DFM announces launch of new equity derivatives platform

Dubai Financial Market (DFM) on Tuesday announced that it has reached the final stages of preparations to launch an equity derivatives platform (DFM Derivatives Platform), in cooperation with Dubai Clear and Nasdaq Dubai as well as leading brokerage firms, enabling investors to diversify and hedge their portfolios and access leverage.

The platform will be launched in October 2020, introducing equity futures contracts on single stocks with tenure of 1, 2 and 3 months. The inaugural contracts will include five of the most liquid equities listed on DFM namely: Emaar Properties, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD (ENBD), Emaar Development and Emaar Malls.

A futures contract is an agreement between two sides to buy or sell at a specific price on future date. Each DFM contract will be based on 100 underlying shares. The platform will be further enriched in due course with a range of derivatives products including index-based futures contracts.

Essa Kazim, Chairman of DFM, said, “As part of DFM’s constant efforts to diversify its product offerings, we are leveraging the vast experience and capabilities of DFM Group’s members including; DFM, Dubai Clear and Nasdaq Dubai, to launch a comprehensive derivatives platform as a key milestone in DFM’s momentous journey. The platform will play an essential role in broadening and deepening the market, adding new impetus to Dubai’s leading position a dynamic capital markets hub.”

Hassan Al Serkal, Chief Executive Officer of DFM, said, “DFM’s diverse investor base represents 207 nationalities and the derivatives platform will enable them to diversify their portfolios, manage risk and gain from the leverage. We have developed a robust regulatory framework in line with international best practices that creates a favorable environment for active participation from investors and licensed brokers in futures trading and market making, noting that leading brokerage firms have shown enthusiasm to join the platform as ‘Launch Partners’.”

Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Deputy CEO of DFM, said, “Nasdaq Dubai’s derivatives market has achieved success and continuous development over the past years since its launch in September 2016 through the introduction of UAE-single stock and index-based contracts as well as Saudi single stock and index contracts. This growth is a testament to the strong demand from investors in the UAE and beyond for futures and we are confident that this asset class is poised to gain further momentum with the launch of the new DFM platform offering market participants new investment tools and opportunities.”

DFM equity futures will be seamlessly cleared on the CCP of DFM’s subsidiary, Dubai Clear, using Nasdaq Dubai Operational and IT infrastructure.

Maryam Fekri, CEO of Dubai Central Clearing & Depository Holding, said, “As the region’s first fully operational independent central counterparty, CCP, company for equity clearing, Dubai Clear is pleased to take part in this significant initiative and support DFM’s derivatives strategy by providing world-class clearing solutions. The introduction of a CCP ensures efficient use of collateral by Clearing Members to optimise market liquidity in an efficient and safe manner in accordance with international best practices.”

WAM