Saudi Derivatives Market Cuts Fees to Boost Liquidity

Enhancements to the Saudi derivatives market took effect on 19 August 2026, introducing lower fees and new incentives aimed at improving liquidity, cutting costs and broadening participation. The changes currently apply to MT30 Index Futures and Single Stock Futures (SSFs).

For MT30 Index Futures, trading fees were reduced from SAR 25 to SAR 7 while final settlement fees at maturity fell from SAR 30 to SAR 2.8 For Single Stock Futures, trading fees moved from a rate equivalent to 2.5 basis points to a flat fee of SAR 1.4 and final settlement fees dropped from 3 basis points to SAR 0.504

During the market activation phase, transaction and final settlement fees for listed futures contracts are waived for one year starting 19 August 2026. Additional waivers apply to Additional Segregated Accounts and Give-up/Take-up clearing services at the central clearing house.

Single Stock Futures also gained updated contract pricing parameters and margin optimization measures to improve capital efficiency across maturities and products. A public margin calculator for all listed derivatives products is available on the clearing house's official website, allowing members to simulate initial margin requirements and assess their exposures.

A stronger liquidity framework

A revised market-making framework introduces updated obligations and incentives and relies on multiple registered derivatives market makers to support continuous liquidity. Market making activity began in August 2026, with one major local institution acting on behalf of several market makers under agreements with the exchange. MT30 Index Futures market makers must quote with a maximum spread of 10 ticks (5 index points) for at least one contract month, and receive a 100% trading commission discount as an incentive.

Together, these structural changes aim to increase liquidity, reduce trading and clearing costs, improve capital efficiency and risk management, and attract wider participation from both professional and retail investors.

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