Mar 01, 2012
NYSE Liffe broadens range of Dutch derivatives
NYSE Liffe, the derivatives market owned by exchange group
NYSE Euronext, plans to introduce futures and options on the AMX-Index, the
index for medium-sized Dutch companies.
The AMX-Index is one of Europe’s more successful indices,
having risen by 70% since the end of 2008. The total value of AMX-Index
component shares traded in 2011 was over €27 billion, while average daily
turnover of mid-cap shares totalled €107
million across 15 million shares.
NYSE Liffe will launch its AMX-Index futures on 26 March,
followed by AMX-Index options on 10 April. The exchange already offers options
on individual AMX equities within the Amsterdam market, which traded 5.3 million
during 2011.
“NYSE Euronext is committed to supporting medium-sized
companies,” said Cees Vermaas, CEO of NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. “We continue to
do everything we can to help these companies to grow. We believe that the
introduction of futures and options onto the AMX-Index will have a positive
influence on the liquidity of these mid-cap securities.”
NYSE Liffe confirmed that it plans to launch a range of new
products in the Amsterdam derivatives market this year, of which the new
futures and options are the first. The new mid-cap index futures and options
expire on the third Friday of the contract month, and are initially offered with
one, two and three month maturities.
In November, NYSE introduced measures to make it easier for small and medium enterprises
(SMEs) to access capital markets and improve the visibility and liquidity of
mid-sized companies listed on its European market. The exchange set up a
strategic planning committee to give SMEs greater say in market governance
across the B and C sections of its regulated market – which are geared toward
the listing of small and medium sized companies – and its NYSE Alternext platform,
which is dedicated to SMEs.
Elliott Holley
+44 (0)20 7397 3820
elliott.holley@information-partners.com