Definition of Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE)

Australia's derivatives market. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing financial futures and options exchanges in the world by volume turnover, and the third largest bond derivative exchange behind CBOT and EUREX. SFE has seen record volumes in its key contracts in recent years. SFE's derivatives franchise covers five major markets: equities; interest rates; currency; commodities; energy. In late 2004, the exchange signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chicago Board of Trade (CBoT) to record the intention of the two companies to work more closely in the areas of product development and distribution. The SFE's electronic trading platform (SYCOM), introduced in 1989, is the first 24-hour trading system that links with overseas exchanges.The exchange's contracts can be traded through all SFE hubs, including Sydney, Chicago, London, Hong Kong, and Wellington. SFE continues to expand globally with most leading global brokers now having primary or secondary connections to the SFE global electronic network. Trading times vary by product. www.sfe.com.au.