A Disciplined Signal Practice
Executives change jobs constantly, and every change at a listed company produces a filing, so the first question about any move is whether it is unusual for companies and roles like this one. Then corroborate with independent evidence, write your expectation down with a date before the next piece arrives, and resist building stories about named people's motives. Faraday's read is that the ethical line and the analytical one coincide: public, dated, verifiable information is both the lawful basis for this work under Regulation FD and the securities laws, and the better evidence. Rumor is riskier and usually worse. The practice gives up very little by staying on the public record.
Knowledge check
A press release announces a new head of energy, and a trade publication runs a story repeating the release. How many independent sources confirm the appointment?
Show the answer
One. The trade story repeats the company's own statement, so it adds reach but not independence. Genuine corroboration would come from a separate source, such as a regulated filing, a published conference agenda listing the title, or later activity consistent with the role.