FUTURES Narrow Barclays

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 32

FUTURES Narrow Barclays

The Barclays share index contract traded in an extremely narrow range yesterday, in spite of the physical index losing more than 25 points. The share index contract was only quietly traded as the whole futures market took on its characteristic slow Monday tone. Mr George Price, the manager of Egden Wignall Futures, said yesterday that the Barclays contract had traded mainly in the top end of its range — 3170 to 3175. The actual trading range was 3185 to 3160, and the closing point wds 3175. The physical index finished at 3158. The two interest rate contracts indicated that interest rates were not going to fall as hard or as

quickly as some people thought, Mr Price said. Both contracts had closed on, or near their lows, again in a tight trading range. There was no interest in the kiwi dollar and the U.S. dollar contract was untraded, he said. Wool futures prices continued to firm in spite of the New Zealand dollar holding support, but again trading was slow. On Sydney Futures Exchange, spot June share price index futures closed 40 points higher at 1748.5. Details of yesterday’s trading were: SUS CONTRACTS Mth Open H/L Last Vol Contracts traded: Nil. Open positions at Apr 3: Apr 381, May 25, Jun 12, total 418 (up 3). COMMERCIAL BILLS Mth Open H/L Last Vol Contracts traded: Nil. Open positions at Apr 3: Jun 123, Sep 43, Dec 40, Mar 39, Jun 10, total 255 (same). GOVERNMENT STOCK Mth Open H/L Last Vol Jun 8320 325/317 317 483 Contracts traded: 483 Open positions at Apr 3: Apr 22, Jun 3053, Sep 16, Dec 105, total 3196 (down 113). WOOL Mth Open H/L Last Vol May 685 685/685 685 1 Jan 730 735/730 735 11 Mar 738 740/738 740 11 Contracts traded: 23 Open positions at Apr 3: May 147, Aug 120, Oct 112, Dec 112, Jan 248, Mar 196. May 85, Aug 16, total 1036 (up 11). WHEAT Mth Open H/L Last Vol Contracts traded: Nil. Open positions at Apr 3: May 7, total (same).

M-DAY BANK BILLS Mth Open H/L Last Vol Apr 7485 495/485 487 20 May 7700 700/695 695 15 Contracts traded: 35 Open positions at Apr 3: Apr 395, May 315, Jun 278, Sep 172, Dec 44, Mar 53, Jun 40, Sep 40, Dec 40, total 1377 (up 33). SYDNEY ALL-ORDS (half-points omitted) Prev. Mth close H/L Last Vol Jun 1708 1754/34 1748 2758 Sep 1712 1746/46 1746 1 Contracts traded: 2759 Open positions at Apr 3: 10,105. BARCLAY’S SHARE INDEX Mth Open H/L Last Vol Jun 3170 185/160 175 392 Contracts traded: 392 Open positions at Apr 3: Jun 791, Dec 82, total 873 (up 122).