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CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced the successful launch of futures and options based on the Russell 2000® Index. The total volume through the first trading day was 2,918 contracts across futures, options and BTIC from 76 market participants. Open interest reached 712 as of July 10.
"Offering the Russell 2000® Index at CME Group to trade alongside our suite of equity index benchmarks provides our customers greater capital and risk management efficiencies," said Tim McCourt, CME Group's Global Head of Equity Products. "We're pleased to provide a powerful tool for investors seeking to manage risk in the small-cap segment."
"We are thrilled that the Russell 2000® Index Futures and Options derivatives contracts are returning to CME Group," said Ron Bundy, CEO of North America Benchmarks at FTSE Russell. "These major equity indices are widely used by traders for global exposure and risk management and the first trades mark the next phase of our broader London Stock Exchange Group and CME Group partnership, which was announced in 2015."
Launched in response to strong customer demand, CME Group's new Russell 2000® Index futures and options products are an efficient hedge to cash index options, with the choice of flexible execution through basis trade at index close (BTIC) functionality. Through greater certainty and precision, and enhanced flexibility, BTIC trades can mitigate jump risk and reestablish equity index exposure.
E-mini® Russell 2000® Index futures and options, E-mini® Russell 2000® Growth Index futures and E-mini® Russell 2000® Value Index futures are listed by and subject to the rules and regulations of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. For more information, please visit www.cmegroup.com/russell2000.
