SGX And MSCI Barra Sign Agreement For SGX To Launch A Futures Contract On The MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) announced today that it has signed an agreement with MSCI Barra to list a futures contract based on the MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index, on SGX. The futures contract is targeted to be launched by end-June 2008 after public feedback and regulatory approval.

The MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index captures the performance of the 50 largest and most tradable stocks in the Asia ex-Japan region. It aims to serve as a tradable proxy for the broader MSCI AC Asia ex-Japan Index, one of the most widely followed benchmark indices used by institutions investing in Asia.

Mr Chew Sutat, Executive Vice President and Head of Development at SGX said, “We are pleased to create a futures contract based on the MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index. The SGX MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index futures will allow market participants convenient access and the ability to manage their exposure to Asian equity markets during the Asian time zone. This is an efficient tool for investors to tap into the fast growing Asian economies, without having to trade individually into multiple market contracts. This contract complements our existing suite of Asian products and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening SGX as the Asian Gateway for investment and risk management.”

“We are delighted to have licensed the MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index to SGX as the basis of a futures contract,” said Mr Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI Barra. “SGX’s selection of the MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index is further evidence of the popularity of MSCI indices, including as the basis of futures contracts.”