Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd
NSE:MCX

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Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd
NSE:MCX
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Price: 6 373.3 INR -0.18% Market Closed
Market Cap: 324.4B INR
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Earnings Call Analysis

Q3-2024 Analysis
Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd

Bright Future Ahead for MCX Despite Challenges

The MCX earnings call reflected optimism despite certain challenges. Executives emphasized that substantial open interest came from big players, suggesting confidence in the liquidity and depth of the domestic market. Regulatory approval for foreign investors to use direct market access terminals was seen as a positive, expected to streamline trading activities. The ratio of premium to volume turnover has increased due to higher volatility, improving revenue potential, although executives did not label this a structural shift. Discussions about a new coal exchange in partnership with Mjunction are progressing, with necessary ministry consultations and regulatory requests underway. Steel TMT contracts haven't shown promising traction yet, with hopes for future maturation. Lastly, MCX is addressing legacy issues, having completed a critical vendor payment, and the management remains bullish about the company’s prospects.

Introduction to MCX's Q3 FY '24 Earnings Call

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) conducted its Q3 FY '24 earnings call, led by Mr. P.S. Reddy, CEO, along with other key management personnel. The call’s purpose was to discuss the company’s quarterly performance and address investor queries.

Recuperation Post-Technology Overhaul

MCX managed to navigate through substantial technology costs incurred over the past two quarters. With these exceptional items behind them, the company's management expects future costs to stabilize and not be turnover-linked. The technology investment, inclusive of an AMC-related payment that kicks in from October '24, aims to bolster MCX's long-term operational stability.

Financials: Revenue Breakdown & Cost Analysis

The company reported total transaction charges of INR 156 crores for the quarter, with futures contributing INR 55 crores and auctions accounting for INR 101 crores. A significant expense was a software support service cost of INR 146 crores, which includes both software charges and license fees. CME-related charges also increased in line with higher trading volume.

Capitalizing on a Robust Technology Platform

MCX's expenditure on technology was capitalized, with hardware and networking equipment set for amortization over five years, and the core platform over ten years. However, specific cost breakouts within the INR 237 crores total capital expenditure were not disclosed due to contractual confidentiality with TCS.

Reinforcing the Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF)

The company strengthened its SGF substantially, reflected by the highest recorded open interest of INR 50,000 crores in the quarter. In December alone, the requirement was INR 562 crores, leading to an INR 13 crore contribution from MCX, with the clearing corporation contributing close to INR 52 crores in total toward the SGF.

Exploring Revenue Streams: New Product Launches

MCX is exploring new product offerings, including optional mini contracts of crude and LNG. While gold product offerings are being tested, launches are not immediate. The launch of LPC futures is pending regulatory approval, showcasing MCX's proactive approach to diversifying its product bouquet.

Non-operating Income Contributions

MCX reported its subsidiary income from CSR-related activities and accounted for some additional expenses due to investor awareness programs. The treasury income stood at INR 16 crores for the quarter, mainly from state development loans and target maturity plans, omitting any substantial uninvested cash.

Harnessing Volatility: Leveraging Contract Margins

Gold futures recorded margins of about 8%, while crude oil and natural gas had significantly higher margins at 34% and 20%, respectively. This margin structure is reflective of the inherent volatility and risk profile associated per commodity.

Closing Remarks

In the closing remarks, MCX’s CEO, Mr. P.S. Reddy, expressed gratitude for the trust investors have maintained and affirmed confidence in brighter prospects ahead, especially after overcoming the expensive technology transition phase. He assured stakeholders that the worst is behind and the company is poised for future growth.

Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2024-Q3

from 0
Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Multi Commodity Exchange of India Q3 FY '24 Earnings Conference Call. Joining us on the call are Mr. P.S. Reddy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MCX; Mr. Manoj Jain, Chief Operating Officer, MCX; Mr. Satyajeet Bolar, Chief Financial Officer, MCX; Praveen DG, Chief Risk Officer, MCX.

[Operator Instructions]

Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. P.S. Reddy, MD and CEO, MCX. Thank you. And over to you, sir.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Thank you. Good evening, all of you. Welcome to the Q3 investor call. And the quarter has been done. I mean has concluded as we expected. I think as you all know, we have announced also last time itself the 2 quarters that is the September ending as well as the December ending has completely consumed by the technology costs. I think now this current quarter is free of any such backlogs or any kind of such heavy items. And instantly, as I see, I think in this year itself, we have absorbed, thanks to the markets which have helped us the entire technology exceptional item that has taken place of the incident that has taken place on account of the technology, what are payment that we have made to the vendor.

