The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has written to all providers and distributors of contracts for difference (CFD) products to retail customers after discovering market failings which "may cause significant consumer harm".
The FCA said the majority (76%) of retail customers who bought CFD products on either an advisory or discretionary basis lost money during the period it looked at. It added many of the 19 firms it had reviewed decided not to continue selling these products and it found one CFD provider whose arrangements were so poor that it would "take further action". CFDs are complex, high-risk instruments sold to retail investors on either an advisory or discretionary (including limited power of attorney) portfolio management basis. The FCA recently conducted a review of the market and assessed...
To continue reading this article...
Join Professional Adviser for free
- Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
- Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
- Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
- Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
- Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
- Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes