Currently Euronext.liffe's 115 Universal Stock Futures are cash settled. In response to international customer demand Euronext.liffe will be launching four physically delivered contracts on Nokia OYJ, Danske Bank A/S, Novo Nordisk A/S and Norsk Hydro ASA from 21 November 2002. The cash settled futures on each of the four stocks will be phased out at the same time. Simon Raybould, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing at Euronext.liffe, said: "Euronext.liffe is the leading market in Universal Stock Futures. New physically delivered Universal Stock futures complement our range of 115 cash settled contracts. Physical delivery adds flexibility to an already successful contract and meets our customers' needs in developing particular areas of their business. These new contracts will help strengthen our position in this sector."
Universal Stock Futures allow cross-border investment in a range of blue-chip stocks through a single trading platform, a single clearing and settlement system under a single regulatory regime, and without the need to buy or sell the underlying shares.
Since Euronext.liffe launched its first 25 Universal Stock Futures in January 2001, more that 5.5 million contracts have traded, with a notional underlying value of €26 billion (£17 billion).
