BM&F Targets 1 Million Contracts Traded Daily And Internationalization Of Financial Contracts For 2006

Speaking at the Exchange’s annual Christmas dinner, BM&F’s Chairman, Mr. Manoel Felix Cintra Neto, said that for 2006, BM&F was targeting to reach one million contracts negotiated on a daily basis. Mr. Cintra Neto also expressed the Exchange’s intention to internationalize its financial contracts during the year ahead. BM&F’s agricultural commodities contracts are already fully internationalized.

Mr. Henrique Meirelles, President of Brazil’s Central Bank and guest speaker at the event, stated the extraordinary growth of the derivatives market – with BM&F positioned among the top five largest futures exchange in the world -; the need of capillarity and expansion of Brazilian brokerage houses, and the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Mr. Meirelles also highlighted the importance of inflation control in order to ensure sustainable growth and a strong institutional base for Brazil.

The event, which BM&F traditionally offers its member brokerage houses and special guests, took place at the Fundação Oscar Americano, in São Paulo, on December 15.