July 11, 2012

Warning by FINRA on ETNs

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., issued an investor alert about the risks of ETNs, exchange-traded notes, after an investigation of Credit Suisse and Barclays ETNs this year.

ETNs are often thought of as as ETFs, exchange-traded funds, but in reality, the two are very different.  ETNs are promissory notes written by banks to deliver the returns of an index, and don't actually hold anything, whereas ETFs, hold a stocks or bonds that trade intraday on an exchange. A bank may stop issuing new shares and cause trouble for an ETNs. This can happen  because the maximum number of shares has been reached or the bank is no longer able to hedge effectively against the index.  If no new shares are issued the ETN functions like a closed-end fund and continued demand can drive shares to a premium over the net asset value.

Barclays' iPath Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Total Return Sub-Index ETN (GAZ), shares were at a high of 134% of its NAV in March — meaning investors were paying more than $2 for $1 of the ETN's exposure. It's now at a 32% premium.

Credit Suisse VelocityShares Daily 2X VIX Short-Term ETN (TVIX) stopped issuing new shares in February. Doubled in value but when Credit Suisse Group AG resumed issuing shares in March, the ETN's share price fell to the NAV, losing $172 million in a single day.

JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJ) halted the issuing of shares last month and is now trading at a premium of nearly 1%.

Securities Lawyer, Lars K. Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, has represented clients nationwide. If you have investment losses call for a free consultation on how to potentially recover your losses. To speak with an attorney call 888-760-6552, or visit our website at: https://www.securitieslawyer.com. 

Soreide Law Group, PLLC., representing investors nationwide.

S H A R E   T H I S   P O S T

Recent Posts

September 23, 2025
James R Parascandola Barred by FINRA

James Ryan Parascandola (James R Parascandola) was recently barred by FINRA from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with a broker/dealer firm with a start date of July 21, 2025.  Parascandola was last registered as a broker with PRUCO SECURITIES LLC of East Brunswick, New Jersey from 05/16/2022 - 05/21/2024. Before PRUCO, he was […]

September 22, 2025
Calvin Heck At Center Of Merrill Lynch Investor’s Misrepresentation Allegations

One or more investors possibly experienced losses because of securities broker Calvin James Heck [CRD: 1025767, Everett, Washington], based on public information found on FINRA BrokerCheck. Evidently, Heck has worked for Wedbush Securities Inc. in Los Angeles, California, since June 27, 2003, and in its Everett, Washington, office since June 11, 2020. Read on to […]

September 22, 2025
Gregory Libby Connected To Morgan Stanley Investor’s Unsuitable Advice Allegations

Investors potentially experienced sales practice violations due to securities broker Gregory John Libby [CRD: 2455485, Paramus, New Jersey], based on publicly available information on Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck. Evidently, Libby has been employed with Morgan Stanley at its Paramus, New Jersey branch since June 1, 2009, and continues to be registered with the […]

Contact us Nationwide USA
2401 E. Atlantic Blvd., Suite 305, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Helping clients recover money across the USA
search
Copyright © 2025 Soreide Law Group, PLLC  |  All Rights Reserved