SGX derivatives and commodities pick up activity in April

But securities had mixed monthly results.

In a release, Singapore Exchange (SGX) reported growth in derivatives and commodities trading in April. Meanwhile, securities turnover and over-the-counter (OTC) commodities clearing volume fell month-on-month but rose from a year earlier.

For the securities market, turnover totalled S$30.5 million, down 3% from March but up 30% from a year earlier. Securities daily average value was down 12% from March at S$1.4 billion, and 18% higher from a year earlier. Turnover of Singapore dollar-based Mainboard shares totalled S$27.3 million, up 2% from March and 29% higher from a year earlier. Bond fund-raising totaled S$26.5 billion, up 53% from a year earlier. The biggest issue was Softbank Corp’s US$2.485 billion seven-year notes.

In derivatives, total futures and options volume was a record 9.8 million contracts, up 2% month on month and 55% higher year on year. Daily average volume was 482,694 contracts, up 2% month on month and up 50% year on year. A new one-day high for open interest of 3.3 million contracts was achieved on 25 April. China A50 futures volume fell 25% month on month to 1.5 million contracts but more than doubled year on year. Nikkei futures volume was 4.0 million contracts, up 10% month on month and 63% higher year on year. Nikkei options volume was 938,720 contracts, up 24% month on month. Volume almost quadrupled year on year. SICOM rubber futures volume grew 10% month on month to 26,991 contracts and was 91% higher year on year.

Finally in the OTC Clearing segment, volume of OTC commodities cleared fell 14% from March to 37,202 contracts, but more than doubled from a year earlier. Volume of iron ore swaps cleared slid 12% from March to 32,686 contracts but more than quadrupled from a year earlier. Volume of new OTC financial derivatives cleared rose 80% from March to S$7.0 billion, but fell 38% from a year earlier.