NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Securities Arbitration Law Firm of Klayman & Toskes, P.A. (“K&T”), www.nasd-law.com, announces an investigation into Credit Suisse Group AG’s VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term Exchange Traded Notes (NASDAQ:XIV) (“XIV”) recommended by full-service brokerage firms and investment advisors. While major stock indexes fell nearly 10%, the XIV dropped over 90%. Investors may seek damages for violations of sales practice rules and regulations, as set forth by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). According to Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq., “Recommended investments in these securities were unsuitable for many investors who did not understand the risks associated with the investment strategy which were not adequately disclosed.”
Financial Engineering Gone Awry
The XIV is an exchange traded note, which was designed to mimic the inverse performance of the CBOE volatility index, known as the “VIX”. According to market pundits, the VIX is a measure which reflects traders’ expectations for volatility in the stock market. Last week, the risks of the highly complex strategy unraveled leaving unsophisticated investors with a nearly complete loss. The value of XIV dropped precipitously this past Friday and has continued its decline. The value continued to drop throughout the trading day on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. The overall drop saw the close at $7.35 or the equivalent of a 92.58% loss.
Credit Suisse Announces End to XIV
Credit Suisse Group AG said it will end trading in a security that some investors believed exposed retail investors to an undue amount of risk that was not fully understood by investors and the financial advisors who made unsuitable recommendations.
The sole purpose of this release is to investigate whether strategies deployed by full service investment firms were suitable for investors with concentrated positions in XIV, margin loans collateralized by XIV, and/or any other negligent or unsuitable recommendations related to the XIV. Investors who hold accounts at full-service brokerage firms, and have information relating to the manner in with the firm handled their portfolios, are encouraged to contact the attorneys of Klayman & Toskes, P.A., at (888) 997-9956, or visit our firm’s website at www.nasd-law.com.
About Klayman & Toskes, P.A.
K&T is a leading national securities law firm which practices exclusively in the field of securities arbitration and litigation, on behalf of retail and institutional investors throughout the world in large and complex securities matters. The firm represents high net-worth, ultra-high-net-worth, and institutional investors, such as non-profit organizations, unions, public and multi-employer pension funds. K&T has office locations in California, Florida, New York and Puerto Rico.