Intercontinental Exchange reports higher April derivatives activity as open interest reaches record levels

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ICE April derivatives record

Highlights

Intercontinental Exchange reports overall energy open interest up 6% year over year, with total oil up 4% and Asia gas open interest surging 32%.
Agriculture and metals activity strengthens as average daily volume rises 24% and open interest climbs 37%, highlighted by cocoa open interest up 51% and cotton up 77%.
Total financials open interest jumps 55% year over year to a record 51.4 million lots on April 30, driven by 61% growth in interest rates open interest and 105% in SONIA.

April volumes and open interest trends

As reported by Intercontinental Exchange, the company's April 2026 monthly statistics show broad-based growth across major futures and options markets, with the figures published on its investor relations website. Energy open interest rises 6% year over year, led by a 4% gain in total oil and a 7% increase in other crude and refined products, while total natural gas open interest advances 7%, including 32% growth in Asia gas and 3% growth in TTF gas.

Agriculture and metals activity also strengthens, with average daily volume up 24% and open interest up 37% from a year earlier. Sugar average daily volume increases 30%, cocoa average daily volume rises 41% with open interest up 51%, cotton posts record average daily volume with a 28% increase and open interest up 77%, and coffee open interest grows 15%.

Financial contracts support broader exchange momentum

Total financials average daily volume increases 8% year over year, while open interest jumps 55%, including a record 51.4 million lots on April 30. Within that segment, interest rates average daily volume rises 10% and open interest gains 61%, supported by record open interest of 47.8 million lots on April 30.

Regional benchmark products also post strong gains, with Euribor open interest up 39%, SONIA average daily volume up 34% and open interest up 105%, including a record 18.5 million lots on April 30, and gilts open interest up 14%. NYSE equity options average daily volume rises 30%, adding to signs of stronger trading demand across ICE's financial markets franchise.

Our earlier coverage of the natural gas market highlighted how prices were being pulled between oversupply and short-term weather-driven demand, keeping rallies fragile despite supportive LNG exports. We noted that elevated storage levels after a mild spring remained the key bearish force, while production cuts and export strength could help stabilize the market and keep volatility high within a broad trading range.

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