CME Group, B3 launch more gold futures contracts

CME Group’s COMEX is set to launch on Sunday one ounce gold, E-Mini gold, micro copper and micro silver Trade-at-Settlement (TAS) futures contracts, according to FOW Data.

The US group's main gold futures contract, which has a unit size of 100 troy ounces, traded in June 4.1 million lots, which was up 17.4% on the same month last year.

Separately, Sao Paulo based B3 launched on Monday cash-settled gold futures and options contracts, marking the Brazilian group’s first foray into precious metals.

The gold price per ounce is currently $3,370 (£2,500) which is only just below the precious metal’s all-time high of $3,500 in late April.

Also on Monday, CME Group made available futures on two FTSE CoreCommodity indices and four foreign exchange options.

US-based Nodal Exchange launched on Monday a raft of US power futures and Australia’s ASX unveiled four electricity futures. Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange plans to start on Tuesday trading propylene futures and options contract, according to FOW Data.

Taiwan Futures Exchange is putting out this week single stock futures and options contracts, the main US options venues are launching on Monday single stock options and Frankfurt’s Eurex launched, also on Monday, a bunch of single stock options on some of the largest European listed names.

This feels like a busy week for new contracts as the industry approaches the end of July and the usual slowdown of activity in August.

The National Stock Exchange of India set up last week a head-to-head competition with its cross-town rival after launching on Monday last week the NSE’s first power futures contract.