LCH.Clearnet SA has expanded its credit default swap clearing service to include financial indices.
The Paris-based clearing house said it would clear the full range of 29 iTraxx Senior Financials indices, alongside single names, as it continues its bid to take on ICE Clear Europe in the space.
“We’re delighted to extend our product suite,” said Frank Soussan, global head of LCH’s CDSClear unit. “We’re seeing significant demand for clearing these products as members strive to efficiently manage their margins.”
There is some US$55bn of the on-the-run Series 23 senior financials index trades outstanding, comprising some 1,535 contracts, according to the DTCC Trade Information Warehouse. That’s about half the size of trades on the iTraxx Crossover index.
LCH.Clearnet’s open interest in credit products is around €42bn, compared with ICE Clear Europe’s US$550bn.
