Sectors index options trading volume in March reached 508,134 contracts, an increase of 97.75% from the same year-ago period when 256,961 contracts traded.
Equity volume for March was up 4.12% when 301,943,456 shares traded compared to 289,987,527 shares that traded during the same month last year.
Trading volume in the customized and standardized currency options for March totaled 20,043, a decrease of 39.55% compared to the same month last year when 33,156 contracts traded.
PHLX currently lists options on 15 sectors: PHLX/KBW Bank Index (BKX SM); KBW Insurance Index (KIX SM); PHLX Computer Box Maker Sector SM (BMX SM); PHLX Drug Sector SM (RXS SM); PHLX Gold/Silver Sector SM (XAU SM); PHLX Oil Service Sector SM (OSX SM); PHLX OTC Prime Sector SM (OTX SM); PHLX Defense Sector SM (DFX SM); TheStreet.com Internet Sector (DOT SM); PHLX Semiconductor Sector SM (SOX SM); PHLX Utility Sector SM (UTY SM); PHLX Housing Sector SM (HGX SM), the SIG Investment Managers Index™ (SMQ SM), the PHLX Europe Sector SM (XEX SM,) and the SIG Cable, Media & Entertainment Index™ (SCQ SM).
The PHLX also lists two options on the NASDAQ Composite Index® which are listed and traded only at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Options on the Nasdaq Composite Index offer investors a unique instrument for trading and hedging. Put and call options are available in both full-size (QCX) and mini contracts (QCE). Both of these products are the only option products available on the Index that are cash-settled with a European-Type exercise.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange was founded in 1790. The PHLX trades 2,000 stocks, more than 1,200 equity options, 15 sectors index options, and currency options and futures. For more information about the PHLX and its products, visit www.phlx.com