I think now going forward, we surely will be looking at more stable costs and as I have already explained in the past also, the costs are going to be, by and large, not linked to the -- technology costs will not be linked to the turnover. It will be more or less on the lines that we have anticipated. I will not take much time, and I think I will let the room be open for questions. Thank you.

Operator

[Operator Instructions]. The first question is from the line of Prayesh Jain from Motilal Oswal.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Sir, firstly, if you could now spell out or give some indications on what could be the technology cost say, you had mentioned earlier that it will be -- you wouldn't have AMC cost in the first year. But what would be the AMC cost roughly approximately from year 2? And when does it start kicking in into our P&L? And secondly, are we getting anything from TCS in terms of any recovery of delayed delivery? That will be my first question.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Okay. I think although we have commissioned it, but we should not be disclosing because of the contractual obligations. So I may not be able to tell you exactly what the AMC is. But yes, it kicks in from October 16 onwards next -- this 24th of this year from October onwards. So that's one part of it.

And on the TCS. Yes, that they are still included, the post go-live activities are also there, some functionalities we kept pending. And I think a call will be taken appropriately. But that will not be a huge amount that we'll be able to recover a substantial part of it for what we paid to [indiscernible] to our previous vendor from this.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Sir, can you give us the amount capitalized for the software cost now it would have been there in your balance sheet, right?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Right. That's right.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

So could you give that amount, at least, the capitalized amount?

P
P. Reddy
executive

CFO will be able to.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

I think last time when we discussed this in the call, so we had said it would be in the range of INR 225 crores. So it's actually around INR 237 crores that we have capitalized. This includes the software as well as the ecosystem that is the servers, networking equipment and also operating and application software and also working capital.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Sir, secondly, on the FPI direct market access that we have started, could you spell out as to whether we started for both institutions as well as the individual FPIs? And secondly, for institutional FPIs, what really do we offer or what advantages do they really have to kind of do volumes in India as compared to globally, where they would be doing much higher volumes? And what according to you is the potential if they do -- if the volumes really scale up in India? That would be my last question.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Okay. See, this FPI category 1 is what is [indiscernible] can be permitted and that's where the DMA facility has also been enabled. FPI 2 will also be in the pipeline. I think testing is happening. And once FPI 2 is permitted, then they will also be able to trade on the -- I mean, using the DMA facility. And anyway DMA has been introduced just a few days ago, maybe a week or 10, not long ago. I think that is done. Then why FPIs participate here? And as I have also said in the past that the price movement need not be the uniform across the globe, there could be differences.

Similarly, our contracts are what we call rupee-denominated as against the other contracts wherever it is getting traded. And third, which is important, equally important is, there's a far month calendar spread may be different in different markets. So that will also will incentivize the market participants to trade, and that is not only for them, and it's for other part players also. So I think there are opportunities. That's the way it was.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Just to this clarification of FPI 2, you're saying SEBI has not permitted yet?

P
P. Reddy
executive

No, no. We're permitted, we are on the testing. We are testing large.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

But when do you think you would be able to launch the FPI 2?

P
P. Reddy
executive

We should be able to do it in this quarter that way.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Okay. And what is the potential that you think for FPIs?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, that I will not be able to comment on it, that I will not be able to comment on it.

P
Prayesh Jain
analyst

Okay. Just last data keeping question on what would be the breakup of revenues between options and futures, firstly, transaction and non-transaction and then in the transaction segment, futures and options?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes. 1 minute.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

The total transaction charges that we earned during the quarter was INR 156 crores, INR 55 crores is from futures and INR 101 crores from auctions.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Sanketh Godha from Avendus Spark.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

This is Sanketh Godha. Sir, on TCS costs which you have capitalized, what is the likely amortization period, you will take it to your numbers? I just wanted to understand the yearly amortization coming to -- come from INR 237 crores.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Yes. So part -- there are different components to it. So the hardware would be -- the servers would be amortized over a period of 5 years. networking equipment over a period of 5 years. And the hard core the platform, we are capital amortizing it over a period of 10 years. So there are different components accordingly, as per there'll be different -- time periods would be different for each category.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Then out of the INR 237 crores, can you break up that cost into platform and others?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

It would be a bit difficult because, as MD said, that then we'll be mentioning that amount that of the TCS amount, so I won't be able to announced it.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Got it. Okay, sir. Not a problem. And the second question is on SGF contribution. See, last quarter, you contributed around INR 11 crores, now it is INR 13 crores, is it a capture or the open interest has increased materially, and that is leading to increase in the SGF contribution?

