Volume on its options and futures markets was down 17.3 percent worldwide, at 7.5 million contracts a day in January. Equity options in the United States were down 4.1 percent – but European derivatives fell 31.3%, from a year ago.
Stock trading also fell. European volume was down 14.6 percent and U.S. volume was down 23.5 percent, from a year ago.
Activity was up slightly from what NYSE Euronext called “seasonally slower December 2011. “
Derivatives volume was up 0.3 percent, worldwide, compared to December.
U.S. stock trading was up 1.1 percent, from December.
Here are some highlights:
• European derivatives: Average daily volume in January 2012 of 3.2 million contracts decreased 31.3% compared to January 2011 and decreased 6.3% from December 2011 levels.
• U.S. equity options: Average daily volume of 4.2 million contracts in January 2012 decreased 4.1% compared to January 2011 levels, but increased 6.0% from December 2011.
• NYSE Liffe U.S.: Average daily volume of 94,900 contracts increased from 13,500 contracts in January 2011 and increased from 89,600 contracts in December 2011.
• European stock trading: Average daily volume of 1.5 million transactions in January 2012 decreased 14.6% compared to January 2011, but increased 12.9% from December 2011 levels.
• U.S. stock trading: Average daily volume of 1.8 billion shares in January 2012 decreased 23.5% compared to January 2011, but increased 1.1% compared to December 2011.
• Tape A market share: NYSE Euronext’s matched market share of Tape A trading in NYSE-listed stocks in January 2012 was 30.3%, down from 33.9% in January 2011 and down from 33.4% in December 2011.
Trade Reporting Facility (“TRF”) market share in Tape A securities, a measure of off-exchange trading, increased to 34.1% of consolidated U.S. cash equity trading in Tape A securities in January 2012, the highest level since January 2010, and up from 31.1% in December 2011 and 33.1% in January 2011.
Tom Steinert-Threlkeld writes for Securities Technology Monitor.
