FCA Urges Listed Companies to Delay Publishing Preliminary Figures
- Amid the current global pandemic, the regulator is trying to reduce the strain on market participants.
In light of the stress the Coronavirus Coronavirus The outbreak of Covid-19 or Coronavirus in early 2020 has since redefined the financial services industry. Brokers have been forced to quickly adapt to several changes, both positive and negative.This includes the FX industry, which saw surges in volumes across the retail and institutional space in Q1 2020. This trend can be explained by an outflow of volatility, coupled with countries taking major moves to stabilize their respective economies.In conjunction with uncertainty caused by the virus, most countries also resorted to lockdowns in a bid to stifle the virus’ spread. At the time of writing, nobody knows whether this tactic will succeed in controlling Covid-19, though its early impact on financial markets is being felt already.Equity markets across most exchanges effectively crumbled by nearly a third in early 2020, with the worst being seen in March 2020. Stock markets have since rebounded, though only with the help of broad-based stimulus programs. Nowhere was this more prevalent than in the United States, with the Federal Reserve resorting to measures not used since the Great Financial Crisis. This included trillions in bond-buying purchases in a bid to stabilize the economy.The outbreak of Covid-19 also saw the collapse of the global oil market, which saw futures briefly enter into negative territory. Highly reduced demand out of China and most economies, as well as a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia have exacerbated this trend.Effects of Covid-19 on BrokersIn the retail space, forex brokers have experienced an early surge in trading volumes in 2020. This can be explained by a large uptick in potential clients, ironically due to stay at home orders and quarantining.It remains to be seen whether this trend will hold longer term as middle-aged potential investors return to work in 2020. In terms of other operations, brokers have had to rethink traditional call centers and other mechanisms for reaching clients due to the disruption of the virus.A push for online call centers and other such support is likely to overtake other methods of dealing with clients with a vaccine as of yet not available. Longer-term, a looming recession can also potentially impact brokers with the pool of investors once again possibly shrinking. As the situation of Covid-19 is unprecedented, brokers have joined other entities in a wait-and-see mode. The outbreak of Covid-19 or Coronavirus in early 2020 has since redefined the financial services industry. Brokers have been forced to quickly adapt to several changes, both positive and negative.This includes the FX industry, which saw surges in volumes across the retail and institutional space in Q1 2020. This trend can be explained by an outflow of volatility, coupled with countries taking major moves to stabilize their respective economies.In conjunction with uncertainty caused by the virus, most countries also resorted to lockdowns in a bid to stifle the virus’ spread. At the time of writing, nobody knows whether this tactic will succeed in controlling Covid-19, though its early impact on financial markets is being felt already.Equity markets across most exchanges effectively crumbled by nearly a third in early 2020, with the worst being seen in March 2020. Stock markets have since rebounded, though only with the help of broad-based stimulus programs. Nowhere was this more prevalent than in the United States, with the Federal Reserve resorting to measures not used since the Great Financial Crisis. This included trillions in bond-buying purchases in a bid to stabilize the economy.The outbreak of Covid-19 also saw the collapse of the global oil market, which saw futures briefly enter into negative territory. Highly reduced demand out of China and most economies, as well as a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia have exacerbated this trend.Effects of Covid-19 on BrokersIn the retail space, forex brokers have experienced an early surge in trading volumes in 2020. This can be explained by a large uptick in potential clients, ironically due to stay at home orders and quarantining.It remains to be seen whether this trend will hold longer term as middle-aged potential investors return to work in 2020. In terms of other operations, brokers have had to rethink traditional call centers and other mechanisms for reaching clients due to the disruption of the virus.A push for online call centers and other such support is likely to overtake other methods of dealing with clients with a vaccine as of yet not available. Longer-term, a looming recession can also potentially impact brokers with the pool of investors once again possibly shrinking. As the situation of Covid-19 is unprecedented, brokers have joined other entities in a wait-and-see mode. Read this Term pandemic has put on the financial industry and market participants, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has requested on the weekend that all listed companies suspend the publication of their preliminary financial statements for at least two weeks.
According to the Britsh regulator, listed companies and the audit profession are dealing with unprecedented practical challenges during the current global pandemic. Therefore, the agency believes that expecting companies to issue preliminary financial statements in advance of their full audited statements is adding unnecessary pressure on both parties.
“Investors in capital markets rely on trustworthy information on the companies whose instruments they trade. The unprecedented events of the last couple of weeks mean that the basis on which companies are reporting and planning is changing rapidly,” the FCA said in a statement on Saturday.
“It is important that due consideration is given by companies to these events in preparing their disclosures. Observing timetables set before this crisis arose may not give companies the necessary time to do this.”
