CBOE Lists Futures On Emerging-Markets Volatility

The Chicago Board Options Exchange on Monday launched futures tied to the volatility of emerging-market stocks, the latest move by the exchange to broaden offerings tied to its "fear" franchise.

The futures are linked to volatility in the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index exchange-traded fund (EEM). Similar to CBOE's Volatility Index, which uses options prices to gauge anticipated swings in the Standard & Poor's 500, CBOE's Emerging Markets ETF Volatility Index measures expected swings in the EEM.

Puts and calls in the EEM are the sixth-most heavily traded in the options market, Trade Alert data show. The ETF's largest holdings include Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (SSNHY, 005930.SE), China Mobile Ltd. (CHL, 0941.HK) and Gazprom OAO (OGZPY, GAZP.RS).

CBOE, the largest U.S. options and futures exchange by market share, is expected to list futures on 10 other existing sector and single-stock volatility indexes later this year.

CBOE said in a release that Barclays Capital will serve as lead market maker for its EEM volatility futures, which are listed with under the ticker "VXEM."

   -By Chris Dieterich, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2611; 
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