SEBI prohibits mini F&O contracts on bourses

21 Nov 2012 Evaluate

To distance away retail investors from derivative segment, the capital market watchdog, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Nov 20 banned trading in futures & options (F&O) contracts on two premier indices which came with a minimum contract size of Rs 1 lakh , popularly known as ‘mini-derivatives contracts’. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) had mini contracts for its key benchmark index, the ‘S&P CNX Nifty’. Similarly, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) had applied to SEBI for re-launching mini contracts for ‘Sensex’.

The lot size for mini contracts is half of those for regular index contracts and retail investors, who wanted to trade derivatives, were able to take advantage at half the cost. SEBI, back in 2007, approved introduction of mini derivatives.

Further, as per SEBI, bourses will not be permitted to issue any fresh mini-derivatives contracts of this size, while the existing unexpired contracts ‘may be permitted’ to trade till expiry and new strikes may also be introduced in the existing contract month.

As per the order, NSE will have to discontinue its product after its three-month contract of the Mini Nifty expires in December. However, the third exchange, the new MCX-SX, will not be affected, as its thrust will be mainly on delivery-based trading, rather than derivatives.

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