The tone of the Call for Evidence indicates the controversial research unbundling rules could be primed for reform. By Rob Moulton, Gary Whitehead, and Charlotte Collins On 3 April 2023, HM Treasury published a Call for Evidence as the first step in the independent review of investment research and its contribution to the competitiveness of … Continue Reading
The changes indicate a more dynamic and flexible UK prospectus regime with the FCA to play a central role through enhanced rule-making powers. By Chris Horton, James Inness, Anna Ngo, and Johannes Poon On 1 March 2022, the UK government (through HM Treasury (HMT)) announced the outcome of its consultation to reform the UK prospectus … Continue Reading
MAS confirms regulatory approach for best execution and timeline for compliance. By Farhana Sharmeen and Marc Jia Renn Tan On 3 September 2020, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the MAS) issued a response to feedback about its proposal for capital markets service license holders, banks, merchant banks, and finance companies that conduct certain regulated activities … Continue Reading
Many of the wide ranging amendments address the perceived barriers MiFID II introduced in capital markets and are likely to be welcomed by industry. By Nicola Higgs, Anne Mainwaring, Gabriel Lakeman and Anna Lewis-Martinez The European Commission (the Commission) has adopted a legislative proposal for a directive amending Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments … Continue Reading
In the wake of COVID-19, the SEC and FINRA are taking steps to support markets and market participants. By Dana G. Fleischman, Stephen P. Wink, and Deric Behar The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) continue to monitor and address ongoing impacts of COVID-19 to US capital … Continue Reading
Key issues that typically arise in connection with debt repurchase programs. By Rob Moulton and Anna Lewis-Martinez Market shifts often lead companies and their affiliates to actively consider debt repurchases. Important legal considerations include: contractual restrictions; potential disclosure obligations; listing implications; the impact of tender offer rules; consequences of debt purchase transactions; how debt purchase … Continue Reading
The package combines temporary policy interventions and existing options to help companies raise new share capital during the COVID-19 crisis. By Chris Horton, James Inness, Rob Moulton, and Anna Lewis-Martinez On 8 April 2020, the FCA published a Statement of Policy and related technical supplements aimed at helping companies to raise new share capital during … Continue Reading
In three recent Client Alerts, Latham & Watkins lawyers examine how government measures to fight COVID-19 may affect French M&A transactions, key questions for French listed companies and high yield issuers, and how companies can respond to the impact on their current French law contracts. By Latham’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Capital Markets, and Litigation & … Continue Reading
UK regulators announce a further package of measures to ease the burden on issuers. By Chris Horton, James Inness, Rob Moulton, Koushik Prasad, Connor Cahalane, and Charlotte Collins In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UK regulators have published further measures affecting issuers, to try to preserve the flow of information to investors and support the … Continue Reading
The Financial Conduct Authority has published final rules creating a new category within its premium listing regime for companies controlled by a shareholder that is a sovereign country. By James Inness, Claire A. Keast-Butler, and Koushik K. Prasad From 1 July, 2018, an issuer with a sovereign state as its controlling shareholder will be eligible … Continue Reading
