Eurex, one of the world’s leading derivatives exchanges, is entering a new segment with the introduction of futures on STOXX global thematic indices.
The three contracts will start trading in the first half of 2022 and will track indices from the STOXX Thematics suite, designed to target the beneficiaries of long-term structural trends transforming our modern economies and societies:
STOXX® Global Breakthrough Healthcare
STOXX® Global Digital Security
Record inflows
Thematic investing continues to capture investors’ imagination as a way to allocate capital in strong economic forces and away from traditional sector and cyclical approaches. In the two years through 2021, assets under management in thematic funds worldwide nearly tripled to USD 806 billion, according to Morningstar, following record-breaking inflows.
For thematic investors, the availability of futures adds an instrument to gain, manage and hedge portfolio exposures with the advantages of a liquid and centrally-cleared market. The contracts will specifically complement and support trading of existing ETFs tracking the three indices, as well as facilitate a natural progression for traders of sector derivatives, according to Sean Smith, Head of Global Derivatives Licensing at Qontigo. Eurex is Europe’s largest exchange in sector-focused derivatives turnover.
“There is strong client demand to evolve from sectors to thematics, as has been proven on the ETF side,” said Smith. “As the thematics ecosystem continues to grow, there is a need for larger notional-value products for investing and transferring risk, a need that will be solved with thematic index futures.”
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Global coverage
The three thematic indices, which date back to 2016, track global, disruptive concepts that were chosen for their long-term and above-average growth potential. While the selection of themes is based on a predictive assessment of future demand, their underlying drivers are well established in the present. We have covered on this blog the powerful dynamics behind each individual theme: digitalization, digital security and healthcare innovation.
All three thematic concepts have outperformed the STOXX® Global 1800 benchmark in the seven years ending in 2021.
The indices already underlie ETFs with more than USD 7.6 billion1 in assets and managed by BlackRock, proof that the methodology has been tested and embraced by the market.
Methodology
Companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from businesses that fall under the theme in question are selected into each index. The revenue-based analysis relies on FactSet’s Revere industry hierarchy, the world’s most comprehensive business classification, whose granular taxonomy allows for an accurate examination of companies.
The indices are weighted according to constituents’ adjusted equal weights, providing diversification from the allocation of market-capitalization-weighted indices. Liquidity and size screens are applied, aiming to have a minimum number of 80 components. The indices also incorporate ESG exclusionary screens2 that meet the standard sustainability criteria of investors.
For a deeper look into the thematic indices’ methodologies and constitution, download a dedicated presentation.
“The STOXX thematic indices follow an objective, rules-based and clear methodology that makes them investable and suitable as underlying for all kinds of investment products,” said Smith. “This, and the compelling proposition of thematic investing, have made the indices very popular. We are excited to build up on partnerships to bring in new solutions in this segment, reaching a wider client base and helping them access innovative investment approaches.”
* This article has been updated to remove the STOXX® Global Automation & Robotics index, upon which futures will no longer be listed at the launch stage.
1 Latest data available per fund as of week ending April 8, 2022.
2 The exclusions cover global norms, controversial weapons, weapons, tobacco, nuclear power, thermal coal, oil & gas, and companies involved in severe ESG controversies.
