CBOT® Revises Its Previous Announcement To Its Ag Holiday Trading Schedule - Agricultural Markets Will Now Open On December 26, 2003 - CBOT Corn Futures Set New Daily Volume Record

CBOT® Revises Its Previous Announcement To Its Ag Holiday Trading Schedule - Agricultural Markets Will Now Open On December 26, 2003CBOT Corn Futures Set New Daily Volume RecordThe Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) has revised its December 26, trading schedule for its agricultural markets. The CBOT's agricultural markets will now be open for trading on Friday, December 26, 2003. This supersedes the previous announcement of the agricultural markets closure for this day.

The revision to the agricultural holiday trading schedule was made based on the increased volatility and the potential adverse impact the closure may have on the markets.

In addition, yesterday, October 23, a new daily volume record was set in Corn futures with 244,701 contracts traded, breaking the previous record of 240,595 contracts traded June 24, 2002. This record underscores the recent increase in trading activity in the agricultural markets at the CBOT.

The revised holiday schedule only for CBOT's agricultural markets is as follows:

Wednesday, December 24

• Open auction: Agricultural contracts will close at noon.
• Electronic trading: Agricultural contracts will not trade electronically from November 23, 2003 through December 31, 2003.

Thursday, December 25

• All CBOT trading will be closed.

Friday, December 26

• Agricultural Markets will be open. Last trading day for January 2004 Agricultural options (Corn, Soybeans, Soybean Oil, Soybean Meal, Oat, Wheat and Rice) will be Friday, December 26, 2003 as originally scheduled.