AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- CME Group and Nasdaq have extended their exclusive licensing agreement for Nasdaq-100 futures and options through 2039.
- The partnership aims to maintain seamless access to Nasdaq index-based derivatives for global market participants.
- Nasdaq-100 futures and options continue to record substantial trading activity, reflecting their role in global equity markets.
Nasdaq 100 composition includes leading non-financial firms listed on the Nasdaq exchange, serving as the foundation for key index-based derivatives. The Nasdaq-100 Index, along with related indexes such as the Nasdaq Composite and Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, represents technology, consumer services, and other innovation-driven sectors. CME Group, recognized as the largest global derivatives marketplace, and Nasdaq, a provider of exchange and technology services, have extended their collaboration to maintain the exclusive rights for futures and options on Nasdaq indexes for the next decade.
CME Group and Nasdaq Announce New Ten-Year Agreement
The extended licensing agreement between CME Group and Nasdaq is set to continue until 2039. This development reinforces CME Group’s exclusive rights to offer futures and options based on the Nasdaq-100 and other Nasdaq benchmarks. The partnership, which began nearly 30 years ago, enables seamless trading access to Nasdaq index-linked derivatives.
CME Group’s equity index futures complex includes products designed around top-tier indexes. By continuing to offer these contracts, CME Group supports efficient access to products that allow market exposure to some of the most tracked equity indexes. Nasdaq's suite of indexes continues to form the backbone of modern equity derivatives strategies.
Deep Liquidity and Expanding Contract Offerings
The Nasdaq-100 futures were introduced in 1996, with E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures launched in 1999. These contracts have become among the most frequently traded equity index derivatives globally. The introduction of Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures further expanded accessibility by enabling smaller contract sizes.
The ecosystem supported by CME Group now includes a wide range of Nasdaq-linked futures and options. These contracts are structured to cater to a diverse base of market participants seeking index exposure. Their liquidity supports execution efficiency, price discovery, and hedging applications in a dynamic trading environment.
Strong Volume Growth Since Previous Extension
The latest agreement builds on the momentum established during the 2019 extension. Since that time, average daily volumes for Nasdaq-100 futures and options on futures have more than doubled. Market interest in these instruments has remained robust, driven by global events and increased demand for equity index products.
Particularly noteworthy has been the rising activity in Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures. This contract type has demonstrated accelerated volume growth, highlighting its popularity due to its smaller size and broader appeal among participants seeking scalable exposure.
Nasdaq and CME Group Continue to Strengthen Equity Derivatives Infrastructure
The Nasdaq-100 Index remains a key benchmark reflecting innovation and growth-oriented sectors. The long-standing partnership between Nasdaq and CME Group underpins a global equity derivatives infrastructure aimed at broad participation. The extension underscores the importance of maintaining access to benchmark index contracts in a format that prioritizes efficiency, liquidity, and reliability.
The relationship between the two entities reinforces the relevance of index-based products in evolving financial markets. By extending the agreement through 2039, Nasdaq and CME Group affirm their commitment to long-term continuity in global index derivatives offerings.
