The majority of ETF trades in Europe are transacted over the counter, rather than via an exchange. Helen Fowler looks at how this affects the European market and the potential for regulatory change
There is a curious irony to buying and selling ETFs in Europe. The name suggests the products would be traded on exchanges, but in fact this is not always the case. Up to an estimated 75% of European ETF trades happen over the counter (OTC), without going near an exchange. A legislative anomaly meaning that none of these trades are required to be reported has created a damaging and false impression of the European market as smaller than it is. Official snapshots of European ETF activity are misleadingly small. Although official daily trading volumes in the European ETF market are o...
To continue reading this article...
Join Professional Adviser for free
Signup and gain exclusive members-only insights
- 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
