Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon, London, New York, Paris, Thursday 16 October 2008 – Liffe, the global derivatives business of NYSE Euronext (NYX), announced today that it has signed a licence agreement with Markit, a financial information services company, to launch credit default swaps (CDS) based on Markit iTraxx Europe indices, bringing a cleared solution for CDS a step closer.

The Markit iTraxx Europe indices are the most widely traded CDS indices for European credit protection.  This agreement allows Liffe to offer a new iTraxx product which will clear on Bclear, its proven solution for processing OTC derivative contracts.

Garry Jones, Executive Director of Business Development and Strategy at Liffe, commented: “We are delighted to be leading our CDS initiative on Bclear with the Markit iTraxx indices which are the industry standard. This agreement further enhances and builds on our existing and valued relationship with Markit.”

Bclear will provide existing and ...   more »