CBOE gains exclusivity for MSCI options

摘要

CBOE has entered into a licensing agreement with MSCI that will afford the derivatives bourse operator the exclusive right to list options contracts linked to the index provider's broad range of global benchmarks. Subject to regulatory approvals, the exchange plans to offer its first products in early 2015 and will initially begin trading products linked to two of MSCI's best-know indices, the Emerging Markets index (EEM), and its Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) benchmarks. MSCI indices have become extremely popular, with more than US$9.5trn of assets benchmarked to them as investors seek more international equity exposures. It is not the first time that investors have had the opportunity to trade options products linked to MSCI indices. Nasdaq's Philadelphia exchange listed options linked to EEM and EAFE, but the products failed to gain traction. CBOE, however, has received extensive incoming requests for access to such products and will be the sole provider of contracts linked to the indices when they go live next year.