FX Trading Outperforms Overall ICE Volumes

The IntercontinentalExchange posted their February trading volume data. For the month, average daily volume (ADV) of options and futures was 3,640,377, a 10.4% decline from February 2012, and a 4.6% increase from January 2013. Outperforming the overall Exchange was FX, where February ADV was 38,887 contracts, an 18.8% and 21.8% increase for month over month and year over year figures respectively. The rise in FX trading was consistent with similar figures reported from the CME and TFX.

During February, the ICE became a step closer to finalizing its Merger with the NYSE Euronext as the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act waiting period expired. Also, during the month, the ICE reported that open interest records were set in Brent Crude futures, WTI options, Heating Oil futures, Coal Rotterdam options, Russell 1000 Growth futures and Dutch TTF Natural Gas options.