Brazilian Bonds Compete For Space On The e-platforms Of The Global Money Market

The global futures and options market grew by 312% from the turn of the century to early 2006 according to a study published by the Futures Industry Association (FIA). The most optimistic lecturers at the 2005 FIA expo and conference celebrating FIA’s 50th anniversary, which was held in Chicago in November 2005, took it a step further by asserting that the derivatives markets could double every three years.

FIA’s study ascribes this phenomenal growth to two factors: The impact of electronic trading platforms and the emergence of hedge funds as new and important market players. The advent of the Internet-based mini contract trading system contributed to the expansion of the derivatives customer base for both small-sized corporations and individual investors.