Securities / Derivatives

ESG / Sustainability

Nasdaq Launches Service to Track ESG Impact of Investments

By Editors | 18/05/2020

‘ESG Footprint’ helps investors track a wide range of sustainability criteria, including carbon footprint, board diversity and companies flagged for human rights issues.

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong Lowers Transaction Costs for ETF Market Makers

By Editors | 16/05/2020

An amendment waives stamp duties on primary market stock transfers involving ETF market makers’ activities to create and redeem ETF units.

Securities / Derivatives

SEBI Relaxes Public Shareholding Requirement for Listed Entities

By Editors | 16/05/2020

The move will mean promoters with more than 75% shareholding in a listed company will not have to divest their holdings while the current challenging environment persists.

Enforcement

SFC Declines to Take Action Against HSBC for No-dividend Decision

By Editors | 15/05/2020

Some investors in HSBC alleged the bank failed to safeguard their interests. Others questioned whether the bank’s discussions with the Bank of England were disclosed in a timely manner.

Market Infrastructure

CCP Margin Models May Need Fine-tuning: BIS Paper

By Editors | 15/05/2020

Some CCP margin models underestimate market volatility because they rely on a short period of historical price movements from tranquil times, the paper says.

Market Infrastructure

China Admits Fitch Subsidiary into Onshore Credit Rating Market

By Editors | 15/05/2020

China had committed to removing restrictions on US credit rating agencies entering its markets under the trade agreement with the US in January.

ESG / Sustainability

Hong Kong Launches New Certification Scheme for ESG Funds

By Editors | 14/05/2020

The new green finance certification scheme for ESG funds is an extension of the HKQAA’s certification service for green funds, launched in September 2019.

Securities / Derivatives

ASIC Withdraws Trading Limits Imposed on Equity Market Participants

By Editors | 14/05/2020

Trading restrictions imposed in March due to an abnormally large increase in trades executed have been revoked following processing enhancements by market operators.

Securities / Derivatives

New Zealand to Nearly Double FMA Funding Over Three Years

By Editors | 14/05/2020

The FMA’s funding is being increased over three years to minimise the burden on the financial sector entities who pay levies, where most of the new funding will come from.