The International Securities Exchange (NYSE: ISE) said today that demand for Quarterly options grew significantly throughout the first quarter in which they were traded. ISE was the first exchange to announce trading of Quarterly options, and since the inception of trading on July 10, 2006, over 2 million contracts have traded across all exchanges.
ISE's average daily volume in Quarterly options grew from 4,411 contracts in July to 25,701 contracts for the month of September. ISE has garnered approximately 30% of the volume in Quarterly options over the three-month period and is the volume leader in two of the five Quarterly options issues, Diamonds(R) Trust Series 1 (DIA) and Select Sector SPDR(R) - Energy (XLE).
In July, ISE established a one-year pilot program for the trading of Quarterly options on five Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). In addition to DIA and XLE, Quarterly options are also available on the Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts(R) (SPY), Nasdaq-100(R) Shares (QQQQ), and iShares Russell 2000(R) Index Fund (IWM). Quarterly options trade during ISE's regular trading hours and expire at the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter. The first expiration for Quarterly options occurred on September 29, 2006.
ISE Background
The International Securities Exchange, LLC (ISE) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (ISE Holdings). ISE operates an innovative securities market, founded on the principle that technology and competition create better, more efficient markets for investors. ISE is the largest equity options exchange and is among the leading options exchanges in the world. ISE developed a unique market structure for advanced screen-based trading systems and in May 2000 launched the first fully electronic US options exchange. The ISE Stock Exchange launched in September 2006 with strategic partners and offers an innovative MidPoint Match platform, which will be followed by a fully integrated displayed Best Bid Offer market in the fourth quarter. ISE Holdings is also a majority owner of Longitude LLC, which operates an innovative platform for events markets trading. Additionally, ISE offers enhanced market data products for sophisticated investors.
ISE continually enhances its trading systems and develops new products, including index options and market data, to provide investors with the best marketplace and investment tools to trade smarter. For more information about ISE, its options products and its technology, visit www.iseoptions.com, for more information about the ISE Stock Exchange, visit www.isestock.com and for more information about Longitude, visit www.longitude.com.
