CHICAGO, November 14, 2006 — R.J. O’Brien and Associates, Inc. (RJO), the nation’s largest independent futures brokerage, announced today that its revenues climbed 49% during the third quarter of 2006, as compared with third quarter 2005 results.  Year-to-date revenues are up 61%.

            RJO has achieved strong growth on a consistent basis for more than 10 years.  Customer assets just topped $2 billion for the first time in the firm’s 92-year history. 

            According to Gerald F. Corcoran, CEO, a combination of increased customer demand for futures and derivatives and a firm-wide commitment to client service has fueled RJO’s growth.

            “RJO’s leadership in futures brokerage is predicated on innovation and client satisfaction.  We are dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in both products and services,” said Mr. Corcoran.  “We continue to build infrastructure as we grow the company to be both scalable and sustainable.  We intend to be around for a very long time.”

            During the third quarter, RJO has seen growth across-the-board as compared with its third quarter 2005 results. The highlights, as of September 30, 2006, include:
 
            R. J. O’Brien Financial Results                        3Q 2006            YTD 2006
            Revenues                                                49.00%             61.00%
            Operating income                                     101.00%          101.00%
            Clearing volume                                       48.90%             54.40%
            Execution volume                                     28.60%             34.60%
            Customer assets                                     $2.0 Billion        24.31%            
            Adjusted net capital                                $99.7 Million       16.05%
 
            Customer assets exceeded the $2 billion mark to reach $2.004 billion in 3Q 2006, as compared with $1.613 billion in 3Q 2005.  Customer assets are up 24.31% year-to-date.

            Colleen Mitchell, President, said RJO’s Introducing Broker business has enhanced its overall growth.  “RJO’s total volume has substantially outperformed the sector.  Our growth is attributable to all lines of business across-the-board, including consistent upward momentum with both retail and institutional clients.”

            RJO has grown nearly 10-fold since 1999 when customer assets were $215 million.  In 2005, the firm ranked 15^th in the annual Futures magazine rankings of the “Top 50 Brokers” in the derivatives industry, due to a 41% increase in 2004 which was topped by a  50% increase in 2005.  The firm has set revenue records in each of the past 10 years.

            RJO recently added the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to its list of global clearing capabilities and is on track to becoming a full clearing member of the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE) by Q1 2007.  During 2005, the firm became a clearing member of the EuronextLIFFE and the Eurex exchanges.

            R.J. O’Brien is the largest independent futures brokerage in the United States.  A privately owned Futures Commission Merchant (FCM), RJO is also one of the oldest futures brokerage firms, dating to 1914.   RJO is a founding member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and is a full clearing member of: the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT); the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX and COMEX divisions); the New York Board of Trade (NYBOT); Eurex AG; Eurex US; EuronextLIFFE; and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).  RJO offers the latest in order entry technology coupled with 24-hour execution and clearing on every futures exchange worldwide. RJO services a nationwide network of more than 250 introducing brokers and some of the world’s largest financial, industrial and agricultural institutions.  For further information, please visit www.rjobrien.com.
 

  
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