New CAS may reduce ETF tracking error but poses challenges for arbitrage funds: Report
Mumbai, August 6
India's new Closing Auction Session mechanism is expected to improve execution for exchange-traded funds by reducing tracking error, but it has also created unintended challenges for arbitrage fund investors due to wider divergence between cash and futures closing prices, according to an Invesco Mutual Fund report.
ETFs are investment funds that track the performance of an index or a basket of securities, while an arbitrage fund is a type of mutual fund that makes money by buying a stock in the cash (spot) market and selling it at a higher price in the derivatives (futures) market at the same time.
The report said the new closing-price mechanism has replaced the earlier system under which closing prices in the cash market and futures and options (F&O) market were determined using the last 30-minute volume weighted average price (VWAP).
Under the revised framework, normal trading in the cash market for F&O stocks ends at 3:15 pm, followed by a closing auction that determines the stock's equilibrium price, which becomes the official closing price. Futures, however, continue trading until 3:40 pm, with their closing prices still based on the last 30-minute VWAP.
According to the report, this difference in price discovery has led to wider divergence between cash and futures closing prices, particularly in the final minutes of trading, as arbitrageurs are unable to intervene effectively because of uncertainty over execution price and quantity during the auction session.
"While CAS is expected to reduce ETF tracking error, it seems to have had an unintended negative impact on arbitrage funds. It is now imperative to refine the framework in a manner that preserves the benefits of CAS without adversely affecting arbitrage fund investors," the report said.
The report added that while arbitrage spreads are likely to remain stable during most of the trading day, they can widen significantly in the final trading hour. It said proprietary arbitrage desks are largely insulated from such movements, but investors in arbitrage funds may be affected because purchases and redemptions are executed at net asset values (NAVs) derived from closing prices.
It also noted that equity fund investors could experience gains or losses if underlying stock prices move sharply during the final minutes of trading.
Looking ahead, Invesco said market participants are expected to gradually adapt to the new mechanism, which could moderate volatility in cash-futures spreads over time.
However, it added that such divergence is unlikely to be eliminated entirely under the current framework and suggested that the methodology for determining futures closing prices may need to be revisited to better align with the new cash market closing mechanism.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a retail investor who puts money in arbitrage funds for stable returns, this is concerning. The 30-minute VWAP made sense for futures. Now there's this mismatch between cash and futures closing prices. It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing at NSE. Need better coordination between the two markets.
Honestly, this seems like a temporary teething issue. Markets always adapt to new regulations. The report itself says participants will gradually get used to it. Let's give it a quarter or two before judging the impact. Plus, if ETF tracking error reduces, that's a big win for index investors. 👍
I've been investing in arbitrage funds as a safer alternative to FDs. This news is worrying. But let's also acknowledge that the report is from Invesco - they might have their own agenda. SEBI should consult all stakeholders before making any changes. The devil is in the details, and the futures closing methodology clearly needs revisiting.
Typical Indian market situation - we implement reforms without thinking through the full impact. Regular investors in arbitrage funds are getting hurt because of institutional arbitrageurs sitting on the sidelines during the auction. The final trading hour is when all the action happens, and now we have this uncertainty. Not great for retail investors.
Interesting read! As someone who invests in Indian markets from abroad, the CAS seems like a good idea for ETFs, but the arbitrage issue is real. The divergence in closing price mechanisms is creating unnecessary complexity. Maybe they should extend the auction mechanism to futures too,
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