Equity derivatives turnover on the Bombay Stock Exchange nearly doubled to Rs 6.26 lakh crore in May — marking the strongest recovery for the first time in three months.
“Monthly turnover in equity derivatives segment of BSE increased by 99.5 per cent from Rs 3,13,950 crore in April 2013 to Rs 6,26,216 crore in May 2013,” Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in its latest monthly bulletin.
After recording a high of Rs 9.23 lakh crore in January, the derivatives turnover on the BSE sharply plunged to about Rs 2.3 lakh crore in February. Since then, the figures have been slowly improving.
The volume of equity derivatives contract traded on the BSE platform increased to 2 crore in May from 1.10 crore in the preceding month.
On the other hand, the National Stock Exchange recorded a monthly turnover of Rs 35 lakh crore in May — a rise of 16.4 per cent compared to the preceding month.
Over 11 crore contracts were traded on the NSE platform in May against 10.4 crore in the preceding month.
During May, equity derivatives turnover on the NSE comprised 84.6 per cent, while BSE represented 15.1 per cent of the total value in the segment.
BSE witnessed a significant rise in its call and put options on stocks in May. The call and put options on the index also increased by over 30 per cent.
“The monthly turnover of put options on stock increased manifold from Rs 83 crore in April 2013 to Rs 214 crore in May 2013,” SEBI said.
“The monthly turnover of call options on stock also increased manifold from Rs 55 crore in April 2013 to Rs 232 crore in May 2013,” it added.
Generally, put and call option contracts provide the holders the right to sell or buy securities, respectively, at a specific price and a specified time. However, the holder is not obliged to execute the contract.