The parabolic move of this week when lead-month futures (December) set both a daily volume record for a lead month (Tuesday) and a daily volume record Thursday for a day when prices were lower (are a reason).
The first three months of 2011 were volatile for global stock markets as geopolitical unrest resulted in surging oil prices and a natural disaster led to a nuclear crisis in Japan, but initial public offerings were resilient, with U.S. deals helping North America lead the way in volume, proceeds and returns according to a report from IPO research firm Renaissance Capital.