CBOE Futures Exchange to Launch Security Futures Trading in Emerging Markets Volatility Index

CHICAGO, Jan. 6, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- CBOE Futures Exchange, LLC (CFE) announced today that it will launch trading in security futures on the CBOE Emerging Markets ETF Volatility Index (Index ticker: VXEEM; futures symbol: VXEM) on Monday, January 9, pending regulatory approval.

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The VXEEM Index reflects the implied volatility of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index exchange-traded fund (ETF) (ticker: EEM). EEM options were the eleventh most actively traded option at CBOE in 2011.

In addition to hedging emerging markets volatility exposure or making direct plays on emerging markets volatility, VXEM security futures – in conjunction with other volatility products – will allow market participants to trade cross-index or cross-asset volatility. 

Barclays Capital will be a Lead Market Maker for VXEM security futures.

"We are delighted that Barclays Capital has taken on a market-making role," said CFE Managing Director Jim Lubin. "Their expertise in volatility trading should help us create a deep and liquid market in VXEM futures. Further, we look forward to working with them to build out our suite of volatility offerings."

The VXEM security futures contract is the first of several sector-specific ETF and single-stock CBOE Volatility Index products that CFE plans to launch in 2012.

In addition to VXEM security futures, on December 22, 2011, CFE filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to list security futures on the following volatility indexes:

• VXAPL - CBOE Equity VIX on Apple (AAPL)
• VXAZN - CBOE Equity VIX on Amazon (AMZN)
• VXGS - CBOE Equity VIX on Goldman Sachs (GS)
• VXGOG - CBOE Equity VIX on Google (GOOG)
• VXIBM - CBOE Equity VIX on IBM (IBM)
• OVX - CBOE Crude Oil ETF Volatility Index (USO)
• VXFXI - CBOE China ETF Volatility Index (FXI)
• VXEWZ - CBOE Brazil ETF Volatility Index (EWZ)
• VXGDX - CBOE Gold Miners ETF Volatility Index (GDX)
• VXXLE - CBOE Energy Sector ETF Volatility Index (XLE)

Price history, charts and contract specifications for the VXEEM Index and VXEM security futures are available at www.cboe.com/VXEEM.

CBOE, known as the home of volatility indexes, currently publishes data on more than a two dozen different volatility-related benchmarks and strategies.

About CFE     

CFE currently offers five different contracts:  CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) futures, Mini VIX (VM) futures, CBOE Gold ETF Volatility Index (GVZ) security futures, CBOE S&P 500 3-Month Variance (VT) futures and Weekly Options on Mini VIX futures (VOW).   

CFE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBOE Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOE), offers an all-electronic, open-access market model, with traders providing liquidity and making markets. CFE is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and all trades are cleared by the OCC.  More information on CFE and its products, including contract specifications, can be found at: http://cfe.cboe.com/.  

CBOE-EF

CBOE®, Chicago Board Options Exchange®, CFE®, CBOE Volatility Index® and VIX® are registered trademarks, and CBOE Futures Exchange(SM), GVZ(SM), VOW(SM) and Weeklys(SM) are servicemarks of Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (CBOE).  Standard & Poor's®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC, and have been licensed for use by CBOE and CFE.  All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.  

SOURCE CBOE Futures Exchange, LLC