OTC Markets Group Provides Monthly Lists of Compliance Downgrades and Caveat Emptor Designations

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 10,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced that it will begin  disseminating, on a recurring monthly basis, a list of downgrades from its respective OTCQX® and OTCQB® markets as well as a separate list of Caveat Emptor Designations that have occurred in the previous calendar month.  The proactive initiative of making critical securities data more widely available demonstrates OTC Markets Group's commitment to transparency and a data-driven approach to improve the efficiency and accessibility of online information for investors.

In addition to providing names of issuers, stock symbols and dates of the respective OTCQX and OTCQB downgrade designations, the notification will also include one of the following reasons for the downgrade:

• Public Interest Concern
• Does not Meet Penny Stock Test (OTCQX Only)
• Market Cap Deficiency (OTCQX Only)
• Filing Delinquency
• Non-Compliance with OTCQX Standards
• Non-Compliance with OTCQB Standards
• Bid Price Deficiency

Downgrades from OTCQX and OTCQB ? October 2017

In addition to downgrades, OTC Markets Group designates certain securities as "Caveat Emptor" by placing a skull and crossbones icon next to the stock symbol on the otcmarkets.com website.  The Caveat Emptor designation is intended to inform investors that there may be a public interest concern related to the security and that investors should exercise additional care and perform thorough due diligence before making an investment decision. The Caveat Emptor icon is publicly displayed on the www.otcmarkets.com website and is distributed on market data feeds.

The list of Caveat Emptor designations to be distributed by OTC Markets Group will provide names of issuers, stock symbols and the date the designation was added or removed.

Caveat Emptor Changes ? October 2017

"This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen our OTCQX and OTCQB markets and to make available key data and information that empowers investors to make informed decisions", said Liz Heese, OTC Markets Group Executive Vice President of Issuer and Information Services.  "Our Issuer Compliance team is a key component to helping ensure that companies on our premium markets are meeting the required eligibility and disclosure standards, and to implement safeguards that help market participants and regulators easily identify companies that may be subject to a public interest concern."

About OTC Markets Group Issuer Compliance
The Washington D.C.-based Issuer Compliance team is responsible for evaluating company compliance with OTCQX and OTCQB qualifications, monitoring stock promotion and other potential public interest concerns, and working to allow issuers to provide adequate current information to the marketplace.  Through data driven disclosure processes and market activity analysis, the Issuer Compliance team promotes transparency among the 10,000 U.S. and global securities that trade on the OTCQX® Best Market, the OTCQB® Venture Market, and the Pink® Open Market.

Issuer Compliance is actively engaged in continuous information sharing with FINRA, the SEC, other regulators, and the exchanges.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX® Best Market, the OTCQB® Venture Market, and the Pink® Open Market for 10,000 U.S. and global securities.  Through OTC Link® ATS, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services.  We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com

OTC Link ATS is operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC and SEC regulated ATS.

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Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected]

SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc.