Most likely you looked at the mini contract (MHI) or possibly the delisted HS100. Neither have or had CFTC approval. The HSI does have CFTC approval and has been available since, I think, 1999. (we were the first in HK to offer electronic futures )
The full size is not too big for most traders. The hang seng mini is small that is why it does not have much open interest. The full size hang seng is just right. It does move tho! In fact it is way more bang for your buck compared to the Nickei on simex. Def, Is IB going to offer Simex? They are going to a more electronic system. I did not realize you guys offered the Hang Seng. I may open an account. Are you expanding to Asian equities as well? There are many futures products that are going electronic. I am guessing you are going offer all of them eventually.
The mini has poor open interest but due to arb opportunities you can usually get a fill within 1-2 ticks of the HSI. SGX: we'll be offering SGX Nikkei within a week or two at most. Asian equities: eventually yes. I'd love to offer HK (and could do it within a days notice). However, the exchange has done there best make it prohibitively costly for firms like us who want to display real time streaming prices and have clients that actually care about speed. As a result, we'll probably offer Japanese or Australian equities first.
Def, Good show. You guys have alot of products to traffic in on! One thing about SGX. They trade JGB's (Japanese Govt bond futures) and they are liquid. They now have minis which are 1/10 the full and you get good fills on them. You guys should offer these. They are great movers. One question for you or anyone else that knows. In the IB universal account, you can pick your currency. That is fantastic. Can I switch the base currencies? Maybe once a quarter? TGM
The big JGB is still open outcry (note we'll start offering JGB's on the TSE any day). The mini trades side by side but i do not think trades much but once we have the NK up and running, we'll probably add it. as additional products are offered electronically, we plan to offer them as well. You can not switch your base currency. however, via IDEALPRO, you can convert your funds from one currency to another and essentially obtain the same results.
You can manage your funds thru IDEAL (PRO). You can hold any combination of USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, ... whatever and move them around as you like it. They pay interest for each currency (except the first $10000 in any account). ( No need to switch your base currency. ) FX IDEAL (PRO) www.interactivebrokers.com/php/generalAccount/forex.php
Def, The mini Jgp's have what I call deceptive liquidity cuz they are arbed heavily. There is always a tight market. Jgb's on Tse are fantastic. The desk I traded for avoided them cuz of the revolting fee structure back in the day. We always took the business to Singapore. TSE is where the market for JGB's ends and begins. Good deal. I know the Japanese changed their fee structures for the exchanges over there to get competitive. I have not kept up with them. Do you know what the commission structure and fees are going to be for TSE JGB's? Ah, I did not realize you offer cash forex trading. You can just hedge out the account. I see.
understood, an arb is an arb. as mentioned, we'll get them out there. we'll charge the same for JGB's as the N225, 750 Yen per side all inclusive. If you go unbundled and do volume, the fees drop (it's all on our web site).
Def, Thank you for the quick responses. I found that 750 yen charge for TSE. That is 7 bucks and change. My oh my how fees have dropped. Most folks reading this will thank 7 a side for any commission is high. And it is in comparison. But I remember when Jgb's were like 50 bucks round turn on TSE. They had standard commission structure that was very high. thank you. I will quit asking questions. Everytime I ask something I find an answer on your website shortly thereafter. TGM
Hand Seng traders: Are there economic reports or other events to watch for while trading this market ? Do you have a source that you like to use to find this info ?