Forestalling the Market

The act of the buying or contracting for any merehandise or provision on its way to the market, with the intention of selling it again at a higher price; or the dissuading persons from bringing their goods or provisions there; or persuading them to enhance the price when there.

4 Bl. Comm. 158. Barton v. Morris, 10 Phila. (Pat) 361.

This was formerly an indictable offense in England, but is now abolished by St. 7 & 8 Viet a 24.

4 Steph. Comm. 291, note.

Forestalling differs from "engrossing," in that the latter consists in buying up large quantities of merchandise already on the market, with a view to effecting a monopoly or acquiring so large a quantity as to be able to dictate prices. Both forestalling and engrossing may enter into the manipulation of what is now called a "corner."