Associated Legislation and Regulation Flashcards
when did MAR come into effect?
market abuse regulation, came into effect in 2016 to update and enhance EU market abuse directive
what happened with EUD MAR following Brexit?
the UK onshored EU MAR into the UK statute book
what were the 3 main amendments to EU MAR adopted in the UK following Brexit?
- no obligation to share information with EU authorities without a guarantee of reciprocity
- FCA takes over the regulatory responsibilities of ESMA and the European Commission
- Creation of any supplementary legislation is subject to the UK Treasury instead of the EC
What 3 offences did the FSMA 2012 introduce in relation to misleading statements/practices?
- making misleading statements
- creating false or misleading impressions
- making misleading statements in relation to the benchmarks
what are the three potential defences to a misleading information charge?
- person reasonably believed that their conduct wouldn’t create an impression that was false
- actions, statements or forecasts that might be made in conformity with the price stabilisation rules of the FCA (e.g., supporting the price of a new issue)
- conformity with the control of information rules of the FCA
what are the penalties for insider dealing?
- a fine, not exceeding the statutory amount or a jail sentence not exceeding 12 months or both
- conviction on inducement, a jail sentence not exceeding 10 years or both if committed after 1/11/2021
- a jail sentence not exceeding 7 years if committed up to 31/10/2021
what does the FCA consider when looking to apply a financial penalty or public censure for an insider dealing breach?
- deliberate or reckless
- duration and frequency
- benefit gained or loss avoided
- whether it is indicative of systematic failures
- impact on market orderliness
- loss to consumers
- financial crimes facilitated
- number of smaller incidents which would justify
what factors are considered by the FCA in regards to market abuse?
- degree of sophistication
- impact a penalty may have on the markets or the interests of consumers
what is insider information/
information of a precise nature which has not been made public relating directly or indirectly to a financial instrument which if it were made public would have a significant effect on the price of a related financial instrument (spot contract for derivatives, information conveyed in terms of execution of orders)
what is insider dealing defined as under UK MAR?
- where a person possesses inside information and uses that information by acquiring or disposing and instrument or cancelling and amending order for themselves or another person, or advising another person to.
what obligations do issuers have in relation to inside information?
they must inform the public as soon as possible of inside information which directly concerns the issuer - must be made public fast, complete and correct
what is an insider list?
issuers and persons acting on behalf must draw up a list of all persons who have access to inside information including where they are working and how they have access to the inside information
what is market manipulation defined as under MAR?
- engaging in behaviour in the market that is likely to give false, misleading signals to the supply, demand or price of a financial instrument or a related spot commodity contract
- entering into a transaction which effects or is likely to effect the price of one or more instruments
- disseminating information through the media which is false or misleading
- transmitting false or misleading inputs or information
what is the difference between MAD and UK MAR in terms of market abuse/manipulation?
UK MAR no longer applies to executed trades, it also applies to unexecuted orders and requests for quotes
what are the requirements on firms to prevent market abuse/manipulation?
they are required to establish and maintain effective arrangements, systems and procedures aimed at preventing and detecting market manipulation and insider dealing
what should firms do if they suspect insider dealing/market manipulation?
report it to the regulator without delay, this also applies to attempts to engage in prohibited activity where there was intent but no execution has taken place.
what is the contents of a STOR report?
suspicious transaction and order reporting
- identification of the person
- description of the order or transaction
- reasons for which the order/transaction is suspected
- means of identifying any person involved
- any other information and supporting documents
what is a sounding and why must it be considered?
where a firm undertakes discussions with clients and/or market participants to determine their appetite for a new issuance on behalf of an issuer - may contain MNPI which is sensitive
what obligations do firm’s have to comply with when engaging in a sounding/
- obtain consent or persons receiving information
- inform those receiving they are required to keep info confidential
- maintain a record of all information given
- maintain a record of recipients who didn’t consent to being provided with info
- advise recipients when the info ceases to be MNPI
What is Directors dealing?
when a director or someone otherwise linked to a listed company buys/sells shares in that company and there is a possibility of insider dealing
what is insider dealing defined as?
deliberate exploitation of information by dealing in financial instruments, having obtained this information by virtue of some privileged relationship or position
what was the update on the insider dealing legislation brought in in 2023?
Insider dealing order 2023, updated the list of regulated markets for the purpose of part V of the CJA 1993
what 3 ways of committing the offence of insider trading are outlined by Sec. 52 of the CJA?
- dealing in the security
- encouraging another to deal in the security
- disclosing inside information to other people