OREANDA-NEWS. July 02, 2012. The derivatives arm of Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS will start trading in options on the EUR/RUB FX futures contract. In accordance with the contract specifications a contract size equals one futures with a value of EUR1,000. The options will be launched with a strike price tick of RUB500 and expiration in March, June, September and December.  The instrument will be the third FX options on FORTS joining the USD/RUB FX and EUR/USD FX options.

Hedging instruments attract more interest during the periods of high market volatility.  Trading members increasingly prefer using options along with futures to hedge their positions that is confirmed by a consistent growth of open interest volume on the options on USD/RUB FX futures contract.  On June 13, 2012 the open interest on this instrument reached a record high of USD349.5 million or 363,236 contracts.

"We expect that the options will be mainly used by hedgers and companies producing structured products based on currency instruments that for obvious reasons have been in demand on the market recently.  These market participants had the numerous appeals to implement the instrument", said Sergey Kalinin, Head of Derivatives Market Organization and Development at Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS.