ESMA_QA_1760
10/10/2016
Subject Matter
Suitability and appropriateness
    Shall a suitability report be provided to the client when the advice given is not to buy or sell a financial instrument?
    ESMA Answer
    10-10-2016

      [ESMA35-43-349 MiFIDII Investor protection Q&As Ch2 question 5]

      Yes. Firms providing investment advice are required to always provide the client with a suitability report, irrespective of the specific recommendation given, including the advice not to buy, hold or sell a financial instrument. 

      In this regard, Recital 87 of the MiFID II Delegated Regulation specifically clarifies that “investment firms should undertake a suitability assessment not only in relation to [when] recommendations to buy a financial instrument are made but for all decisions whether to trade including whether or not to buy, hold or sell an investment”.  

      Status: Answer Published

      Additional Information

      Level 1 Regulation
      Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) Directive 2014/65/EU- Investor Protection and Intermediaries
      Topic
      Suitability