CHX Sets New Monthly Volume Records In November - Trade Volume Up 129 Percent From November 1998 - Share Volume Up 92 Percent From Last November - Otc Monthly Trade Volume Exceeds 1 Million

The Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX) continued its drive toward unprecedented yearly volume with a record-breaking November. Total trade volume for the month finished at a monthly record 3,367,729, up 129 percent from last November. Total share volume increased 92 percent from November 1998, ending at 1,577,512,613, also a record for a single month. In addition, the CHX set a new record for single-day share volume, trading 92,811,670 shares on November 17. "The Chicago Stock Exchange just recorded its best month ever," said CHX president and CEO Bob Forney. "The continued growth of our volume and the success of our innovative trading programs demonstrate that the CHX is a strong competitor in the U.S. equities market." The CHX's OTC program, through which the Exchange trades over 700 Nasdaq issues, continued its phenomenal growth in November. Trade volume for the month surpassed 1 million for the first time, finishing at 1,235,904, up from 47,316 last November. Share volume ended at 457,814,164 compared to 75,178,079 in November 1998. The CHX also improved its market share lead in extended hours exchange trading. In November, 36,578,565 shares changed hands in the 2 ½ hours after the primary markets closed, representing 85 percent of the total.