ESMA Opinion on FSMA Emergency Short Selling Measure under the SSR

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In accordance with Article 44(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, the Board of Supervisors has adopted the following opinion:
I. Legal basis

1. In accordance with Article 27(2) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 of the European
   Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2012 on short selling and certain aspects of credit default swaps1 (the Regulation), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) shall within 24 hours of the notification made by a competent authority under
   Article 26 of that Regulation, issue an opinion on whether it considers the measure or
   proposed measure necessary to address the exceptional circumstances as further specified in Article 24 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 of 5 July 2012.
   II. Background
   The measure adopted by the FSMA on 18 March 2020
2. On 19 March 2020 ESMA issued an opinion on the emergency measure introduced by
   the Belgian Financial Securities and Markets Authority (FSMA) under Article 20(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 (ESMA70-155-9590).
3. The measure entered into force on 18 March 2020 before the opening of the trading
   session and should expire after the close of the trading session on 17 April 2020. It was preceded by a temporary prohibition of short selling pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 for the trading day of 17 March 2020. 1 OJ L 86, 24.3.2012, p. 1–24. 15 April 2020 ESMA70-155-9833 OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN SECURITIES AND MARKETS AUTHORITY of 15 April 2020 on the proposed emergency measure by the Financial Securities and Markets Authority under Section 1 of Chapter V of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012

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4. The FSMA indicated that the measure of 18 March will be replaced by the new proposed
one as of the trading day of 17 April 2020.
5. The FSMA considered that the previous measure was justified by the existence of
specific adverse circumstances that constituted a serious threat to market confidence in Belgium, and to the general impact on the Belgian economy of the pandemic. The FSMA had stated that should prices of financial instruments and assets in general continue to fall, there could also be risks to financial stability. The proposed measure notified on 15 April 2020
6. On 15 April 2020, pursuant to Article 26 of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012, the FSMA
notified ESMA of its intention to renew the temporary preventive measure imposed on 18 March 2020 under Article 20(2)(a) and (b) of that Regulation.
7. In particular, the concerned measure bans any legal or natural person from entering into
short selling and transactions which might constitute or increase net short positions on stocks admitted to trading on Belgian trading venues (Euronext Brussels and Euronext Growth Brussels), where the FSMA is the competent authority in accordance with Directive (EU) No 2014/652 and provided that the principal venue for the trading of the shares is located within the EU, as well as to all related instruments relevant for the calculation of the net short position as determined in Annex I, part 1, Articles 5 and 6 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012. The ban applies to transactions executed both on a trading venue and over the counter.
8. The measure applies to any natural or legal person domiciled or established within the
Union or in a third country.
9. The measure does not apply to:
a. market making activities, as defined in Article 2(1)(k) and pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012; b. the creation of, or increase in, net short positions through index-related instruments or baskets of financial instruments, as far as the shares covered by the ban do not represent more than 50% of the index or basket weight;
c. the creation of, or increase in, net short positions when the investor who acquires
a convertible bond has a delta-neutral position between the equity component of the convertible bond and the short position taken to cover that component; 2 OJ L 173, 12.06.2015, p. 349.

3 d. the creation of, or increase in, net short positions where the creation of, or increase in, the short position in shares is hedged by a purchase that is equivalent in terms of proportion on subscription rights.
10. The FSMA will re-evaluate these exemptions depending on market circumstances and
could amend the decision accordingly if the need arises.
11. The proposed measure is expected to enter into force on 17 April 2020 at 00:00:01 AM
and to expire on 18 May 2020 at 11:59 PM. The proposed measure may be lifted before the deadline if the risks of a loss of market confidence are reduced, or may be further extended after the deadline taking into account market conditions. The FSMA indicates that it intends to keep the measure for an as short as possible time period, and only while the risks to market confidence and financial stability are still significant.
12. The FSMA considers that the measure is justified by the existence of specific adverse
circumstances that constitute a serious threat to market confidence in Belgium, and to the general impact on the Belgian economy of the pandemic, which keeps on spreading to more countries and affecting a growing number of people. As a consequence of the above, the FSMA deems that, should prices of financial instruments and assets, in general, continue to fall, there could also be risks to financial stability.
13. Tthe FSMA’s notification refers to the existence of similar factual circumstances which
backed the adoption of its measure on 18 March 2020, and to a similar state of uncertainty as regards future perspectives.
14. In particular, the World Health Organisation pointed out that the COVID-19 contagion
may peak in the European Union Member States in the coming weeks. The FSMA reports that Belgium has registered during the last weeks a rapid increase of the number of both infected people and people needing continuous medical supervision in intensive care units. According to statistics published by the Belgian National Health Minister, the number of casualties is currently still increasing, together with the number of infected people. Responding to the emergence of several infection clusters on the Belgian territory, the Belgian government has taken on 12 March 2020 several measures to limit contamination, including but not limited to: closing of schools, universities and several public services (including public transports), mandatory closures of non-necessary shops and interdiction of any public or private meetings, including religious ceremonies and sport events. The population is invited to remain confined in their homes across the whole Belgian territory. Authorities are expecting a significant impact on the economy, but wish to undertake all efforts in limiting the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are exceptional for Belgium and have never been taken before for medical concerns.
15. In light of the above situation, the FSMA considers that there are three different specific
threats to market confidence.

