Eurex Exchange is to introduce futures and options contracts on the RDX USD equity index on 19 March 2012. The new RDX USD derivatives will be based on the Vienna Stock Exchange's RDX USD Index, which tracks the price performance of the most liquid depositary receipts (DRs) on Russian shares listed on the London Stock Exchange. The RDX USD Index currently comprises 15 securities.

Eurex Exchange has concluded a license agreement with the Vienna Stock Exchange for the introduction of the new derivatives. The RDX USD is one of the best known Russian indices in the world and has been calculated since 1997. More than 130 international institutions currently offer financial products based on this index, primarily in the over-the-counter area.

“Our highly liquid platform now also offers our global customers listed hedging instruments based on this index, which is mainly used in the off-exchange market,” says Steffen Köhler (pictured), Head of Product Development, Eurex. “We also aim to increase the attractiveness of our RDX USD derivatives by offering participants our Flexible Contracts facilities for these products.”

The new RDX USD futures and options contract will be settled in cash. Quarterly expiration dates will be offered for the RDX USD index futures with a maximum maturity of twelve months, up to 60 months for the index options. The futures will be tradable between 8 am and 10 pm CET, the options between 9:15 am and 4:30 pm CET. In order to be able to provide sufficient liquidity in the order book quickly, Eurex Exchange will be offering a market-making incentive program.