liquid-alternatives-regulatory

Liquid alternatives: regulatory primer

When an asset class such as liquid alternatives hits the market, you can be sure that it comes with plenty of regulatory scrutiny.

Regulators are looking to protect investors … and bring them new investment possibilities.

Liquid alternatives are an asset class that needs extra attention as the concept, players, opportunities and strategies are new to most retail investors and many advisors.

Liquid alternatives will be offered to retail investors through a Simplified Prospects framework, making them similar in structure to mutual funds and ETFs. Liquid alternatives are being brought to market largely by mutual fund managers, as well as alternative investment managers, either on their own or as a sub-advisor for a mutual fund company.

The Canadian Securities Administrators’ Modernization of Investment Fund Product Regulation – Alternative Funds notice includes new rules for alternative funds that include:

  • Concentration restrictions: increase the concentration restriction from 10% to 20% of net asset value (NAV) for liquid alternative funds
  • Borrowing: liquid alternative funds can borrow up to 50% of their NAV
  • Short selling 1: alternative funds able to short sell securities up to 50% of their NAV, up from the current 20%
  • Short selling 2: alternative funds to limit short sales of a single issuer to 10% of the fund’s NAV, up from the current 5%
  • Leverage: leverage through borrowing, short selling or derivatives cannot exceed the fund’s NAV by three times

 

If you want to keep reading, first check out our recent posts on liquid alternatives here and here. If you still want more, here are some helpful resources:

Ext. is on the front lines of financial services marketing. We can help your firm market new strategies, such as liquid alternatives, to the broad retail and advisor markets in an engaging, educational manner that positions you and your clients for success.

Contact us today at 1.844.243.1830 or info@ext-marketing.com to get started.