Using a blend of the underlying benchmark index price data and futures price data (adjusted for any dividends, the applicable interest rate and the time to expiry) our automated pricing engine calculates a theoretical cash price for each cash index.  The theoretical cash price is the basis for the Countdown opening price for all expiry lengths. The Countdown opening price for each expiry length is then subject to market-making (by our automated pricing engine or manually by our dealers).

Settlement prices are based on the relevant underlying benchmark index price data. (The basis of the settlement price for each expiry length is described on the platform.)

Note: the blend (of the underlying benchmark index price data and the futures price data) used for Countdown opening prices may differ from the blends used generate prices for CFD and spread bet margin trades and/or digital 100s because the short-term nature of Countdowns means that their prices need to reflect the much shorter-term changes in the relationship between underlying futures price and underlying benchmark index price.