Europe's first exchange traded currencies launched on LSE

Europe's first exchange traded currencies (Currency ETCs) have commenced trading on the London Stock Exchange. ETF Securities has admitted 18 Currency ETCs to the Main Market, offering long and short passive exposure to G10 currencies versus the US Dollar.

Pietro Poletto, Head of ETFs and ETCs for London Stock Exchange Group said: "As the number one ETC exchange in Europe, and given London's reputation as the global centre for foreign exchange trading, we are proud to be the venue of choice for issuers looking to bring this new type of product into Europe.

"We aim to offer investors access to a wide range of investment opportunities while retaining the benefits of simplicity, transparency and central counterparty security that are integral to trading on-exchange. As such we are delighted to continue leading the diversification of Europe's exchange traded product offering by welcoming ETF Securities' new products today."

October 2009 saw record levels of trading in ETFs, ETCs and ETNs across the Group's markets with number of trades up 76 per cent to 382,000, and value traded up 34 per cent to £9.9 billion compared to the same period last year.