Derivs - Equity

A rally in US equities has led to the largest build-up in short VIX futures positions among hedge funds in at least a year, according to data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

US bank reporting season is over; the Europeans have yet to start. Just how bad was Q1 really?

Société Générale has appointed Yann Garnier as head of global markets for Asia Pacific, replacing Frank Drouet who recently took on the role of head of global markets.

The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) is moving forward with plans to broaden its China offering with equity futures for mainland companies. Meanwhile, Bank of China Hong Kong (BoCHK) has received approval to open a branch in Brunei, the first for a Chinese bank.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Office of the Chief Economist has been accused of blocking studies on politically inconvenient topics.

US investors have crowded into bets on higher volatility, just as stocks have begun to recover.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) used its 31st annual general meeting in Tokyo this week to publish the first in a series of documents to help market participants comply with margin requirements for non-cleared derivatives. It also joined other industry bodies in a clarion call for global regulators to drop dual-sided derivatives trade reporting in favour of an entity-based approach.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association and other industry bodies have called on global regulators to drop dual-sided derivatives trade reporting and instead accept an entity-based approach.

Relentless focus on political risks in the UK and US has prompted some overwrought analysis of option volatility curves.

Nomura plans to close most of its equity operations in Europe, shutting down origination, research, sales and equity derivatives, though it will keep a sales force focused on bringing Asian products to European clients.

Market participants and their lawyers were this week studying the US Department of Labor’s lengthy new fiduciary rules for retirement accounts, as the industry worries about a big shift in the way it can offer financial products to the country’s savers. One derivatives-related area on which officials appear to have taken advice is their previous plan to limit the ability of investors to hold listed options.

Market participants and their lawyers were still poring over the US Department of Labor’s mammoth ream of fiduciary rules on Wednesday evening following its publication that day, but one derivatives-related area on which officials appear to have taken advice is their previous plan to limit the ability of investors to hold listed options in their retirement accounts.