Macquarie Slapped with Record $5M Fine for Market Manipulation Oversight

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's Markets Disciplinary Panel (MDP) levied a nearly $5 million fine, the highest in the MDP's history, on Macquarie for enabling questionable orders in the electricity futures market during highly volatile periods in 2022.

According to the watchdog, from January to September 2022, Macquarie allowed three clients to place suspicious orders 50 different times. These actions took place in the final trading minutes of each day, benefiting the clients' positions by manipulating settlement prices.

The MDP contended that Macquarie lacked adequate internal controls and surveillance mechanisms to detect and prevent these orders from creating a misleading impression in the market, an issue exacerbated in a post-Ukraine invasion energy landscape.

Joe Longo, ASIC's chair, criticized Macquarie’s conduct, emphasizing how critical it is for key market players to maintain stringent oversight. "Given Macquarie's pivotal role in the energy derivatives market, it has a fundamental duty to prevent suspicious activities," Longo stated.

Despite multiple warnings and six direct communications from ASIC highlighting evident risks, Macquarie failed to act in a timely manner, thereby allowing continued suspicious activity. The violations are particularly concerning given the chaos in global energy markets following Russia’s 2022 aggression against Ukraine.

Reacting to the fine, Macquarie acknowledged its deficiencies. "This situation arose from electronic trades in the electricity futures market by three commercial clients," a spokesperson for the bank admitted. "As the largest facilitator in this space across Australia and New Zealand, we bear significant responsibility."

The bank also mentioned taking immediate remedial actions and is committed to further improvements to its surveillance and monitoring capabilities. "We've introduced measures to escalate and effectively manage suspicious orders going forward," the statement concluded.

This development highlights regulators' increased vigilance and higher expectations for market participants, especially in volatile times and sectors crucial to national interests like energy.

Notably, the original article that elaborated on these infractions appeared under Nathan Schmidt on September 25, 2024.

Published:Monday, 30th Sep 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

RBA Holds Cash Rate at 4.35% Amid Economic Uncertainty

09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain the official cash rate at 4.35% during its June 2026 meeting. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of slowing economic growth and persistent inflationary pressures. - read more

APRA Evaluates 3% Serviceability Buffer Following Industry Consultation

09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is currently reviewing the 3% serviceability buffer applied to mortgage lending, following a consultation period that concluded in early June 2026. This buffer requires lenders to assess borrowers' ability to repay loans at an interest rate 3% higher than the current rate, aiming to ensure financial resilience among borrowers. - read more

Liberty Financial Achieves Record SME and SMSF Lending Amid Residential Loan Decline

09 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Liberty Financial Group has reported record lending volumes in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) and Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) sectors for the first half of the 2026 financial year. This achievement has helped offset a decline in the company's residential loan portfolio. - read more

Cochlear's Profit Warning Sends Ripples Through ASX 200

25 May 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian stock market experienced a notable decline following Cochlear's announcement of a significant reduction in its profit guidance. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 105.8 points lower, a 1.18% decrease, marking the largest single-day fall in over a month. Cochlear, a leading medical device company, slashed its FY26 earnings outlook by approximately 30%, citing challenges in key markets and increased competition. - read more

P&N Bank and Bank Australia Set to Merge

25 May 2026: Paige Estritori

P&N Bank has announced plans to merge with Bank Australia, aiming to establish a $30 billion mutual lender. This move comes less than six months after a previous merger attempt with Great Southern Bank was unsuccessful. The proposed merger is expected to enhance the combined entity's ability to offer competitive products and services to their members. - read more

Click for more Finance News