Russell opens up to options exchanges

Russell Investment Group, a Washington-based provider of investment services and products, is to allow options exchanges to create products based on its family of index products.

The decision marks a move from its current exclusive licensing agreement with the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). Russell currently has a two-year exclusive licensing agreement with the CBOE that will expire at the end of this year.

The move to cross-list index products is part of the company’s strategy to expand the exposure of Russell indexes. “With more products based on Russell indexes on a wider range of exchanges, we expect to see growth in both volume and liquidity across the board,” said Kelly Haughton, strategic director of Russell indexes.

Russell is currently negotiating licensing agreements with the Boston Options Exchange, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the International Securities Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Exchange and CBOE.