FOW DERIVATIVES WORLD ASIA is returning to Hong Kong on 11-12 April for the next edition of the region’s largest derivatives conference. Join over 650 delegates to hear the latest thinking on the Chinese and Asian derivatives markets. You will have an exclusive opportunity to network with key industry figures in the Asian and global derivatives trading community.
Chinese-English simultaneous translation will be provided throughout the event.
DAY 1: ASIA DAY
9:30 Welcome address
9:40 Keynote speech
10:00 The new normal? Trading global markets in an age of protectionism
The UK’s vote to leave the EU and the election of Donald Trump in the US sent shockwaves through global financial markets. With elections in France and Germany on the horizon and heightened political tensions across much of the world, markets are set to be equally unpredictable in 2017. This panel will look at what impact protectionism and fragmentation is likely to have on global markets and how investors can adapt to the new normal.
– What impact will the rise of protectionism have on Asian markets?
– What challenges and opportunities does the current situation pose?
– What will be the impact on global regulatory reform?
10:50 Coffee break
11:15 Low latency trading: growing local participation
Low latency or high-frequency trading is increasingly recognized as a key component of a modern market. The number of international firms setting up operations in Asia is on the rise once again after a few years of contraction but the emergence of local HFT remains muted. This should change as the costs of entry to all but the lowest latencies are falling.
– How are regional exchanges looking to work with international market makers?
– What is behind the re-emergence of international low latency firms in Asia?
– How can Asian trading firms grow their low latency businesses?
12:00 Technology update
12:10 Currency derivatives: managing risk in an age of volatility and reform
Global volatility has been felt acutely in the FX markets and come at a time of change in how FX is traded. FX is the biggest asset class in the world but futures markets have been slow to capitalise on the opportunities offered. Despite a number of launches, volumes in currency futures on Asian exchanges excluding India are lower today than in 2011. But the changing regulatory environment is providing an opportunity and exchanges are looking to build FX suites and become trading hubs.
– How has recent volatility impacted trading firms and end users?
– How will NDF clearing and other OTC initiatives change the landscape?
– What is the latest on the growth of onshore and offshore RMB futures?
12:55 Lunch
13:45 Commodities: embracing volatility and the return of the super cycle?
The slowdown in Chinese economic growth hit commodity prices across the globe. But now with a Trump presidency and global governments embracing infrastructure investment prices are on the rise again. What is certain is that 2017 and beyond looks set to be a volatile time for commodity prices. This panel will look at the outlook for commodities and ask if Asia has the tools to deal with the upcoming market conditions.
– What impact will the Trump era have on commodity prices?
– What new products are Asia exchanges bringing to the market?
– How can traders capitalise on the upcoming volatility?
14:30 Technology update
14:40 ETFs: growing liquidity in Asian markets
ETFs are big business in the US but elsewhere take-up has been slower. This is now changing as investors seek to gain lower cost exposure to global trends. Regional competition is hotting up as exchanges vie to build regional hubs for ETF trading. But do ETFs compete with or complement futures markets and how can futures brokers convert interest in leveraged or inverse ETFs into futures business?
– What is behind the recent growth of ETFs?
– What is behind the dominance of Japan, can regional exchanges compete?
– How can futures firms capitalise on the growth of ETFs?
15:25 Coffee break
15:45 Asset management: evolving to deal with new challenges
The rise of passive investment is just one item on the list of challenges facing traditional asset management businesses today. Higher costs and lower liquidity is also changing the business model at a time when the global regulatory reform is impacting operations in Asia and creating unique challenges in futures trading and settlement.
– What challenges are asset managers in Asia facing in their business today?
– What operational challenges are global reforms posing asset managers?
– How are execution techniques changing among asset managers?
16:30 New bilateral margining rules and their impact on the listed markets
Global rules increasing the initial and variation margin requirements on bilateral non-cleared trades are coming into force and look set to have an unprecedented impact on how firms trade in the OTC markets. More and more products will move into a cleared environment as a result of the rules but there are also likely to be implications for the listed market with once OTC contracts coming on screen.
– How are the new rules impacting banks and their clients?
– How are clearinghouses accommodating the changing market?
– What will be the long term implications for the listed markets?
17:15 Drinks reception
19:30 Gala Dinner
DAY 2: CHINA DAY
9:15 Welcome address
9:20 Keynote address
9:45 The Chinese FCM view: challenges and opportunities
Our regular panel brings together senior figures from market leading Chinese FCMs to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Chinese market today. The panel covers new contract launches, what is the latest from the Chinese commodity markets and emerging trends in the market and a view on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
– What are the key trends in the Chinese market today?
– What new contract launches are FCMs anticipating?
– What are the challenges and opportunities in the market today?
10:35 Coffee break
11:00 Cross border asset management and the growth of the Chinese market
The new WFOE Private Fund Management programme has been hailed as a breakthrough for international fund managers looking to access China. But there have been many false dawns in terms of international access and firms looking to trade in China still face high barriers to entry. This panel will look at the unfolding of the new rules and what they mean for international asset managers as well as the development of the local market.
– What do the new rules mean for international funds?
– What are the implications for cross border fund management?
– How is the fund-of-fund market growing in China?
11:50 Opportunities and challenges for Chinese investors in the international markets
The internationalisation of Chinese markets is slowly growing and outbound trading is on the rise as Chinese investors seek to capitalise on the challenges of investing in overseas markets. However, challenges remain both in terms of access and connectivity and in clearing, post-trade and regulatory compliance.
– Implications of accessing global markets for Chinese firms
– How do clearing and trading reforms impact Chinese investors?
– What products can Chinese investors benefit from?
12:40 Lunch
14:00 Mainland linkage: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect and beyond
The second link between the mainland and Hong Kong was launched in December 2016. This innovation brings new opportunities for traders both in and out of China and could be expanded into other asset classes and geographies. This panel will analyse the early months of the new link and ask what’s next for the programme including commodity link and ETF link.
– What activity has there been since launch of the Shenzhen link?
– How does the link complement Shanghai Connect?
– What does the market want next from the Connect programme?
14:50 New hedging products in China: innovation and growth
The pace of sophistication of hedging instruments in China is accelerating with new asset classes and products coming to market. For the second time there are plans to launch a CDS market but this time official backing seems to be behind the launch. At the same time, new commodity products are being launched to provide hedging tools for end users.
– What is the latest on the CDS launch in China?
– What new products are coming up in China?
– What will be the opportunities for international firms?
15:40 End of conference
Full details and booking: http://www.fow.com/events/fow-derivatives-world-asia/agenda.html
