Trading Halt
A temporary suspension in the trading of a particular security on one or more exchanges, usually in anticipation of a news announcement or to correct an order imbalance. A trading halt may also be imposed for purely regulatory reasons. During a trading halt, open orders may be canceled and options may be exercised.
Investopedia Commentary
A trading halt gives all investors equal opportunity to evaluate news and make buy, sell or hold decisions on that basis. The stock exchange can also halt a stock at any time if it suspects unusual activity related to a stock's price. The stock will typically resume trading after 30 minutes, once news from the issuing company has been disseminated.
Related Links
Electronic Trading Tutorial
Understanding The Ticker Tape
Getting to Know Stock Exchanges
See also: Circuit Breaker, Collar, Exchange, Open Order, Option, Program Trading, Securities and Exchange Commission - SEC, Trading Curb
Also spelled: trade halt, halt trade