Pitching to the public

Many derivatives exchanges are saying that retail is going to be a strong source of volume growth. John Ferry looks at what exchanges are doing to attract ‘mom and pop’ investors

Derivatives exchanges are trying harder than ever to get private investors to buy their products. The advent of online trading, the expanding private client market and increasing sophistication of retail investors has opened up a new customer base. The challenge for the exchanges is to secure and retain this business, and some are doing better than others.

David Aston, manager and head of retail marketing at brokers Man in London, says that in the past year he has seen a 100% increase in