The European Securities and Markets Authority published draft Guidelines on trading halts by regulated markets under the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. MiFID II requires regulated markets to temporarily halt or constrain trading if there is a significant price movement in a financial instrument (equity, equity-like and debt instruments) on that market or a related market in a short period. Regulated markets must also, in exceptional cases, cancel, vary or correct any transaction. ESMA is required to develop Guidelines on the calibration of those trading halts, taking into account the liquidity of the different asset classes and sub-classes, the nature of the market model and types of users. ESMA is also proposing Guidelines, at its own initiative, which set out how trading halts should be communicated to market participants and other venues and on the procedure and format of submissions by regulated markets to national regulators setting out the parameters for halting trading. The Guidelines will apply to national regulators, trading venues (regulated markets, MTFs and OTFs) and all trading systems allowing or enabling algorithmic trading. The consultation closes on December 6, 2016. ESMA intends to finalize the Guidelines in Q1 2017.

View the consultation paper.