What does this mean? It is a kind of contract and right to buy or sell open-ended index funds at a specific price at a specific time in the future. The derivatives market listed on global exchanges is the fastest growing non-ETF option since the new century. By the end of 20 12, ETF options born less than 15 have accounted for more than 10% of equity derivatives in the market, and their position is becoming more and more important.

In terms of varieties, the most active ETF options are concentrated in several broad-based ETFs in the United States, including Ishares Russell2000 ETF, which tracks the Russell 2000 index, and SPDRS &; Tracking the P500ETF and PowerShares QQ ETFs of Nasdaq 100 index.

Geographically, ETF options are listed and traded in major markets such as Europe, North America and Asia, but the American market is in an absolute leading position. NYSE Euronext, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Nasdaq -OMX Group, International Stock Exchange and Chicago Board Options Exchange ranked in the top four in market share.

Compared with the stock index options which also cover the market index, the differences between ETF options and stock index options mainly focus on the small scale of unilateral contracts, the implementation method of American options and the settlement method of physical delivery. For investors who pay attention to the same underlying index, ETF options and stock index options are both overlapping and complementary.

In the derivatives market listed on global exchanges, non-ETF options have developed fastest since the new century. As of 20 12, ETF options born less than 15 have accounted for more than 10% of equity derivatives in the market.