As someone who has used leveraged ETFs quite successfully over many years I absolutely do not support any additional regulations or restrictions on individual investors using leverage, futures, options, or any other manner of "complex" instruments as part of a self-directed investment strategy.
I actively researched and educated myself on these financial instruments before I began investing using leveraged products and utilize great care when using leverage as part of my personal investing strategy. My brokers and the fund prospectuses provided me with comprehensive information regarding the risks of using leveraged products, which combined with my own research, made me fully aware of all of the risks of leveraged investing. In over a decade of using leveraged products I have yet to experience a margin call. I believe my ability to handle these instruments without receiving a margin call clearly shows that I understand the risks involved with leveraged products.
It appears the situations that led to this regulatory proposal mainly involve brokers and advisors pushing financial products onto naive or inexperienced investors. I support looking into ways to curtail the behavior of a small number of bad actors in the financial services industry, but any attempt to restrict individual investors from access to any financial instrument is a galling trampling of each American's constitution right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There should be no restrictions or regulations that prevent individual investors from investing in any financial products regardless of any criteria be that financial, educational, or any other characteristic. Thank you for time.
Wilbur Hood Comment On Regulatory Notice 22-08
Hello,
As someone who has used leveraged ETFs quite successfully over many years I absolutely do not support any additional regulations or restrictions on individual investors using leverage, futures, options, or any other manner of "complex" instruments as part of a self-directed investment strategy.
I actively researched and educated myself on these financial instruments before I began investing using leveraged products and utilize great care when using leverage as part of my personal investing strategy. My brokers and the fund prospectuses provided me with comprehensive information regarding the risks of using leveraged products, which combined with my own research, made me fully aware of all of the risks of leveraged investing. In over a decade of using leveraged products I have yet to experience a margin call. I believe my ability to handle these instruments without receiving a margin call clearly shows that I understand the risks involved with leveraged products.
It appears the situations that led to this regulatory proposal mainly involve brokers and advisors pushing financial products onto naive or inexperienced investors. I support looking into ways to curtail the behavior of a small number of bad actors in the financial services industry, but any attempt to restrict individual investors from access to any financial instrument is a galling trampling of each American's constitution right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There should be no restrictions or regulations that prevent individual investors from investing in any financial products regardless of any criteria be that financial, educational, or any other characteristic. Thank you for time.