Which of the following best describes the impact of insider trading on the market?

Insider trading fundamentally undermines the principles of market integrity and fairness. When individuals with privileged information about a company's performance trade stocks based on that information, it creates an uneven playing field. This behavior erodes trust among investors, as they may feel that the market is rigged in favor of those who have access to non-public data. Consequently, the overall perception of the market can shift, leading to decreased investor confidence. When investors no longer believe they are participating in a fair system, they may withdraw their investments, resulting in less liquidity and increased volatility. Thus, acknowledging the negative impact of insider trading encapsulates its true consequences on market dynamics and investor sentiment.