1. Background and discussion

ETFs are securities that trade on an exchange that track the performance of an underlying benchmark or index. The underlying assets to the benchmark or index may be stocks, bonds or other assets such as commodities.

Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver multiples of the performance of the index or benchmark they track. Some leveraged ETFs are “inverse” or “short” funds, meaning that they seek to deliver the opposite of the performance of the index or benchmark they track. Like traditional ETFs, some inverse ETFs track broad indices, some are sector-specific, and still others are linked to commodities or currencies. Inverse ETFs are often marketed as a way for investors to profit from, or at least hedge their exposure to, downward-moving markets. Some funds are both short and leveraged, meaning that they seek to achieve a return that is a multiple of the inverse performance of the underlying index. An inverse ETF that tracks the S&P/TSX 60 Index, for example, seeks to deliver the inverse of the performance of the S&P/TSX 60 Index, while a 2 times leveraged inverse S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF seeks to deliver twice the opposite of that index’s performance. To accomplish their objectives, leveraged and inverse ETFs pursue a range of investment strategies through the use of swaps, futures contracts and other derivative instruments.

Most leveraged and inverse ETFs “reset” daily, meaning that they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Due to the effect of compounding, their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the performance (or inverse of the performance) of their underlying index or benchmark over longer periods of time. For example, an ETF that seeks to deliver twice the daily return of a specific index may decrease in value over a one or two year period while the underlying index may increase in value over the same period.

Also, the inverse fund (twice the inverse daily return of the index) may not fall by a percentage that is twice the inverse return of the underlying index in the same time period. This effect can be magnified in volatile markets. Using a two-day example, if the index goes from 100 to close at 101 on the first day and back down to close at 100 on the next day, the two-day return of an inverse ETF will be different than if the index had moved up to close at 110 the first day but then back down to close at 100 on the next day. In the first case with low volatility, the inverse ETF loses 0.02 per cent; but in the more volatile scenario the inverse ETF loses 1.82 per cent. The effects of mathematical compounding can grow significantly over time, leading to scenarios such as those noted above.

1. Suitability

Clauses 3402(1)(i) and (ii) of the IIROC Rules1  require that, before purchasing, selling, withdrawing, exchanging or transferring out securities for a retail client’s account or taking any other investment action (referred to as “trade trigger events”), a Dealer Member must determine that the action is suitable for the client and puts the client’s interest first.

Subsection 3402(2) requires the assessment of suitability when certain non-trade trigger events occur.2

The suitability analysis has two components. The first, in determining whether the product is suitable for any client, an analysis that requires Dealer Members and their registered persons to fully understand the products and transactions they recommend. With respect to leveraged or inverse ETFs, this means that a firm must understand the terms and features of the funds, including how they are designed to perform, how they achieve that objective, and the impact that market volatility, the ETF’s use of leverage and the client’s intended holding period will have on their performance. Dealer Members may find it helpful to refer to IIROC Rules Notice 09-0087, which provides further guidance on best practices for product due diligence.

Once a determination is made that a product is generally suitable for at least some investors, the Dealer Member must also determine that the product is suitable for specific clients. This analysis includes considering current information relating to:

• the clients’s financial situation, investment knowledge, investment objectives and risk tolerance,
• the client’s account investment portfolio composition and risk level, and
• any other matter of relevance to the product or the client’s account.

While the client-specific suitability analysis depends on the investor’s particular circumstances, leveraged and inverse ETFs typically are not suitable for retail investors who plan to hold them for more than one trading session, particularly in volatile markets.

1. Communications with the public

In accordance with section 3603, all sales materials and oral presentations used by Dealer Members regarding leveraged and inverse ETFs must present a fair and balanced picture of both the risks and benefits of the funds, and may not omit any material fact or qualification that would cause such a communication to be misleading. For example, statements about a leveraged or inverse ETF that are designed to achieve its investment objective on a daily basis may not omit that fact or imply that the fund is designed to track the underlying index or benchmark over a longer period of time. Dealer Members are further reminded that providing risk disclosure in a prospectus or product description does not cure otherwise deficient disclosure in sales material, even if the sales material is accompanied or preceded by the prospectus or product description.

1. Supervision

In accordance with section 3904, Dealer Members should establish an appropriate supervisory system to ensure that their registered persons comply with all applicable IIROC rules and applicable securities laws when recommending any product, including leveraged and inverse ETFs. Among other things, if a Dealer Member promotes or allows its registered representatives to recommend or accept orders for such funds, the firm must ensure that its written supervisory procedures require that:

• the appropriate product suitability analysis is completed,
• a client-specific suitability analysis is performed,
• all sales materials are accurate and balanced, and
• all IIROC rules and applicable securities laws are followed.

In addition to establishing written procedures, Dealer Members must document the steps they have taken to ensure adherence to these procedures.

1. Training

Dealer Members must train registered persons about the terms, features and risks of all ETFs that they sell, as well as the factors that would make such products either suitable or unsuitable for certain investors. In the case of leveraged and inverse ETFs, that training should emphasize the need to understand and consider the risks associated with such products, including the client’s investment objectives, and the impact of time and volatility on the fund’s performance. Training for all persons should emphasize that, due to the complexity and structure of these funds, they may not perform over time in direct or direct inverse correlation to their underlying index. This is particularly important as many investors may be turning to these funds as part of a long-term strategy to weather current market conditions.

1. Applicable rules

IIROC Rules this Guidance Note relates to:

• clauses 3402(1)(i) -(iii),
• subsection 3402(2),
• section 3603, and
• section 3904.

1. Previous Guidance Note

This Guidance Note replaces Notice 20-0086 – Rules Notice – Guidance Note – IIROC Rules – Sales Practice Obligations Relating to Leveraged and Inverse Exchange-Traded Funds (April 28, 2020).

1. Related documents

This Guidance Note was published under Notice 21-0190 - IIROC Rules, Form 1 and Guidance.

• 1In this guidance, all rule references are to the IIROC Rules unless otherwise specified.
• 2These non-trade trigger events are set out in clauses 3402(2)(I) - (v).