Equity Futures

Dubai Financial Market’s Equity Futures provide new impetus to Dubai’s leading position as a dynamic capital markets hub, enabling investors to diversify and hedge their portfolios and access leverage.

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Investing in Derivatives

What are derivatives and how to invest

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DFM Equity Futures

A unique platform that provides special opportunities

Hassan Al Serkal, CEO DFM

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DFM Equity Futures

How to trade Equity Futures

Saad Al Chalabi, CFA, CMT Head of Market Making & Liquidity Provider, Al Ramz Capital

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DFM Equity Futures

Introduction to derivatives and their benefits

Nabil Effat, Executive Director, Arqaam Capital

Product List

Single Stock Futures
Underlying Shares Contract Symbol Contract Size
(Shares Per Contract)
Trading Currency Contract Expiry
Emaar Properties PJSC EMAAR 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Dubai Islamic Bank DIB 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Emirates NBD PJSC ENBD 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Emaar Development PJSC EMRDEV 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
ARAMEX PJSC ARMX 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Air Arabia PJSC AIRARB 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC DU 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Dubai Investments PJSC DIC 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Dubai Financial Market DFM 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Shuaa Capital PSC SHUAA 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
DEWA PJSC DEWA 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
GFH BSC GFH 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Deyaar Development PJSC DEYAAR 100 AED 1, 2 and 3 months
Contract Specifications

Benefits of Equity Futures

Dubai Financial Market Equity Futures offer many benefits for investors.

Leverage

Leverage is a key feature of equity futures. The initial payment (called initial margin) that an investor must make is only between 10% and 30% of the value of the contract. This magnification of the effect of the capital, called leverage, can lead to significant gains (or losses). These gains (or losses) can be much larger than the amount invested.

Trading & Arbitrage

Investors can benefit from the out-performance of one stock price over another through pair trading, by going long on one stock and short on another stock through futures. There are also opportunities for arbitrage when futures and underlying stock prices diverge.

Profit when price falls as well as rises

Selling in advance (shorting) and buying back allows an investor to profit from a stock that is going down in price. Buying and then selling later allows an investor to profit from a stock that is going up.

Hedging

Allows portfolio managers and investors to hedge their existing market exposure, either increasing or decreasing their exposure to volatility of the underlying equity.

Cost Effective

Futures fees can be lower than fees for trading equities.

Standardisation

Futures contracts are always in a standardised form.

How to trade Equity Futures

You can trade Equity Futures in DFM through the following steps:

1.
Open an account with one of the licensed Derivatives brokers. A list of brokers is available on the DFM website.
2.
Place an order with the broker to either buy or sell the equity Futures contract through the available channels (e.g. calling the Broker, internet trading or mobile trading).
3.
The trade will be placed on the Matching Engine and executed if a matching price is available. The trade value will be calculated as (No. of contracts * Contract size * price).
4.
The investor needs to deposit the minimum Initial Margin with the broker before executing any transaction.
5.
The trade will be registered for clearing and settlement with Dubai Clear.
6.
Any profit or loss made due to a change in the market price is settled on a daily basis as Variation Margin.
7.
Once a position is closed, any Initial Margins related to this position, after any profit or loss, will be released.
8.
For investors holding the contract to expiry, the contract will be automatically closed and settled by Dubai Clear with the final settlement price. Investors should educate themselves with product specifications, Equity Futures trading mechanics and understand the risk associated with it before starting Equity Futures trading. Investors can access videos and more on the DFM Equity Futures resource center.

Partners

Members

 

Market Makers

Technology & Data Providers

Derivatives Members

Member Phone Email
Al Dar Shares and Bonds : DAR MB - Abu Dhabi : 02-6126666
Al Ain : 03-7044129
kifah.mh@aldarshares.com
ayman@aldarshares.com 
Al Ramz Capital L.L.C : RAMZ MB - Abu Dhabi : 02-6262626
Abu Dhabi : 02-6262626
DFM Branch : 04-3055115
Dubai Branch : 04-3173111
Sharjah : 06-5977000
info@alramz.ae
Arqaam Securities : FFS MB - Dubai : 04-5071756
04-5071780
04-5071752
04-5071782
operations@arqaamsecurities.com 
BHM Capital Financial Services PrJSC: BHMCAPITAL 800 567 000
MB - Dubai: 04-5247555
callcenter@bhmuae.ae
Compliance@bhmuae.ae 
EFG Hermes (UAE) : EFGH 600500004
MB - Dubai : 04-3069449
uaebrokeragecompliance@efg-hermes.com
uae-ops@efg-hermes.com
kmohamed@efg-hermes.com
uaebrokerage@efg-hermes.com 
International Securities LLC : FGB 8003437
MB - Abu Dhabi : 02-4942777
cs@intlsecurities.ae
compliance@intlsecurities.ae  
SICO Financial Brokerage L.L.C. : UB MB - Abu Dhabi : 02-6590100 info@sicouae.com 

Disclaimer

Note: Derivatives trading (Future contracts, Options and any others) involves substantial risk and are not suitable for all investors/traders. Investors should be aware of all the risks associated with Derivatives trading, and seek advice from an independent financial or investment advisor if they have any doubts.