And how do we see this trend going ahead? Because last quarter, you mentioned that our peak open interest was somewhere around INR 42,000 crores. So now I just wanted to understand what was the number in the current quarter? And this incrementally largely because of the open interest or is the catch up basically, sorry?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, there are 2, I would say, the variables when I say up to 2 factors that gets minus. One is, of course, open interest. That is the ultimate thing. Now how -- based on the open interest, there are some stress test calculations that take place. Now those calculations may undergo change depending on our representation being approved by the regulator, the very assessment of the stress test results.

The second thing is that apart from the contribution by the exchange and others, the members also are supposed to contribute as per the SEBI circular, now supposed to be in the sense the exchanges have -- it has been left to the exchanges to seek or not to seek. Because it's a competitive regime, nobody else is collecting. So obviously, we couldn't have collected.

So if this is made mandatory by the speculator to have it collected from members also, then 25% of it whatever is determine based out of these stress test results will be contributed by them. So at this point in time, these are the 2 uncertainties. Now having said this, yes, we have touched our highest what you call the open interest in this quarter also.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

What was that number, sir, compared to last quarter, INR 42,000 crore, INR 43,000 crores you mentioned?

P
P. Reddy
executive

About INR 50,000 crores because that's already open -- published on the exchanges.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

And the reason I'm asking is that these INR 13 crores...

P
P. Reddy
executive

INR 50,000 crores plus.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Okay. And the reason I'm asking, sir, is that the INR 13 crores is largely because members did not contribute, and then you made on their behalf a contribution, that's the way I need to understand it, right, sir? Not from...

P
P. Reddy
executive

See, there's a INR 10 -- INR 100 crore contribution is required, exchanges to necessarily contribute INR 25 crores. CC has to clearly and externally contribute INR 50 crores. And if we have been collecting from the members, INR 25 crores would have come from members. Since members are not contributing, the CC is contributing 75%. So that is the formula all the time.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

The reason I'm asking is, sir, that is this INR 13 crore kind of a run rate will continue going ahead also or it's done now?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Not necessarily, not necessarily, because as I said, there will be -- the SEBI also has permitted the exchanges to consider whether the spot prices or I mean, take the spot prices or future prices. And future prices are more, what should I say, transparently determine and a platform, whereas spot prices are fold spot prices. So this is the difference.

So if that is also undergoes a change, then probably whichever is -- I mean, which are not whichever reason, once you decide to choose 1 stream, then you will follow that whatever are the prices that are determined in the future that will be considered.

Maybe that may be another way that may reduce the, what we call, the requirement obligations on the exchange. But not a substantial difference it's going to make, but [Foreign Language], that's all.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Okay. So then we can consider safely that this is a recurring cost, which will be there in your P&L going ahead also? Maybe amount will change, but it will be a recurring cost in your P&L?

P
P. Reddy
executive

If -- It's good to have a problem, that's the way I really look at it because there's open interest increasing means more and more people are looking at this platform, depth is going to increase and stickiness is increasing. That's the way to look at it.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Got it, sir. And lastly, on new product launches, we launched Steel. And any update on weekly expiry -- sorry, monthly expiring gold options? Any pipeline, if you can highlight electricity derivatives, any highlight -- anything you want to highlight on new product launches?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, the option on mini natural gas and crude oil futures. I think we have got the approvals and probably we will be launching them shortly. And again, each time we launch, we are testing it to make sure that everything is in order. So once that is done, that will be launched. That is optional mini contracts of crude and LNG.

The second thing is on the gold that we are not immediately considering. While the testing is going on but we would like to give some time more for that. And on the other one, the LPC futures, we had to get an approval for that.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Okay, sir. And lastly, on your role, whether you are reapplying for the MD's role, sir? Or how is it -- I just wanted to understand that part.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, while it is individual choice, probably this is not the right time to answer. That's the way I would like to put it. As of now, my term ends on 9th of May.

S
Sanketh Godha
analyst

Yes, it's just 2 months away. So that's why I'm thinking whether you have made up the mine to apply again or -- okay sir, if you do not want to answer, that's fine. That's it for my side.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Amit Chandra from HDFC Securities. .

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

Sir, to continue on the launches in terms of the products that you have mentioned, so specifically, so last time, you said that weekly -- not exactly weekly, but mostly a series contract is possible, and we are going to apply with the regulator for that.