FCA reminds listed firms of their Obligations Obligations In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you or will owe you money that is considered an obligation. Different Types of ObligationsBonds, banknotes, and coins are examples of obligations because they assure users that they are accredited with the face value of that item. Obligations play a considerable role in personal finance and should be included in every budget. While every budget is different from one another, individuals can use the Financial Obligation Ratio (FOR) that is published quarterly by the Federal Reserve Board as a good reference point on how to best structure individual budgets. For those in the process of retirement planning, obligations should be scrutinized with a wide scope.These should include typical financial obligations such as mortgage payments and healthcare expenses that may incur. In trading, obligations are dealt in the form of put options and short selling or they may refer to the selling of shares on the next trading day after they were purchased in delivery. When obligations fail to be met and legal proceedings have begun, the severity of the punishment set forth is primarily determined by the terms of the contract although juror and judge intervention may lessen the obligations that must be met to fulfill the contract. In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you or will owe you money that is considered an obligation. Different Types of ObligationsBonds, banknotes, and coins are examples of obligations because they assure users that they are accredited with the face value of that item. Obligations play a considerable role in personal finance and should be included in every budget. While every budget is different from one another, individuals can use the Financial Obligation Ratio (FOR) that is published quarterly by the Federal Reserve Board as a good reference point on how to best structure individual budgets. For those in the process of retirement planning, obligations should be scrutinized with a wide scope.These should include typical financial obligations such as mortgage payments and healthcare expenses that may incur. In trading, obligations are dealt in the form of put options and short selling or they may refer to the selling of shares on the next trading day after they were purchased in delivery. When obligations fail to be met and legal proceedings have begun, the severity of the punishment set forth is primarily determined by the terms of the contract although juror and judge intervention may lessen the obligations that must be met to fulfill the contract. Read this Term
In the statement, the British watchdog highlights that although it is currently common market practice to issue preliminary financial statements among UK-listed companies, it is not required by either the listing rules or the transparency directive. Instead, companies only need to publish full audited financial statements within four months of the financial year-end.
“The FCA confirms it in talks with the Financial Reporting Council and the PRA about a package of measures aimed at ensuring companies take the necessary time in these uncertain times to prepare appropriate disclosures and address current practical challenges and the three bodies intend to announce details shortly,” the regulator said.
Regulators respond to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rattle financial markets, regulators across the world are putting measures in place to try and protect their local markets. Last week, numerous regulators put temporary bans in place against short selling, and Australian regulator ASIC implemented measures to limit the number of trades executed each day on the equity markets, among other developments.
In light of the stress the Coronavirus Coronavirus The outbreak of Covid-19 or Coronavirus in early 2020 has since redefined the financial services industry. Brokers have been forced to quickly adapt to several changes, both positive and negative.This includes the FX industry, which saw surges in volumes across the retail and institutional space in Q1 2020. This trend can be explained by an outflow of volatility, coupled with countries taking major moves to stabilize their respective economies.In conjunction with uncertainty caused by the virus, most countries also resorted to lockdowns in a bid to stifle the virus’ spread. At the time of writing, nobody knows whether this tactic will succeed in controlling Covid-19, though its early impact on financial markets is being felt already.Equity markets across most exchanges effectively crumbled by nearly a third in early 2020, with the worst being seen in March 2020. Stock markets have since rebounded, though only with the help of broad-based stimulus programs. Nowhere was this more prevalent than in the United States, with the Federal Reserve resorting to measures not used since the Great Financial Crisis. This included trillions in bond-buying purchases in a bid to stabilize the economy.The outbreak of Covid-19 also saw the collapse of the global oil market, which saw futures briefly enter into negative territory. Highly reduced demand out of China and most economies, as well as a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia have exacerbated this trend.Effects of Covid-19 on BrokersIn the retail space, forex brokers have experienced an early surge in trading volumes in 2020. This can be explained by a large uptick in potential clients, ironically due to stay at home orders and quarantining.It remains to be seen whether this trend will hold longer term as middle-aged potential investors return to work in 2020. In terms of other operations, brokers have had to rethink traditional call centers and other mechanisms for reaching clients due to the disruption of the virus.A push for online call centers and other such support is likely to overtake other methods of dealing with clients with a vaccine as of yet not available. Longer-term, a looming recession can also potentially impact brokers with the pool of investors once again possibly shrinking. As the situation of Covid-19 is unprecedented, brokers have joined other entities in a wait-and-see mode. The outbreak of Covid-19 or Coronavirus in early 2020 has since redefined the financial services industry. Brokers have been forced to quickly adapt to several changes, both positive and negative.This includes the FX industry, which saw surges in volumes across the retail and institutional space in Q1 2020. This trend can be explained by an outflow of volatility, coupled with countries taking major moves to stabilize their respective economies.In conjunction with uncertainty caused by the virus, most countries also resorted to lockdowns in a bid to stifle the virus’ spread. At the time of writing, nobody knows whether this tactic will succeed in controlling Covid-19, though its early impact on financial markets is being felt already.Equity markets across most exchanges effectively crumbled by nearly a third in early 2020, with the worst being seen in March 2020. Stock markets have since rebounded, though only with the help of broad-based stimulus programs. Nowhere was this more prevalent than in the United States, with the Federal Reserve resorting to measures not used since the Great Financial Crisis. This included trillions in bond-buying purchases in a bid to stabilize the economy.The outbreak of Covid-19 also saw the collapse of the global oil market, which saw futures briefly enter into negative territory. Highly reduced demand out of China and most economies, as well as a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia have exacerbated this trend.Effects of Covid-19 on BrokersIn the retail space, forex brokers have experienced an early surge in trading volumes in 2020. This can be explained by a large uptick in potential clients, ironically due to stay at home orders and quarantining.It remains to be seen whether this trend will hold longer term as middle-aged potential investors return to work in 2020. In terms of other operations, brokers have had to rethink traditional call centers and other mechanisms for reaching clients due to the disruption of the virus.A push for online call centers and other such support is likely to overtake other methods of dealing with clients with a vaccine as of yet not available. Longer-term, a looming recession can also potentially impact brokers with the pool of investors once again possibly shrinking. As the situation of Covid-19 is unprecedented, brokers have joined other entities in a wait-and-see mode. Read this Term pandemic has put on the financial industry and market participants, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has requested on the weekend that all listed companies suspend the publication of their preliminary financial statements for at least two weeks.
