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FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index:

CBOT Metals Complex Volume Surpasses 40,000 Contracts

Date 31/03/2006

The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT®), announced today that its Precious Metals futures complex achieved a new daily volume record on March 30, 2006, as total volume exceeded 40,000 contracts for the first time. The CBOT Metals futures complex includes full-sized and mini-sized Gold and Silver futures contracts.

Additional volume records in the Silver futures complex and in 100 oz. Gold futures contributed to the new composite Metals futures record. Volume for the CBOT Silver futures complex was 6,321, up from the last volume record of 5,066 contracts set on March 21, 2006. Meanwhile, volume for the Exchange’s 100 oz. Gold futures reached 24,954, exceeding the previous record of 23,433 set on January 20, 2006. Month to date, CBOT Gold futures account for nearly 18 percent of listed gold futures traded in North America.