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CBOT Mini-Sized Dow Sets A New Open Interest Record

Date 13/12/2002

A new Open Interest record in the CBOT® mini-sized DowSM was set on December 12, 2002 at 22,384 contracts, surpassing the previous record of 21,138 set on September 18, 2002. Overall, the CBOT Dow futures complex open interest rose to 60,937 contracts.

Open Interest is the total number of futures contracts that have not yet been offset by an opposite futures transaction. It is a clear indication of the contract's growing liquidity and strength and also shows that users, in addition to day-trading the mini-Dow, are using the contract for longer term positioning and for risk management.

The CBOT mini-sized Dow was launched in April 2002. It is 100% electronic and trades almost around the clock. The contract offers low margins which allows users to have greater leverage in the marketplace. It continues to be one of the fastest growing products at the CBOT, with average daily volume increasing over 19% per month.