Stockholm/Cambridge – June 17, 2025 – Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced that the first trade in Custom Basket Futures has been made by University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited with a notional value of €80 million.
University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited (“UCIM”) is the investment company that manages the Cambridge University Endowment Fund, with a mission to provide world-class, sustainable investment performance. UCIM is the first organization to trade Nasdaq Custom Basket Futures – a product that allows investors to create a custom-made equity basket that is specified by return type, currency, and chosen from a pool of equities, in this case to exclude conventional energy, supporting a core part of UCIM’s sustainable investment strategy.
“Nasdaq Custom Basket Futures enhance UCIM's ability to further reduce exposure to conventional energy within the passive component of the endowment’s public equity portfolio, supporting progress towards our ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2038,” said Sarah Wood, Associate Director, Marketable Assets, UCIM. “It has been a pleasure to work with the Nasdaq team as it developed an innovative, efficient solution for UCIM and its stakeholders at the University of Cambridge.”
The Custom Basket offering was first launched with Custom Basket Forwards. In March 2025 the offering was expanded to include Futures. The solution reflects Nasdaq commitment to driving innovation and increasing accessibility in the capital markets by offering a more streamlined and transparent way to manage bespoke equity exposures. It enables clients to use standardized contracts traded on a regulated market — with central counterparty clearing — instead of relying on over-the-counter equity swaps. Since launch, the equity universe has grown from European equities to also include U.S. equities, now covering over 2,200 stocks across 16 countries.
“We are thrilled to announce the first trade for Nasdaq Custom Basket Futures in partnership with UCIM — an important milestone in our product evolution,” said Julian Butterworth, Head of Sales, European Market Services, Nasdaq. “This offering is a strong example of how we are delivering innovative tools that empower investors to tailor their exposures while benefiting from the transparency and security of regulated markets.”
More information on Custom Basket Futures can be found at Nasdaq Custom Basket Futures.
About Nasdaq
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.
About University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited
University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited (“UCIM”) is the investment organisation that manages the Cambridge University Endowment Fund (“CUEF”). Founded in 2008, the Cambridge University Endowment Fund supports the University by funding over 800 projects and programmes, including scholarships, bursaries, teaching and research into some of the most critical societal issues, such as life sciences, conservation, climate change and technology.
UCIM’s sustainable investment strategy includes a commitment to reduce the CUEF’s exposure to conventional energy to below 0.5%. In 2019, prior to the introduction of this strategy, the CUEF’s exposure to conventional energy was 3.3%. As of 31st December 2024, this had reduced to 1.2% Further, since 2020, UCIM has made commitments to renewable energy investments, representing in aggregate over 3% of the Cambridge University Endowment Fund.
More information about UCIM is available at www.ucim.co.uk.
Media Contacts
Nasdaq
Erik Gruvfors
+46 73 449 78 12
erik.gruvfors@nasdaq.com
University of Cambridge Investment Management
Joel Beckman
+44 7713 634 779
joel.beckman@ucim.co.uk