/ 8 May 1997

Slow start for currency futures

THURSDAY, 11.00AM

The long-awaited trade in rand-dollar futures began yesterday on the SA Futures Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Dealing in the futures and options, which allow investors to hedge future risk, made a slow start, with trade in Chacago outpacing Johannesburg. Only one contract was completed in Johanesburg, as opposed to 150 in Chicago.