And also on the index side, we can launch the index options. So where we are exactly in terms of the application with the regulator and in terms of timelines for the launch of weekly and the index options?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, that is still work in progress on the index options and other products, a serial contracts. As I said, we need to bite as much as you can chew. And at this point in time, these are the 2 products which are very promising. That's what I look at it, which we are going to start launching shortly. Once that is done, probably parallel work is going on, on the other products which you have spoken. But these are the 2 ones which we would like to make them happen.

Because each product, we have to engage actively with the members and if we simultaneously launch so many products, I think members will also so you tell me what is that I should work on or concentrate on. So I think that's a challenge which we face also ecosystem being the same. We need to focus on, one, make it successful 1 by 1 or maybe [indiscernible] on 2. We are working on this on those lines.

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

No, sir. But in terms of the time line, sir, so maybe if you can throw some light that once you apply with SEBI, then SEBI will approve, then again you will go back to SEBI with the specification of the product, and then it will then get approved in terms of specification of the specific contract and the whole process will at least take 6 months at least to get along or is it a shorter timeline?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Maybe about 3 months is what I would like to say, 3 to 4 months, management should be in the usual course.

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

And sir, secondly, on the SGF thing, you said that it's like difficult to predict the SGF amount. The [indiscernible] SGF has been growing and the regulators also told most of the exchanges to at least double the SGF contribution that they have. But based on what understanding we have is that SGF is not determined in terms of volume, but in terms of the concentration of the single client concentration, the volatility and the maximum laws that can happen at the single member level. So based on that, the SGF is decided. So in our case, is it safe to assume that SGF can somewhere be around 5% of the revenues, that is what we see in terms of the contribution or it can be higher? And I don't know if you can also share the concentration number in terms of what is the top 10 contribution in terms of members, especially in options?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Okay. See...

[Technical Difficulty]

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen please stay connected while we reconnect the management line. We have the management line reconnected, you can go ahead sir.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Okay. Sorry, then what went wrong, I do not know. So the -- what I was telling is SGF competition is based on the top 2 member's exposure or 50% of the total market member's exposure. So our exposure or stress test results are based on the 50% not by the top 2 members that is -- so we are looking at that kind of scenario, where if 50% of the member's exposure has to be liquidated in what we call in a graded manner and how much time it will take, and what would be the extreme losses that can happen is what we have been looking at and accordingly providing for, this year.

So it's not that our SGF is any less. In fact, ours is stringent as [indiscernible] the equity exchanges that also we have pointed out to the regulators how it is being calculated. Having said that, the -- you're saying that the top 10 members make the difference. But here, it's not the top 10 traders. Traders, they don't keep the open interest as much as the others keep it. And we have top 10 members who keep the open interest are not the same as the top 10 players who happen to be the all good players. So that's what it is.

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

Okay. And some clarification on the cost side. So on the software support services. So in this quarter, INR 146 crores, excluding the INR 125 crores that we paid, it's around INR 21 crores, that is the additional amount that is there, which was around INR 9.5 crores last quarter. So is it fair to assume that this INR 21 crores would be the steady state or there is some one-offs in this in terms of related to the rollout of the platform?

And also -- and for the depreciation amount, the depreciation that we have reported this quarter, will it be similar -- like will it be in a similar range or we can see the depreciation to be higher because it got implemented 16 October, so it is from 16th October, we have taken?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Amit, the line includes software charges plus a license fee. So this amount also includes the amount that we pay to CME, right? So please keep that in mind, right? And also on the depreciation part, as you rightly said that we have gone live from 16th of October. So we'll have to make slight variation for the full quarter going forward.

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

Yes. But the license fees that we pay is around INR 5 crores a quarter, sir.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

No, no, it's not INR 5 crores a quarter. We have gone substantially on -- see, there's a fixed component. And irrespective of the turnover you have to pay a fixed component. And if the turnover goes beyond that percentage -- threshold limit, then obviously, you end up paying turnover linked to fee to CME. So that's how our turnovers have gone up substantially. That's how the -- we end up paying more to CME.

A
Amit Chandra
analyst

Okay. So what would be the percentage that we pay to CME in terms of that's linked to the turnover roughly?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

That is -- there's a fixed component plus 10% of what we earn.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Not a plus what okay. yes, up to let some x percentage of volume, then the INR 10 crores, INR 10 crores or INR 14 crores at USD 20 million is consumed. And beyond that, only the [indiscernible] will kick in.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Chintan Sheth from Girik Capital.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Sir, on new product launches, you mentioned a couple of them. But anything related to index launch, which we were planning to do multiple monthly contracts, which will look like a weekly expertise that we are planning that we were planning, what can we expect from here on?

