Trading in the first Russian five-year futures on the USD/RUB exchange rate launches on FORTS

On September 1, 2010 at 7.00 pm (at the start of the evening trading session) trading in the futures contract on the USD/RUB exchange rate with settlement on September 15, 2015 started on FORTS, the derivatives market of RTS. This instrument has become the Exchange contract with the longest settlement term among existing instruments on the Russian stock market.

This five-year instrument on the USD/RUB exchange rate was launched due to the numerous appeals of market participants who need long-term hedging of currency risks. Russian enterprises and companies engaged in dynamic foreign economic activities or who are subject to currency risks, will now gain the opportunity to plan their financial budget 5 years in advance with the launch of the instrument.

The new futures contract has Si-9.15 code in the trading system and it keeps all the advantages and characteristics of 3-month currency contracts in it’s specification. The price of its first market transaction on the contract amounted RUB37,950.

‘The experience of leading international financial centers demonstrates high demand  on long-term currency hedging instruments from the top companies and holdings globally. This trend has been particularly visible over the last two years when foreign currency market volatility was very high ’, comments Evgeny Serdyukov, Director of the Futures & Options Market at RTS Stock Exchange. 

Moreover the five-year futures on the USD/RUB exchange rate will interest long-term investors with savings, deposits, and loans denominated in US dollars. The use of this future will enable them to protect themselves and their investments from inflation in the USA.

FORTS currency section has the widest range of instruments in Russia. Currently there are 3 futures contracts on the USD/RUB, EUR/USD and EUR/RUB exchange rates as well as 2 options contracts on the USD/RUB, EUR/USD exchange rates. According to the Futures Industry Association RTS futures contract on the USD/RUB exchange rate has entered the TOP-10 of the most liquid instruments with currency as underlying asset in the world.

FORTS, the derivatives market of RTS, is the leading trading venue for futures and options in Russia. Trading on FORTS started in September 2001. According to the Futures Industry Association the derivatives market of RTS is among the TOP-10 global derivatives exchanges based on the results of 2009. At present FORTS has the widest range of instruments in Russia. These are 46 contracts (33 futures and 13 options) on RTS Index,  shares of Russian companies,  short term interest rates, currency, oil,  gold, silver, and sugar.

For further information, please contact the RTS Public Relations Department at +7(495)705-9031.