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How to bring APAC’s equity options markets to life

Part of series:

In a series of articles, we’re exploring the development of single-stock options markets across the APAC region. Our aim is to highlight the many uses of the products as well as factors that may be acting as barriers to growth.

Observers of capital markets have long been puzzled by a curious feature particular to the Asia Pacific region. While exchange-listed equity options, also known as single-stock options (SSOs), are a major hit with investors in regions like US and Europe, notably little of this enthusiasm exists in some of APAC’s most established capital markets.

It has nothing to do with the vibrancy of their respective stock markets. Korea, mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan all have active, widely followed equity markets, with billions of dollars’ worth of shares changing hands every day. And there’s little to suggest that local investors lack appetite for derivatives products. Liquid index options markets generally exist in each of these places, SSOs are traded in various OTC markets, and equity warrants and products such as CFDs are also popular alternatives in some parts of the region.

We’ve identified a handful of significant but surmountable obstacles to wider adoption of listed SSOs in APAC. While common themes emerge – such as market structure features in need of updating – there’s no silver bullet. In Korea for instance, the market would benefit from more robust Corporate Action rules. In Japan, tax reforms for local investors would help stimulate adoption of SSOs.

Single-stock options play a vital role in healthy capital markets. They allow investors not only to hedge exposure to underlying stocks, but to generate income from strategies such as call overwriting.

Other market participants stand to benefit too. Exchanges can gain from the introduction of new products that also complement their existing suites. And an active single-stock options market builds overall resilience by adding liquidity in derivatives and related cash equities.

Global SSOs - significant growth in many markets

In light of the outsized benefits that boosting these markets would bring, we are devoting a series of articles to exploring the situation. With our experience developing new options products globally, we bring a real-world perspective to our analysis – and we challenge market participants to help us grow these markets. Our next article will focus on the diverse uses and benefits of SSOs. To make sure you receive these updates, click the button below to sign up to our Insights newsletter.

Methodologies:
SSOs ADTV calculated as stock price x contract size (multiplier) x no. of contracts.
Stock price = average stock price over the year
FX rate = end of year rate (to convert from local currency into USD)

To discuss this paper – or any other market structure topic – reach out to the Optiver APAC Corporate Strategy team at [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: Each of Optiver Australia Pty Limited ABN 54 077 364 366 AFSL 244145, Optiver Trading Hong Kong Limited APO583, Optiver Taiwan Futures Co., Ltd F034, Optiver Singapore Trading Pte Ltd UEN  202107169R and Optiver (Shanghai) Trading Company Limited (individually and collectively, “Optiver”) is a proprietary trading firm and trades exclusively for the benefit of its own account or its’ affiliates. This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and must not be relied upon when making any investment decisions. This communication does not consider the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular counterparty. All investments involve risk and no portion of this document should be interpreted as legal, financial, tax, or accounting advice, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation to buy or sell any future, option, swap, or other derivative or financial instrument. Entering into transactions with Optiver does not create or represent a customer relationship for either party. As such, none of the regulatory provisions regarding customers will apply to the transactions Optiver enters into with you. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided herein. The sources for the information and any opinions in this communication are believed to be reliable, but Optiver does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of such information or opinions.

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    Equity options: Who uses them and why?

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