P
P. Reddy
executive

So that's what I explained in the previous question also it's called a serial contracts. So we are not as yet has yet launched or anything of this kind at this point in time. And we are -- that's work in progress as of now. But what we have done wherever we are getting approvals from SEBI and 1 by 1 we are launching. And because we can't wait also or keep it in cold storage for long, otherwise, they will also expire. So that at this point in time, we have crude, NG and the natural gas, crude and NG options on mini contracts we have. That's what we are planning to launch. And these 2, we will be immediately taking up at this point in time.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Okay. But if you look at futures mini contracts, they have not had enough debt or enough ADTOs, does it make sense for option mini to -- on debt future contract, can -- does it make sense for us?

P
P. Reddy
executive

It does, because if you see now also core mini and then core main options there's a huge gap between the 2. But I think that's how it happens.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Right. Okay. Got it. Got it. And SGF, if we look at the total outstanding, the quarterly data, which we provide, which is around INR 759 crores as of December quarter. The incremental increase in -- sequential increase in the SGF is higher? I'm trying to still understand how should we look at? Because earlier, the quarterly total core SGF fund, which we were holding in our balance sheet, the incremental increase was [indiscernible] or INR 15 crores quarterly, which has sharply increased to [ INR 50 crores ] to last couple of quarters. That is largely driven by the options? Or how should we look at it? If you can explain this aspect?

P
P. Reddy
executive

One is options and other is the silver also, where the each product also their open interest are increasing. They may not contribute so much to ADT, but then the -- if open interest increases SGF in that product, then automatically more SGF requirement triggers in. So options is one. But then in the case of silver and gold, options are also picking up and open interest is increasing it.

Having said that, this -- the requirements are increasing. In the last 2 quarters you are talking about? Yes, it's on account of options in crude. Crude and NG. And we should not be counting the INR 190 crores, which is penalties in the SGF contribution because whenever we calculate minimum required corpus, we keep it outside that requirement and the SGF contribution gets triggered in based on the remaining amount. So for example, in the month of December, it's INR 562 crores, that was the requirement. And so as a result of which, we had to contribute INR 13 crores. And additionally, maybe not 3x more is being contributed by the clearing corporation. And together, it is contributed about INR 64 crores -- INR 52 crores has been contributed by all of us.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Of which our part is INR 13 crores for the quarter?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes, yes. But actually it is INR 562 crores only. So although we had INR 759 crores, that's not the INR 192 crores.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Representation. Right, right. I got it. It also includes element of penalties and interest core is INR 562 crores, that you are saying?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Okay. Okay. Got it. And lastly, on the other OpEx, if you look at absolute basis also it's increasing. If you can indicate because it was a few quarters back, it was in the run rate of INR 20-odd crores, INR 15 crores, INR 20-odd crores, and right now, that is tracking slightly higher. If you can also help us understand that part? So earlier, it was INR 8 crores, INR 12 crores. I'm including this compute technology INR 7-odd crores to INR 8 crores cost that I'm including in the other OpEx to combine it. So earlier, it was around INR 20-odd crores now it is INR 30 crores, so how should we look at it?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

If you added. But during the quarter, what happens 1 is our -- this also includes our CSR expenses. So our newer subsidy, they -- generally, what we do is that we booked the CSR expenses on a quarterly basis. It is divided over the year and proportionately over each quarter. But whatever wholly own subsidy does is that they account for it when they make the payment. So during the quarter, they have released a payment to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. So that's why it has been accounted. And there are no material changes, only thing is that we had during this a lot of traveling -- there were some traveling expenses that we incurred because of investor awareness program. That is the only additional expense that has come in. Others have been more or less flat, if you compare it with September.

C
Chintan Sheth
analyst

Right. Okay. Okay. And we have not so far seen OI increasing beyond December level or third quarter level for which we need to incur additional SGF as of now?

P
P. Reddy
executive

No, I think, as I said, in this current quarter, the OI has gone up across to INR 50,000 crores. So we don't know where it will go. But as I said, it's good to have a problem. And again, we are trying with the idea of contributing more to SGF and for bore interest and then reduce the, what we call, [ fargins ] then probably the trading will increase and then that we compensate as more than the revenue loss on account of interest. So these are all the issues that we are discussing. Let's see what happens.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Parth Agarwal from Bastian Research.

U
Unknown Analyst

I have 1 data keeping question.

