Milford plays down role in Warminger's upcoming market manipulation case

Monday 19th September 2016

Milford Asset Managment is playing down its role in the market manipulation case kicking off next week against the fund manager's portfolio manager Mark Warminger.

In a note to clients, Milford said there was likely to be some media coverage of the High Court civil proceedings in Auckland brought against Warminger by the Financial Markets Authority at the end of the month, and that it's only role in the case will be through background evidence provided by executive director Brian Gaynor.

The market watchdog is seeking financial penalties, claiming Warminger breached the Securities Markets Act by placing small trades on market in one direction, followed by large off-market trades in the opposite direction in order to set the price rather than for a genuine purpose.

Milford agreed to settle with the regulator, paying $1.5 million while rejecting any liability. The fund manager had been improving its trading systems before the FMA launched its probe, and accepted there was inadequate oversight at the time following a period of rapid growth.

The fund manager today told clients the claims don't relate to the security of their funds, which "have always been and remain safe and unaffected", and that it was confident its trading activities adhere to best practice.

"This is a civil test case for the industry on how the relevant law applies to trading practices. We believe the issues are not clear-cut," Milford said. "It is a personal decision for Mr Warminger to defend the claims, and he remains on extended leave from Milford while the FMA’s claims are being decided."

Milford dropped Warminger from the investment teams for its funds, though Companies Office documents show he still holds a 1.5 percent stake in the fund manager.

The hearing is scheduled to begin on Sept. 26 and has been set down for four weeks.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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