Chicago Exchanges: Working against the grain

Last month the grain floor at the Chicago Board of Trade voted in a chairman after its own heart. To the big banks trading on the Chicago exchanges it looked like another setback for the modernization they crave. It's not just electronic trading that's at issue, but also cooperation - and possibly mergers - between Chicago's three derivatives exchanges that may prove vital to stave off competition.

A light Cantor on Chicago’s home turf

Near the entrance to the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s trading floor is a notice detailing member seat prices. Early last month the bid stood at $500,000, the offer at $525,000, and the last seat sold had gone for $500,000. It’s a number the CBOE is proud of. The exchange hit its 25th birthday last year, making it the youngest of Chicago’s three derivatives exchanges, yet its seats are dearer than the Chicago Board of Trade’s.

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