FCA finalises plans to improve functioning of equity secondary markets

The FCA has today published its policy statement and final rules (PS23/4) on improvements to equity secondary markets.  This forms part of the Wholesale Markets Review (WMR) conducted by the FCA and HM Treasury (HMT) and follows a consultation in July 2022 (see our blog post here). The changes also support the objectives set out in the FCA’s Strategy 2022‑2025 and its recent business plans which include a commitment to strengthen the UK’s position in wholesale markets. Read more

When the Hong Kong Stock Exchange knocks, open the door and cooperate

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) recently published its new Guidance Note on Cooperation (Cooperation Note) and revised Enforcement Sanctions Statement (Sanctions Statement). The Cooperation Note is a brand new guidance note that stresses SEHK’s expectations regarding cooperation. It sets out examples of good cooperation with the possible benefits and examples of uncooperative conduct with the possible consequences. Read more

Edinburgh Reforms – Webcast series

On 9 December 2022, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a package of reforms to the UK financial services sector – the "Edinburgh Reforms". We posted a summary of the Edinburgh Reforms here. To help you digest the proposals, we have created a series of webcasts which will explain:
  • what the key proposals are
  • who they might impact
  • next steps and timing
  • the potential significance and impact of the proposals
Read more

The Financial Services and Markets Bill – a new vision for future UK financial services

In a speech delivered at Mansion House on 19 July 2022, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP, sets out the government's vision for the future of UK financial service and discusses proposals which aim to keep the UK "the most open, inclusive, welcoming, competitive, safe, and transparent place to do financial services business, in the world". The government's vision for a "more open, competitive, green, and technologically enabled" financial sector is being delivered in the form of the Financial Services and Markets Bill (Bill) which was introduced in Parliament today. Read more

FCA consults on functioning of equity secondary markets

The FCA has published a consultation on proposals aimed at improving the functioning of equity secondary markets (CP22/12). The proposals include changing aspects of trade reporting, waivers from pre-trade transparency and the tick size regime, and replacing the systematic internaliser (SI) status criterion for establishing when an investment firm is required to report transactions with a new designated reporter regime. Read more