ConvergEx launches risk-based margining and haircuts tools
Trading and brokerage services firm ConvergEx Group has launched a risk-based margining tool, iRBM, to provide real-time TIMS-based portfolio margin estimates and a risk-based haircuts tool, iRBH, to provide real-time TIMS haircut estimates.
iRBM and iRBH will boost customers' ability to meet minute-by-minute capital monitoring requirements. The tools let clients calculate intraday margin and haircut estimates based on current prices, intraday position and real-time volatilities. This application service architecture ensures effective running of intraday valuations.
"Market movements, volatility swings and positions changes can alter risk profiles significantly," said Anthony Saliba, CEO, ConvergEx's LiquidPoint. " By offering intraday calculations we are employing risk managers to identify those positions when it matters most - when it happens."
Aquis selects London data center
New European equities platform, Aquis Exchange, has selected Equinix's London Slough campus as its primary data centre.
Equinix London Slough has access to over 30 European markets, covering 80 exchanges and trading platforms. Aquis will also join the Equinix Marketplace, which will enable it to identify potential customers and partners from its 4,000 strong network.
The data centre also offering live cross connects within 48 hours, as well as high levels of resilience and low latency. Roughly 25% of European equities trade currently originates at the Slough campus, Equinix said. Aquis is currently awaiting regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority ahead of its launch.
John Knuff, general manager of Equinix Global Financial Services, said: "Nimble exchanges, such as Aquis, are reacting to the demands of the trading community by driving down access and infrastructure costs when they deploy inside strategic hubs where a rich community of market participants already exists."
S3 launches options exchange fee feed
Trading solutions provide S3 will provide a tool for clients to access up-to-date exchange fee data to enhance pre-trade routing decision and have an updated source for all option exchange fees.
The service will operate as part of S3's Router Analytics and Exchange Fee Management Suite, through which S3 will provide clients with a file that contains a list of underlying symbols and all possible pre-route scenarios for listed options on all eleven US exchanges. Common scenarios include adding liquidity, removing liquidity, client types and volume tier discounts.
"For a number of years now, clients have been telling us how difficult and expensive it is to keep up with the increasing number of options exchanges and the frequency of their fee changes," said S3 CEO Mark Davies.
Direct Edge launch disaster recovery facilities
US exchange operator Direct Edge has unveiled its disaster recovery facilities at the Equinix CH4 data centre in Chicago, which will be fully operational by 3 September.
Products and services of the EDGX and EDGA exchanges will be offered through CH4 in the event of a disruption that impacts Direct Edge's New Jersey-based data centre.
Since 1 May, Direct Edge has offered access to its New Jersey data centre from a Connect Edge point of presence at the Equinix data centre in Chicago, offering local Chicago firms the ability to cross-connect locally to Connect Edge's network for 18 market data feeds and nine exchanges.
BNP Paribas launches DNA for iPad
BNP Paribas Securities Services (BNPPSS) has launched its performance and risk management web-tool, DNA, on the iPad.
It says that a surge in demand from asset managers and institutional investors for online analysis and measurement tools has led to the development of the iPad version of DNA. With many more professionals now using high-tech tablets, the need for flexible and immediate information is become increasingly important.
The app enables advanced performance risk analysis, improved data management and the ability to zoom in on graphs and data points.
Diogo Malato Moura, responsible for risk and performance products at BNPPSS, said: "Existing and new clients are looking to opt directly for online risk and performance reporting, taking advantage of tablets. This trend is growing significantly and we anticipate 80% of asset managers active with institutional clients to replace paper reporting by delivery through online tablets by 2015."