Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) reported record trading activity in April 2025, with total average daily volume (ADV) across futures and options up 44 percent year-over-year.
Open interest also rose 9 percent, with a record 54.3 million futures contracts outstanding on April 29.
Energy markets drove much of the growth
Energy markets drove much of the growth. Total Energy ADV rose 41 percent, setting records in Oil and Natural Gas contracts. Oil-related volumes climbed significantly, led by Brent and WTI. Brent ADV grew 41 percent year-over-year with record open interest of 6.9 million lots on April 24, while WTI ADV surged 69 percent. Midland WTI showed the steepest growth, with ADV up 257 percent and open interest up 90 percent. Gasoil and other refined products also reached new highs in both volume and open interest.
Natural Gas contracts saw broad-based increases. North American Gas ADV rose 51 percent, while Asia Gas ADV rose 31 percent with record open interest of 176,000 lots on April 14. TTF Gas ADV was up 21 percent. Environmentals advanced 22 percent in trading volume, with open interest up 15 percent.
Financial products also set multiple records. Overall Financials ADV increased 57 percent, and open interest climbed 17 percent. Interest Rate futures led this surge, with a 59 percent jump in ADV. Euribor volumes climbed 68 percent, SONIA rose 41 percent, and Gilts saw a 66 percent increase in open interest. Equity Index futures posted a 38 percent ADV increase, with MSCI up 74 percent.
On the equities side, NYSE Cash Equities ADV rose 66 percent year-over-year, while NYSE Equity Options ADV increased 10 percent. ICE’s April results highlight strong demand for risk management and price discovery across commodities, rates, and indices, supported by global economic shifts and heightened trading activity.
In January, Intercontinental Exchange reported record-breaking performance for the year of 2024. ICE’s average daily volume (ADV) surged by 24% year-over-year (y/y) in 2024, marking the highest level on record. The fourth quarter (4Q24) mirrored this momentum with a 22% y/y increase in ADV, reinforcing the strength of ICE’s multi-asset exchange infrastructure. Energy markets were a standout performer, with total open interest (OI) rising 14% y/y in December and ADV climbing 15% in 4Q24. For the full year, energy ADV soared by 24% y/y.