WCE Volumes Continues Rising

WINNIPEG - Sep 5/06 - SNS -- Trading volume at the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange Inc. (WCE) continued trending upward in August, with the exchange recording its 15th consecutive year over year increase.

Volume in August was up 23.9% over last year at 176,411 futures and options contracts.

Volume of trade in western barley futures contracts soared to 118.9% over that of August 2005 with 25,858 contracts traded during the month. This level of trade is 502.2% higher than the western barley futures contract volume recorded in July 2006.

Canola futures contract volume was 145,133 contracts, representing an increase of 19.2% from last year and 12.1% from a month ago.

Volume for feed wheat futures contracts was 4,847 contracts which is 35.6% lower than a year ago, but 92.8% higher than July 2006.

During August 2006 there were 552 canola options contracts and 21 western barley options contracts traded.

At the end of August total open interest stood at 100,443 contracts which is 25.3% higher than a year ago and 2.1% higher than a month ago.