North American multinational network of electronic exchanges and clearing houses Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) has today reported December 2014, fourth quarter 2014 and full year 2014 exchange traded volume.
A remarkable leap forward in on-exchange FX contracts has been recorded, with a 23.1% increment in average daily volumes during December, which stand at 53,000 contracts compared with 42,000 in November.
Congruent with the industry direction over recent months, on-exchange volume figures have stabilized across all asset classes at ICE, however the decline from 50,000 FX contracts having been traded in September decreased to 44,000 in October, with November’s figure showing a further drop, albeit a very small one, to 42,000 contracts during the month.
What is unusual is that December often represents a month in which a seasonal slowdown in trading volumes occurs due to many public holidays, however activity flourished at ICE during the final month of the year.
In terms of year on year performance, ICE’s December 2014 and fourth quarter of 2014 average daily volume (ADV) decreased 18% and 11% compared to December 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2013, respectively.
Financials average daily volumes did not follow the upward direction of exchange-traded FX last month, however, having declined 28% from the prior December due to continued low volatility in Continental European short-term interest rates. Fourth quarter financials declined 23% driven by a decline in Euribor ADV, offset by a 10%, 30% and 25% increase in Sterling, Gilt and equity index ADV, respectively.
NYSE’s U.S. cash equities ADV increased 25%, while U.S. equity options ADV decreased 5% over the prior December. NYSE’s U.S. cash equities market share was 24.4% and NYSE’s U.S. options market share was 22.1% for the month.
For the full announcement from IntercontinentalExchange, click here.