The FINANCIAL — The value of ASX-listed stocks, as measured by the All Ordinaries Index, remained flat in May 2015.
This performance is in contrast to rises in other major markets, including Japan up 5.3%, the US up 1.0% and the UK up 0.3%. Singapore was down 2.7%, Hong Kong down 2.5% and Germany was down 0.4%, according to ASX.
Volatility measures for the Australian equity market remained below long-term averages during May:
Volatility (as measured by the average daily movement in the All Ordinaries Index) was 0.6% in May, down on the previous month (0.7%).
Expected future volatility (as measured by the S&P/ASX 200 VIX) rose in May to an average of 17.1 (compared to 14.8 in April).
Listings and capital raisings
In May 2015, total capital raised was $19.6 billion, up 123% on the previous corresponding period (pcp).
Trading – Cash markets (including equities, interest rates and warrants trades)
In May 2015, the average daily number of trades was 25% higher than the pcp. The average daily value traded on- market of $4.5 billion was 42% higher than the pcp.
Trading – Financial derivatives markets
In May 2015, the average daily number of exchange-traded options decreased 14% on the pcp. Single stock options average daily contracts traded were down 19% on the pcp and index options average daily contracts traded were up 46% on the pcp.
In May 2015, average daily futures and options on futures volume increased 21% on the pcp. Average daily futures volume was up 24% on the pcp and average daily options volume was down 43% on the pcp.
Clearing – OTC markets
In May 2015, the notional value of OTC interest rate derivative contracts centrally cleared was $118.3 billion, compared to $3.8 billion in the pcp.
The total notional value of OTC interest rate derivatives cleared by ASX since inception of the service is $828 billion.
Clearing – Exchange-traded markets
Participant margin balances held on balance sheet averaged $4.1 billion in May 2015 ($3.6 billion pcp), with a month-end balance of $4.5 billion in May 2015 compared to $3.9 billion in May 2014.
Settlement
The value of securities held in CHESS at 31 May 2015 was 8% higher than the pcp. The number of dominant settlement messages in May 2015 was 6% higher than the pcp.
The value of securities held in Austraclear at 31 May 2015 was 12% higher than the pcp.
