Front running

Front running is the unethical practice of a stockbroker executing orders on a security for its own account while taking advantage of advance knowledge of pending orders from its customers. The front running broker either buys for its own account before filling customer buy orders that drive up the price, or sells for its own account before filling customer sell orders that drive down the price. Front running is considered unethical since the broker is making a profit at the direct expense of its own customers.