Eurex says that given the current market conditions, exchange-listed, centrally cleared real estate futures bring added value to the derivatives market, for example through mitigation of counterparty risks, standardisation and transparency.

This allows open-ended property fund managers greater flexibility with risk and cash flow management and redemptions, unavailable in other property investment instruments.

The launch follows Eurex's recently introduced futures based on the dividends of the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 index. Eurex says since its launch in June 2008, volumes have increased steadily - reaching a new peak in daily volume of 44,495 contracts on 5 February. The index dividend is the first contract based on the pure dividend component of a major equity index that has been available for on exchange-trading and clearing on a standalone basis.