Secondary Distribution

secondary distribution

The sale of a block of existing, not newly issued, securities with the proceeds going to the present holders rather than to the issuing firm. An especially large secondary distribution may put pressure on the security's price until the additional shares or bonds have been assimilated in the market. Also called secondary offering. Compare primary distribution. See also registered secondary distribution, special offering, spot secondary distribution.

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Secondary Distribution

The sale of a security that has already been issued. Generally speaking, it refers to the sale of a security by a private investor (usually a corporation) to a member of the general public. It is also called a secondary offering. See also: Secondary market.