What does the term 'front-running' refer to?

Front-running refers to the unethical practice where a trader executes orders on a security for their own account while taking advantage of advance knowledge of pending orders from their clients. The essence of front-running is the execution of trades before the clients have a chance to react to market information or the trader’s actions.

Choosing this answer accurately captures the nature of front-running, which is primarily focused on the timing of trades. In this scenario, the trader prioritizes their own interests over the clients', resulting in a potential conflict of interest and undermining trust in the brokerage relationship.

The other options do not encapsulate the front-running concept. For example, executing trades based on client recommendations or market conditions lacks the element of exploiting client information for personal gain, which is a key aspect of front-running. Additionally, providing clients with insights on pending trades suggests transparency and beneficial guidance, contrasting with the deceptive nature of front-running.