Futures trading looks promising with SGX and UOBBF tie up

The two financial giants have set up the Professional Traders Development Centre to train individuals on multiple trading strategies in the equity futures market.

In a joint news release, Singapore Exchange and UOB Bullion and Futures Limited announced that they are setting up a new Professional Traders Development Centre to grow and strengthen Singapore’s talent pool of professional futures traders.

Located at UOBF – Schneider Trading offices, the Centre will, from June 2012, start training individuals interested in futures trading as well as overseas traders wanting to expand their knowledge of the Singapore market. With capacity to train up to 200 traders a year, the Centre houses the latest trading simulation technology and will allow participants to test and refine their trading strategies using real-time market data. They will be taught how to employ multiple trading strategies in the equity futures market including directional trading, relative value trading, and event driven trading.

The Centre is part of SGX Academy’s Professional Traders Development Programme which aims to inject more professionally trained traders into the industry and enhance trading standards.

Mr Chew Sutat, SGX Executive Vice President who oversees SGX Academy said: “The collaboration with UOB signifies the strong success of our Professional Traders Development Programme. With the training infrastructures now established between SGX Academy and brokers, we are now well positioned to grow the professional trading community and attract trading talents from all over the world to our Asian Gateway.”

Futures trading activity in Singapore has increased significantly over the last year and investor interest in this segment is expected to continue to grow. In April 2012, SGX derivatives contracts increased 29% year-on-year to 6.3 million contracts while daily average volume grew 28% to 322,213 contracts.

Mr Matthew Png, Executive Director of UOB Bullion and Futures Limited said the Centre would provide the necessary skills and knowledge for participants to begin trading at a professional level.

“Education is key for individuals who want to navigate today’s complex trading environment.

Programme participants will be able to refine their trading skills on the latest simulation technology and tap on UOB Bullion and Futures’ expertise and knowledge of global markets. We are proud to be partnering with SGX to help develop the next generation of professional traders.”

Mr Ng Tee How, President of the Association of Financial and Commodity Traders said:

“The increased focus on professional trader development by SGX and the industry is strongly welcomed by the trading community. The success of SGX’s Professional Traders Development

Programme will lead to a more robust trading ecosystem with the growth in talents and activities, making Singapore a choice location for foreign proprietary trading companies to set up and grow their businesses.”

The training curriculum will be taught by SGX Academy trainer, Mr Samuel Tan, who has more than 18 years of trading and portfolio management experience, including an 8 year stint with Temasek Holdings as a senior portfolio manager and 3 years in the hedge fund industry as a macro trader.

For more information or to register for the Professional Traders Development Programme, interested parties can email register@sgxacademy.com or futures@uobgroup.com.