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16. First, the FSMA considers that as opposed to a deterioration affecting just one issuer,
based on fundamental economic factors, in the current context investors do not have accurate and public information on the impact of the public health crisis on each listed company, since events develop quickly and restrictions adopted by the Government might come with little or no advance notice. Hence, price formation may take place in an environment of partial information.
17. Second, the FSMA has observed examples of disinformation, rumours and false news
in media and social networks regarding activities that could be affected by decisions of the Government or by the evolution of the crisis. Such rumours may affect listed companies and damage the confidence of investors in an efficient market, where prices should be formed with public, reliable information.
18. Third, the FSMA considers that, although Regulations (EU) No 236/2012 and Article 24
of Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 were drafted without considering the scenario of a pandemic, when identifying situations that could be considered a threat to market confidence, they refer to “natural disasters” that may damage financial institutions, market infrastructures, clearing and settlement systems and supervisors. The effect of the restrictions within the state of emergency on the availability of resources (including human and IT) could be similar to some natural disasters. The FSMA considers that the restrictions to the movement of workers and the fact that key personnel of infrastructures may be affected and unable to continue working, puts the market infrastructures, clearing and settlement systems at enormous strain to monitor, supervise and manage markets.
19. In this context, the FSMA considers that a growth of short positions betting on negative
news (be them real or ill-based) affecting companies admitted to trading on the above mentioned trading venues could destabilize markets in a way that could be self￾reinforcing, with downward price spirals as serious as those observed in the session of 12 March 2020.
20. The FSMA also considers that, as a consequence of the above, a negative effect on the
financial stability of the system cannot be discarded. According to the FSMA, prices of Belgian credit institutions’ stocks are rapidly falling, and the risk of weaker confidence of the public in financial stability based on false rumours cannot be discarded. However, the FSMA also notes that, while they have not observed signs of these effects on financial stability since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these scenarios could develop quickly if selling panic as in the week from the 9 to 13 March 2020 happens again.
III. Opinion
21. ESMA considered the information provided by the FSMA and is adopting the following
opinion on the notified measure, on the basis of Article 27(2) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012:

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On the adverse events or developments
22. The proposed measure by the FSMA extends for a further month the one taken on 18
March 2020, with some adjustments as regards the instruments subject to the ban, particularly concerning the exemptions.
23. ESMA agrees that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have serious
adverse effects on the real economy and on the financial markets of the Union, and that stock markets in the Union continue to be impacted by it. The effect of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the real economy was previously assessed by ESMA in March in ESMA Decision ESMA70-155-9546 and in the ESMA Opinions ESMA70-155-9556, ESMA70- 155-9565, ESMA70-155-9851, ESMA70-155-9587, ESMA70-155-9590 and ESMA70- 155-9604 respectively on emergency measures by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB), the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (HCMC), the Financial Securities and Markets Authority (FSMA) and the Austrian Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) under Section 1 of Chapter V of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012.
24. ESMA considers that the adverse situation, linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, has
greatly increased the vulnerability of EU financial markets. This is partly due to the adoption by EU Member States of restrictive measures which aim at containing the contagion and which impact all economic sectors. In this respect, since the start of 2020, ESMA has observed steep downward trends in European stocks, with a relative improvement after mid-March, which has not however restored the extremely large losses incurred by EU financial markets. As a matter of fact, the Eurostoxx50 index, which was at 3,577.68 on 26 February 2020, reached its lowest point at 2,385.82 on 18 March 2020 and subsequently recovered only partially to 2,892.79 on 9 April 2020 (see the Annex).
25. The pandemic contributed also to extremely high volatility levels. As of January 1st,
2020, the volatility level for the Eurostoxx50 index (VSTOXX) was at 13.95. It reached its highest level on 16 March with the value of 85.62 (+514%) and slowly decreased (- 45%) in the following days, reaching 43.03 on 6 April 2020 (see the Annex). The data shows that volatility at European level, even though decreasing if compared to the levels reached in mid-March, is still extremely high compared to the pre COVID-19 situation and is a relevant sign of the instability and vulnerability that keeps affecting European financial markets.
26. ESMA believes that downward pressure and high volatility may continue in the coming
weeks, since the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading across Europe and there is uncertainty as to when the restrictive measures might be, albeit partially, lifted.
27. Pursuant to Article 20(1)(a), the measure under Article 20(2) of Regulation (EU) No
236/2012 requires the presence of adverse events or developments which constitute a

