Benefits of OTC Products
Trading over-the-counter (OTC) products with StoneX Markets LLC (SXM) enables customers to construct hedges that can meet their unique needs more closely than hedges based on exchange-traded products alone.
Customizability
SXM can develop OTC products to fit many different risk profiles or market views These customizable instruments can offer specifications not available through exchange-traded contracts (e.g. non-standard quantities, strike prices, expiration dates, etc.) and can be tailored to meet each customer’s individual needs. This flexibility enables us to construct solutions that offer opportunities to sell above or buy below the current market, fixed cash pay-out, guaranteed quantity, zero-cost up-front features or a combination of these features. (Note: Along with its benefits, customizability can also limit exchange fungibility.)
Potentially lower margin requirements
OTC products with SXM may allow margins lower than the exchange for customers that are “non-financial end users” under CFTC margin rules. Because the CFTC requires strict qualifications to be eligible to trade OTC products, SXM has an exclusive understanding of our customer’s risk and is able to be more lenient on margin requirements. We estimate that our margin requirement is typically 80% of common exchange-mandated margin requirements.
Credit financing
SXM offers credit financing to customers based on their balance sheets. For certain qualified customers, SXM’s initial and variation margin thresholds, in some cases, can act as financing.
Equal or better liquidity
SXM’s liquidity in OTC products allows us to assist customers in a number of ways. For example, we can extend positions beyond the limits of the contract months available on exchange-traded products. We can also assist in unwinding a position, should an exit become necessary. In such cases, we honor the marked to market level, shown on daily statements, as the exit point.
To learn more about how these benefits may apply to your specific market view and risk management needs, please complete the contact form or contact one of our offices below.