• For the first time, traders will be able to express a view on where E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures will settle at the end of every quarter and year

CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, announced it will launch event contracts with quarter- and year-end expiries for E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures on January 29, pending regulatory review. The new longer-horizon contracts will provide market users with another unique opportunity to express their views on the direction of these equity indices.

“Event contracts on E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures are among the most highly traded of our event product suite, representing 33% and 20% of the volume, respectively,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Financial & OTC Products at CME Group. “These new contracts featuring longer expiries at quarter- and year-end will give traders a way to express their views on market direction at key economic-cycle intervals – with the added benefit of more opportunities to trade in and out of a position leading up to expiry. We’re pleased that our expanded suite of event contracts will continue to provide innovative, lower-cost tools for participating in CME Group’s futures markets.”

“We are excited to see the growth of the CME Group’s event contracts offering,” said Ryan Duckworth, CEO of Akuna Capital – U.S. “The quarterly and annual contracts will give investors the opportunity to choose the best time frame for their strategies without worrying about opening a new position daily. We are honored to be a part of CME Group’s success as a liquidity provider in event contracts.”

“We are pleased to support CME Group’s launch of longer-dated event contracts on E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures,” said Steve Sanders, EVP of Marketing and Product Development at Interactive Brokers. “Event contracts give investors a simple way to access key futures markets, and our active trader clients seeking to trade event contracts on these popular equity indices will benefit from the greater flexibility offered by the new quarter- and year-end expiries.”

“NinjaTrader is excited to continue its support for CME Group’s evolving event contract product suite,” said Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader. “We are confident in the market appeal of these products, which offer both a cost-effective and straightforward way for retail traders to access dynamic financial markets. This evolution of the product suite will continue to broaden the appeal of these new and innovative products.”

CME Group event contracts enable individuals to take a position on up or down price moves in some of the world’s most widely quoted benchmark futures markets with the certainty of knowing their maximum potential profit or loss when placing a trade. Also effective January 29, the maximum payout for event contracts will be $100.

CME to Launch Options on S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index Futures on January 29

CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, today announced it will launch options on S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index futures on January 29, pending regulatory review.

“Client demand for managing risk and seeking investment opportunities around dividend exposure has accelerated the growth of our listed and centrally cleared dividend futures,” said Paul Woolman, Global Head of Equity Products at CME Group. “Based on the success of our S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index futures, which traded more than 900,000 contracts in 2023, we are pleased to introduce these new options contracts to provide market participants with even greater flexibility to customize their dividend-related strategies.”

“As the world’s leading index provider, S&P DJI is pleased to strengthen its ongoing collaboration with CME Group as it expands its offering of complimentary contracts tied to S&P DJI’s established and highly liquid S&P 500 ecosystem,” said Tim Brennan, Head of Capital Markets at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “By providing the underlying view into U.S. dividend trends through our S&P 500 Dividend Points Index (Annual), coupled with CME Group’s financial products, market participants can track and express their views on an important component of equity returns.”

“We are pleased to partner with CME Group on their launch of options on S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index futures,” said Megan Morgan, Head of Market Structure at Belvedere Trading. “Belvedere Trading prides itself on being a first mover in providing transparent pricing of innovative volatility products that help CME Group’s customers across the globe manage their risk.”

“Sunrise is thrilled to announce its participation in the launch of new CME Group options on S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index futures,” said Michael Goodall, Head of Americas at Sunrise Brokers. “With a wealth of experience in navigating the growth of dividend futures in our European business, Sunrise is excited to bring this expertise to the U.S. markets. The introduction of options on S&P 500 Annual Dividend Index futures is a strategic move that aligns with our commitment to providing innovative and diversified products to our clients.”

These new options contracts are the latest addition to the robust dividend futures suite at CME Group, which includes S&P 500 Annual and Quarterly Dividend Index futures, Nasdaq-100 Annual Dividend Index futures, and Russell 2000 Annual Dividend Index futures.

CME International Average Daily Volume Reaches Record 6.8 Million Contracts in 2023, Up 8% from 2022

CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, announced that average daily volume (ADV) outside the United States reached a record 6.8 million contracts in 2023, up 8% from 2022. This record was driven largely by growth in Equity Index and Interest Rate products, up 26% and 23% respectively.

“Market participants across the globe turned to CME Group benchmark futures and options contracts given the heightened need for risk management across every asset class last year,” said Derek Sammann, CME Group Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Commodities, Options & International Markets. “As uncertain market conditions continue into 2024, we remain committed to working closely with our clients outside of the U.S. to access our robust, regulated marketplace with round-the-clock liquidity.”

In 2023, Europe, Middle East and Africa ADV hit a record 4.9 million contracts, up 13% from 2022. This was driven by a 29% rise in Interest Rate products and a 26% increase in Agricultural products.

Latin America ADV grew to a record 176,000 contracts in 2023, up 11% from 2022. This was led by 28% growth in Foreign Exchange products, 27% growth in Interest Rate products, and 24% growth in Metals products in the region.

Asia Pacific ADV reached 1.6 million contracts in 2023. ADV of Interest Rate products in the region was up 5% year-on-year, hitting a record 689,000 contracts in 2023.

Canada ADV totaled 153,000 contracts in 2023, with ADV of Energy and Agricultural Products up 22% and 7% year-on-year respectively.

Globally, CME Group reported a record ADV of 24.4 million contracts in 2023, up 5% over 2022. This was largely driven by growth in Interest Rate ADV, up 16% to a record 12.5 million contracts, and Options ADV, up 23% to a record 5.1 million contracts.

Source: CME