Iran's Securities and Exchange Launching Equity Futures

The chief of Securities and Exchange Organization – the sole regulator of the capital market – said the market for trading future contracts will be launched before the new year sets in.  
Shapour Mohammadi said futures will be offered on shares of 30 leading companies. 
The milestone decision to launch futures, which most likely would be hosted by Tehran Stock Exchange,  will give investors new hedging tools to take long and short positions on companies, especially at a time when foreign investments in Iran’s stock market could  take a hit from the new US sanctions.