Briefly

The Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday that it had barred former Merrill Lynch & Co. broker Paul Coughlin from the securities industry because of his involvement in a “squawk box” scheme involving improper stock trades based on confidential information obtained from brokerages’ squawk box communication systems.

Coughlin agreed to the action, under which he may reapply to work in the industry under certain restrictions.

Coughlin pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit securities fraud, the SEC said. Merrill Lynch declined to comment.