EMIR - Spanish Pension Schemes Exempt and Updated Q&A

On 25 January, ESMA issued its opinion confirming the exemption from the EMIR clearing obligation for certain Spanish pension schemes.

The opinion is available here

The associated press release is available here

On 2 February, ESMA issued updated Q&A on EMIR. The updated Q&A includes a new answer in relation to transition to the revised technical standards on reporting, which apply on 1 November 2017.

The updated Q&A is available here

The associated press release is available here

MiFID II - Updated Q&A on Transparency and Market Structure Topics and Data Reporting

On 31 January, ESMA issued updates Q&As on MiFID II transparency and market structure topics.

The updated Q&As address specific scope questions for systematic internalisers and operators of multilateral trading facilities.

The updated Q&A is available here (transparency topics)

The updated Q&A is available here (market structures topics)

The associated press release is available here

On 2 February, ESMA issued updated Q&A on MiFIR data reporting. The updated Q&A address queries around date and time of the request of admission and admission; financial instrument identification code and underlying instrument code; and classification of financial Instruments.

The updated Q&A is available here

The associated press release is available here

UCITS - ESMA Issues Opinion on UCITS Share Classes

On 30 January, ESMA issued an opinion advocating common principles for setting up share classes in UCITS.

The opinion is available here

The associated press release is available here

Other Regulatory Updates - New Q&A on Market Abuse Regulation

On 27 January, ESMA updated its Q&As on the Market Abuse Regulation.

The new Q&A include:

• new Q&A relating to managers’ transactions; and
• new Q&As relating to investment recommendation and information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy.

The updated Q&A is available here