Retail investors are set to be lured by new 'mini' platinum contracts from November, the Tokyo Commodity Exchange confirmed yesterday (17th September).

Officials have announced that six mini-future platinum contracts will be launched, at 100g each - a fifth of the size of the existing contracts.

Exchange Chairman Masaaki Nangaku is expecting them to be well received by investors, following the strong demand recorded for similar mini-gold futures.

He said: "We've seen strong demand in mini-gold, with both turnover and open interest climbing steadily and we've been looking to list other mini items on the exchange.

"Platinum is very popular among retail investors. High volatility in platinum has increased their interest even more."

The move is thought to be motivated by the exchange's desire to redress the balance after being left trailing in recent months during the current commodities bull run.

Applying the calculation formula for September suggests that the platinum mini-futures will have an initial margin of 40,000 yen ($376.6) per contract, some 110,000 yen lower than the existing contract.



Source:

Japan's TOCOM to list mini-platinum futures in Nov (17/09/08)
http://metalsplace.com/news/articles/22232/japans-tocom-to-list-mini-platinum-futures-in-nov/