Their 20, 000 outstanding contracts (at last count) are nothing like a record, but they do indicate which way the wind is blowing.

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Geithner noted that derivatives trading firms were meeting to work out comprehensive infrastructure reforms for that market, including a central clearing house, reducing outstanding contracts, and regulatory changes including higher margin and collateral requirements.

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Russia and France have outstanding oil contracts with the former regime of Saddam Hussein, reached under the oil-for-food program.

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The latter, Salesforce.com, capitalizes software expenses and sales commissions against customer contracts outstanding.

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Specifically, the 26 strike is home to nearly 6, 000 contracts outstanding, and the 27 strike harbors close to 6, 700 open calls.

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In fact, peak put open interest in the front-month series rests at the October 90 strike, with more than 30, 900 contracts outstanding.

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The September 24 strike carries peak front-month call open interest of 12, 214 contracts, while the September 25 call has 8, 142 contracts outstanding.

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No, Goldman Sachs has swaps and other derivative contracts outstanding.

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