Press

Eurex, the world's largest derivatives exchange, announced today that trading in single stock futures on the exchange has seen strong growth in its first three months. Trading volumes in January rose to approximately 287,000 contracts, compared to 61,932 contracts traded in December 2005 and 13,642 contracts traded in November 2005. At the end of January, open interest in the single stock futures was 328,000 contracts.

Furthermore, Eurex will list a new single stock future on Hypo Real Estate on February 20, following the company’s inclusion in the DAX index in December 2005. Eurex listed futures on all components of the European benchmark indices DJ Euro STOXX 50 and DAX, as well as 10 components of the SMI Index on October 24, 2005. The fee for trading is € 0.30 with caps at € 300 and € 600 for block trades. For the convenience of the clients the minimum block trade size for all single stock futures listed is just one contract.

Orderbook liquidity in single stock futures on Eurex is currently supported by four market makers who provide constant quotes, thereby facilitating price discovery. Due to strong interest in the product, Eurex will offer the designated market making program for single stock futures until December 2006.

Peter Reitz, member of the Eurex Executive Board, said: "Single stock futures are a good round off of Eurex’s product range and strengthen our position as the leading European Exchange for equity options. As Eurex is also the leading exchange for equity index futures and options, we are the largest market for transferring equity risk worldwide."

The introduction of single stock futures on Eurex has met increased market demand by professional traders for such products and expanded Eurex’s product portfolio and OTC offering.