On July 23, Spain, Italy and Greece introduced new temporary bans in relation to short selling in response to the recent extreme volatility in the European financial markets.

The Comisiòn Nacional del Mercado de Valores (“CNMV”) has decided to ban short selling on Spanish regulated markets with immediate effect. The ban will apply for three months until October 23, although CNMV may choose to extend it for a further period.

The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) announced a ban on short selling in respect of shares of certain companies in the Italian banking and insurance sectors that will last from July 23 to July 27.

In addition, on July 24, Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission (“HCMC”) announced an extension to the current short selling prohibition on the Athens Stock Exchange for an additional three months until October 31. Press Release.

For further details, please see updated version of the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”)’s table of members’ short selling measures. Updated Version.