CME will launch E-micro index futures on August 24, broadening the investment channels of the four major benchmark indices for retail investors.

Sitou Finance APP has learned that CME Group, the world's leading derivatives market, recently announced it will launch E-Nano Equity Index Futures on August 24, further expanding its suite of small contract products. This new product is pending regulatory review. The newly launched ultra-small contracts are sized at 1/10 of the micro E-mini futures, making it easier for institutional and retail investors to optimize exposure to mainstream market stock benchmarks. Clients can now trade the S&P 500 Index, Nasdaq 100 Index, Russell 2000 Index, and Dow Jones Industrial Average Index 23 hours a day, express their market views, and more precisely deploy risk management strategies.

"As the stock market continues to climb to historic highs, the barriers to entry for retail investors have increased, fueling demand for smaller contracts to enhance cost-effectiveness and flexibility," said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group. "E-Nano Equity Index Futures will allow clients to hedge their portfolios with unprecedented precision, supported throughout by CME Group's reliable infrastructure and centralized liquidity."

Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader Group, commented, "The US stock market has recently experienced a historic rally, which is great news for investors. However, direct investment in stocks lacks certain advantages compared to futures, such as capital efficiency, margin offsets, and the ability to respond almost around the clock during macro events. CME Group’s ultra-small equity futures are directly changing this situation. We believe this is another significant expansion of US equity futures investment channels, and NinjaTrader is proud to introduce these new products to our community."

JB Mackenzie, Vice President and General Manager of Futures and International Business at Robinhood Markets, said, "The late-summer launch of ultra-small equity index futures marks another significant milestone in Robinhood's mission to democratize investing. As major US stock market benchmarks reach historic highs, some retail traders have been excluded from existing futures products due to high contract prices. We are delighted to partner with CME Group to bring new contracts, only one-tenth the size of current futures, providing greater convenience for our clients to trade these benchmark indices."

Since the launch of CME Group's micro E-mini futures in May 2019, total trading volume has approached 4.5 billion contracts. In recent years, as demand for small equity index futures has grown, trading volume and participation in this product suite have continuously reached new record highs, including:

Micro E-mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures—average daily trading volume set a monthly record of 3.2 million contracts in June

Micro E-mini S&P 500 Index Futures—average daily trading volume set a quarterly record of 1.5 million contracts in the first quarter