Swedish bonds and bond futures get go-ahead in the US

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given US approval for Swedish government bonds, bond futures and bond options. This means that US investors will be able to trade Swedish Government bonds and bond futures without restrictions. Since its launch of a bond futures market in September last year, OM, the exchange operator and supplier of trading technology, has offered trading in a 2-year and 10-year Swedish government bond future. Trading has developed well since market launch with an average daily volume of 7,969 contracts, equivalent to an underlying value of SEK 8.0 bn per day (approx. USD 1 bn per day). "I am confident that the US approval will further boost volumes in the market. Up until now the Swedish fixed income market has been closed to US investors. Now we will be able to capitalize on the US interest shown in trading Swedish bond futures. With a US approval our aim is set high: we hope to be able to develop one of Europe's most liquid bond futures contracts", says Simon Nathanson, President of the OM Fixed Income Exchange. OM operates equity and fixed income exchanges in London and Stockholm and also develops technology which increases the efficiency of financial and commodities markets throughout the world. The parent company, OM Gruppen, is listed on the OM Stockholm Exchange.