[author: Richard Hunt]

A final report was published by ESMA on December 21, 2017, which contained further technical advice on the Short Selling Regulation. In relation to a number of topics which had been flagged as potentially controversial, the report, which was based on feedback received from market participants, proposes a number of amendments with an aim to improve coherency and efficiency. The key areas which are focused on within the report are the exemption for market making activities, bans on short-term short-selling and transparency of short positions which are held by market participants. The full report is available here.