LIFFE Announces Major Private Investor Programme - Working With Leading Brokers To Boost Retail Futures And Options Trading In The UK - Dedicated Private Investor Website

Today, the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE) announces a major new programme involving seven leading brokers as part of LIFFE's ongoing commitment to boost private investor access to equity futures and options.

The growth of LIFFE's equity-based products has been dramatic, with a 50% increase in volumes for the year-to-date. In August of this year the Exchange traded a daily average in excess of 130,000 of these contracts - including equity options, Universal Stock Futures and Index Futures contracts. This Programme is designed to make these products more easily available to private investors.

LIFFE's seven Designated Brokers will work closely with the Exchange to improve access to these products. The seven brokers who have signed up to LIFFE's new programme are:

• BWD Rensburg
• Easy2Trade
• GNI Ltd
• Man Direct
• Monument Derivatives Ltd
• Options Direct Ltd
• Sucden (UK) Ltd

Karen Dixon, LIFFE's Marketing Director said, "Private investor involvement in stock markets has grown dramatically in recent years and the private investor has become increasingly sophisticated. At the same time, LIFFE has increased its range of products with the private investor very much in mind. Individual equity options and Universal Stock Futures are gaining popularity amongst investors seeking opportunities to protect their portfolios, speculate in the market and generate income.

To improve access to these products we are working with seven designated brokers who are committed to developing the private investor market and have particular knowledge and expertise in LIFFE's equity products."

LIFFE will formally announce the introduction of the programme on Friday 28 September to coincide with its attendance at Index - the UK's largest private investor event at Olympia. Up to 10,000 active private investors are expected to attend the two-day event.