Democratising Finance: Is Robinhood and Reddit the way to do it?

The Finance Department in the UTS Business School invites you to attend our first Autumn 2021 finance industry engagement event:

“Democratising Finance: Is Robinhood and Reddit the way to do it?”

Date:

12 March 2021, starts 12.15pm, ends 1.15pm (incl. audience Q&A).

Free attendance on Zoom (link provided via registration confirmation email).

Panellists:

Meet four financial experts who will discuss the state of and opinions on the democratisation of finance and financial markets:

• Jeremy Heer, CFA, CAIA (Senior Portfolio Manager, University of Chicago Office of Investments, Chicago, USA)
• Shana Orczyk Sissel, CAIA (CIO, Spotlight Asset Group, Chicago, USA)
• Kerry Craig, CFA (Global Market Strategist, J.P. Morgan, Melbourne)
• Talis Putnins (Professor of Finance, UTS Business School, Sydney)

Relevance for Professional Practice:

In January 2021, the increased volatility of so-called "meme stocks", including GameStop (GME), made headline news. The bigger picture pertaining to these events is what some finance experts describe as the "democratisation of markets." While stock exchanges aim to balance investor protection and access to markets, the meme stock events with their enormous amount of press coverage surprised many investors, researchers and the general public. In addition, lawmakers and regulators are paying close attention: On 18 February 2021, a Congressional hearing ‘grilled’ several players in the GameStop saga.

Discussion Topics include:

• What happened in the GameStop case?
• Demystifying news headlines: short selling / activist short selling / naked short selling / short squeezes.
• Are the meme stock events cases of market manipulation?
• Call to (financial) arms: a case of freedom of speech or lack of (fiduciary) duty?
• What are the risks to markets and investors - what (if anything) is the harm?
• Can this happen in Australia or in other markets around the world?
• Trojan horses or brothers in arms - what are the relations between the "Rebels against Wall Street” and the "Rebellion-enabling Wall Street firms" (providing clearing, margin financing, etc.)?