Painting The Tape

An illegal action by a group of market manipulators buying and/or selling a security among themselves to create artificial trading activity, which, when reported on the ticker tape, lures in unsuspecting investors as they perceive an unusual volume.

Investopedia Says:
After causing a movement in the security, the manipulators hope to sell at a profit.

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1. illegal practice by manipulators who buy and sell a particular security among themselves to create artificial trading activity, causing a succession of trades to be reported on the Consolidated Tape and luring unwary investors to the "action." After causing movement in the market price of the security, the manipulators hope to sell at a profit.

2. consecutive or frequent trading in a particular security, resulting in its repeated appearances on the ticker tape. Such activity is usually attributable to special investor interest in the security.

Expression for a person or group making transactions without a true change of ownership to give the impression that a stock is trading actively. See manipulation [rigged orders; wash sale]; wash sale.