Cboe Options Exchange to List Mini-Russell 2000 Index Options (MRUT) Beginning March 1

CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. CBOE, a market operator and global trading solutions provider, today announced plans to launch trading in Mini-Russell 2000® Index options on Cboe Options Exchange beginning Monday, March 1, pending regulatory approval.

New Mini-Russell 2000 Index options (ticker symbol: MRUT) are designed to provide direct exposure to the Russell 2000 Index in a more manageably sized and cost-effective contract. The mini options will share the same contract terms as standard Russell 2000 Index options (ticker symbol: RUT) but will be one-tenth the size of the standard contract, making them comparable to ETF options that similarly provide U.S. small-cap equity exposure. With a smaller notional value, Mini-Russell 2000 Index options help to offer investors potentially greater flexibility and precision when managing U.S. small-cap equity market risk or allocating among accounts.

The creation of the mini contract follows Cboe's success with standard Russell 2000 options – one of the five most liquid cash-settled equity index options listed in the U.S. – and will provide investors with additional tools to execute their U.S. small-cap equity trading strategies. With the launch of Mini-Russell 2000 Index options, Cboe also continues to expand its offerings of tradable index products that feature a mini contract, including Mini Cboe Volatility Index futures (ticker symbol: VXM) and Mini S&P 500 Index options (ticker symbol: XSP), designed to appeal to a wide range of investors, including sophisticated retail traders seeking to hedge or gain exposure to the broad U.S. equity markets. 

Arianne Criqui, Head of Derivatives and Global Client Services at Cboe Global Markets, said: "The Russell 2000 Index continues to be one of the most widely followed U.S. small cap benchmarks, and we are pleased to extend its utility to a broader universe of investors by offering Mini-Russell 2000 Index options. Delivering the features of index options trading in a more manageably sized and flexible vehicle, Mini-Russell options could serve as an alternative to comparable ETF options and a valuable tool for investors to potentially increase yields and hedge risks efficiently."

Cboe expects the utility of Mini-Russell 2000 Index options to help meet the investment needs of a wide base of market participants, ranging from new index options traders and sophisticated retail traders managing an individual portfolio, to small- and mid-sized institutional investors seeking to execute small-cap options-based strategies. Similar to standard Russell options, Mini-Russell 2000 Index options will be structured as European-style options (no early exercise) and cash-settled (no unwanted delivery or assignment of shares) at expiration with P.M. settlement.

The Russell 2000 Index is the world's premier benchmark measuring the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. stock market. Standard monthly options tracking the Russell 2000 Index were first offered at Cboe in 1992. In 2020, average daily volumes for Russell 2000 Index options traded at Cboe were approximately 34,000 contracts with total open interest standing at over 600,000 contracts.  

For additional information on Cboe's franchise of FTSE Russell-based index options and the new Mini-Russell options, visit www.cboe.com/mrut.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets CBOE provides cutting-edge trading and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to defining markets through product innovation, leading edge technology and seamless trading solutions.

The company offers trading across a diverse range of products in multiple asset classes and geographies, including options, futures, U.S., Canadian and European equities, exchange-traded products (ETPs), global foreign exchange (FX) and volatility products based on the Cboe Volatility Index® (VIX® Index), recognized as the world's premier gauge of U.S. equity market volatility.

Cboe's subsidiaries include the largest options exchange and the third largest stock exchange operator in the U.S. In addition, the company operates one of the largest stock exchanges by value traded in Europe, and owns EuroCCP, a leading pan-European equities clearing house. Cboe also is a leading market globally for ETP listings and trading.    

The company is headquartered in Chicago with a network of domestic and global offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia, including main hubs in New York, London, Kansas City and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.cboe.com.  

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Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, Cboe Volatility Index®, VIX®, XSP® are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc.  All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.  Russell and Russell 2000® are registered trademarks of the Frank Russell Company, used under license. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with Frank Russell Company or S&P.   Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Mini VIX™ futures are complicated financial products that are suitable only for sophisticated market participants.  Mini VIX futures involve the risk of loss, which can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for the futures position.  Market participants should put at risk only funds that they can afford to lose without affecting their lifestyles.  Before transacting in Mini VIX futures, market participants should fully inform themselves about the characteristics and risks of Mini VIX futures, including in particular those described here.  Mini VIX futures market participants also should make sure they understand the product specifications and the methodologies for calculating the underlying VIX® Index and the settlement values for Mini VIX futures.  

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction.  Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by  recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the FTSE Russell or the S&P 500 indexes to track the performance of the general market or any segment thereof, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the FTSE Russell of the S&P 500 indexes and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.