Derivs - Equity

A record short position has built up in VIX futures from investors looking for yield in the expectation of the US Federal Reserve softening its monetary policy.

Public tension has diminished between European and US regulators over the former’s determination to increase its supervisory powers over clearing houses, but concerns are still simmering, as this week’s testimony from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman showed.

Miami International has agreed to a deal to give Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) exclusive rights to list, trade and clear futures products on its SPIKES volatility index.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is proposing amendments to the rules governing swaps clearing as it seeks to streamline processes and respond to recent events such as September’s Nasdaq Clearing default.

Goldman Sachs has hired Sushil Krishan, a UniCredit banker, for its team covering equity derivatives solutions, GlobalCapital understands.

Uncertainty around how MiFID II’s trading obligation will function after Brexit is leading UK and European derivatives trading houses to consider executing trades in other jurisdictions.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) has reported a record contribution to its bottom line from its derivatives business amid strong institutional demand, with Asian equities and commodity risk management needs boosting volumes.

Environmental Social Governance (ESG) futures that were launched by Eurex in February are gaining traction, as investors increase the use of derivatives in their sustainability strategies.

Eurex, the futures and options exchange, has pointed to low volatility and the upward trend for global share prices in its latest update on the derivatives market.

A surge in shareholder activism is providing banks with a lucrative new source of revenue, but they have to tread carefully or risk losing treasured corporate relationships, writes David Rothnie.

A senior European Commission official has defended the EU's record on regulation since the financial crisis, amid complaints that global derivatives markets have become fragmented.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has partnered with Digital Asset, the enterprise blockchain company, to develop an open source reference code library.