CME Group to Launch Cash-Settled Single-Stock Futures on Major U.S. Names

CME Group to launch cash-settled single-stock futures on major U.S. names

CME Group is preparing to list financially settled Single Stock futures beginning this summer, pending completion of required regulatory reviews and approvals. The contracts cover more than 50 of the largest U.S. companies drawn from the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 and Russell 1000, including Alphabet, Meta, NVIDIA and Tesla, and are designed to offer the flexibility and capital efficiency of cash-settled futures rather than physical delivery of shares. CME says the products will be listed on and subject to CME rules, with further product specifications to be published on its website.

The exchange frames the new offering as a simpler, more cost-effective way to take directional exposure or hedge potential price moves without buying underlying stock. Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group, says the contracts support strategies such as hedging, basis and spread trades and size customization, while leveraging electronic execution and price transparency. The cash settlement model also aims to reduce operational complexity for participants and broaden access across retail and institutional clients.

CME emphasizes that the new Single Stock futures will clear centrally through CME Clearing, providing margin offset, risk management and default protection that are central to the exchange’s model. The product is targeted at a wide range of market participants who seek efficient, size-customizable exposure to individual equities while benefiting from the capital efficiency and post-trade protections associated with cleared futures.

Derivative volumes set stage for product rollout

CME cites robust demand for equity derivatives as a driver for the launch. In 2025 combined futures and options average daily volume reaches a record 7.4 million contracts, while futures ADV averages 6.0 million contracts, up 15% year‑over‑year, and futures open interest climbs to a record average of 5.6 million contracts, up 19% year‑over‑year. The firm positions Single Stock futures as a response to these rising on-exchange volumes and client interest in equity derivatives.

Global trading and clearing infrastructure underpins expansion

The introduction builds on CME Group’s trading and post-trade infrastructure, including the CME Globex electronic platform, fixed income trading on BrokerTec, FX trading on EBS and central clearing through CME Clearing. The exchange stresses that electronic execution, price transparency and centralized clearing are core benefits that support adoption of the new cash-settled single-stock contracts.