Senior executives in the derivatives market expect the current volatility to last for weeks or months, according to the latest survey from Acuiti.

• 44% of respondents expected the volatility that is sweeping global markets to last for months
• 41% thought it would last for weeks

The survey also found that:

• 90% of firms surveyed globally had taken some action to mitigate the impact of the spread of the coronavirus on operations, with working from home arrangements and travel restrictions the most common actions taken. Of those that had taken action, 63% expected the measures to be in place for more than one month with 31% saying they would be in place for two weeks to one month.
• 84% of respondents reported higher year-on-year revenues in February (of those 58% reported significantly higher revenues), driven by market volatility
• 40% of respondents predicting improved conditions over the next three months according to Actuiti’s Sentiment Index (a measure of industry outlook)

“The derivatives industry is doing its job in these incredibly difficult times,” said Will Mitting, Managing Director of Acuiti. “As investors, corporates and end-users reposition their risk exposures and portfolios, executives across the derivatives industry are working around the clock to keep the markets liquid and operational.”

The latest survey was conducted between 2 and 13 March, with submissions from Acuiti’s network of over 550 senior executives in the global derivatives markets.