October 2002
In an effort to assist member firms' compliance efforts, NASD is issuing this regular communication, "Improving Examination Results." This document has two sections: "Examination Priorities" and "Frequently Found Violations," both of which relate to the Department of Member Regulation's routine examinations of firms. While each firm must
Individual investors have the right to freely decide for themselves what securities they want to invest in and what their risk tolerance is to achieve their long term financial goals, without arbitrary restrictions by FINRA. ANY LEGISLATION TO IMPOSE LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS RIGHTS TO FREELY CHOOSE THEIR INVESTMENTS WILL BE MEET WITH FEIRCE OPPOSITION
Government regulations need to stop interrupting American citizens lives by taking away our freedom of choice and speech. We should be able to invest as freely as anyone else no matter their status or financial state. Free to choose is the right of ALL Americans. You have no right to take this away from anyone!!
The financial markets are undemocratic enough. Please do not restrict investors in favor of professional institutional investors. These instruments are used for risk management, hedging enhancing returns of smaller investors and leveling the playing field given wash sale rules, margin requirements and those who do not want to invest in options.
This regulation would threaten my financial stability as a consumer. The only way I protected myself against the rise in fuel price has been buying levered gasoline ETF's. Please do not move forward with the rule change. Millions will suffer because they will be stuck to investment options that only their employer can control.
I am a Certified Financial Planner with 30 years of experience. These producs must be allowed to be traded by the open public. Any restriction is bad for the markets and the consumer. It is up to the consumer, not the government to make these decisions. There is more than enough information available to consumer regarding any potential risks. They can asses the risk themselves.
Hi FINRA,
You should not determine if an individual can or cannot invest in one of these funds. It should be left up to the individual to perform the due diligence when choosing investments. Taking the route of offering financial investment education in our public school system would be more of a solution. Treat the problem not the symptom.
Leveraged etfs are a great financial tool that bridge the gap between risky options and buying non leveraged funds. For many retail investors we use these in ways that are not risky and hedge our risk. Removing them only harms retail traders as a whole forcing them to use other riskier strategies.
New traders have to learn their job like anyone else on any other job, and learning about the risks and rewards of leveraged and inverse funds only takes a couple of quick real-life lessons. There is no need to impose a bunch of convoluted rules and regulations on these financial tools that make trading difficult for the rest of us.
Hi, I believe this is a gross over reach of regulation. Its border line insulting to believe that average people are incapable of assessing risk/reward for themselves. This would only hinder the average persons ability to participate in the financial markets. This is a rule that would benefit the already wealthy class and hinder the middle class ability to advance.
