Options Clearing Corporation Announces Record-Breaking Week

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) reported yesterday that during the week of Jan. 5-9, a new weekly record was set for total options trading volume with 29,814,477 contracts. The previous record occurred April 16-April 20, 2001 with 25,453,849 contracts. In addition, two of the five highest trading days for total options volume occurred last week.

On Jan. 8, total options volume of 6,509,560 contracts represented the second highest trading day on record followed by 6,421,319 contracts on Jan. 9 as the fourth highest trading day on record.

Equity options volume also had a successful week with four trading days breaking into the top 10. At its highest point on Jan. 8, the second highest trading day on record occurred with 6,048,421 contracts.

"During last week's volume surge, OCC's systems were well equipped to handle the increased activity, and performed flawlessly," said Wayne P. Luthringshausen, Chairman and CEO of OCC. "We believe that more record-breaking volume days could occur, and we will be ready."

Year-to-date average daily options volume at OCC is 5,559,944 contracts.