OneChicago announced today that it traded 123,095 contracts in December, the first full month of security futures trading in the United States. Open interest at OneChicago stood at 34,226 contracts on Dec. 31. Average daily volume in December was 5,862 contracts. Total volume for 2002 was 184,081 contracts.
The top five security futures products by volume in December were: DIAMONDS (DIA) with 24,590 contracts traded, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) with 23,431, Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) with 4,593, Amgen Inc. (AMGN) with 4,261 and Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) with 3,332. Each contract is equivalent to 100 shares of the underlying stock.
The heaviest trading day was Dec. 27, when 11,443 security futures contracts traded at the Exchange. Volume leaders that day included futures on Microsoft (MSFT), Newmont Mining Corp. Holding Co. (NEM) and the DIAMONDS (DIA).
Trading in OneChicago security futures began Nov. 8 with 21 single stock futures contracts. Today, the Exchange lists 82 single stock futures as well as futures on the DIAMONDS Trust. Futures on narrow-based indices are scheduled for launch in January 2003.