Xenomorph
  • Solutions
  • Technology
  • Customers
  • Resources
  • News
  • About Us
  • Request a Demo
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

News

Over The Counter Arguments

George Soros has waded back into the current saga concerning OTC derivatives in his article last week in the FT. The main part of the article focusses on financial markets reform, but ends with a vehement attack on derivatives, building upon some of his earlier ideas (see post) and seemingly going much further:

“Finally, I have strong views on the regulation of derivatives. The prevailing opinion is that they ought to be traded on regulated exchanges. That is not enough. The issuance and trading of derivatives ought to be as strictly regulated as stocks. Regulators ought to insist that derivatives be homogenous, standardised and transparent.”

He ends by saying that “CDS are instruments of destruction that ought to be outlawed.”. To the extent that Mr Soros attracts press/political attention is probably something the OTC markets should worry about, although it would seem his views are already consistent with many involved in influencing the US financial markets policy – take for instance the submission by Christopher Whalen to the US Senate on OTC Derivatives:

“Simply stated, the supra-normal returns paid to the dealers in the closed OTC derivatives market are effectively a tax on other market participants, especially investors who trade on open, public exchanges and markets.”

Fortunately however there are also some more balanced views around – I found the following post on the “(in)efficient frontiers” blog, which references the earlier Senate submission by Richard Bookstaber on OTCs. Mr Bookstaber starts by saying that derivatives can improve financial markets, allowing investors to shape returns, exactly meet contingencies and package risk. Mr Bookstaber also puts forward a very clear summary how participants have also over recent years use derivatives to game the system to achieve tax avoidance, investment mandate avoidance, speculation and to hide risk-taking.

So back to the Soros article, there was a letter in response a few days later from a partner at the legal firm Ashurst’s, saying that unfortunately risk does not confirm to a standard. In this I agree, standardising contracts can lead to increased complexity – there was a recent example given by a swaps dealer at JPMorgan who said that a corporate with particular cashflows to be hedged does want to be dealing with the basis risk and admin of using standardised contracts – the corporate treasurer wants something that matches the exposure they have and takes it away, end of story. Again this is an example of derivatives “risk” not being just about the product type, but also about which institution is holding the contract and what they are using it for (see earlier post).

Not sure however how much the Ashurst’s partner who wrote the response letter is worried about lucrative legal fees for OTC derivative contracts dying off if Soros-like standardisation occurs – it is a world of vested interests at the moment, never more vested than in a crisis…

Share this entry
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://www.xenomorph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/logo-xeno.png 0 0 Brian Sentance https://www.xenomorph.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/logo-xeno.png Brian Sentance2009-07-02 08:26:022020-02-11 09:24:17Over The Counter Arguments

Categories

  • Blog Post
  • Events
  • Press Release

Archives

About Xenomorph

Xenomorph provides trusted data management solutions to many of the world’s leading financial institutions.

With more than two decades’ experience managing large volumes of complex data and analytics we can quickly configure a solution for your requirements.

Xenomorph London

4th Floor
10 Lloyd’s Avenue
London EC3N 3AJ
UK

+44 (0)20 7614 8600

info@xenomorph.com

map

Xenomorph New York

45 Rockefeller Plaza, FL 20
New York
NY 10111
USA

+1-212-401-7894

info@xenomorph.com

map


Xenomorph Boston

53 State Street
Suite 500
Boston, MA 02109
USA

+1-617-465-2050

info@xenomorph.com

map

© Xenomorph Software Ltd 2022 - Privacy policy | Anti-Bribery Policy
Scroll to top
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the site we will assume your consent. ACCEPTRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT