Forts, the derivative market of RTS, will start trading a new futures contract, a futures contract on copper.

According to RTS, the contract is cash-settled, with the underlying asset for the contract the price on Grade A copper on the global market indicated in the LME trading system.

The copper futures contract is designed for both investors wishing to make returns due to the positive trend on the copper market and diversifying their investments, and also large Russian copper producers and consumers wishing to hedge their risks against price fluctuations on the market of copper and copper products, RTS said.

This last group relates to all the enterprises of the mining and smelting, cable and electronics manufacturing industries.

RTS director of the Futures & Options Market Evgeny Serdyukov said that the copper futures contract will extend the possibilities of financial companies and investors to invest temporary available funds.

"The contract will interest financial market participants and private investors due to the high levels of volatility in the market. It also allows companies of the mining and smelting, cable and electronics manufacturing industries to manage market and currency risks while executing deals on copper market," Serdyukov said.