An example of "insider trading" is an auditor using public information about the company to invest in its stock. a marketing executive briefing stock analysts on the company's sales performance. the CEO's cousin offering to acquire the heavily indebted company. a manager sharing nonpublic news about an upcoming acquisition with a friend, who traded for a profit. The mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to protect shareholders' rights by making sure that stock markets are run fairly. protect companies from vulture capitalists and hostile takeovers. ensure that institutional investors do not take control of company management. ensure that the federal Treasury receives its share of the revenues from stock trading