A former team of derivatives specialists from Societe Generale has set up a new firm and is planning to launch a fund that will invest in dividend futures, believed to be one of the first of its kind to focus on this growing market.

Jad Comair, Antoine Iskandar, Dr Bing Zhou and Erwan Tigreat have received authorisation from the French regulator for Paris-based Melanion Capital, according to the firm. All four are principals at the new firm and left Societe Generale last year.