SPAN Margining

Introduction


SPAN or Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk1 is a margining system developed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in 1988.

Since its introduction, SPAN has become the most widely adopted margining system in the international futures industry.

The success of SPAN stems from its effectiveness in matching initial margin requirements to risk. By using a set of pre-determined parameters set by the Clearing House, SPAN assesses what the maximum potential loss will be for a given combined commodity - which is a portfolio of futures and options over the same underlying instrument - over a one-day or two-day period, and matches the level of initial margin to cover this risk. In calculating the amount of margin required, SPAN recognises the unique characteristics of options while also taking into account other factors such as intra-commodity (inter-month) and inter-commodity spread relationships.

The use of SPAN is of considerable benefit to ASX Clear (Futures) Participants and their clients as it provides results which accurately reflect the true risk of positions held. The use of SPAN also allows ASX Clear (Futures) to be standardised with internationally accepted portfolio based margining methodology whilst increasing the attractiveness of ASX's markets to international investors who are already familiar with SPAN. Under Exchange rules, Participants must margin their clients at least equal to what ASX Clear (Futures) would margin - effectively requiring all Participants to margin their clients on a SPAN basis.

What follows is a brief outline of some of the key elements of the SPAN system and examples of how SPAN is used to calculate margins for futures and options contracts.

top of faq

How does SPAN work?


In its simplest form, SPAN can be considered as a risk based portfolio approach system for calculating initial margin requirements.

Unlike other margining systems which make risk assessments based on individual positions within a portfolio, SPAN considers how the value of an entire portfolio of options and futures will respond to changes in futures (or underlying) prices and volatilities.

In calculating the profit or loss a portfolio will make, SPAN uses 16 'what if' scenarios where futures prices and volatilities are altered to varying degrees based on the 'Price Scan Range' and 'Volatility Scan Range' set by ASX Clear (Futures) and defined below.

Price Scan Range

The Price Scan Range (PSR) is the amount by which the instrument price (underlying instrument price in the case of options) for each underlying (known as a 'combined commodity') is changed in each scenario.

Volatility Scan Range

Similar to the PSR, the Volatility Scanning Range (VSR) is the amount by which the implied volatility of options in the combined commodity is changed in each scenario.

The scenarios defined by the Price and Volatility Scan Range used are:

  1. Futures unchanged; Volatility up
  2. Futures unchanged; Volatility down
  3. Futures up 1/3 range; Volatility up
  4. Futures up 1/3 range; Volatility down
  5. Futures down 1/3 range; Volatility up
  6. Futures down 1/3 range; Volatility down
  7. Futures up 2/3 range; Volatility up
  8. Futures up 2/3 range; Volatility down
  9. Futures down 2/3 range; Volatility up
  10. Futures down 2/3 range; Volatility down
  11. Futures up 3/3 range; Volatility up
  12. Futures up 3/3 range; Volatility down
  13. Futures down 3/3 range; Volatility up
  14. Futures down 3/3 range; Volatility down
  15. Futures up extreme move (cover 35% of loss)
  16. Futures down extreme move (cover 35% of loss)

Note:

  • Futures up or down 1/3 range means 1/3 * PSR, and similarly futures up or down 2/3 range means 2/3 * PSR, whilst futures up or down 3/3 is referred to as the 'full futures price movement'.
  • Volatility up or down represents an increase or decrease in the implied volatility at the close of business on each trading day.
  • The extreme move is typically set a twice the PSR of the underlying futures contract. As the probability of such a movement is very low, only 35% of the loss generated is used.

The 16 scenarios above, form a 'risk array' which is calculated by ASX Clear (Futures) at the close of trading on each business day. Over 2000 risk arrays are calculated daily for all of the contracts listed on ASX. It should be noted that the risk array is calculated from the perspective of a long position, i.e. being long the instrument rather than being long the market. When calculating the margin of a short position this array will be multiplied by the appropriate negative number of contracts.

The risk arrays are then applied to the portfolio of positions, with profits and losses being aggregated by scenario. The largest loss (represented by a positive value) across the 16 scenarios becomes the SPAN margin for that portfolio.

