NYMEX Volume Crosses 100 Million Mark For First Time

Annual volume on the New York Mercantile Exchange surpassed 100 million contracts yesterday for the first time in the Exchange's history. At the close of trading yesterday, volume in 1999 stood at 100,447,696 contracts, which included 81,600,511 contracts traded this year on the NYMEX Division, and 18,847,185 contracts traded this year on the COMEX Division. Earlier this year, the Exchange had already surpassed the previous annual records for crude oil and natural gas futures and options, energy futures, energy options, gold options and NYMEX Division futures and options trading. Exchange President R. Patrick Thompson said, "This landmark, which also signifies the 17th time in the last 20 years that the Exchange has reached new annual volume levels, establishes a promising note for the Exchange, its members, and customers to enter the new millennium."