John, who owns $100$ shares of Sky Upward stock, posts information on several social media sites in hopes of inflating the value of his securities$.$ Largely as a result of claims made by John, which are based on a great deal of inaccurate information, many investors are encouraged to buy the stock. In turn, the value of Sky Upward shares increases rapidly. John then decides to sell his shares and profit from the increase. What John has just done is best described as which of the following?

A Touting a security

B A high$-$yield investment program

A "pump and dump"

Providing a misleading opinion