OREANDA-NEWS. March 16, 2011. On March 11, 2011 at the end of the trading session the trading volume on FORTS, the futures and options market of RTS, reached a total value of USD9,504,962,638 (RUB270.3 billion) representing  5,350,094 contracts, showing its highest value since the launch of trading on this market.

Trading volume in futures contracts totaled to USD8,752,956,164 (RUB248.9 billion) representing  5,112,864 contracts  also setting a record since 2001. Trading volume in the RTS Index futures amounted to USD6,106,802,317  (RUB173.7 billion).

The equity and commodity markets of FORTS also showed a record trading activity by the end of the trading day.  By 6.45 pm MSK trading volume of single stock and index futures and options totaled USD7,867,049,531 (RUB223.7 billion) or 3,912,408 contracts, and trading volume of commodities contracts amounted to USD347,550,444 (RUB9.9 billion) or 246,392 contracts.

In the currency section of FORTS, a turnover of RUB\USD FX futures hit USD970,289,488 (RUB27.6 billion) or 960,062 contracts.

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 54 contracts (40 futures and 14 options) on RTS Index, RTS Standard Index, shares of Russian companies, short term interest rates, currency, oil, gasoil, power, gold, silver and sugar.