Tradeweb Announces EFP on Cboe High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures

NEW YORK – July 29, 2020 – Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW), a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets, today announced it has made available for trading an exchange-for-physical (EFP) based on the Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures (IBHY) listed on the Cboe Futures Exchange (CFE). This new offering is available through the Dealerweb EFP platform.

An EFP is a trade in which a buyer transfers a long ETF position and a short futures position to a seller in return for a short ETF position and a long futures position. Dealers and market makers typically trade EFPs in order to better manage balance sheet, reduce financing costs and minimize basis risk.

The standardized nature of EFP trading makes the market a strong candidate for increased automation and the Dealerweb EFP platform is a primary destination for EFP trading. Significant volume is already traded on the venue in a number of EFPs. These include the VXX EFP, which uses Cboe Volatility Index® (VIX® Index) futures, and was launched in early 2019.

Adam Gould, Head of U.S. Equities at Tradeweb said: “It is a critically important time for the high yield bond market, and so it is paramount that investors and traders can efficiently manage their market exposure and reduce risk. Trading EFPs through Dealerweb helps to centralize otherwise fragmented liquidity, increasing price transparency for all market participants. Given our broader business in high yield cash credit trading, and ETF trading, we see the introduction of the IBHY EFP as an important next step in ensuring the maturity and flexibility of the high yield bond market.”

Arianne Criqui, Head of Derivatives and Global Client Services at Cboe Global Markets, said: “We are pleased that Tradeweb recognizes the utility of the suite of iBoxx indices, which leverage the deep and liquid iShares® ETF ecosystem. Trading volume in Cboe IBHY futures has grown as market participants increasingly sought new ways to manage exposure to the evolving corporate bond market. This latest development continues to expand the ecosystem and we look forward to further broadening access to the corporate bond market through the new EFP on Dealerweb.”

Trading in high yield cash credit has doubled in two years at Tradeweb, with 4% of TRACE traded on the platform on average each day. Tradeweb also caters to bond ETF traders and investors: in the first half of the year, the Tradeweb ETF platform handled over $150bn of volume in fixed income ETF trading.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements related to, among other things, our outlook and future performance, the industry and markets in which we operate, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions and future events are forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in documents of Tradeweb Markets Inc. on file with or furnished to the SEC, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, preliminary average variable fees per million dollars of volume traded are subject to the completion of management’s final review and our other financial closing procedures and therefore are subject to change. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and the development of the industry and markets in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and events in the industry and markets in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.

Any forward-looking statement that we make in this release speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release.

Additional Disclaimers

Futures trading is not suitable for all investors and involves the risk of loss. That risk of loss can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for a futures position. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether futures trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should put at risk only funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. For additional information regarding futures trading risks, see the Risk Disclosure Statement in Appendix A to CFTC Regulation1.55(c).

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with Tradeweb, Markit or BlackRock.  Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein. Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the iBoxx iShares indices to track the performance of its strategy, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the iBoxx iShares indices or the EFP and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors.

The iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (the “Indexes”) referenced herein are the property of Markit Indices Limited (“Index Sponsor”) and have been licensed for use in connection with Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures and Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures. Each party to a Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures or Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures transaction acknowledges and agrees that the transaction is not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the Index Sponsor. The Index Sponsor makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, those of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use), with respect to the Indexes or any data included therein or relating thereto, and in particular disclaims any warranty either as to the quality, accuracy and/or completeness of the Indexes or any data included therein, the results obtained from the use of the Indexes and/or the composition of the Indexes at any particular time on any particular date or otherwise and/or the creditworthiness of any entity, or the likelihood of the occurrence of a credit event or similar event (however defined) with respect to an obligation, in the Indexes at any particular time on any particular date or otherwise. The Index Sponsor shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to the parties or any other person for any error in the Indexes, and the Index Sponsor is under no obligation to advise the parties or any person of any error therein.

The Index Sponsor makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, as to the advisability of purchasing or selling Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures and Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures, the ability of the Indexes to track relevant markets’ performances, or otherwise relating to the Indexes or any transaction or product with respect thereto, or of assuming any risks in connection therewith. The Index Sponsor has no obligation to take the needs of any party into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indexes. No party purchasing or selling Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures or Cboe® iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures, nor the Index Sponsor, shall have any liability to any party for any act or failure to act by the Index Sponsor in connection with the determination, adjustment, calculation or maintenance of the Indexes. iBoxx® is a service mark of IHS Markit Limited.

The iBoxx® iShares® $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx® iShares® $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (the “Indexes”) and futures contracts on the Indexes (“Contracts”) are not sponsored by, or sold by BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively, “ BlackRock”). BlackRock makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to any person regarding the advisability of investing in securities, generally, or in the Contracts in particular. Nor does BlackRock make any representation or warranty as to the ability of the Index to track the performance of the fixed income securities market, generally, or the performance of HYG, LQD or any subset of fixed income securities.

BlackRock has not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the fixed income securities that comprise the Indexes (“Underlying Data”). BlackRock is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amounts of the Contracts, or the timing of the issuance or sale of such Contracts or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contracts are to be converted into cash (if applicable). BlackRock has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Contracts. BlackRock does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying Data and any data included therein and BlackRock shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions related thereto.

BlackRock makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by Markit or its affiliates, the parties to the Contracts or any other person with respect to the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein. BlackRock makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Data or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BlackRock have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Fund Advisors and its affiliates.

Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, Cboe Volatility Index®, and VIX® are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. or its affiliates.

About Tradeweb Markets

Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW) is a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets. Founded in 1996, Tradeweb provides access to markets, data and analytics, electronic trading, straight-through-processing and reporting for more than 40 products to clients in the institutional, wholesale and retail markets. Advanced technologies developed by Tradeweb enhance price discovery, order execution and trade workflows while allowing for greater scale and helping to reduce risks in client trading operations. Tradeweb serves approximately 2,500 clients in more than 65 countries. On average, Tradeweb facilitated more than $790 billion in notional value traded per day over the past four fiscal quarters. For more information, please go to www.tradeweb.com.

Tradeweb Media Contact
Hannah Randall Akeel, +1 646 939 6198
Hannah.RandallAkeel@Tradeweb.com

Cboe Media Contact
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atu@cboe.com