6 serious threat to financial stability or to market confidence in the Member State concerned, as also further specified in Article 24 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 of 5 July 2012.
28. The FSMA considers in its notification that the measure is justified by the adverse
circumstances which constitute serious threats to market confidence, and potentially to financial stability, in Belgium. Namely, in line with the assessment performed for the measure issued on 18 March 2020, the FSMA considers that the current context is not compatible with the availability of accurate information, with the consequence that price formation may take place in an environment of partial information. Rumours of false news linked to the pandemic may have the effect of impacting listed companies and damage the confidence of investors in the markets. A third source of threat to market confidence is that the COVID-19 pandemic is at the origin of restrictions on the availability of human resources at issuers and financial market participants.
29. ESMA notes that, following the ban imposed by the FSMA on 18 March 2020, the data
concerning the main Belgian financial indices shows that, even though an improvement may be observed, there are still risks of downward price pressures.
30. In particular, the Belgian main index (the Euronext BEL 20) decreased by 34% between
26 February and 17 March 2020. It then recovered approximately 22% between 17 March and 9 April 2020. Nevertheless, observing the values of the Euronext BEL 20 since start of the year, it fell by 23% from 2 January to 9 April 2020. Similar or greater decreases can be observed in other main Belgian indices (see the Annex), amounting in one case to a drop of approximately 28% for the Euronext BRUSSELS ALL-SHARE INDEX (comparing its values on 2 January 2020 to those of 9 April 2020). As regards financial issuers, the Euronext BEL Financials dropped approximately 37% from 26 February to 17 March 2020, and subsequently recovered by approximately 21% until 9 April 2020. The drop from 2 January to 9 April 2020 for this index was approximately 29%. It should be noted that the Euronext BEL 20 and the Euronext BEL Financial indices include relevant financial issuers and insurance companies, and in that sense the circumstances described in Article 24(1)(c) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 are met.
31. In addition, ESMA believes that the observed trends may continue in Belgium, like for
Europe as a whole, as long as the ongoing contagion does not allow to limit the restrictive measures adopted by relevant authorities.
32. For the purpose of assessing whether serious threats to market confidence or financial
stability are currently present in Belgium, ESMA is mainly considering the developments of prices and volatility of Belgian stocks. ESMA notes that the pattern of the net short positions, which would typically provide a meaningful source of observable market trends, was impacted by the ban imposed by the FSMA on 18 March 2020. In fact, ESMA notes that, since the ban became applicable, a decrease of net short positions in Belgium can be observed.

