open-market purchase

Open-Market Purchase

The act of buying a security at or close to the market price because of an order the buyer has placed for the security. The term especially refers to a situation where investors with inside information buy a security in accordance with the rules set forth by the SEC. See also: Open-market transaction.

open-market purchase

The buying of stocks and bonds in the securities markets. For example, in order to satisfy the sinking fund requirement of a bond indenture, the issuer may call securities from investors or make open-market purchases. Likewise, a firm wishing to reduce the number of its shares outstanding may make a tender offer to the firm's stockholders or purchase shares in the open market.