Stock exchange operator NZX saw a fall in value and volume of total trades in August compared to the same month last year.

The total number of trades dropped 23% to 42,866 compared to August 2009, and 3% compared to July 2010 as it continues to see "muted demand for equities."

The total value traded fell 27% to $1.76 billion compared to last year, though it increased 21% on July 2010.

The average daily trades were down 27% to 1948, and the daily average value traded was down 30% to $80m.

The 38,990 trades on the main board were 23% lower than August 2009 and value fell 26% to $1.69m.

Trades dropped 21% to 3768 on the debt market and value dropped 41% to $87m.

The alternative market had a 58% fall in trades with 108 and a 60% fall in value with $450,000.

NZX last traded at 148, up 3c.