In 2006 the Sydney Futures Exchange merged with the Australian Stock Exchange to become the Australian Securities Exchange (ASE). The Australian Futures Exchange is one of the leading futures markets in the Asia Pacific. In 2006, total futures trading (excluding options) at the ASE rose by 26% compared with the previous year, to just over 74 million contracts. This placed the ASE third in the Asia Pacific region for the number of futures contracts traded.

The ASE provides futures and options on the four most actively traded markets: interest rates, equities, currencies and commodities. A number of the ASE's flagship products are among the world's most actively traded in their market sector.

In 2006, ASE turnover volume for futures and options contracts increased by 23% to 78 million, marking a fourth straight year of strong growth.
 
The strength and sophistication of Australia's equities and derivatives markets have played a large part in the development of Sydney as a regional financial centre. In addition, Australia’s fund management industry is growing strongly, driven by a nationally mandated retirement income (superannuation) scheme. Australia has one of the largest pools of managed funds in the world, with consolidated assets of over $1.4 trillion at the end of September 2007, up 21% on a year ago. Superannuation funds contributed $810 billion (59%) of this amount.

The continued growth of Australia's managed funds pool has attracted many global funds management groups. Foreign companies are well represented amongst the top 10 funds managers in Australia.