Sebi looks to ease margins for long-term F&O contracts

RELAXING NORMS

- ANANYA GROVER

THE SECURITIES & Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is looking to ease margin requirements for longer-term derivative contracts to give a fillip to the shift from excessive trading in the weekly contracts, a source close to the development said.

The regulator has received representations on the same from market participants, particularly those from overseas. Sebi is concerned over volumes in the derivatives segment concentrated in weekly index options. Around 90% of volumes of both the exchanges are in weekly contracts.

Sebi believes that one of the main reasons behind longer-term contracts not being popular is higher margins.