The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined new measures as part of a wider move to support the UK’s position in the bond, derivatives and asset management sectors.

New transparency rules for bonds and derivatives markets would “give investors more information and reduce costs for firms”, the regulator said.

Under its new proposals, the FCA also said that asset managers for pooled investment funds would be given “greater flexibility” in how they pay for investment research, making it easier to buy insight and analysis across borders.

The proposals come as part of the FCA’s work to strengthen wholesale markets, while ensuring investors have access to the right information to make decisions.

“We want UK markets to be efficient and to support economic growth,” said director of supervision, policy and competition at the FCA, Jon Relleen. “Putting more information in the hands of investors and giving investment firms greater access to research to inform their strategies will bolster UK markets.”

In July this year, the FCA finalised rules allowing institutional investors more flexibility in paying for investment research.

Following industry feedback to this, the regulator has proposed to extend those freedoms to pooled investment funds and allow fund managers to combine payments for research with trade execution.

Relleen added: “We want to seize opportunities to enhance and streamline our rules and support the competitiveness of sectors in which the UK is already a recognised world leader.”

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