EUROPEAN EXCHANGES SEE SLIGHT INCREASE IN EQUITY TRADING

Posted November 18, 2008

BRUSSELS – European securities exchanges that are members of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) have reported a one percent increase in electronic order book (EOB) equity trades on their exchanges in October, compared to the previous month.

The total number of trades in October was almost 90 million, with a total value of about 1.2 trillion euros. However, the equity market capitalization of FESE Member exchanges decreased to 6.9 trillion euros. European exchanges listed 43 new companies during October, 11 of which were listed through an IPO.

Electronic order book ETF trading volumes were 23 percent higher at the end of October than the previous month, and 105 percent higher than at the end of October 2007. Securitized derivatives increased by 40 percent compared to September. EOB Bond trading value went up to 36 billion euros last month, an increase of 45 percent compared to the previous month.

The number of equity derivative contracts traded has increased by three percent compared to September while bonds derivative contracts decreased by 16 percent in the same period.