Sebi flags short-term F&O boom, eyes reforms

Sebi on Thursday expressed concern over the growing dominance of ultrashort-term derivatives trading, cautioning that such trends could undermine the health of India’s capital markets, while contemplating steps to extend the tenure and maturity of these products.

- Press Trust of India

“Very short-term derivatives continue to dominate equity derivative volumes, especially expiry-day index options. This is an imbalance that is obviously unhealthy and may have potential for adverse consequences,” said Sebi Whole-Time Member Ananth Narayan.

He was addressing the 11th Capital Markets Conclave organised by the CII.

“I would strongly endorse the view that, towards this end, we must look for ways to further deepen our cash equities markets, even as we look to improve the quality of our derivatives market by extending the tenure and maturity of the products and solutions on offer. We need constructive engagement from all stakeholders to achieve this,” he said.