The Exchange’s new Gold options on futures contracts also set records, with yesterday’s volume reaching nearly 1,000 contracts as open interest eclipsed the 3,000 mark. The CBOT introduced Gold options on futures on March 3, 2006.
“These volume records for CBOT Silver futures and Gold options on futures are the latest in a series of success stories within the Exchange’s Precious Metals complex,” said Robert Ray, CBOT Senior Vice President of Business Development. “The tight liquidity in the CBOT Metals complex is a direct result of our electronic market makers providing two-sided markets and our clients taking advantage of the opportunity to trade precious metals on our electronic trading platform.”
The electronically-traded CBOT Precious Metals complex continues to generate momentum. Month-to-date, the complex accounts for 24 percent of listed metals futures traded in North America. The CBOT Precious Metals complex includes Full-sized (100 Oz.) Gold futures and options contracts, mini-sized (33 Oz.) Gold futures contracts, Full-sized (5,000 Oz.) Silver futures contracts and mini-sized (1,000 Oz.) Silver futures contracts. These products are available for trading 22 hours per day on the e-cbot® electronic trading platform.
In March 2006, volume increases in the CBOT Metals complex contributed to the best volume month and the best volume quarter in the Exchange’s 158-year history. Average daily volume (ADV) for CBOT metals climbed to 22,887 contracts in March – an increase of more than 540 percent over the same period in 2005. Total Exchange volume in March was a record 70,495,317 contracts, while ADV was 3,065,014.
For more information on the CBOT and its Precious Metals complex, please visit www.cbot.com.
About the CBOT
As one of the leading global derivative exchanges, the Chicago Board of Trade provides a diverse mix of financial, equity and commodity futures and options-on-futures products. Building on its 158-year history, the CBOT continues to advance into the future using the strength of deep liquidity, market integrity and member-trader expertise. Using superior trading technology in both electronic and open-auction trading platforms, the CBOT provides premier customer service to risk managers and investors worldwide. For more information, visit our website at www.cbot.com.
