MGEX, a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), today announced numerous records in February including setting a new all time monthly trading volume total, the highest in the 130 year history of the Exchange. February’s volume of 222,737 futures and options contracts were traded broke the previous record set in August 2007 by 6,144 contracts. The monthly trading total represents a 106 percent increase in trading volume over the same period a year ago.
Daily Exchange total volume records were also set during February with two of the top three all time trading volume days occurring during the month. Total trading on February 23 was 22,562 contracts, ranking second all time. February 16 ranks as the third best total trading day at MGEX with 20,367 contracts traded. Furthermore, February 25 was the 14th best total trading volume day with 16,114 contracts traded.
Various electronic records were set in February. With 197,362 contracts traded electronically, February set the record for monthly electronic trading volume. Additionally, four of the top 10, and seven of the top 20 electronic trading days occurred during the month including the highest daily electronic trading volume of 20,836 set on February 23.
A dozen open interest records were recorded in February with 12 of the top 20 record open interest days set in the month. On February 10, MGEX open interest reached 78,770 contracts, third best in Exchange history. February month-end open interest was 52 percent higher than the same period a year ago.
In addition to the unprecedented volume and open interest records set in February, a block of 15 MGEX memberships were each sold for $119,000 on February 2. The price paid per membership represents a 48 percent increase in membership value during the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2010.
“February was an exceptional month at MGEX on several fronts,” Mark G. Bagan, President & CEO, MGEX said. “Not only did we experience unparalleled Exchange volume, but our corporate growth initiatives have increased the global demand for participation in our membership market,” Bagan said.
Complete volume and open interest information is available at www.mgex.com. Membership information is available at www.mgex.com/membership or by calling Elizabeth Garvey at 612-321-7158