GFI Group Inc has launched its Short Term Interest Rate Futures and Options (STiRs) desk. The new desk will execute a variety of contracts including Eurodollar Futures and Options, US Treasury Futures and Options, 30 Day Fed Funds and the execution of UK and European short and long end derivatives.
The new desk, with operations in Chicago and New York will be run by John Wagner and Simon Gittins. The group has a combined experience of over 50 years in brokering Eurodollar and Treasury futures and options.
The Chicago team will be led by John Wagner, who will be joined by Robert Smearman. The team will be located directly on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. John has participated in Eurodollar markets for the past 25 years spending the majority as an independent pit broker (WGZ) covering a diverse client base. Prior to joining GFI, Robert Smearman worked for First Boston, Credit Suisse and NewEdge Group where he covered swap/swaption trading desks as well as several premier hedge funds.
The New York operation is to be run by Simon Gittins. Simon joins GFI from Mako Financial Markets LLC, where he was running the New York Sales trading team executing equity, commodity and fixed income derivatives.
Richard Giles (pictured), Managing Director at GFI Group and Head of Energy and Commodities Brokerage in North America says:” We are very happy to have John, Simon and Bob join us in developing our listed fixed income business. We are confident their experience and knowledge of these markets will enable us to provide a unique and specialised service to our customers.”
John Wagner, head of the Chicago team says: “We are excited to join GFI and to have such an excellent opportunity within this highly competitive space. We will provide our clients with floor sentiment, market trends and relative values, key data sets that will be used with integrity in the process of efficient price discovery.”
Simon Gittins, head of the New York team says: “This is a unique opportunity for us. Joining GFI we allow us to provide real value added to our client base. Together with the Chicago team, we will offer our clients our experience, our insights and our ability to maximise opportunities when they arise”.
The new desk will offer its clients a customised service that will include idea generation, short, medium, long-term strategy recommendations and technical analysis support.
