Moscow Exchange launches weekly options on USD/RUB futures contracts

On 14 September 2017, Moscow Exchange will launch trading in weekly options on the USD/RUB futures contracts. The new instrument will complement MOEX`s monthly and quarterly options offering.

The contracts will become available for trading two weeks prior to their expiration. They will expire every Thursday starting on 28 September 2017. A weekly option series will not be added if its expiration date coincides with the expiration date of the monthly or quarterly series. 

The strike step will be 250 pts. Strikes can range ± 10% of the ATM strike.

Kirill Pestov, Head of Moscow Exchange's Derivatives Market, said:

"Options are one of the most popular instruments for hedging risks and active trading. The steady growth of trading volumes and open interest demonstrate their relevance in this regard. Options turnover has increased by a third to RUB 4.5 trillion year-to-date."  

In January 2017, the Exchange offered the first weekly option series on one of the most liquid instruments on MOEX – RTS Index futures. The trading volume was RUB 110 bln for the first 8 months of 2017.

Currently, Moscow Exchange`s derivatives offerings include futures contracts on indices (the MICEX Index, the RTS Index and the RVI Index), weekly options on the RTS Index futures; futures on currency pairs (including USD/RUB), commodities (Brent oil and precious metals), Russian shares, Russian Federation government bonds (OFZ) and interest rates, as well as monthly and quarterly options on most futures.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Department at (495) 363-3232.