The SEC Should Let Broker-Dealers Unbundle Research Costs

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is considering important questions concerning the regulation of research services provided by U.S. broker-dealers. Paradoxically, the issues arise because of a directive from the European Parliament commonly known as MiFID II. MiFID II requires European Union investment managers to unbundle research and execution costs, and will continue to impose this requirement for the foreseeable future.