August Trading On LIFFE At All-Time Record Levels

The London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE) had its busiest August ever both in terms of value and volume traded. Average daily nominal value amounted to £364 billion (€582 billion) with a total monthly value of £8,371 billion (€13,353 billion) up 69% on August 2000. LIFFE's total year to date underlying nominal value traded amounted to £59,971 billion (€95,953 billion), up 49% on 2000.

The Exchange traded 18,555,744 futures and options contracts in August, an increase of 83% on the same month last year. Year-to-date volume is up 53% on 2000.

LIFFE's Chief Executive, Hugh Freedberg said "LIFFE's volumes this month have been driven by movements in European interest rates with Three Month Euribor volume up 54% and Three Month Sterling volume up 84% on August 2000.

During August LIFFE's Swapnote® contracts traded their two millionth contract, since their launch on 20 March this year."

Total exchange open interest reached an all time high of 11,095,091 on 30 August 2001.