This figure is known as a Scanning Risk and forms the first and key element in the initial margin calculation. This figure can then be adjusted for intra-commodity (inter-month) spreads, inter-commodity concessions and spot month isolation rates. That is:

Total Initial Margin = Scanning Risk
+ Intra-Commodity (Inter-Month) Spread Charge
+ Spot Month Isolation Rate
- Inter-Commodity Spread Concession

These key elements are explained in the following practical examples.

top of faq

Scanning Risk


Price Scanning Range and Volatility Scanning Range

The following example illustrates how SPAN is used to margin a position consisting of both futures and options. Suppose a portfolio of 90 Day Bank Bills (IR) contains the following:

Position Delivery
Month		 Contract Type Strike Delta Delta
Equivalent		 Net Inter-Month Position*
20 Long Jun 12 IR future n/a 20 +20 n/a
10 Short Jun 12 IR call 95 -9.3 -9.3 Jun +10
40 Short Sep 12 IR call 95 0.86 -34.4 Jun -34
5 Long Dec 12 IR put 95.75 -0.41 -2.05 Dec -2

* SPAN assesses all spreads as whole integers.

At the end of each day risk arrays are produced for each combined commodity by ASX Clear (Futures) and provided to Clearing Participants in a Risk Parameter File ('RPF'). This risk array is the profit and loss profile of one long position in the specified contract.

Assuming that:

  • the Price Scan Range or full futures price movement is $920;
  • the volatility shift is 0.05%;
  • the current futures price is 95.70 for June 12, 95.75 for September 12 and 95.77 for December 12; and
  • the implied volatility is 0.26% for June 12, 0.29% for September 12 and 0.29% for December 12.

Then the following risk arrays would result:

No. Scenario IRM12F IRM12
95
Call 		IRU12
95
Call 		IRZ12
95.75
Put
1 Futures unchanged; Vol up 0 -34 -82 -164
2 Futures unchanged; Vol down 0 24 71 169
3 Futures up 1/3 range; Vol up -307 -315 -339 -40
4 Futures up 1/3 range; Vol down -307 -277 -210 281
5 Futures down 1/3 range; Vol up 307 237 165 -300
6 Futures down 1/3 range; Vol down 307 318 344 40
7 Futures up 2/3 range; Vol up -613 -605 -605 72
8 Futures up 2/3 range; Vol down -613 -581 -499 377
9 Futures down 2/3 range; Vol up 613 492 400 -449
10 Futures down 2/3 range; Vol down 613 602 604 -108
11 Futures up 3/3 range; Vol up -920 -901 -879 171
12 Futures up 3/3 range; Vol down -920 -887 -794 456
13 Futures down 3/3 range; Vol up 920 730 623 -611
14 Futures down 3/3 range; Vol down 920 868 850 -273
15 Futures up extreme move -644 -632 -599 182
16 Futures down extreme move 644 491 470 -357

These risk arrays for the futures and options contracts are calculated by taking the difference between the original future or option value (settlement value) and the recalculated future or option value given the relevant scenario. For options, the value is calculated given the underlying futures price, volatility and days to maturity and the option is then re-valued based on the scenario (say futures up 1/3, volatility down). The difference gives the risk array for that scenario.

To determine the margin, each array value is multiplied by the position size, giving the Scanning Risk. Then the 16 lines are each added across and the largest total loss from all 16 lines is selected as the margin. Note that under the SPAN methodology, the maximum loss is the largest positive value.

Using this method, the SPAN initial margin for this portfolio would coincide with Scenario 11 and would equate to $26,625, as can be seen below:

No. IRM12F IRM12
95
Call 		IRU12
95
Call 		IRZ12
95.75
Put 		Scanning
Risk
1 0 340 3,280 -820 2,800
2 0 -240 -2,840 845 -2,235
3 -6,140 3,150 13,560 -200 10,370
4 -6,140 2,770 8,400 1,405 6,435
5 6,140 -2,370 -6,600 -1,500 -4,330
6 6,140 -3,180 -13,760 200 -10,600
7 -12,260 6,050 24,200 360 18,350
8 -12,260 5,810 19,960 1,885 15,395
9 12,260 -4,920 -16,000 -2,245 -10,905
10 12,260 -6,020 -24,160 -540 -18,460
11 -18,400 9,010 35,160 855 26,625
12 -18,400 8,870 31,760 2,280 24,510
13 18,400 -7,300 -24,920 -3,055 -16,875
14 18,400 -8,680 -34,000 -1,365 -25,645
15 -12,880 6,320 23,960 910 18,310
16 12,880 -4,910 -18,800 -1,785 -12,615

The Scanning Risk does not take into account intra-commodity (inter-month) spread movements and in determining the Scanning Risk it assumes perfect correlation between months. The actual correlation between months is accounted for by intra-commodity (inter-month) spreads which calculate additional margin to account for the risk on these spreads.

Tiered (and Percentage Based) Price Scanning Range and Tiered Volatility Scanning Range

SPAN has the ability to levy varying margin rates through the tiering of Price Scan Ranges and Volatility Scan Ranges. Each tier established will represent either an individual contract expiry or a group of neighbouring contract expiries whose tier is assigned one common rate. Note that the tiering of Volatility Scan Ranges for each contract will mirror the tiering of Price Scan Ranges for that contract.

