Ryan Cohen’s Bed Bath & Beyond Stock Sales Highlight Gray Area in Disclosure

WASHINGTON—Investor Ryan Cohen might have run afoul of disclosure guidelines in his surprise sale of Bed Bath & Beyond stock this month, securities lawyers said, but regulatory action against him appears unlikely.

Mr. Cohen sold his entire stake in the home-goods retailer on Aug. 16 and 17, just months after he took a significant position in the company and pledged to force changes there. Shares tumbled after news of his sales came out on the afternoon of the 17th, but meanwhile Mr. Cohen benefited from a huge surge in volume that enabled him to sell millions of shares while prices rose.