International derivatives exchange Eurex is to launch 19 single stock futures (SSF) on leading Polish companies on 27 June 2011. The new listings reflect customer demand for derivatives based on shares from one of the largest economies in Eastern Europe.
The new SSF contracts will be based on 19 shares of the Polish blue chip index WIG 20 (except CEZ) and denominated in euro. The launch extends Eurex’s SSF offering with a new country, bringing the total number of covered countries to 21.
“As Eastern European countries become more and more important for our customers and investors, demand for products based on companies listed in these markets also increases. Therefore, we have extended our offering and launched contracts covering companies from one of the biggest Eastern European markets”, says Peter Reitz (pictured), member of the Eurex Executive Board. “Our current SSF suite gives customers greater flexibility in executing trading strategies in more than 850 names in Europe and internationally.”
The new Polish SSFs will extend the number of covered Eastern European and emerging markets to four. Volumes in Russian SSFs, the largest emerging market segment at Eurex, have risen steadily since their launch in 2007: In 2010, contracts totaled more than 680,000, while year-to-date volume is almost 300,000 contracts.
The specifications of the new contracts are comparable to the other European listings. Each contract represents 100 shares and is cash settled. They will have expiry dates up to three years for the next 13 calendar months, plus the two following annual contract months out of the December cycle. The new Polish single stock futures also are eligible for Eurex’s Block Trade Facility.
