Despite budgetary constraints, an agency-wide hiring freeze, and a set of legal setbacks, the Securities and Exchange Commission has set out a demanding enforcement agenda for 2019. At the top of its list: retail investors and cyber-related misconduct.
During fiscal year 2018, the SEC brought 821 enforcement actions (490 of which were standalone actions) and obtained judgments and orders totaling $3.9 billion in disgorgement and penalties. It also returned $794 million to harmed investors, suspended trading in the securities of 280 companies, and obtained nearly 550 bars and suspensions.
