UK regulator refuses to disclose stress test results
In direct contradiction to the situation in America, where the majority of bank stress test results have been announced to the public, the UK regulator has refused to do likewise. Overseen by the government, the Treasury has refused point blank to reveal the results because of significant concerns it would cause undue uncertainty in the market.
This is very much a chicken and egg situation in that by releasing the results of the stress test it could place more pressure on some financial institutions, but by refusing to release the information it breeds an air of suspicion and uncertainty. While there is no reason to suggest that any of the major UK financial institutions are in trouble or anywhere near the verge of financial oblivion this may not be the case for some of the smaller operations in the UK banking sector and the UK building society sector. The very fact that the information will not be released to the public is something of a "short traders" dream with unscrupulous investors able to sell stock, spread rumours and buy the stock back at lower levels.
Whether the UK regulators are asking for trouble or indeed being overcautious remains to be seen but the fact the tests have been taken and the results have not been released does not augur well for the immediate future.
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