Barclays suspends trading on commodity-linked ETN

Trading has been suspended in another commodities-linked iPath exchange-traded note issued by Barclays Bank PLC. The bank announced today that its iPath Dow Jones-UBS Platinum Subindex Total Return Exchange Traded Note (PGM) has stopped trading due to an “ongoing regulatory review” of such products. It was the second trading suspension of a Barclays iPath note in recent months: On Aug. 21, the bank halted sales of its iPath Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return Exchange Traded Note (GAZ). Policy changes under debate at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission may limit the amount of money investors can put into commodities-linked products. Exchange-traded notes — which behave similarly to exchange-traded funds but are backed by the issuing entity — are the primary way retail investors get exposure to commodities. Other suspensions may follow, according to the Barclays' statement. Barclays spokeswoman Kristin Friel declined to comment further.