LCH.Clearnet SA and Boerse Berlin Equiduct Trading have signed of thePreliminary Agreement to implement CCP services for transactions executed on the Boerse Berlin Equiduct Trading platform for liquid European equities.
Boerse Berlin Equiduct Trading will provide, from mid-2008, a pan-European regulated market offering cross-border trading services and market data. The market-segment Equiduct Trading is subject to the state-monitored and regulated Boerse Berlin. Equiduct Trading will be divided into several geographical segments, each following the trading schedule and characteristics of their home market and giving access to the local post-trade CCP environment.
Equiduct Trading’s business model will then offer its participants the ability to clear and settle trades in domestic post-trade locations; it will ensure that the post-trade cost of a transaction is at least as low as on the local domestic exchange.
LCH.Clearnet SA will allow its clearing members to benefit from synergies between the Equiduct Trading market and NYSE Euronext markets. Offsetting at risk management and settlement levels will be set up and will lead to substantial economies.
The launch of the service, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to take place by the end of the first semester 2008.
“We welcome this agreement with Boerse Berlin Equiduct Trading, which underlines our desire and capacity to clear new markets and to respond to new initiatives introduced by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). It demonstrates our determination to deliver benefits to our clients,” says Christophe Hmon, CEO, LCH.Clearnet SA.
“LCH.Clearnet SA will be the first CCP to be connected to our platform. LCH.Clearnet’s experience and commitment to cash clearing business together with its proven technology will bring our participants the possibility to leverage existing clearing member relationships, legal frameworks and connections,” adds Willy Van Stappen, COO, Boerse Berlin Equiduct Trading.