Open Interest

Open interest (also known as open contracts or open commitments) refers to the total number of derivative contracts, like futures and options, that have not been settled in the immediately previous time period for a specific underlying security. A large open interest indicates more activity and liquidity for the contract.

For each buyer of a futures contract there must be a seller. From the time the buyer or seller opens the contract until the counter-party closes it, that contract is considered 'open'.

Read more about Open Interest:  Use of Open Interest in Technical Analysis, The Importance of Open Interest, Benefits of Monitoring Open Interest, Open Interest - A Confirming Indicator

Famous quotes containing the words open and/or interest:

    The Moor is of a free and open nature,
    That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
    And will as tenderly be led by the nose
    As asses are.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    Parentage is a very important profession; but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of children.
    George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)