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33. ESMA agrees with the FSMA that the severe losses observed, the uncertainty as regards
the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic and the possible consequent further volatility and downward price pressure still constitute risks to market confidence. In this regard, ESMA is of the view that the circumstances underpinning the proposed measure by the FSMA are generally consistent with those observed in March 2020, which justified the adoption of a positive opinion by ESMA.
34. ESMA also considers that, since the decrease in net short positions is mainly linked to
the application of the ban, should the latter be lifted, it is likely that such net short positions would increase again. ESMA agrees that such building up of net short positions in a volatile environment and in the potential absence of accurate and reliable information to support the price formation mechanism could exacerbate any downward price spirals, further weakening market confidence in Belgium.
35. Furthermore, taking also into account the losses observed in the main Belgian indices,
ESMA agrees that such circumstances impact market confidence, in general, with consequences for all listed issuers.
36. ESMA agrees with the FSMA’s assessment that the impact of COVID-19, and the
extraordinary market conditions caused by it, qualify as “adverse events or developments” under Article 24(1)(c) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 and agrees that there are serious threats to market confidence.
37. With reference to the broader EU-markets scenario, ESMA has assessed that there are
threats to market integrity, orderly functioning of markets and to financial stability. On that basis, on 16 March 2020 ESMA has adopted a decision to temporarily lower the notification thresholds of net short positions to national competent authorities in accordance with point (a) of Article 28(1) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 (ESMA70- 155-9546). ESMA considers that its decision has enabled national competent authorities to better monitor the existing threats.
38. At the same time, ESMA considers that the circumstances described above are adverse
events or developments which constitute a serious threat to market confidence in Belgium as described under Article 20(1) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012. On the appropriateness and proportionality of the measure
39. In order to assess whether the renewal of the measure would be appropriate and
proportionate in relation to the threat, ESMA has analysed how and the degree to which sharp price declines pose a risk to the orderly functioning, integrity and stability of the Belgian market as a whole, looking not only at the range of shares affected by the latest market developments but also at the build-up of net short positions in the shares in scope before the measure now being renewed was adopted.

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40. From the analysis of the shares impacted by these sharp price declines before the entry
into application of the restrictive measure, it is evident that the downfall spiral spread across the Belgian markets and across different sectors, including systemically important institutions. Such widespread impact is consistent with the nature of the outbreak of a global pandemic (COVID-19), as announced by the World Health Organisation3 , that has proven to be serious in Belgium.
41. From that perspective, ESMA still considers that limiting the scope of its measure to one
or several sectors or to a subset of the issuers may not achieve the desired outcome. Without the broad scope applied by this measure the FSMA may have to adopt additional restrictive measures in the near future at a time when their effectiveness may be limited.
42. As also indicated by the FSMA, the latest developments in relation to COVID-19 have
put an extremely wide range of Belgian shares in a situation of vulnerability. Without the proposed extension of the restrictive measure, short-selling strategies could start targeting those shares, the prices may start dropping further, potentially triggering other downward spirals and further ‘runs’ on the market.
43. ESMA considers that suspending the capacity of market participants in the Belgian
market to enter into short sales or into transactions with equivalent effect in relation to shares admitted to trading on regulated markets would not have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of financial markets or on investors that is disproportionate to its benefits. ESMA rather deems this measure appropriate to provide a uniform level of protection to all Belgian issuers and investors and the wider Belgian market as a whole.
44. ESMA considers that the measure is less stringent than other more intrusive measures
that could adequately address the threat to confidence in the Belgian market. On the other end, a simple short term restriction on short selling according to Article 23 of the Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 would not address the threat to market confidence as it would remain applicable for a few days only and would be limited to short selling without covering any opening or increasing of net short positions through derivatives.
45. Additionally, ESMA notes that the proposed renewed measure extended the exemptions
to baskets of financial instruments in addition to index-related instruments, where Belgian constituents subject to the ban do not reach more than 50% of the total index or basket weight. The exemption for market making activities is maintained. The exemptions also apply to net short positions when an investor has a delta-neutral position between the equity component of a convertible bond and the short position taken to cover that component and net short positions in shares hedged by a purchase that is equivalent in terms of proportion on subscription rights. 3 https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200310-sitrep-50-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=55e904fb_2

