Options LiquidityMatrix February 2018

US options volume remained strong in February 2018, missing the record set in January 2018 by just 3 million contracts despite two fewer trading days. An increase in volatility resulted in 465 million contracts cleared in February 2018, a brisk 43% increase year-to-date compared to the same period in 2017. Spreads widened by 9 cents in February 2018, to the widest level since August 2016. TABB Group’s monthly Options LiquidityMatrix™ analyzes the 15 US options exchanges, in addition to broader industry trends. Metrics include market share, market quality, average spread, average trade size, and volume breakdown for all options and penny options.