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ESMA’s research focused on two specific types of complex products, alternative UCITS – where assets under management grew from €20 billion to €85 billion between 2007 and 2012 - and structured retail products – whose outstanding amounts totalled €770 billion at the end of 2012. The research found that while their sale to retail financial consumers has increased, there is evidence to show that both products have produced relatively low returns.
The Report, comparing 600 alternative UCITS funds and 2750 structured products with capital protection sold across the EU to consumers between 2007 and 2012, found evidence that average returns for both products were relatively low at 3 per cent for alternative UCITS and 2.5 per cent for structured products.
Additionally, an analysis in the report of a sample of 76 structured products sold to retail investors found that structured products are sold, on average, with a significant issuance premium, estimated at around 4.6 per cent of the issue price and up to 5.5 per cent when the credit risk of the issuer is included.
ESMA Policy Responses
ESMA will use the reports’ findings in its policy work on improving investor protection by promoting better information disclosure at the point of sale about the total costs of investing in complex products and specific risks attached to each product.