London Clearing House (LCH) is reporting a 40% rise in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) transaction volume in 2001, from 224 million to 315 million contracts, with a total value of £105.08 trillion.
David Hardy, chief executive, LCH, attributes growth during the previous 12 months to steadily increasing volumes of transactions from futures and options members and to the successful implementation and acceptance of newer business streams, LCH EquityClear, LCH RepoClear and LCH SwapClear.
In the coming year, LCH EquityClear plans to introduce optional netting to its service to the London Stock Exchange, and to launch a central counterparty service for virt-x. Also in 2002, LCH RepoClear will extend its range of instruments cleared to include UK Gilts, and LCH SwapClear will widen its product range, and extend maximum tenors to 30 years, says the clearing house.