Operator

May I request you to use your handset, sir your audio quality is not clear, sir.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Can you help me just reconcile 1 difference in your presentation that is on Page #6 and 5 and 6 in the ADT data. So as per Page #5, our ADT in future is around INR 20,796 crores, whereas in the Page #6, where you actually shared the breakup, that number is INR 20,471. I'm not able to reconcile the difference, can you explain it?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Which chart you're referring to, can you come again on the 5th page.

U
Unknown Analyst

On the 5th Page, if you refer to average daily turnover of futures, which is INR 20,796 crores for quarter 3 FY '24. Correct?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

FY '24, it is showing INR 23,021. Is that the 1 you're referring to?

U
Unknown Analyst

No, no, no. Quarter 3 FY '24, INR 20,796 crores.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Okay. 27 quarter for the quarter, okay.

U
Unknown Analyst

And if I refer to Slide #6, quarter 3 FY '23, '24, if I look at the total, the second table basically for the future one, it is INR 20,471 crores.

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Okay. That is, I think, probably because of inclusion and exclusion of more relating trading days as part of the calculations.

U
Unknown Analyst

So the Slide 6, does it include more trading or it excludes more trading?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

The 1 which is -- Okay. The higher side is including the more trading days.

U
Unknown Analyst

Higher includes more trading days.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Got it. So another question is, so I understand that you -- as per your contract don't want to reveal the maintenance cost. But can you help us with the range projects between INR 5 crores to INR 10 crores per quarter? Or is it less than INR 5 crores per quarter? Anything on that?

P
P. Reddy
executive

I don't think that's correct, no? I mean that also gives will be doing industries to the contract, especially the confidentiality that we have to maintain as per the contract. That's not correct. I think it will be unfolding it as we go along. It will be unfolding as we go along. It's only a matter of 2, 3 more quarters. Once we come through October, you will come to know of it.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Got it. And also so the INR 237 crores of software costs that you've capitalized, can you just help me with that -- for that INR 237 crores, I understand that depreciation would be for 5 to 10 years, depending on the different breakup, I don't want to know the breakup. I just want to know how much would be the additional depreciation cost because of this capitalization?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

It would be in the range of around INR 30 crores to INR 35 crores.

U
Unknown Analyst

Annually, right?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Yes.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Shreyas Jain from Electrum PMS.

U
Unknown Analyst

Most of my questions have been answered. I have few questions like can you just give the breakup of the slope income and the other income as well for this quarter?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

So during the quarter, our clearing corporation has earned around INR 26 crores. Basically, as on 31st December, we had a clearing corporation at a float of around INR 873 crores based on which they were INR 26 crores. So that is part of our operating income. And our own treasury income is around INR 16 crores for the quarter. Because we have invested in all and we've locked in long term in state development loan papers as well as in target maturity plans. So it's around INR 16 crores. We don't have any -- hardly any loose cash, just a liquid, what we collect on a CTT and transaction charges. This is all long term.

P
P. Reddy
executive

We had also locked in the perpetual bonds.

U
Unknown Analyst

So there was no other income for this like that membership fees or other charges?

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

That would always be there. Last time, we also had 1 more separate line of the consultancy fees from CSE Chittagong Stock Exchange. This time, we didn't have that.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And what like what can we do to add volumes to the bullion options? Like is there anything you can do to increase those volumes? Because 90% of ADTOs was coming from energy and 96% of premium entity comes from the energy segment so like there is a gap between the bullion futures and options. How can we close that gap?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, as I said, the -- while we have been actively engaging with the market participants, the premium being very high in these bullion contracts, there is some kind of, what we call, resistance or I should say, not appreciation of the kind of opportunities that are available in this market. Obviously, you need a lot of retail participation. It will come in the smaller contracts than these bigger contracts. So it's more kind of in education, et cetera.

Secondly, the underlying margins will be features is also lower in the case of gold as compared to the both NG and then crude oil. And that's why there's a huge shifting towards the option contract. That's what we understand. So -- but that doesn't mean that we should increase the margins in the gold I think it's a gradual shift has to happen, and it may happen also. That's the why I would like to look at it.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Lavanya Tottala from UBS.

L
Lavanya Tottala
analyst

So just continuing to the earlier question. So what are our margins on gold futures compared to the crude futures as of now?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, gold, it is about 8%, plus 8% and 1.2% maybe the extreme loss margin. I'll come back on that -- it's called .

S
Satyajeet Bolar
executive

Not only 8% .

P
P. Reddy
executive

It's about 8%. Okay. Crude oil about 34% and natural gas is 20% around that.

