CBT FEBRUARY VOLUME DOWN 14 PCT FROM YEAR AGO

  February volume at the Chicago Board of
  Trade, CBT, declined 14 pct from the year-ago month to
  8,191,266 contracts, the exchange said.
      A relatively steady interest rate climate reduced volume in
  the most active contract, Treasury bond futures, by 17.5 pct
  from a year ago to 4,307,645 contracts.
      However, trading in most agricultural futures contracts
  increased last month, led by oats and corn futures.
      Oats volume tripled to 27,662 contracts, and corn volume
  increased 35 pct to 580,204 contracts. Wheat and soybean oil
  futures activity also rose from a year ago, while soybean and
  soybean oil volume slipped, the exchange said.
      Major Market Index futures increased activity 37 pct during
  the month with 194,697 contracts changing hands.
  

