attacks / Public Notes
• Commercial Ads / Channel Ads / Financial Services Promotion

During trading hours every second counts. A single needless comment may literally cost participants thousands of dollars. A single off topic remark may lead to a flood of follow-up posts, and should thus be avoided.
Be warned that we routinely evict/ban (extreme cases) noisy elements from our room, even those posting a one line off topic comment.
Participants should never Buy or Sell securities based upon opinions or information presented on this site. ActiveTrader recommends consultation from an investment professional before acting on advice from other participants. The information found on this site is for informational purposes only. None of the services that Activerader offers, including information on this site, are intended as a solicitation by Activerader to buy or sell securities. It is the sole responsibility of each participant to independently investigate and fully understand all risks involved with investing.
Activerader assumes no liability for the result of any investment decisions made upon information found on this site. All investment decisions are the responsibility of the individual. Employees may own securities in corporations discussed on this site, but only those purchased in the open market, independently of Activerader or its affiliation with any companies discussed.