Global political turmoil driving bond trading
15 May 2017 London
Image: Shutterstock
Geo-political events in the US and Europe were the most significant drivers of fixed income trading in the 12 months ending March, according to NEX Group.
NEX Group noted in its March-to-March yearly report that secondary market activity for European government bonds has steadily improved from the lows seen last year.
Trading activity remains concentrated around new bond issuance in addition to an uplift more generally in France and Holland in the run up to their elections.
The US presidential election produced the second highest recorded volume day at BrokerTec and speculation around Donald Trump’s policies also continued to drive heightened volatility.
NEX Group also highlighted the actions of the US Federal Reserve, which, while keeping interest rates on hold, has embarked on a measured agenda of raising rates providing trading opportunities.
As a result of the uncertain political landscape, fixed income and repo trading platform BrokerTec’s revenue increased by 17 percent to £155 million.
This performance reflects a 3 percent increase in US repo to $219 billion and a 6 percent increase in European repo to €186 billion, but a 2 percent decrease in US treasury average daily volume to $164 billion.
“The US repo product benefitted from the uptick in market volatility that began ahead of the Brexit vote and persisted through the US presidential election. Trading activity in the European repo market benefitted from increased volatility, demand for good quality collateral and a lack of supply from the buy side,” NEX Group stated.
Michael Spencer, CEO of NEX Group, said: “Our performance remains strong in a tough market environment. NEX Markets has focused on expanding its product suite to a wider client base and continues to win market share in US treasury actives, EU repo and Asian non-deliverable forwards.”
NEX Group noted in its March-to-March yearly report that secondary market activity for European government bonds has steadily improved from the lows seen last year.
Trading activity remains concentrated around new bond issuance in addition to an uplift more generally in France and Holland in the run up to their elections.
The US presidential election produced the second highest recorded volume day at BrokerTec and speculation around Donald Trump’s policies also continued to drive heightened volatility.
NEX Group also highlighted the actions of the US Federal Reserve, which, while keeping interest rates on hold, has embarked on a measured agenda of raising rates providing trading opportunities.
As a result of the uncertain political landscape, fixed income and repo trading platform BrokerTec’s revenue increased by 17 percent to £155 million.
This performance reflects a 3 percent increase in US repo to $219 billion and a 6 percent increase in European repo to €186 billion, but a 2 percent decrease in US treasury average daily volume to $164 billion.
“The US repo product benefitted from the uptick in market volatility that began ahead of the Brexit vote and persisted through the US presidential election. Trading activity in the European repo market benefitted from increased volatility, demand for good quality collateral and a lack of supply from the buy side,” NEX Group stated.
Michael Spencer, CEO of NEX Group, said: “Our performance remains strong in a tough market environment. NEX Markets has focused on expanding its product suite to a wider client base and continues to win market share in US treasury actives, EU repo and Asian non-deliverable forwards.”
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