17.9 million transactions were completed on Euronext’s cash markets in February 2006, making it the second busiest month ever, just behind the record level of 18.5 million registered in January this year. In total, more than 36 million cash transactions were registered since the beginning of the year, up 37.3% on the same period in 2005, representing a record level at this time of the year and a daily average of 868.000.
Shares
17.1 million transactions were completed in shares in February, bringing the total number of transactions over the two first months of the year to a record 34.8 million, up 38% on the same period in 2005. In the year-to-date, the average daily number of share transactions stands at 829.000.
Initial Public Offerings
There have been 6 IPOs on all Euronext markets in February 2006, bringing the total number of new listings so far this year to 11, a record level in 5 years. 7 out of those 11 IPOs were on Alternext, Euronext’s tailor-made market for small and medium-size businesses launched last May, which now counts 27 companies representing a total market capitalization of EUR 1.4 billion.
NextTrack & NextWarrants
Year-to-date transactions are up 181.9% on NextTrack and up 26.9% on NextWarrants, which includes warrants and certificates, making the first two months of 2006 the busiest year start ever for these products.
Derivatives products
Euronext.liffe, the international derivatives business of Euronext, traded 58 million futures and options contracts in February 2006, up 21% on the same month in 2005 and up 20% year-to-date.
Euronext.liffe’s individual equity products traded over 17 million contracts in February 2006, up 41% on February 2005.
Trading in Amsterdam equity products set a new monthly record of 11 million contracts. The Amsterdam market model, which offers continuous prices in all series, was introduced to the Brussels market at the end of January. The new market model is proving successful with trading volume in Belgian individual equity options up 163% on February 2005.
Interest rate products traded over 31 million contracts, up 15% on the same month in 2005. Long Gilt Futures had their busiest day ever, trading 430,000 contracts on 23 February.
Notes:
This press release has been prepared using actual volumes for the month, apart from for the last trading day when an estimate based on the average daily volume for the current month is used. Final detailed figures for the month will be published three working days after the end of the month on the Euronext websites: www.euronext.com and www.liffe.com.
Click here to download Euronext cash and derivatives market tables.
