Cboe Expands MSCI Index Product Suite with New Options Strategy Benchmarks on MSCI EAFE and MSCI Emerging Markets Indices

CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), one of the world's largest exchange holding companies, today announced it has launched a series of BuyWrite and PutWrite strategy benchmark indices based on the MSCI EAFE Index (MXEA) and MSCI Emerging Markets Index (MXEF), the industry's preeminent indices for investors seeking exposure to international and emerging markets, respectively. The launch of these indices further expands Cboe's MSCI index product suite.

Cboe's benchmark indices are designed to help investors track the performance of investment strategies that use options or volatility products to help manage risk, reduce volatility and enhance yield. The new Cboe-MSCI BuyWrite and PutWrite indices are created for investors looking to replicate the same strategy on global equities featuring MXEA and MXEF options.

"Cboe's popular strategy benchmark indices have proven to be valuable tools for market participants seeking to gain effective exposure to the global equity markets with less volatility, and stronger risk-adjusted returns," said Bruce Traan, Head of Global Index Services at Cboe Global Markets. "As the industry leader in index options trading, we are pleased to broaden our MSCI-related offerings with these performance benchmark indices, and continue defining the markets with innovative products and trading solutions that meet the needs of investors."

"We are delighted that Cboe has continued to leverage MSCI's market-leading equity indices to expand their suite of strategy benchmark indices," said George Harrington, Global Head of Futures and Options Licensing at MSCI. "Our expanded relationship reflects the increased demand for derivatives-based strategies and the widespread adoption and industry recognition of the MSCI Emerging Markets and EAFE Indices."

The new Cboe-MSCI BuyWrite indices are designed to measure the performance of a hypothetical portfolio that buys the underlying stock index and writes covered calls on the MXEF and MXEA indices.   The Cboe-MSCI PutWrite indices are designed to measure the performance of a hypothetical portfolio that sells an at-the-money (ATM) MXEF and MXEA put option against collateralized cash reserves held in a money market account.

The new Cboe-MSCI BuyWrite and PutWrite Options Strategy Benchmarks are listed below: 

The MSCI EAFE Index (MXEA) is recognized as the pre-eminent benchmark in the United States to measure international equity performance. It comprises the MSCI country indexes that represent developed markets outside of North America: Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The MSCI EAFE Index is calculated in U.S. dollars on a real-time basis and disseminated every 60 seconds during market trading hours.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index (MXEF) captures large- and mid-cap representation across 23 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With more than 800 constituents, the index covers approximately 85 percent of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

As announced in March 2019, with its relationship with MSCI, Cboe may develop up to 50 strategy benchmark and volatility indices over time for both MXEF and MXEA.  For more information on Cboe options on MSCI Indices, visit www.cboe.com/MSCI.  

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 45 years of expertise in research, data and technology, MSCI powers better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. MSCI creates industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE) is one of the world's largest exchange holding companies, offering cutting-edge trading and investment solutions to investors around the world. The company is committed to defining markets to benefit its participants and drive the global marketplace forward through product innovation, leading edge technology and seamless trading solutions.

The company offers trading across a diverse range of products in multiple asset classes and geographies, including options, futures, U.S. and European equities, exchange-traded products (ETPs), global foreign exchange (FX) and volatility products based on the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX Index), recognized as the world's premier gauge of U.S. equity market volatility.

Cboe's subsidiaries include the largest options exchange and the third largest stock exchange operator in the U.S. In addition, the company operates the largest stock exchange by value traded in Europe and is a leading market globally for ETP listings and trading. 

The company is headquartered in Chicago with a network of domestic and global offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia, including main hubs in New York, London, Kansas City and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.cboe.com.

CBOE-OE

Cboe®, VIX® and Cboe Volatility Index® are registered trademarks and Cboe Global MarketsSM is a service mark of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners .MSCI® and the MSCI index names are service marks of MSCI Inc. or its affiliates and have been licensed for  use by  Cboe Exchange,  Inc. MSCI does  not  sponsor,  promote or market  investment products  based  on  the MSCI  indexes and  will  not  have  any liability with respect thereto.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities or investments, or third-party products or services. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities and investment practices.  This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein. Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation  to  buy or  an  offer  to  sell  any  securities  in  any  jurisdiction  where  the  offer  or  solicitation  would  be  unlawful  under  the  securities laws  of  such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc.  and  its  affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, make  no  warranty,  expressed  or  implied,  including,  without  limitation,  any  warranties  as  of  merchantability,  fitness  for  a particular  purpose,  accuracy,  completeness  or  timeliness, the  results to  be  obtained  by  recipients  of  the  products  and  services  described  herein, or as to the ability of the Cboe benchmark and volatility indexes and MSCI indexes to track the performance of the various strategies, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the MSCI indexes and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors.

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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.