The Moscow Exchange has temporarily halted trading in its derivatives market following a technical disruption observed during the morning session. The suspension took effect at 9:30 Moscow time, and a status update was posted on the exchange’s website to inform investors and market participants about the interruption.
According to the exchange’s press service, the decision to stop trading arose from abnormal operation within the trading and clearing system used by the derivatives market in the morning session. The platform communicated to RBC Investments that the halt was a precautionary measure while the issue is investigated. The objective is to protect market integrity and ensure there is a clear path to resuming normal operations once the underlying problem is resolved.
Officials stated that diagnostic work is underway on the trading and clearing system to determine the root cause and to implement the necessary fixes. Market participants will be kept informed about any developments and the anticipated timing for the resumption of trading as soon as it becomes clear.
The derivatives market on the Moscow Exchange is the segment where derivative instruments such as futures and options are bought and sold. In futures contracts, the buyer commits to purchasing the underlying asset at the contract’s maturity date, while the seller agrees to deliver the asset in the specified quantity. In contrast, options give the buyer the right to choose, at the time the contract comes into effect, whether to buy or to decline the transaction. When the buyer exercises an option, the seller is obliged to deliver the underlying asset if the transaction is accepted.
At present, the derivatives market lists a substantial range of instruments and underlying assets. The market includes 27 stock options, 95 futures contracts, and related options. The underlying assets span stock indices, currency pairs, precious and industrial metals, equities, oil, gas, and a variety of other commodities, as well as interest rate instruments. These instruments enable participants to hedge risk, speculate on price movements, and manage exposure to market volatility across multiple asset classes.
Earlier today, the Moscow Exchange also suspended trading in other market segments, including the foreign exchange market and the precious metals market, as part of a broader precautionary response to the technical irregularities. The exchange emphasized that a orderly return to trading would follow once the technical issues have been resolved and safety and reliability of market operations are restored. In the interim, members and customers are advised to monitor official notices and the exchange’s communications channel for updates on the status of each market segment and the expected reopening times.