SINGAPORE, Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Exchange (SGX) today announced the launch of SGX Index Edge, its index business that will create and offer comprehensive index services tailored for issuers, asset managers and investors in Asia. This demonstrates SGX's intent to build a regional index business, developed on the backbone of the exchange's leading infrastructure -- technology, operations, governance and strong regulatory framework -- as well as its deep understanding and on-the-ground insights of the region.
The SGX branded indices will also provide greater transparency and profile SGX's securities and derivatives markets to investors, helping them to make more informed investment decisions and attracting greater participation in its securities and derivatives markets. Targeted at Asian product issuers and investors looking for customised index solutions, SGX Index Edge addresses the increasing demand for index-linked investment opportunities across the region.
Since October 2014, SGX has successfully conducted a beta launch on a series of futures-based indices -- SGX Access Asia indices -- tailored for product issuers of Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs), OTC (Over-the-Counter) products and retail structured products. The Access Asia suite of 60 indices are distributed through SGX's wide network of brokers, major data vendors, Independent Software Vendors, other exchanges and trading firms. Plans are also underway to offer bespoke Asia-based index solutions for product issuers across the region, including thematic and strategy-based equity indices for the Singapore market.
Signifying its new role within the index industry, SGX recently became the first exchange in Asia to be welcomed as a member of the Index Industry Association (IIA), which represents the global index industry to promote sound practices that strengthen markets and serve the needs of investors.
Loh Boon Chye, Chief Executive Officer, SGX, said: "As Asia's most international exchange and a leading market infrastructure for investors across Asia, we are in a unique position to develop Asia-focused index capabilities, as a natural extension of SGX's existing suite of products and services. The launch of SGX Index Edge demonstrates our ability to continually innovate to position SGX strongly for the long-term as we look towards becoming the pan-Asian index provider of choice."
Tinku Gupta, Head of Market Data and Connectivity, SGX, added, "Offering index services to diversify the market data business is common amongst exchanges. It helps us in attracting new institutional channels that are increasingly turning towards index-linked investment solutions for their investors. While we will create SGX branded indices, we will also continue to grow our strong partnerships with global index providers to further our reach and expertise for both our securities and derivatives markets."
About Singapore Exchange (SGX)
Singapore Exchange (SGX) is the Asian Gateway, connecting investors in search of Asian growth to corporate issuers in search of global capital. SGX represents the premier access point for managing Asian capital and investment exposure, and is Asia's most international exchange with about 40% of companies listed on SGX originating outside of Singapore. SGX offers its clients the world's biggest offshore market for Asian equity index futures, centred on Asia's three largest economies -- China, India and Japan.
In addition to offering a fully integrated value chain from trading and clearing, to settlement and depository services, SGX is also Asia's pioneering central clearing house. Headquartered in Asia's most globalised city, and centred within the AAA strength and stability of Singapore's island nation, SGX is a leading Asian counterparty for the clearing of financial and commodity products.
For more information, please visit www.sgx.com
Media Contacts
Leela Pandit
Marketing & Communications
+65-6713-6834
Leela.pandit@sgx.com
