Equity options volume for July 2001 reached 6,446,646 contracts traded. This represents a 24% increase over the same month last year when 5,198,666 contracts traded. Equity options volume for the first seven months of 2001 reached a record 60,927,318 contracts traded, an 82% increase over the same period last year when 33,498,751 contracts traded.
Volume for July in the PHLX's eleven sectors index options reached 451,743 contracts traded, a 98% increase over the same month last year when 228,178 contracts traded. In addition, sectors index options trading volume for the first seven months of 2001 reached a record high of 2,960,750 contracts traded, an increase of 41% over the same year ago period when 2,100,831 contracts traded.
PHLX currently lists options on eleven sectors: KBW Bank Sector (BKX); Computer Box Maker Sector (BMX); Drug Sector (RXS); Forest and Paper Products Sector (FPP); Gold/Silver Sector (XAU); Oil Service Sector (OSX); OTC Prime Sector (OTX); The Street.com Internet Sector (DOT); Semiconductor Sector (SOX); Utility Sector (UTY); and Wireless Telecom Sector (YLS).
Volume in the PHLX's customized and standardized currency options reached 57,649 contracts traded for the month of July. This represents a 65% increase over the same month last year when 34,989 contracts traded. Volume for the first seven months of 2001 reached 296,476 contracts traded for an underlying value of approximately $11 billion.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is home to the largest best-capitalized trading firms in the global derivatives market. Supported by advanced trading technology, the Exchange's market share has almost doubled year-over-year in the PHLX's 1,014 listed equity options and 11 sector index options. For more information about the PHLX and its products, including more than 2,200 stocks and currency pairs, visit www.phlx.com.