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46. This is done with a view to limit the measure to the strictly necessary scope and not to
be overly restrictive to trading strategies of market participants, with particular reference to those ones that provide an important service in terms of increasing liquidity and reducing volatility, which is particularly relevant in the current situation. ESMA also welcomes that the exemption for index- and basket related instruments has been aligned with exemptions provided in measures adopted by other national competent authorities. ESMA considers that this alignment provides for a more consistent approach across the Union and facilitates the compliance with the different national bans for market participants.
47. For the above reasons, ESMA considers that the renewal of the emergency measure
proposed by the FSMA under Article 20(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 as further specified by Article 24(1)(c) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 in relation to the shares in scope of the measure is appropriate and proportionate to address the existing threat to market confidence in the Belgian market. On the duration of the measure
48. In terms of duration of the measure, ESMA considers that renewing the prohibition for
one month is justified considering the information publicly available at the moment. While the FSMA expressed its intention to lift the ban as soon as the evolution of the situation allows, it does not discard the possibility of extending the measure if the situation so requires. Conclusion: on the necessity of the measure
49. Having considered the adverse situation linked to the COVID-19, the appropriateness,
proportionality and justified duration, ESMA considers the renewed emergency measure proposed by the FSMA as necessary under Article 20(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012, as further specified in Article 24(1)(c) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 918/2012 in relation to Belgian shares. This opinion will be published on ESMA’s website. Done at Paris, 15 April 2020 For the Board of Supervisors Steven Maijoor Chair

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ANNEX
FIGURE 1 – MAIN BELGIAN INDICES
2715.11
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000 01/01/2020 03/01/2020 05/01/2020 07/01/2020 09/01/2020 11/01/2020 13/01/2020 15/01/2020 17/01/2020 19/01/2020 21/01/2020 23/01/2020 25/01/2020 27/01/2020 29/01/2020 31/01/2020 02/02/2020 04/02/2020 06/02/2020 08/02/2020 10/02/2020 12/02/2020 14/02/2020 16/02/2020 18/02/2020 20/02/2020 22/02/2020 24/02/2020 26/02/2020 28/02/2020 01/03/2020 03/03/2020 05/03/2020 07/03/2020 09/03/2020 11/03/2020 13/03/2020 15/03/2020 17/03/2020 19/03/2020 21/03/2020 23/03/2020 25/03/2020 27/03/2020 29/03/2020 31/03/2020 02/04/2020 04/04/2020 06/04/2020 08/04/2020 Belgium Euronext BEL 20 Belgium Euronext BEL MID Belgium Euronext BEL SMALL Eurozone EURO STOXX 50 Belgium Euronext BRUSSELS ALL-SHARE INDEX 18/Mar LT ban 17/Mar ST ban (secondary axis) Source: Refinitiv EIKON, ESMA

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FIGURE 2 – SECTORIAL BELGIAN INDICES
2385.82
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000 01/01/2020 03/01/2020 05/01/2020 07/01/2020 09/01/2020 11/01/2020 13/01/2020 15/01/2020 17/01/2020 19/01/2020 21/01/2020 23/01/2020 25/01/2020 27/01/2020 29/01/2020 31/01/2020 02/02/2020 04/02/2020 06/02/2020 08/02/2020 10/02/2020 12/02/2020 14/02/2020 16/02/2020 18/02/2020 20/02/2020 22/02/2020 24/02/2020 26/02/2020 28/02/2020 01/03/2020 03/03/2020 05/03/2020 07/03/2020 09/03/2020 11/03/2020 13/03/2020 15/03/2020 17/03/2020 19/03/2020 21/03/2020 23/03/2020 25/03/2020 27/03/2020 29/03/2020 31/03/2020 02/04/2020 04/04/2020 06/04/2020 08/04/2020 Belgium Euronext BEL 20 Belgium Euronext BEL MID Belgium Euronext BEL SMALL Eurozone EURO STOXX 50 Belgium Euronext BRUSSELS ALL-SHARE INDEX 18/Mar LT ban 17/Mar ST ban (secondary axis) Source: Refinitiv EIKON, ESMA

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FIGURE 3 – VOLATILITY: EU - US – EURONEXT BEL 20
85.62
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90 02/04/2018 02/05/2018 02/06/2018 02/07/2018 02/08/2018 02/09/2018 02/10/2018 02/11/2018 02/12/2018 02/01/2019 02/02/2019 02/03/2019 02/04/2019 02/05/2019 02/06/2019 02/07/2019 02/08/2019 02/09/2019 02/10/2019 02/11/2019 02/12/2019 02/01/2020 02/02/2020 02/03/2020 02/04/2020 VIX (US) VSTOXX Hist volatility of Euronext BEL 20 Note: Implied volatility of EURO STOXX 50 (VSTOXX), S&P 500 (VIX), Historical volatility of the national index in %. Sources: Refinitiv Datastream, Refinitiv EIKON, ESMA. 27/Feb 17/Mar (secondary axis)