The listed months will expand to 30 from 12 the number of consecutive months and will increase the number of long-dated expiration months to 36 months forward on a June/December cycle and 48, 60, 72, and 84 months forward on a December cycle. Currently, long-dated options are listed for 18, 24, and 36 months on a June-December cycle.
Exchange President J. Robert Collins, Jr., said, "Expanding the number of months for the crude oil options contract will give market participants greater flexibility in managing their portfolios in this volatile market."
