RISK MAGAZINE RANKINGS 2006 ...

  Equity - Exotic equity products   Equity index options
1st OTC Basket Options (Index) 1st Nasdaq 100
1st OTC Basket Options (Stock) 2nd S&P 500
1st Volatility/Variance swaps 2nd Dax
1st Dividend swaps 2nd CAC 40
1sr Worst-of Options 3rd SMI
2nd Cliquet/Ratchet   Equity products – OTC single-stock equity options
2nd Barrier    
2nd Binary/Digital 2nd Europe
3rd Ladder /Lookback 3rd US

 

SUNRISE STARTS...

"London, Jan .3 1991 (BBN) - The Sunrise Company began operations, becoming the first specialist over-the-counter (OTC) futures and options broker in London, the company said.
Sunrise aims to meet growing demand from international investors for stock index options (SIOs) with strike prices and maturities not available on exchange-listed instruments.

Sunrise managing director Mike Hudson said OTC SIO products cover a wider range and are more flexible than on-exchange equivalents, although they're less price transparent.
The SIO market will benefit from an increase in price transparency associated with the emergence of specialist brokers such as Sunrise, said Hudson.

Sunrise said it will act on behalf of clients to secure best prices while retaining client anonymity. The company will innovate new option products to meet client needs and advise on documentation, counterparty credit-worthiness and market liquidity".
Bloomberg, January 1991