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Trad-X, the interest rate swaps trading platform run by Tradition, has hit a record notional high for dollar IRS in June, with volumes exceeding USD 50 billion, and the number of trades executed surpassing 750 trades. The trades executed electronically accounted for 33% of all US dollar trades at Tradition.

Markit is developing a service that will manage the exercise processes and provide electronic legal trade confirmation for fx options. The post-trade service will also help participants reduce operational risk and become more efficient in their management of fx options trades.

Structures such as forward volatility agreements that capture lower volatility carry rolldown relative to outright short vol positions, but are protected from broad based moves in higher fx vols, are expected to gain traction in the continued low vol environment.

S&P Dow Jones Indices has launched a new commodities index-- the Dow Jones Commodity Index--to serve as an alternative to the DJ-UBS Commodity Index.

Overall credit default swaps notional that was reported to swap data repositories last week dropped by 17% from the previous week, according to data from the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Overall interest rates derivatives trading that was reported, however, remained relatively flat.

LCH-CME basis swaps, where one counterparty pays a fixed rate on a swap cleared on LCH.Clearnet’s SwapClear versus receiving a fixed rate on a swap cleared by CME Clearing, and vice versa, are to grow in frequency as dealers seek to balance exposure between one or more central counterparties, writes Beth Shah.

Overall credit default swaps notional that was reported to swap data repositories last week increased by 4% from the previous week, according to data from the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Overall interest rates derivatives trading that was reported, however, dropped by 12%.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has joined US-based futures exchange Eris Exchange to provide clearing services to clients globally.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has joined US-based futures exchange Eris Exchange to provide clearing services to clients globally.

Tullett Prebon has launched an aggregated feed of swap data repository data for the interest rate swaps market, in a bid to increase price transparency by combining standardised post-trade data with pre-trade bids and offers.

Volatility risk premium strategies, such as volatility and correlation swaps, are becoming increasingly popular as investors look for alternative strategies to the over-crowded carry trade in the current low volatility environment.

ING has begun offering so-called sprinters based on the NL20 index, a total return index that reflects the real performance of the 20 largest listed companies in the Netherlands.