IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of regulated global futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, reported record daily volume in the ICE U.S. Dollar Index (USDX) futures contract of 82,689 contracts on March 14, 2012. The notional value of USDX contracts traded was more than $6.6 billion. The previous daily volume record of 81,814 contracts was established on June 9, 2011. For the month of February, average daily volume in USDX futures was 29,073 contracts, up 34% year-to-year.
ICE USDX futures trade exclusively on ICE Futures U.S. 22 hours a day. USDX options on futures will trade side-by-side electronically and on the ICE Futures U.S. options trading floor until May 2, 2012, when options will trade exclusively electronically. Introduced in 1985, ICE's USDX futures contract is the global benchmark for the value of the U.S. dollar and is the world's most heavily traded currency index futures contract.
ICE offers more than 55 FX futures contracts, offering capital efficient margining, including spread margining with the ICE U.S. Dollar Index and other currency pairs, as well as inter-exchange spread credit. ICE also has expanded the Exchange Member Firm Fee Program for the U.S. Dollar Index to include all of its FX futures and options contracts, featuring a rate of $0.30 per side. Terms of the program and a program application are available here.
