Jittery ringgit spurs options growth in Malaysia

Local corporates seek new hedging tools, but longer-term options liquidity lacking

Companies in Malaysia are looking to use foreign exchange options as a cheaper way of hedging currency exposure, dealers say. The move follows a surge in US dollar/Malaysian ringgit volatility.

“Before the beginning of the year there was no volatility in the market and so there was not much upside in doing an option,” says Ina Ibrahim, regional head of corporate sales at CIMB. “It is only in the past three months that we have started to see a huge pick-up in option activity because of the high