That was the third one-day record set this year. Equity open interest, or the total number of options contracts not yet exercised or allowed to expire, also reached its July peak on the 16th at 44,196,740.
Open interest is one indication of longer-term investing in equity options.
This momentum reflects the growing number of investors using options as an integral piece of their portfolio. Pacific Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange and The Options Clearing Corporation, has an extensive educational program. A print and broadcast advertising campaign has resulted in more than 250,000 inquiries seeking literature and videotapes.