Following yesterday’s SEBI meeting, a new circular has been released outlining several measures aimed at reducing speculation and bringing greater stability to the market. Here are the key points summarizing all the introduced measures:
Key Points from the SEBI Circular (October 1, 2024)
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Introduction of Measures:
- SEBI aims to strengthen the equity index derivatives framework for better investor protection and market stability.
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Upfront Collection of Option Premium (Effective February 1, 2025):
- Options buyers will be required to pay the premium upfront to avoid excessive leverage.
- This measure is designed to prevent over-leveraging and enhance risk management.
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Removal of Calendar Spread Treatment on Expiry Day (Effective February 1, 2025):
- The benefit of offsetting positions (calendar spread) will no longer be available on expiry day.
- This aims to manage risks associated with the large volumes traded on expiry days.
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Intraday Monitoring of Position Limits (Effective April 1, 2025):
- Position limits will now be monitored intraday instead of just at the end of the day.
- Stock exchanges must capture at least four random snapshots during the day to track positions.
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Increase in Contract Size for Index Derivatives (Effective November 20, 2024):
- The minimum contract size for derivatives will be raised from Rs. 5-10 lakhs to Rs. 15-20 lakhs.
- This change reflects market growth and increases the suitability of the derivatives for sophisticated investors.
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Rationalization of Weekly Index Derivatives Products (Effective November 20, 2024):
- Exchanges will be limited to offering weekly expiry derivatives on only one benchmark index.
- This is to curb hyperactive speculative trading and market volatility on expiry days.
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Increase in Tail Risk Coverage on Options Expiry Days (Effective November 20, 2024):
- An additional 2% extreme loss margin (ELM) will be levied on short options positions on expiry days.
- This measure addresses heightened risk due to speculative trading.
Impact on Markets and Retail Traders
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Market Structure:
- With the upfront premium requirement and larger contract sizes, markets will experience less speculative, high-leverage trades, leading to greater stability. However, retail traders, particularly those dealing in options, may find the increased costs and stricter risk measures burdensome, potentially reducing their participation.
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Risk Management:
- SEBI’s emphasis on real-time risk monitoring, particularly around expiry day, is expected to mitigate sudden market swings caused by speculative trading. Retail investors will have to be more cautious with their intraday positions due to stricter position limit monitoring and margin requirements.
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Liquidity Impact:
- The rationalization of weekly derivatives products and changes to calendar spread treatments may reduce short-term liquidity on expiry days, which have traditionally been very volatile. Retail traders, especially those engaged in expiry day trades, may face reduced opportunities for quick gains.
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Suitability for Retail Participants:
- The increase in contract sizes will make derivatives trading more suited for institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals. Many retail investors may find themselves priced out, shifting the market’s focus away from smaller retail players towards larger, more sophisticated investors.
Conclusion
The measures outlined by SEBI will significantly reshape the equity derivatives landscape, shifting the focus towards stability, reduced speculation, and enhanced risk management. For retail traders and investors, this could mean fewer opportunities for high-leverage trades, a potential increase in trading costs, and a narrower range of products available. While these changes may curb volatility and speculative bubbles, they also risk alienating smaller investors, shifting market participation more towards institutional investors.