MCX trading halt: Exchange faces tech glitch a day after the launch of options on bullion index; shares now down 1% on NSE

The commodity exchange, which opens every day on weekdays at 9 AM for a normal session, has been experiencing glitches since morning, resulting in a delay of the trade opening.

Operational since 2003, MCX has a market share of about 98% in terms of the value of commodity futures contracts traded in the financial year 2024-25. With a pan-Indian presence, MCX serves as a dynamic platform for the Indian commodity market ecosystem, offering the dual advantages of fair price discovery and efficient risk management.

It offers trading in a diverse range of commodities, spanning multiple segments including bullion, energy, metals, and agri commodities, as well as sectoral commodity indices.

The BSE has sought clarification from MCX with reference to the media report on CNBC-TV18 titled "MCX faces operational issues as technical glitch delays trading resumption". The reply is awaited.

Shares of the company, when last checked, were trading 1% lower at ₹9,203.50 apiece on the NSE.

MCX announces launch of options on bullion index – MCX BULLDEX

The Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (MCX), on Monday, announced the launch of monthly options contracts on the MCX iCOMDEX Bullion Index (MCX BULLDEX®) effective October 27, 2025.

MCX iCOMDEX Bullion Index is one of the sectoral indices in the MCX iCOMDEX family, and the index is based on the liquid gold and silver futures contracts traded on MCX. The Index is an efficient tool for investors looking to manage their investments in bullion, and, being an excess returns index, it is ideal for benchmarking and trading.

So, MCX BULLDEX options are a new derivative product that allows trading on the combined performance of gold and silver futures through a single contract.

"MCX BULLDEX® is a dynamic and robust representation of the precious metals segment, constituted of the highly popular and liquid MCX Gold and Silver Futures contracts. The options contracts on this index will empower market participants with a versatile risk management tool, combining the benefits of diversified underlying assets with the flexibility of options trading," the company said in its press release.

MCX BULLDEX®, covering both gold and silver, offers a balanced exposure in the bullion segment to market participants – both investors and institutions alike – in a convenient and cost-effective manner that would meet both their investment and hedging requirements, it said.

Speaking on the development, Praveena Rai, MD & CEO, MCX, said, “The introduction of options on MCX BULLDEX® marks a pivotal development in India’s commodities ecosystem. This is a unique and innovative product that will enhance the range of products in the commodity derivatives ecosystem and assist market participants to take exposure to a basket of commodities in the bullion segment.”

The press release added that options on MCX BULLDEX® align with MCX’s commitment to deepen India's commodity markets through product innovation, enhanced transparency, and investor-friendly offerings.

Options on indices are highly popular as an investment tool, and options on a sectoral index like MCX BULLDEX® are widely considered ideal for effective sectoral price risk management.

The index conforms to the standards of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks (July 2013) in its computation and governance.