Moscow Exchange to launch bond index in yuan in near future

YEKATERINBURG. Oct 13 (Interfax) - The Moscow Exchange plans to soon launch a new benchmark - an index of bonds in yuan, Kirill Pestov, managing director of the Moscow Exchange business development department, said Thursday at the NAUFOR conference.

"We will continue to develop yuan infrastructure. In the near future, we expect the appearance of new exchange-traded funds linked to yuan instruments. To that end, we plan to launch a new benchmark - a yuan bond index," he said.

"The yuan is one of those niches where we could offer clients something new and give them the opportunity to invest and diversify their portfolios," Pestov said.

He recalled that in August and September several issues of yuan-denominated bonds of four issuers were listed on the exchange, and the share of these bonds in trading volume on the secondary market was 10%.

"And most importantly, this is where the investor is going, with 24% of the secondary turnover in yuan bonds represented by individuals, those that have opportunities for investment," Pestov said.