Sure! Here’s the translation into American English:
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The Office of the Investor Protector of BME has released its Annual Report 2024, highlighting a notable increase in advisory activity for investors. Over the past year, 2,110 inquiries were handled, representing a 6% rise compared to the previous year. The vast majority of these inquiries, nearly 95%, come from individual investors, although there has also been a slight increase in inquiries from financial entities, issuers, and other market participants.
This growth in inquiries is partly linked to the rise in Public Offerings (OPAs). In 2024, six OPAs have already been completed, with several more in progress, which has sparked considerable interest among investors in understanding the implications of these transactions. Notable examples include BBVA’s OPA for Banco Sabadell and Brookfield’s OPA for Grifols, which are currently under review or awaiting approval.
Furthermore, the Office has received numerous requests for historical prices, both from individuals and entities, that require this information for various reasons, primarily fiscal. In turn, the report highlights growing concerns about fraud and identity theft. There have been reports of fake financial advisors attempting to deceive investors by posing as representatives of BME. Aware of this situation, the office has reiterated that BME never offers investment services or makes cold calls, urging investors to verify the authenticity of the communications they receive.
To protect investors, the Office recommends exercising caution against potential fraud, ensuring clarity in the information provided by companies involved in OPAs, and facilitating the waiver of excluded securities. It is also suggested that intermediaries optimize the disclosure of information related to the execution of stock orders to enhance market transparency.
Gloria Martínez-Picazo, Investor Protector of BME, stated, “The Office is a secure and efficient channel for anyone interested in accessing information and clarifying their doubts regarding transactions in the stock market, especially in the current context, with increasing interest from investors.”
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Let me know if you need anything else!
Source: MiMub in Spanish
