United Kingdom
Financial Services Authority
Financial Insider Trading Investigated
September 25, 2001
The Financial Services Authority has produced a status report on investigations into whether anyone - either the terrorist organisations themselves or others who may have had knowledge of what was planned - profited from the terrorist atrocities in the US.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has concentrated on looking at activity in London on regulated markets, such as the London Stock Exchange, LIFFE and the International Petroleum Exchange and at over-the-counter transactions.

The focus of the FSA has been particularly on airline and insurance stocks and on oil prices. They have also responded to requests from a number of overseas regulators for information on their stocks traded in London. This co-operation - which is close and two-way - will continue.

The Financial Services Authority has requested a written report from all the major 'Recognised Investment Exchanges' on their own monitoring over this period and what actions they have subsequently taken.

Speaking at a conference on the new Market Abuse regime, Howard Davies commented on the more general question of the role of 'short selling' in financial markets, he said:

"In our view, short selling is in normal circumstances a natural and important feature of the market. It provides liquidity and, many would argue, improves 'price discovery'. There are market arrangements designed to protect the interests of investors and, of course, the process should only be possible to the extent that holders of the stock are prepared to lend it on."

"But it has to be said that there have been some unattractive examples of aggressive short selling in recent weeks. Consistent with our new powers over market abuse which come into effect on 1 December, if we find specific examples of abusive, and not just aggressive, practice in future, we will act. But we do not see a case for a general prohibition. It has to be for individual stock holders to exercise their own judgement as to whether, to whom and on what terms they will lend."

The FSA regulates the financial services industry and has four objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000:
  • maintaining market confidence;
  • promoting public understanding of the financial system;
  • the protection of consumers; and
  • fighting financial crime.
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