Trading volume in the third quarter was down from the prior quarter, but up sharply from the same period a year ago, according to the latest data compiled by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

IIROC reports that total trading volume in the third quarter was about 48.4 billion shares, down 2.24% from the second quarter, but up almost 41% from the same quarter last year.

The number of trades was down 4.2% from the second quarter to 59.3 million; but that is still up 21.5% from the third quarter of 2008.

On a value basis however, the trends are notably different. The total value of shares traded in the third quarter was $441.8 billion, which is up 1.2% from the second quarter, but down 13.7% from the same quarter a year ago.

IE