IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of global markets and clearing houses, announced today it will introduce two new Russell Index futures contracts. The contracts will be based on the Russell 2000® Growth and Russell 2000® Value Indexes and will begin trading on April 22, 2013, subject to regulatory review.
“These contracts provide additional tools for institutional customers, including equitizing cash balances, hedging style exposures and implementing overlay strategies,” said Patrick Fay, director of listed derivatives at Russell Indexes. “We are extremely pleased that the ICE is expanding its offering of Russell Index-based futures contracts.”
“The Growth and Value style indexes offer an expanded range of futures products tied to the Russell 2000®, the widely recognized U.S. small cap equity benchmark,” said ICE SVP and Chief Strategic Officer David Goone. “We are listing these contracts based on feedback from our institutional customers and believe they will be viable complements to their index trading programs.”
Additionally, beginning on trade date April 22, all of ICE’s Russell contracts will be eligible for Trade at the Index Close (TIC) trading. The TIC order type allows market participants to place bids or offers during the course of the day at a price differential to the closing price of the underlying stock index. TIC Trading FAQ
Russell Indexes is a pioneer and leader in global indexes and is the index-of-choice for professional investors, with 99% of all small cap U.S. institutional assets benchmarked to Russell Indexes. Nine of the top ten institutional benchmarks for the U.S. market are Russell Indexes and more than 97% of U.S. institutional “style” assets are linked to the Russell Indexes. Approximately $3.9 trillion in assets are benchmarked to the Russell Indexes.
The contracts will be listed by ICE Futures U.S. and cleared at ICE Clear U.S. Exchange Notice
ICE Futures U.S. is the exclusive trading venue for futures and futures options based on Russell U.S. equity indexes.