Furthermore through SPAN, Price Scan Ranges can be set as percentages with the percentages based on contract value converted to a dollar value internally by SPAN.

In the case below, 1 long position in Quarter 1 will attract an initial margin requirement of $6,028. This Price Scan Range dollar equivalent and Volatility Scan Range will form the basis of how risk arrays are calculated - refer to the above example.

Quarter Contract Value PSR Tier PSR% PSR $
Equivalent 		VSR
1 75,348 1 8% $6,028 4%
2 120,115 2 5% $6,006 4%
3 140,940 $7,047

For further information and detailed worked examples of tiered and percentage based Price Scan Ranges, please refer to Notice 046/12 titled "CME SPAN Implementation Phase 1 - Go-live Date and Margin Rate Setting Changes" which is accessible via the following link: http://www.sfe.com.au/content/notices/2012/notice2012_046.pdf

top of faq

Intra-Commodity (Inter-Month) Spread Charge


When the Scanning Risk of a portfolio is determined, SPAN assumes perfect correlation across delivery months. To take account of the potential for a less than perfect correlation between different delivery dates, SPAN is able to determine intra-commodity (inter-month) spread margins where offsetting positions are held across delivery months.

Similar to Price and Volatility Scan Ranges, SPAN has the capability of levying varying spread rates. This process, which is known as 'tiering', groups spreads within defined tiers dependent upon the months used in the spread.

For this example assume a trade date of 1 November 2011 and that the Clearing Participant holds the following positions:

Position Delivery Month Contract Type Delta Net Position
15 Mar 12 IR future 1 15
-18 Jun 12 IR future 1 3
4 Sep 12 IR future 1 1
-1 Mar 13 IR future 1

The spread rates which apply for this example are shown below:

Bank Bill Months in Tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
1 Tier 1 1
2 Tier 2 2 to 3 $240 $135
3 Tier 3 4 to 8 $325 $160 $80

The March 12 to June 12 positions are grouped in Tier 2 (months two and three respectively) with September 12 and March 13 grouped in Tier 3 (months 4 and 6 respectively). In this example the 15 net long inter-month positions in March 12 have been offset against the 18 net short inter-month positions in June 12 (Tier 2 v Tier 2). The three net short inter-month positions left in June 12 (Tier 2) are offset against the four net long positions in September 12 (Tier 3). In addition the one net long position left in September 12 can be offset against March 13 (Tier 3 v Tier 3). The total amount of margins payable on the portfolio after inter-month spread charges will therefore be:

Total Margins Payable
Total Scanning Risk = $26,625
Inter-Month Spread Tier 2
v Tier 2		 15 x $135 = $2,025
Tier 2
v Tier 3		 3 x $160 = $480
Tier 3
v Tier 3		 1 x $80 = $80
SPAN Margin Payable $26,625 + $2,025 + $480 + $80 = $29,210
top of faq

Inter-Commodity Spread Concession


SPAN has the ability to calculate concessions to total initial margins payable due to offsetting positions in closely correlated contracts. The percentage concession is set by ASX Clear (Futures) and depends on the level of stable correlation between any two contracts.

Assume that the Clearing Participant holds the following positions:

Position Delivery month Contract Type Delta Net position
-200 Dec 12 IR future 1 -200
-60 Dec 12 YT future 1 -60
100 Dec 12 XT future 1 +100

In calculating the appropriate initial margins to levy on the portfolio in total, the Scanning Risk for all components of the transaction must first be evaluated.

In the case of the 200 sold 90 Day Bank Bill futures positions, the Scanning Risk or amount payable by way of initial margins would be $184,000. This is calculated using SPAN scenario number 12 (i.e. Futures up 3/3; Volatility down). Therefore the calculation would be the full initial margin of $920 x 200 contracts = $184,000.

In the case of the 60 sold 3 Year Bond futures positions, the Scanning Risk or amount payable by way of initial margins would be $66,000. This is calculated using SPAN scenario number 12 (i.e. Futures up 3/3 range; Volatility down). Therefore the calculation would be the full initial margin of $1,100 x 60 contacts = $66,000.

In the case of the 100 bought 10 Year Bond futures position , the same calculation is applied using SPAN scenario number 13 ( i.e. Futures down 3/3 range; Volatility up). This results in a calculation of the full initial margin of $2,400 x 100 contracts = $260,000.

If no offsetting mechanism was available, the total Scanning Risk or amount payable in initial margins would be equal to the sum of the above figures, i.e. $510,000 plus any Intra-Commodity (inter-month)spread charges.

