07/05/2020 (Agence Europe) – In a public statement on Wednesday, 6 May, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) warned retail investors about the risks involved when trading under the current market conditions, which are highly uncertain due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, several national authorities have seen a significant increase in the number of retail customers opening investment accounts and carrying out transactions. Financial market turmoil generated by the pandemic has led to “has led to high market volatility and an increase in market, credit and liquidity risks,” emphasises ESMA. The authority also takes investment firms to task, reminding them that they must comply with their obligations under MiFID II and act “honestly, fairly and professionally” when providing investors with services or advice, especially when these investors have limited investment knowledge or experience. See the statement: https://bit.ly/2WBxlVg (MF)