L
Lavanya Tottala
analyst

Okay. But even in options now, if we look at our option premium to ADV ratio of gold is much, much lower compared to the crude but even then because of lower margin in gold futures, it will be more suitable for traders. Is it the right way to look at it?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes. But see, what we looked at why the shift has come substantially towards grouped options is that because the underlying features have become more expensive. And less cost-effective in terms of -- it's more cost effect to the options that why there's a shift. Maybe that is that may not be true in the case of gold options.

L
Lavanya Tottala
analyst

Okay. Okay. Got it. And this time option premium to ADV ratio has been higher. Is it just because of the higher proportion of energy contracts or anything else?

P
P. Reddy
executive

It all depends on whether they are trading at the money or far away from the money. And I think the volatility was high as a result of this, this particular thing has been taking place. And I think when the people want to get out of it, I mean, maybe they may have entered at the time of contract near the money, but when they are to get out of it when the market is moving adversely, then they have to pay whatever is the premium and then get out of it. So that may be the reason why the options premium is higher than what used to be. But in a stable market, it may not be so much like this.

L
Lavanya Tottala
analyst

Okay. Volatility had a play in this quarter then?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Absolutely.

L
Lavanya Tottala
analyst

Okay. So just wanted to check your opinion on options of -- in terms of competition because options of WTI crude similar product, which is available on NSE now. How do you see competition in this space happening over the last few months?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, ever since the launch, especially, I would say that after -- sometime in October, they launched, and they are increasing, but it is not something it's alarming. -- as I speak, maybe it is about 1 minute. I'll tell you right now, stay with me. Options about INR 3,000 crores, ADT. They are blocking. And in the month of April, yes, INR 2,800 crores average turnover. They clocked the options turnover, no show turnover. Premium is INR 2 crores or INR 3 crores, INR 4 crores something of that kind, okay. Is it worrisome? I mean I take everything is worrisome, and we shouldn't rest unless we see a complete, what we call, blank at all is at all these places, data points. And so we are working towards it, let's see.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Devesh Agarwal from IIFL Securities. .

D
Devesh Agarwal
analyst

Most of the questions have been answered. And just 1 thing I wanted to understand, this recently, RBI allowed resident entities to hedge gold prices in IFSC, how does that impact us over a longer period? Yes, that is my question.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Sir, in the [indiscernible], there is hardly any, I mean activity that is happening as of now. And I think it's only in the silver contract, there is some kind of activity. And that too in the spot market, but not in the derivatives contracts, there's hardly any activity. So it's too early for me to predict anything on that. And -- but we don't see that, that will be a threat for our existence or sustenance. I don't think so. Because they are all dollar-denominated contracts and we have primarily the, what we call a rupee-denominated. And most of the people who are trading, they are all domestic traders, not the foreign. And our contract also has got a custom duty hedge incorporated or embedded rate and which changes once in 15 days or so. So I think this is a perfect place to hedge.

D
Devesh Agarwal
analyst

Right. And sir, if you could give any sense in terms of like earlier before RBI and hedging in the international market. some of the large dealers like Titan, they used to do it internationally. Can they again go back to GIFT City also are comfortable also hedging currency contracts separately. So what would be the quantum in our open interest from these large players versus small players?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, you see the open interest comes big -- from the big players, no doubt about it. But there's no reason why they look at the other markets having got used to it. Maybe before there was adequate depth in the domestic market. They were trading there. Incidentally, the RBI bank, they were hedging in overseas markets that's why they all have come over here. now that liquidity has also developed and its catering to their requirements, there's no -- I don't see any reason why anybody will go over there.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Aravind R from Sundaram Alternates.

A
Aravind R
analyst

So recently, we got a regulatory approval to -- for foreign investors to pay using direct market active terminals. I'm just trying to understand how it will help us? I know like that is 1 thing. And I guess, sorry if this question has already been answered. This quarter, the premium turnover to volume turnover has increased. Is it something like a structural thing that is happening in terms of more hedging or anything happening?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Yes. What I can say is the -- as I said that this quarter, the volatility is more and for which reason, I see that the ratio has improved in terms of our revenue potential. But that's not a structural shift. I don't say that it is structural shift. It's too early to make any such comments. So I think we have to wait and watch if it is happening quarter-after-quarter repeatedly, probably we can look at it reasons for such a change.

Having said this, FPAs are keen to use the direct market access DMA facility. So that they don't need to even now and then are discussed with the member brokers whom they are trading. Probably, it will be a seamless activity. And they will have a proper control on what they are doing it. And that is the reason why many of the FPS prefer a DMA facility.

And they should -- they -- I don't know if there's no time lag. The moment they feel that, yes, there is a good time to step in and then execute the contract, they immediately enter as if they themselves are the member brokers. So that's what the advantage of having a DMA.

