CHX Continues Record-Breaking Pace In February

The Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX) continued to outpace last year's trade and share volume as it posted record-breaking numbers again in February. Total share volume finished at 2,037,287,188, up 130 percent from February 1999. Total trade volume increased 171 percent from last February, ending at 5,120,653. The CHX also broke daily share and trade records during the month. On February 23, share volume soared to 123,443,090, and on February 22, trade volume reached 307,452. The membership market remained strong with the last seat sale contracted in February at $217,000, a 53 percent increase from the same time last year. "We continue to stay on top of the ever-changing market by providing low cost, high quality service on the broadest array of stocks in the country," said CHX President and CEO Bob Forney. "We respond quickly to the needs of our customers, our members and the investment community." The CHX's over-the-counter (OTC) program continued to flourish in February. Trade volume finished at 2,343,519, up 790 percent over February 1999, and average daily trades totaled 117,176, a new record. Share volume ended at 668,373,036, an increase of 662 percent. Through the OTC program, the CHX currently trades more than 900 Nasdaq issues. The CHX is the only floor-based auction market in the country that trades Nasdaq, or OTC, issues. Share volume for extended hours trading from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time totaled 32,716,208. The Chicago Stock Exchange was founded May 15, 1882 and is the second most active stock exchange in terms of share and trade volume. The CHX is also the fastest growing exchange providing the strongest force for competition to all U.S. markets. The CHX trades more than 4,500 NYSE, Amex, Nasdaq and CHX-exclusive issues, more than any other stock exchange in the world.