Asset Classes

Derivatives markets in Japan are continuing to grow thanks to the introduction of central clearing, exchange mergers, increased use of high-frequency trading, and steady growth of foreign exchange transaction volumes.

Almost a third of the industry believes the greatest increase in electronic trading investment over the next 12 months will be in equities above any other asset class, the latest The Trade Poll has found.

Market participants have embraced a new set of guidelines on exchange-traded funds published by European watchdog the European Securities and Markets Authority this month, lauding the potential to improve transparency in the instruments.

The strongest contenders in the nascent swap execution facility market will offer trading across multiple asset classes or deep liquidity in established niches, according to capital markets consultancy GreySpark Partners. 

Citi has appointed David Silber as head of flow equity derivatives sales and Peter Lambrakis as head of equity derivatives trading.

The Australian Securities Exchange and the Singapore Exchange have established a new connectivity arrangement following the failure of their attempted merger last year.

MarketAxess has added new functionality to its electronic bond trading platform, which now lets users better manage market impact and source liquidity in the credit markets more effectively.

NYSE Liffe US, the futures exchanges operated by NYSE Euronext, last week traded US$100 billion worth of futures based on a new index it claims could be a strong alternative for LIBOR.

Traditionally an afterthought for buy-side traders, FX trading is starting to become more front of mind, evidenced by greater innovation and evolution of trading tools designed specifically for the asset class.

Deutsche Bank has overhauled its Autobahn FX trading platform, which it says will give buy-side customers more control over their currency trades.