A
Aravind R
analyst

But they can obviously trade at a much lower cost in global commodity broker list like FCI is it only because of arbitrage opposite -- arbitrage opportunities that is available in the domestic market versus...

P
P. Reddy
executive

That's right. It is the arbitrage opportunities. And within the -- I mean across the contracts within the domestic market or since our contracts are what we call rupee-denominated, again, there could be another -- that play also can take place. And apart from it, the FPA concept has come because of those who are operating in different markets they are able to consolidate their books into 1 book. That's another reason why they are doing it.

A
Aravind R
analyst

Okay. And just 1 last question, sir. Like how is the traction in Steel TMT contracts? And who are the players who can possibly enter into this either for hedging or for trading?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, not encouraging as yet, but I don't rule out it being picking up because just -- it's a first month of the Steel contract, and it will take some time to mature, okay? And the liquidity is the key to it. Obviously, we have no what liquidity enhancement program or anything of that kind. So we are looking at a market participant to join this. Let's see, we are working towards making it a successful contract. It should be self-sustaining in the next few years.

Operator

The last question for today is from the line of Martial Lu from Investor.

So the line for the participant is on hold. May I request we take another participant.

The last question for today is from the line of Sanjay Kumar from ithought PMS.

S
Sanjay Kumar Elangovan
analyst

Every quarter, there are questions on the breakup of transaction income and other operating income. It would be great if you could include these data points in the presentation. First question on coal exchanges. Apparently, IEX has submitted a presentation to the Ministry and that the media articles saying that we set up in 1 year. Any comments on this? And where are we in this coal exchange thing?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, as you know, of course, it's in all news that we signed an MoU with Metal Junction, Mjunction for precisely setting up a coal exchange. We are actively engaged with the ministry and various consultations that are taking place. We have also placed what you call ask the regulators to give us what to call in interest [indiscernible] approval to venture into it. So that is test in process. So we are also keen to get into that.

S
Sanjay Kumar Elangovan
analyst

So we'll be competing with IEX for the spot or for both spot and futures?

P
P. Reddy
executive

No. This is going to be a spot exchange only. For futures, you don't need to compete with anybody. One spot comes, then probably we can start the contract in MCX itself. So we don't need to start separately.

S
Sanjay Kumar Elangovan
analyst

And this timeline of 1 year, sir, is it possible or?

P
P. Reddy
executive

See, the ministry had to come out the guidelines and then the actual valuation takes place, whether they would like to have only 1 spot exchange or multiple spot exchanges, we do not know. So all that is still not determined. So it will take some time, okay? The regulatory framework itself is not in place. We will be regulating the coal product exchange, nothing is clear as of now.

S
Sanjay Kumar Elangovan
analyst

Got it. And second, on electricity derivatives, now that there is a stand on market coupling, and we'll have one price across exchanges. Will it accelerate the finalization of derivatives? Or do you think that is also in a [indiscernible]?

P
P. Reddy
executive

See, the electricity derivatives has nothing to do with the market coupling concept that is essentially to arrive at the, what we call a spot prices. And we will be settling our contract at the end of the contract period the all outstanding contracts will be settled on that 1 single price. So on a day-to-day basis season event may not be relevant, but we will continue to use the prices also. It doesn't impact the future prices do not depend on the market coupling concept as such.

S
Sanjay Kumar Elangovan
analyst

And finally, on futures, both ADTO and the UCC had a significant growth in Q3 versus declines in the previous months and quarters. Was it a one-off that we had this growth in this particular quarter? Or what is driving this?

P
P. Reddy
executive

Well, we expect UCCs to continue to grow the active UCCs. But ADT in features, maybe a correction, I would say, you can't -- we cannot compare quarter-to-quarter. Otherwise, it's supposed to be at INR 24,000 crores usually. It had come down in the previous quarter maybe. And I think we expect it to come back. And -- but more and more growth we would like to see in the futures contract, and it is going down.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, that brings us to the end of the question-and-answer session. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. P.S. Reddy, MD and CEO, MCX for closing comments.

P
P. Reddy
executive

Okay. I think once again, thank all of you for your unflinched and [indiscernible] trust in the company. And we will continue to work towards meeting your expectations. And I think, going forward, the legacy problems are all put to rest with this -- the last leg of the payment that we have made to the vendor. I think -- I mean, I expect the future to be bright. That's the only thing looking forward. I think more -- thank you. Thanks to all of you for joining.

Operator

On behalf of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.