Press

Eurex, the world’s largest derivatives exchange announced today that it will expand its product portfolio to include futures on selected individual equities from October 24, 2005. Eurex will initially list individual futures on all components of the European benchmark indices DJ Euro STOXX 50 and DAX, as well as 10 components of the SMI Index. With the launch of this new product suite, Eurex is meeting the increased market demand by professional traders for such products and expanding its OTC offering.

“With the addition of individual equity futures Eurex is rounding out its portfolio of equity derivatives,” said Rudolf Ferscha, CEO of Eurex. “We are already the leading European exchange for equity options trading and with these new products we will offer a one stop shop with equity options and futures under one roof. This market niche will offer professional OTC customers further opportunities for non-traditional yield enhancement.”

Recent changes in the regulatory framework with the implementation of the EU directive UCITS III (Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities) have facilitated investment in derivatives by fund management companies. This in turn has increased market demand for derivatives. Futures on individual equities offer fund management companies attractive opportunities to invest in cash-settled derivatives.