Futures & Options On The RTS Stock Exchange: May Monthly Data

In May 2003, trading volume on FORTS (Futures & Options on the RTS) reached the record 3 662 thousand contracts or 21 542 million rubles in underlying value. In April these figures equalled 3 056 thousand contracts and 14 643 million rubles in underlying value. Total open interest as of May 30th, 2003, stood at 493 thousand contracts or 3 060 million rubles in underlying value, up 35% on 2 264 million rubles and 6.5% on 463 thousand contracts at the end of April.

Options and futures traded 69 thousand times in May, down from 75 thousand times in April.

FORTS participants executed 65 thousand trades in futures contracts, down from 72 thousand contracts in April. Futures contracts trading volume reached 3 436 thousand contracts, and total underlying value equalled 20 246 million rubles.

In options trading activity grew 58%, from 2 673 trades in April to 4 211 in May. Total trading volume in May increased 194%, from 77 thousand to 226 thousand contracts, with 1 296 million rubles in underlying value.