Sebi Allows Options Trading in Commodities; Eggs Among 6 new products 

New Delhi: In a major push to deepen the commodity derivatives market, regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) allowed options trading on exchanges, while six new products including eggs have been added to the list of commodities on which derivative contracts can be launched and traded.

So far, only futures contracts are permitted in the commodity derivatives trading space. The decision to expand the list of notified commodities as also to allow options trading comes nearly a year after merger of erstwhile commodities market regulator FMC with Sebi.

The new items-- diamond, tea, eggs, cocoa, pig iron and brass -- have taken the total number of permitted commodities on the notified list to 91. Exchanges, investors and other market participants have been demanding options trading as also new products for a long time and they welcomed the move taken by the government and Sebi, which now regulates the commodities market as well.

So far, only futures contracts are permitted in the commodity derivatives trading space. The decision to expand the list of notified commodities as also to allow options trading comes nearly a year after merger of erstwhile commodities market regulator FMC with Sebi.

The aggregate turnover in agricultural commodities at all the three national exchanges - MCX, NCDEX and NMCE - was Rs 77,696 crore in June, while that of the non-agricultural commodities was at Rs 5.73 lakh crore, as per the latest available data.

The aggregate turnover in agricultural commodities at all the three national exchanges - MCX, NCDEX and NMCE - was Rs 77,696 crore in June, while that of the non-agricultural commodities was at Rs 5.73 lakh crore, as per the latest available data.

In consultation with Sebi and on suggestions of an expert committee headed by Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand, the government has notified a consolidated list of 91 commodities, up from 85 so far, on which a derivative contracts can be launched and traded on the exchanges.

The committee had suggested a total of eight additions to the list but only six have been included. These moves are considered to be conducive for the overall development of the market, attracting broad base participation, enhancing liquidity, facilitating hedging and bringing more depth to the market. The turnover of commodity exchanges stood at Rs 67 lakh crore in 2015-16, up 9 per cent from the preceding fiscal.

A Sebi official said the regulator has not yet decided on the number of commodities to be allowed for option trade and a decision in this regard will be taken soon. However, the sources said the regulator plans to allow option trade in one commodity each in agri and non-agri-basket initially. And it is looking at commodities such as gold, copper, castorseed and soyoil.

Welcoming the decision, NCDEX Managing Director Samir Shah said: "The exchange is fully prepared for the launch of options and has also invested in next generation trading technology, gearing towards providing unrivaled levels of performance. NCDEX awaits detailed guidelines from the regulator in this regard."

He further said that this historic step will go a long way in significantly deepening the commodities market. Options are also a much better hedging instrument as compared to futures for hedgers, he added.

MCX Managing Director and CEO Mrugank Paranjape said: "Introduction of options would deepen and transform the Indian commodity derivatives markets both in terms of products and participants. It will also complement the existing futures contracts and would make Indian commodity derivatives more vibrant and efficient.

In a circular, Sebi said: "It has been decided that commodity derivatives exchanges shall be permitted to introduce trading in Options. The move became effective from today."

Stating that opting trading will be a game changer for farmers, NCDEX's Shah said, It would help them to sell their produce in the derivatives market and thereby get the benefit of price protection in case the price falls below their cost of production and also derive the benefit of any rise in price.

It will provide for inclusive development of the market and encourage cost effective hedging for participants like farmers and SMEs, MCX's Paranjape said in a statement.

Sebi said commodity exchanges willing to start trading in options contracts would have to take prior approval of the regulator for which detailed guidelines will be issued in due course.

Among other in the list of 91 commodities are coffee, sugar, guar silk, carbon credit, diesel and petrol, wheat, cardamom, chillies, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, turmeric.

The decision was taken on the basis of recommendation made by Sebi's Commodity Derivatives Advisory Committee (CDAC). Earlier this year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget 2016-17 speech, had announced that new derivative products will be developed by Sebi in the commodity market.

Among other in the list of 91 commodities are coffee, sugar, guar silk, carbon credit, diesel and petrol, wheat, cardamom, chillies, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, turmeric.

Besides, some precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum are included in the list wherein derivative contracts can be launched and traded on the exchanges.

Sebi asked bourses to take steps to make necessary amendments to the relevant rules and regulations for their implementation.

Source: PTI