According to the Britsh regulator, listed companies and the audit profession are dealing with unprecedented practical challenges during the current global pandemic. Therefore, the agency believes that expecting companies to issue preliminary financial statements in advance of their full audited statements is adding unnecessary pressure on both parties.
“Investors in capital markets rely on trustworthy information on the companies whose instruments they trade. The unprecedented events of the last couple of weeks mean that the basis on which companies are reporting and planning is changing rapidly,” the FCA said in a statement on Saturday.
“It is important that due consideration is given by companies to these events in preparing their disclosures. Observing timetables set before this crisis arose may not give companies the necessary time to do this.”
FCA reminds listed firms of their Obligations Obligations In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you or will owe you money that is considered an obligation. Different Types of ObligationsBonds, banknotes, and coins are examples of obligations because they assure users that they are accredited with the face value of that item. Obligations play a considerable role in personal finance and should be included in every budget. While every budget is different from one another, individuals can use the Financial Obligation Ratio (FOR) that is published quarterly by the Federal Reserve Board as a good reference point on how to best structure individual budgets. For those in the process of retirement planning, obligations should be scrutinized with a wide scope.These should include typical financial obligations such as mortgage payments and healthcare expenses that may incur. In trading, obligations are dealt in the form of put options and short selling or they may refer to the selling of shares on the next trading day after they were purchased in delivery. When obligations fail to be met and legal proceedings have begun, the severity of the punishment set forth is primarily determined by the terms of the contract although juror and judge intervention may lessen the obligations that must be met to fulfill the contract. In finance, an obligation is a financial responsibility where the terms of a contract must be met. Should an obligation between parties fail then the party who is at default may face legal action. In this scenario, the guilty party will not only have to agree to pay the set amount to fulfill the contractual arrangement but may also be responsible for covering all legal proceedings cost. Routine payments or outstanding debt of any kind are considered financial obligations, so if someone owes you or will owe you money that is considered an obligation. Different Types of ObligationsBonds, banknotes, and coins are examples of obligations because they assure users that they are accredited with the face value of that item. Obligations play a considerable role in personal finance and should be included in every budget. While every budget is different from one another, individuals can use the Financial Obligation Ratio (FOR) that is published quarterly by the Federal Reserve Board as a good reference point on how to best structure individual budgets. For those in the process of retirement planning, obligations should be scrutinized with a wide scope.These should include typical financial obligations such as mortgage payments and healthcare expenses that may incur. In trading, obligations are dealt in the form of put options and short selling or they may refer to the selling of shares on the next trading day after they were purchased in delivery. When obligations fail to be met and legal proceedings have begun, the severity of the punishment set forth is primarily determined by the terms of the contract although juror and judge intervention may lessen the obligations that must be met to fulfill the contract. Read this Term
In the statement, the British watchdog highlights that although it is currently common market practice to issue preliminary financial statements among UK-listed companies, it is not required by either the listing rules or the transparency directive. Instead, companies only need to publish full audited financial statements within four months of the financial year-end.
“The FCA confirms it in talks with the Financial Reporting Council and the PRA about a package of measures aimed at ensuring companies take the necessary time in these uncertain times to prepare appropriate disclosures and address current practical challenges and the three bodies intend to announce details shortly,” the regulator said.
Regulators respond to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rattle financial markets, regulators across the world are putting measures in place to try and protect their local markets. Last week, numerous regulators put temporary bans in place against short selling, and Australian regulator ASIC implemented measures to limit the number of trades executed each day on the equity markets, among other developments.