Regular Govt bond issues must for ‘interest futures’ market liquidity
22 Jan 2014 12:59 AM GMT
'The success of the derivatives market is dependent on the underlying market, which has to be liquid. There have to be reforms in the underlying market as well. There should be regular issuance of government bonds across maturities to make the underlying market of interest rate futures more liquid,' Sebi chairman U K Sinha said. Sinha was speaking at the launch of interest rate futures (IRFs) on the National Stock Exchange.
He refused to take a question on media reports which said that he got a two-year extension. Sinha said almost 34 per cent of the public bonds issued by government were held by the banking system. Unless they participate, any produce has little chance to succeed, he said, adding that the three earlier attempts in last 11 years to launch these products failed.
Sinha said the regulator is also looking into how to provide more liquidity, specially in repo market and the linkage between the currency interest derivatives market.
He pointed out that some of the measures the regulator has taken in last fiscal, which led to lower volumes in the currency derivatives market, will also be looked into. 'Going forward, I would also hope the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India and exchanges together look at what is needed for development of corporate bond market,' Sinha said.
On Tuesday, NSE has now become the second exchange to launch the IRF, after the privately-promoted MCX did it on Monday. The oldest bourse BSE will launch the same on 28 January.
Commenting on the IRF launch, Sinha said, 'We see good future for interest rate futures as FIIs, bank insurance companies and mutual funds will participate.'
IRF is a simple and good product. We have given two options of single bond and basket of 10-year bonds. All key exchanges have gone for option of single bonds, which we expect to succeed, Sinha said.
NSE chief Chitra Ramkrishna said, 'This product has been designed with feedback that regulators have been receiving from all of you, (addressing market participants) after collaborating and taking inputs from the market. It has been a hugely consultative process and we believe this will be a product every one of you will be able to make use of from day one.'
He refused to take a question on media reports which said that he got a two-year extension. Sinha said almost 34 per cent of the public bonds issued by government were held by the banking system. Unless they participate, any produce has little chance to succeed, he said, adding that the three earlier attempts in last 11 years to launch these products failed.
Sinha said the regulator is also looking into how to provide more liquidity, specially in repo market and the linkage between the currency interest derivatives market.
He pointed out that some of the measures the regulator has taken in last fiscal, which led to lower volumes in the currency derivatives market, will also be looked into. 'Going forward, I would also hope the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India and exchanges together look at what is needed for development of corporate bond market,' Sinha said.
On Tuesday, NSE has now become the second exchange to launch the IRF, after the privately-promoted MCX did it on Monday. The oldest bourse BSE will launch the same on 28 January.
Commenting on the IRF launch, Sinha said, 'We see good future for interest rate futures as FIIs, bank insurance companies and mutual funds will participate.'
IRF is a simple and good product. We have given two options of single bond and basket of 10-year bonds. All key exchanges have gone for option of single bonds, which we expect to succeed, Sinha said.
NSE chief Chitra Ramkrishna said, 'This product has been designed with feedback that regulators have been receiving from all of you, (addressing market participants) after collaborating and taking inputs from the market. It has been a hugely consultative process and we believe this will be a product every one of you will be able to make use of from day one.'
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