Using SPAN, ASX Clear (Futures) offers Inter-Commodity spreads between designated pairs of commodities. In the case of the 10-Year and 3-Year Bond contracts, we will assume that the spread is calculated on a delta spread ratio of 1:3, i.e. one 10-Year Bond contract for every three 3-Year Bond contracts. This parameter is determined by ASX Clear (Futures) and is subject to adjustment. On that basis, 20 of the 100 10-Year Bond contracts (60/3 x 1 = 20) and all 60 of the 3-Year Bond contracts can be utilised in the spread.

In the case of the 10-Year Bond and 90 Day Bank Bill contracts, we will assume that the spread is calculated on a delta spread ratio of 1:4, i.e. one 10-Year Bond contract for every four 90 Day Bank Bill contracts. On that basis, the remaining 50 of the 100 10-Year Bond contracts and all 200 of the 90 Day Bank Bill contracts can be utilised in the spread.

In addition to establishing the ratio and priority of contracts used in the spread, ASX Clear (Futures) also assigns the spread a percentage 'concession' on the Scanning Risk which is dependent upon the pricing correlation of the instruments involved. Assuming an inter-commodity concession of 75% for a 10-Year Bond : 3-Year Bond spread, and 60% for a 10-Year Bond : 90 Day Bank Bill spread, 75% and 60% of the Scanning Risk for all the commodities will be rebated in recognition of the reduced risk profile of the inter-commodity spreads.

The total amount payable by way of margins is calculated as set out below:

Total Margins Payable
Total Scanning Risk ($920 x 200) + ($1,100 x 60) + ($2,600 x 100) = $510,000
Deduct XT Rebate (20 x $2,600 x 75%) + (50 x $2,600 x 60%) = ($117,000)
Deduct YT Rebate 60 x $1,100 x 75% = ($49,500)
Deduct IR Rebate 200 x $920 x 60% = ($110,400)
Final SPAN margin payable $510,000 - $117,000 - $49,500 - $110,400 = $233,100

Note that there is no 3-Year-Bond : 90 Day Bank Bill spread as all 3-Year-Bond positions were used in the 10-Year-Bond : 3-Year Bond spread.

top of faq

Spot Month Isolation Rate


The initial margin requirement calculation based on the Scanning Risk, Intra-Commodity Charge and Inter-Commodity Concession described above only determines initial margin obligations for contract positions up until their expiry and calculates none thereafter.

Thus, in conjunction with the application of these main margin rates, SPAN also calculates spot risks associated with near-expiring contracts, using the Spot Month Isolation Rate to calculate exposures such as price risks arising in the interval between a contract's expiry and settlement.

Spot Month Isolation Rates are currently set as a flat rate change and are applied throughout a contract's settlement period. Thus, for such contracts, the initial margin calculation will be based on the Scanning Risk, Intra-Commodity Charge and Inter-Commodity Concession before expiry, and following expiry, will be based on the Spot Month Isolation Rate only and calculated up until settlement of the contract. Note, no Intra-Commodity or Inter-Commodity spreads are formed at this post-expiry stage.

Similar to previous cases and assuming that the Clearing Participant now only holds positions in the IR, the initial margin requirement prior to IR's expiry will be based on the Scanning Risk, Intra-Commodity Charge and Inter-Commodity Concession and is calculated at $920 x 200 contracts = $184,000.

The Spot Month Isolation Rate is applied once IR expires and covers the one day it takes for the contract to settle. Thus, assuming the Spot Month Isolation Rate is set at $300, the initial margin requirement calculated on Expiry + 1 (Settlement day) is $300 x 200 contracts = $60,000.

Expiry - 1 Expiry Expiry + 1 (Settlement day)
Net position of spot contract 200 200 200
Price Scanning Range $700 $700 $0
Intra-commodity Spread Charge $0 $0 $0
Inter-commodity Concession $0 $0 0%
Spot Month Isolation Rate $0 $0 $60,000
Total Initial Margin Requirement $184,000 $184,000 $60,000
top of faq

More Information


To assist Clearing Participants and clients with information on SPAN, a PC-based SPAN calculator developed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) known as PC-SPAN is available from CME.

1"’SPAN’ is a registered trademark of Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Inc., used herein under license. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. assumes no liability in connection with the use of SPAN by any person or entity.”

This document was prepared by the ASX. The Exchange takes no responsibility for errors or omissions or for losses arising from actions based on this information. This document does not substitute for the Operating Rules of the Exchange or of ASX Clear (Futures) and in the case of inconsistency, the Operating Rules prevail. Futures and Options trading involves the potential for both profits and losses. Only licensed futures brokers and advisers can advise on this risk.

top of faq