What is the term for the individual who oversees trading in a particular stock to maintain fair market practices?

The term for the individual who oversees trading in a particular stock to maintain fair market practices is a specialist. Specialists play a crucial role on stock exchanges by ensuring liquidity and facilitating trades for specific securities. They are responsible for managing the order flow for their designated stocks, matching buyers and sellers, and providing a stable market by being ready to buy or sell shares when no one else will. This helps to minimize price fluctuations and ensures that trades occur efficiently.

Market makers also contribute to maintaining liquidity but typically operate on a broader scale and may deal with multiple securities. Brokers serve as intermediaries between buyers and sellers but do not have the same regulatory responsibilities as specialists. Dealers, while they may hold stocks and execute trades, aren't tasked with the same market oversight obligations as specialists whose primary role is to ensure orderly trading in the stock they supervise.