#United States #Chicago #Cboe #Russell 2000 #index options

Cboe's Innovative Move: Nearly 24-Hour Trading for Russell 2000 Options

Cboe Global Markets, Inc., renowned as a premier derivatives exchange, announces a significant expansion in trading hours for its Russell 2000 Index options (RUT). Starting from February 9, 2026, these options will be available for trading nearly 24 hours a day during the week, significantly enhancing global access to U.S. small-cap equities.

The Need for Extended Trading Hours

The decision to extend trading hours is primarily driven by the increasing demand from global investors seeking exposure to U.S. markets. Currently, RUT options only trade during regular U.S. hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, Mondays through Fridays. The new structure will introduce an overnight trading session, allowing traders to engage in transactions from 8:15 p.m. ET to 9:25 a.m. ET the following morning. With market events occurring at all hours, this change enables participants to react to developments in real time, manage their positions, and mitigate risks more effectively.

Advantages for Global Investors

This expansion will predominantly benefit investors in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions, who will find it easier to manage their U.S. small-cap exposures without the time zone restrictions that previously limited their trading capabilities. Rob Hocking, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe, highlighted, “This initiative represents a significant milestone aimed at broadening access to U.S. index options for investors around the world.”

Enhancing Trading, Hedging, and Liquidity

By incorporating RUT options into the overnight trading session, Cboe aims to bolster its array of index options, which includes other offerings such as the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Cboe Volatility Index (VIX). The introduction of RUT options to the Global Trading Hours (GTH) market segment is anticipated to create additional trading, hedging, and liquidity opportunities.

The impacts of Cboe's GTH sessions have already been promising, demonstrating a staggering 179% increase in volumes year-to-date in 2025 as compared to the entire year in 2022. This growth underscores the current appetite for U.S. market access and reflects how Cboe is adapting to meet the evolving demands of its clientele.

Market Insights on Russell 2000

The Russell 2000 Index has long served as a vital metric for assessing the performance of U.S. small-cap stocks. As of the end of November 2025, the average daily volume of Cboe's RUT options has surged to nearly 75,000 contracts, a 66% increase compared to the previous year. Traders are increasingly leveraging these options to navigate the volatility characteristic of small-cap equities, making them an effective tool for trading overall market trends and risk management.

Investors utilize the Cboe Russell 2000 Volatility Index (RVX) to track anticipated volatility for the Russell 2000, with RVX historically displaying heightened values compared to the VIX Index, reflecting the unique risk profiles inherent to small caps.

Collaboration for Investor Empowerment

Shawn Creighton, Director of Index Derivatives Solutions at FTSE Russell, emphasized, “Cboe's decision to offer nearly continuous trading for Russell 2000 options is an exciting development for global investors.” This opportunity empowers market participants to manage risks and capitalize on market movements with greater flexibility.

Conclusion: A New Era in Options Trading

Ultimately, Cboe's initiative to broaden access to Russell 2000 options will transform how investors engage with U.S. small-cap stocks, providing an invaluable tool for diversification and risk management. As trading hours expand, so do the strategies available to investors, signaling a new era in options trading with unmatched global access. For further details about Russell 2000 Index options, interested investors are encouraged to visit the Cboe website.

As Cboe continues to innovate and adapt to market needs, the trading landscape for options is set for an exciting evolution. Stakeholders are keen to see how this will reshape investment strategies and create new opportunities in the world of finance.