The London Stock Exchange’s plans to launch a rival to Liffe’s futures and options on the FTSE 100 index have been cautiously welcomed by market participants.
A spokesperson for the LSE’s derivatives exchange EDX London refused to comment on the proposed new contracts, but it is believed that the idea was discussed at a recent board meeting.
It is not clear whether LSE plans to offer futures and options on individual UK shares as well as index derivatives.
“It’s very interesting,” said Brian Daly, managing director at Morgan Stanley and a former Liffe floor manager with JP Morgan. “I’m sure [Xavier Rolet] realises they missed a trick by not buying Liffe a few years ago.”
In 2001, the LSE launched a £600m cash-and-shares bid for Liffe, which was ultimately rejected in favour of a £555m cash offer from France’s Euronext.
Euronext merged with...