Mondo Visione Worldwide Financial Markets Intelligence

FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index:

Two New Records For The Montréal Exchange

Date 26/02/2003

Bourse de Montréal Inc. ("Montréal Exchange") established yesterday two new records. The record level of activity on its Ten-year Government of Canada Bond Futures, the CGB, pushed the total volume on the Montréal Exchange to a record high of 164,865 contracts traded in a single day. The previous record of 164,811 contracts was achieved on August 27, 1998.

The high level of activity on the Montréal Exchange was mainly attributable to increased market volatility, following the sharp decrease in the consumer's confidence index released by the U.S. Conference Board as well as the uncertain geopolitical environment.

The number of CGB contracts traded reached 98,536 surpassing by 71% the previous record of 57,415 contracts achieved on November 26, 2002. The strong performance of the CGB is explained by, among other factors, the reallocation of assets in favour of long-term bonds which investors perceive as safe-haven securities. The CGB is an interest rate derivative product used primarily by institutional investors to protect their bond portfolios.

About the Montréal Exchange

Bourse de Montréal Inc. ("Montréal Exchange") is Canada's oldest exchange. It was the first Canadian exchange to list equity options and to establish a major futures market. Today, the Montréal Exchange is fully electronic. It offers both individual and institutional investors a wide range of equity, index and interest rate derivative products. Clearing services are offered through the Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation. The Montréal Exchange also offers training (e-learning and in-class) through the Derivatives Institute. For more information about the Montréal Exchange, please visit www.m-x.ca.