The European Commission’s proposal on MiFIR establishes the blueprint for a consolidated tape (CT) for Europe’s capital markets. It also significantly alters the competitive market structure brought about by MiFID II by introducing greater transparency requirements. Finally, it addresses important issues around market data costs.
Capital markets
Investment managers, acting on behalf of their retail and institutional clients, are among the largest investors in financial markets. They represent a key component of the market’s “buy-side” segment.
In representing the interests of its members on wholesale capital market issues, EFAMA advocates for fair, deep, liquid, and transparent capital markets, supported by properly regulated and supervised market infrastructure.
EFAMA position MiFIR review - a buy-side view on consolidated and market structure reforms
IOSCO Consultation on 'Review of margining practices'
We commend the work that IOSCO has undertaken to date on this topic including the survey work and the summary findings in the form of the report currently under review. It is fair to say that the conclusions of the report and areas for further work gave rise to detailed discussions within our industry, yielding ultimately firm views on the priority areas that we support and see value in, and areas we felt were not reflected in the study and thereby building risk into margining models in future crisis scenarios. These areas are fur
ESMA consultation on the review of clearing thresholds under EMIR
For asset managers the main issue continues to be the reclassification of ETDs as OTCs as a result of the non-equivalence of UK regulated markets. While we understand that a review is legally mandated at this point in time, we do not see value in recalibrating the various thresholds or making changes to the calculation methodologies unless these are in the two areas we define below. Our main concern revolves around the fact that changes would carry significant compliance costs while making little impact on the population of counterparties and notional captured by the thresholds.
Robust governance needed for future consolidated tape providers
ESMA technical standards move one step closer to consolidated tape launch.
ESMA recently closed the consultation for regulatory technical standards that will define the competitive selection process for the consolidated tape, as well as the technical abilities that applicants will be assessed on. In its response for the buy-side, EFAMA stressed that a robust governance framework for the operators of the tapes is critical.
Households continue to keep a disproportionate amount of money in bank deposits in most European countries
New report calls for action to be taken to revive the Capital Markets Union project
Household Participation in Capital Markets
This report analyses the progress made in recent years by European households in allocating more of their financial wealth to capital market instruments (pension plans, life insurance, investment funds, debt securities and listed shares) and less in cash and bank deposits. It also includes policy recommendations on improving retail participation in capital markets, including for the Retail Investment Strategy currently under discussion.
Some key findings include:
3 Questions to Jean-Louis Schirmann on the use of EURIBOR
Q #1 How was Euribor impacted by the adoption of the Benchmark Regulation (BMR) and what are the relevant features of the reformed Euribor for investment managers?
3 Questions to Christophe Binet on LIBOR Transition
Q #1 When will LIBOR phase out and which rates will be replacing it?
The London Interbank Offered Rate, also known as LIBOR®, is a widely-used index for short-term interest rates that is commonly found in
Global Memo: Benchmark Data Costs
A key purpose of the financial system is to allocate capital and risk in a manner that supports sustainable economic development and growth, including through the provision of financing, investment and hedging products. Financial benchmarks/indices are fundamental to the functioning of financial markets and are widely used in both retail and wholesale markets. In particular, benchmarks are a valuable tool helping market participants to set prices, measure performances, or work out amounts payable under financial contracts or instruments.