U. K. – FCA Bulletin 60 Re: Short Selling Regime Changes

U. K. – FCA Bulletin 60 Re: Short Selling Regime Changes

On 28 November 2025, UK FCA issued PMB 60 re UK short selling regime changes.

  • FCA issued Primary Market Bulletin 60 which entirely focuses on consultation CP25/29 on proposed changes to the UK short selling regime, published in October 2025.
  • Follows UK FCA October 2025 consultation on new short selling regime.

Overview

  • Consultation proposes changes to short selling regime as part of process to repeal and replace assimilated EU law, FCA proposes to create new Short Selling Sourcebook.
  • To sit within FCA Handbook, contain rules and guidance on short selling activity.
  • Paper implements changes made by UK Treasury in UK Short Selling Regulations.
  • FCA intends to support growth via creation of more efficient, effective, coherent regulatory framework, does not intend to fundamentally change current regime.
  • Instead wants to remove unnecessary and disproportionate requirements.
  • Proposals affect: position reporting; covering; reportable shares list; market maker exemptions; aggregated net short position disclosures; and regulator proposes a Statement of Policy on when the FCA may exercise its emergency powers.

Supporting Materials

  • FCA has issued a derivation and changes table detailing how it has transferred rules and guidance from various existing sources into the new Short Selling Sourcebook.
  • Following discussions at an industry event on 6 November 2025, FCA has published some of the materials discussed there on updated consultation paper page.

Effectiveness

  • FCA encourages readers of PMB 60 to respond to consultation by 16 December 2025.