OREANDA-NEWS. May 4, 2010. On April 28, 2010, trading volume in futures and options contracts on FORTS, the derivatives market of RTS, hit an all-time high value of RUB171.113 billion or USD5.887 billion by the end of the main trading session.

Futures contracts alone also saw a record trading volume of RUB164.304 billion or USD5.653 billion in value.

In addition, market participants executed a record number of trades in the RTS Index futures contract (451,057) for a record value of RUB129.363 billion or USD4.451 billion.

The previous record trading activity in this futures contract was seen on February 5, 2010, when 426,104 trades were executed for a value of RUB110.030 billion or USD3.667 billion. The high trading activity on FORTS indicates that market participants wish to hedge their investments in volatile and stressed global financial markets with the help of derivatives contracts. Thanks to the wide choice of futures and options offered by FORTS, investors can pursue effective and lucrative strategies no matter where the market moves.

FORTS, the derivatives market of RTS, is the leading trading venue for futures and options in Russia. Trading on FORTS started in September 2001. According to the Futures Industry Association the derivatives market of RTS is among the TOP-10 global derivatives exchanges based on the results of 2009. At present FORTS has the widest range of instruments in Russia. These are 47 contracts (34 futures and 13 options) on RTS Index, RTS Standard Index, shares of Russian companies, bonds, short term interest rates, currency, oil, gasoil, gold, silver, and sugar.