ASX October 2026 activity: futures surge 27% as capital quoted falls to $2.5 billion
In its ASX Limited monthly activity report for October 2026, released on 5 November 2026, average daily futures and options on futures contracts rose 27% against the prior corresponding period (pcp), while total net new capital quoted fell to $2.5 billion from $4.1 billion.
The split shows derivatives and clearing activity growing even as primary capital markets cooled. Key points from the report include:
- Cash market on-market average daily value of $7.129 billion, down 1%
- 15 new entities admitted, compared with 14 in the pcp
- OTC notional cleared down 20% to $710.989 billion
- Average collateral balances of $14.5 billion, compared with $12.5 billion
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Listings and capital raisings slow against a strong pcp
The October 2026 declines sit against a very large October 2025 base, when new capital quoted reached $9.4 billion.
New listings
Total new capital quoted was $2.8 billion, compared with $9.4 billion in the pcp, a fall of 71%. The largest admissions included Glencore PLC ($486.6 million) and Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ($456.6 million).
Six entities were de-listed, with a quoted market capitalisation of $0.3 billion compared with $5.3 billion in the pcp.
Secondary capital
Total secondary capital raised was $1.8 billion, compared with $5.7 billion in the pcp, down 69%. L1 Global Long Short Fund Limited ($565.5 million) was among the raisings.
On an October financial year-to-date (FYTD) basis, total net new capital quoted was $8.9 billion, compared with $10.0 billion, down 11%.
| Metric ($million) | Oct 2026 | Oct 2025 | Change on pcp | FYTD 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quoted market capitalisation of new listings | 1,001 | 3,704 | -73% | 4,746 |
| Total secondary capital raised | 1,758 | 5,707 | -69% | 15,535 |
| Total new capital quoted | 2,759 | 9,411 | -71% | 20,281 |
| Total net new capital quoted | 2,465 | 4,107 | -40% | 8,896 |
Trading, derivatives and clearing: where activity grew
October 2026 had 22 trading days, compared with 23 in the pcp.
Cash markets
- Average daily trades: 2,750,798, up 10%, with total trades up 5%
- On-market average daily value: $7.129 billion, down 1%
- Total cash market value: $191.518 billion, down 4%
- Average value per trade: $3,165, down 9%
- All Ordinaries Index average daily movement: 0.5%, up 1bps on the pcp
- S&P/ASX 200 VIX average: 11.0, down 4%
Futures and options
- Futures average daily contracts: 900,448, up 27%
- Options on futures average daily contracts: 2,142, up 15%
- Combined average daily contracts: 902,590, up 27%, with the FYTD combined figure up 31%
Equity options and OTC clearing
- Single stock options average daily contracts: 201,371, down 12%
- Index options average daily contracts: 26,440, flat on the pcp
- OTC notional cleared: down 20%
- Open notional cleared at month end: $5,283.124 billion, up 4%
What futures, collateral and settlement data tell investors
ASX monthly activity data tracks listings, trading, clearing and settlement across the exchange. Investors watch it as a read on market participation and on the volume-driven activity of ASX Limited.
The ASX Limited FY26 results showed all four business segments growing, which helps explain why volume-linked lines such as derivatives and clearing carry so much weight in the group’s revenue mix.
Derivatives volumes and collateral balances are clearing-related activity indicators.
Collateral and settlement
- Total margins held at 31 October 2026: $15.4 billion, compared with $12.6 billion, up 22%, of which ASX Clear (Futures) held $13.0 billion
- Collateral subject to risk management haircuts: $9.2 billion, compared with $8.4 billion
- Value of CHESS holdings: $3,536.2 billion, up 3%
- Austraclear securities holdings: $3,695.3 billion, up 9%
- Dominant settlement messages: 2.423 million, up 3%
Participants and listed entities
Total listed entities were 2,053, compared with 2,049 in the pcp.
There were no new ASX Participant admissions and 1 resignation in October, leaving 85 participants at month end compared with 93 in the pcp. ASX 24 Participants numbered 40, compared with 42.
The report was authorised by Andrew Tobin, Chief Financial Officer.
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