We look at the most read stories in the past week from our news desk.
Optiver has entered the autocallable ETF market as an official market maker for WisdomTree’s newly launched Eurostoxx 50 defined-return autocallable ETFs. The move marks Optiver’s first on-screen quoting activity for autocallable ETFs.
We see autocallable ETFs as an interesting evolution of a well-established product - Jean-Marie Tine, Optiver
“We see autocallable ETFs as an interesting evolution of a well-established product,” said Jean-Marie Tine, head of delta-one institutional sales at Optiver.
At SRP Americas 2026, structured ETFs were in the spotlight as well. Industry experts noted that buffered and defined-outcome ETFs are increasingly delivering payoff profiles historically associated with structured notes. While structured ETFs broaden the access, education, capacity constraints and product design remain important considerations as the two markets converge.
At another panel, industry participants discussed how firms manage product governance, suitability and distribution as registered investment advisors gain influence and technology platforms become key gatekeepers. The panel emphasised cross-functional oversight and investor protection while scaling structured product distribution through model portfolios and digital platforms.
Panellists at SRP Americas also highlighted AI’s potential to automate document-heavy workflows, standardise issuer data and improve product analysis across the structured products lifecycle. While AI is expected to boost efficiency and personalization, speakers stressed that client service, issuer responsiveness and post-trade support will remain key competitive differentiators.
Market review
Europe’s listed structured products market reached a record €560bn in outstanding volume during Q2 2026, while exchange turnover rose 18% year-on-year (YoY). Growth was driven by rising outstanding volumes, expanding product availability and sustained issuance activity across investment and leveraged product segments.
In Belgium, the structured products market recorded strong growth in Q2 2026, with primary market sales doubling YoY to €1.75bn. The increase was supported by a broader range of underlying assets and a 34% rise in new issuance, highlighting issuers’ ability to adapt their offerings to changing investor preferences.
However, France’s structured products market slowed in Q2 2026 after a particularly strong first quarter, with sales falling 10% YoY to €17.4bn. Despite the decline, investor demand shifted towards yield enhancement products, driving a 25% increase in phoenix autocall sales compared with a year ago.
Meanwhile, the US structured products market remains on pace for another record year, generating US$17.3bn of issuance in August and US$158.7bn during the first eight months of 2026. While sales momentum remains strong, interest rate-linked products are becoming less prominent as investors increasingly focus on equity-linked structures.
Product
UniCredit launched its first investment certificates in Romania, extending access to structured investments through its local banking network. The initiative is part of the bank’s broader strategy to expand modern investment solutions across Europe.
Eastspring Investments Berhad rolled out the US Equity High Income Fund for Malaysian investors, combining actively managed US equities with equity-linked notes to generate income and long-term growth. The strategy seeks to monetise market volatility while maintaining exposure to leading US companies.
SRP reviewed a range of structured products across the world with strike dates between 4 and 11 October this year, including Société Générale’s SG Freesia in France, which provides exposure to emerging market equities including Chinese and Indian stocks.
Regulation and people
The US Securities and Exchange Commission clarified that its recent disclosure guidance for equity-linked structured notes supplements rather than replaces the long-standing 1996 Morgan Stanley no-action framework. The clarification raised industry concerns that issuers would need to overhaul existing disclosure practices for structured notes.
Qube Research & Technologies has hired Stephane Mattatia, former MSCI global head of index client solutions, as quantitative trading director in Paris. The appointment brings extensive expertise in index products and client solutions to the quantitative investment firm.
Bob McDermott, managing director and head of WMS Product and Partnerships at InspereX, has left the firm after more than five years. He played an important role in developing the company’s wealth management solutions business following its transition from Incapital.
Image: Viktoryia/Adobe Stock