Ostensibly unconnected investors working in concert to make discreet purchase of a firm's shares. Each investor buys just enough shares to remain below the statutory level above which he or she must declare his or her interest. Their usual objective is to jointly accumulate enough number of voting shares to (1) manipulate share prices, (2) influence a firm's management, or (3) initiate a takeover bid. This practice is officially disapproved by securities watchdog organizations.