Focus Day Funding & Futurization

15:00 – 15:05 Opening & Welcome
The day starts with a quick overview of today’s topics and some insights into current market trends impacting repo, dividends and total return futures - what hides behind that future of finance?

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti


15:05 - 15:20 Fireside Chat: Repo, TRFs, and beyond: a holistic view of market dynamics
This fireside conversation will underscore how repo markets serve as a foundational layer for broader financial markets and are central to Eurex’s value proposition. Total Return Futures (TRFs), which reflect the implied repo rate, are increasingly shaping market dynamics and influencing the development of structured products and repo. Their continuous growth highlights the convergence between funding markets and equity derivatives, reinforcing the need for integrated, futurized solutions.

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti
Speaker: Matthias Graulich, Member of the Executive Board, Eurex

15:20 - 16:00 Panel: Repo markets in transition
What are the main market dynamics shaping the Repo market's future? Our panelists will discuss the impact of macro trends, the challenge of electronification of repo markets, and assess the buyside views.

• How has the repo market evolved over the last months?

• What is the future outlook for the repo market?

• Sponsored clearing in Europe on the rise, what are the challenges and opportunities?

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti
Speakers:
Anna Chiparo, Director, Head of EMEA Fixed Income Financing, BlackRock
Michael Jahn, Director, Business Strategy Funding & Financing Products & Markets, Eurex
Nicky Parsons, Director, Head of Product Fixed Income Prime Brokerage EMEA, Société Générale

16:00 – 16:15 Fireside chat: Scaling systematic strategies – the role of systematic QIS Index Futures

Eurex and Premialab are launching standardized, centrally cleared futures on Quantitative Investment Strategies (QIS) indices – a major step in bringing systematic strategies from OTC into the listed space. This fireside chat explores how the new QIS futures segment enhances institutional access, reduces complexity, and supports portfolio efficiency through transparency, liquidity, and cross-margining.

• How systematic strategies are changing the investment landscape and are used by institutional Investors?

• How does the futurization of QIS strategies improve access for institutional investors?

• What operational and regulatory advantages do QIS Index Futures offer compared to OTC products?

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti
Speakers:
Elena Marchidann, Global Product Lead - Total Return Derivatives, Eurex
Pierre Trecourt, Co-founder, Premialab

16:15 – 17:00 Panel: Evolving landscape of Total Return Futures
This panel explores the evolving landscape of Total Return Futures (TRFs), from their established role as long-term index-based instruments to their growing influence on repo markets and structured products. We'll delve into Eurex's comprehensive suite of TRF offerings, spanning Indices, Equities, and Baskets, examining their diverse applications and benefits. We'll analyze the recent behavior of TRFs in repo trading, discuss current trends in Total Return Swaps, and consider the specific advantages of Equity and Basket TRFs, such as targeted exposure and bespoke hedging strategies.

• How are TRFs reshaping dynamics within repo markets and impacting financing strategies?

• What unique advantages do Equity and Basket TRFs offer compared to traditional index-based TRFs?

• What is the future trajectory of TRF product development and market adoption, particularly regarding Equity and Basket TRFs?

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti
Speakers:
Stuart Heath, Director, Products & Markets, Eurex
Nicole Gilbert, Executive Director, Equity Derivatives Delta One Trader, Goldman Sachs
Tina Goldarreh, Trader, Goldman Sachs
Natasha Sibley, Portfolio Manager, Janus Henderson Investors

17:00 – 17:10 Fireside chat: Decoding dividend derivatives: insights and market trends
In the third segment of our Focus Day, attention shifts to Dividend Derivatives, examining recent market behavior alongside Eurex’s comprehensive suite of Dividend Futures and Options. This session will also provide a broad overview of liquidity conditions, setting the stage for deeper insights during the upcoming panel discussion.

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti
Speaker: Lorena Dishnica, Global Product Lead Dividend Derivatives, Eurex

17:10 – 17:55 Panel: Dividend Options - unlocking new opportunities in equity finance
This panel explores the latest developments and growing opportunities in dividend options for income investing. We'll analyze the surge in US dividend options activity, determining if it represents a migration from OTC to listed markets or broader ecosystem growth. The panel will also cover using dividend options to manage risk and enhance income strategies, as well as the global impact on market liquidity and product innovation.

• Does the growth in US dividend options trading signify a shift from OTC to listed markets, or broader participation in the dividend options ecosystem?

• How can investors use dividend options to mitigate risk and enhance returns within income-focused portfolios across various market conditions?

• What is the influence of global market participants on the evolution of dividend options, and how will this shape future product innovation and income strategies?

Moderator: Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti

Speakers:
Paulo Costa, Executive Director, Equity Derivatives Trader, Goldman Sachs
Vincent Daudeville, Equity Derivatives Trader, BNP Paribas
Lorena Dishnica, Global Product Lead - Dividend Derivatives, Eurex
Lorenzo Longo, Portfolio manager, Kedalion Capital

17:55 – 18:00 Closing
Will Mitting, Founder & Managing Director, Acuiti

All times are in CET.