Johannesburg launches currency futures

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has launched the first in a series of currency futures contracts. The rand/US dollar futures started trading yesterday on Yield-X, JSE's interest rate exchange.

The exchange said it plans to add euro/rand and sterling/rand futures, with a minimum size of 1,000 of the underlying currency. Contracts will be cash-settled in rand, and will be available in three-month, six-month and nine-month tenors. The exchange said it would also make options on futures available. Market makers for the futures contracts are Investec and Standard Bank.

Though the rand itself is still subject to some exchange controls, the currency futures allow individuals and foreigners to invest without limit in foreign exchange movements; other investors such as trusts and investment funds will need approval from the government.

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here