Arab News, Monday, Aug 31, 2020 | Muharram 12, 1442
Saudi bourse Tadawul officially launches derivatives market
Saudi Arabia: The
Saudi Stock Exchange (TADAWUL) launched the kingdom’s first exchange-traded
derivatives market and clearing house on Sunday, as part of its strategy to make
its equity markets more attractive to foreign investors.
Using Nasdaq technology, the Saudi Futures 30 (SF30) Index Futures Contract is
based on the MSCI Tadawul 30 (MT30), the first exchange-traded derivatives
product.
“This is a significant step in introducing sophisticated market products and
creating a trading environment that is attractive to local as well as
international investors,” said Tadawul CEO Khalid Alhussan.
In a separate statement it said Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia has become a member
of Tadawul with the right to conduct brokerage services for derivatives trading
and to deal as a principal and as an agent for the new market launch.
Saudi authorities have introduced a raft of reforms to attract overseas share
buyers and issuers as part of efforts to lure foreign capital and diversify the
oil-dependent economy.
In 2019, the Saudi market joined the FTSE Emerging All Cap Index and the MSCI
Emerging Markets Index, triggering more foreign fund inflows.
In July, Tadawul officials said the bourse plans to launch other
derivatives-related products, such as options, and complete the whole system by
around the end of 2021 or the start of 2022.