May volume at CME Group averaged 10.7 million contracts per day, down 15% from May 2008, but up 17% from April 2009.
Total volume was 214 million contracts for May, of which 79% was traded electronically. Electronic volume averaged 8.4 million contracts per day, down 14% from the prior May and up 15% sequentially.
CME Group E-mini equity index volume averaged 2.9 million contracts per day, up 15% compared with May 2008. Equity standard volume averaged 104,000 contracts per day, down 21% compared with the same period last year. CME Group commodities and alternative investments volume averaged 731,000 contracts per day, down 3% from May 2008.
CME Group foreign exchange (FX) volume averaged 544,000 contracts per day, with notional value of approximately USD68 billion, down 12% compared with the prior May, but up 21% sequentially. CME Group interest rate volume averaged 4.7 million contracts per day, down 29% compared with the same period in 2008, but representing the best monthly volume to date in 2009.
In May, CME Group Eurodollar volume averaged 2.5 million contracts per day and CME Group Treasury volume averaged 2.2 million contracts per day – up 30% and 62%, respectively, compared with April 2009 – representing the best monthly volume so far in 2009 in each of these categories.
Total NYMEX volume averaged 1.7 million contracts for May 2009, down 10% compared with the same period last year, but up 11% compared with April 2009. Monthly NYMEX energy futures and options volume averaged 933,000 contracts per day, down 21% from May 2008. COMEX metals volume averaged 191,000 contracts per day for May 2009, down 13%.
Average daily volume cleared through CME ClearPort was 537,000 contracts for May 2009, up 29% compared with May 2008, as users continue to seek the safety and soundness of CME Group’s regulated, centrally cleared markets. The remaining NYMEX volume of 64,000 trades per day consisted of other transactions, which include position transfers and exchanges.
L.D.