Total volume for the electronic Brent extended hours session, which runs from 02:00 to 09:45 London time, reached an all time high of 13,079 lots traded. This represents an increase of 42% over the previous record of 9,242 lots set on 18 March 2003. The renewed market activity reflected the return of market participants after the summer recess and a recent US bank holiday.
Active electronic and open outcry trading sessions have driven strong volumes on the Exchange in the first days of September. Brent Crude and Gas Oil traded in excess of 150,000 lots and 40,000 lots, respectively, on each of the first two days following the US bank holiday.
These volumes come on the back of a record August for the Exchange. On 27 August the electronically-traded Natural Gas futures contract recorded its highest ever daily volume of 16,355 lots, an increase of approximately 21% over the previous record set on 26 June 2003.
Richard Ward, IPE Chief Executive said, "The continued growth in IPE volumes demonstrates its increasing role as the global venue for energy price discovery through traditional floor trading and electronic markets. We are delighted with the performance of the contracts traded both on the ICE trading platform and on the open outcry floor, especially as this part of the summer is traditionally a quieter time for the markets".
