Derivatives and securities exchange network Cboe Global Markets, Inc today announced Russell 2000 Index (RUT) and Russell 2000 Index Weeklys (RUTW) options are now available to trade on the Cboe Options Exchange nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week.

The addition of RUT options to Cboe’s Global Trading Hours (GTH) session offers European and Asia Pacific investors the ability to better manage U.S. small-cap exposure and trade during their local daytime hours. Cboe also offers S&P 500 Index (SPX), Mini-SPX (XSP) and Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) options during its GTH session, which experienced record volumes in 2025, up 27% compared to 2024.

RUT options saw record demand as investors increasingly turned to cash-settled, European-style options to help manage positioning and implement a broad range of trading strategies. Retail and institutional investors typically utilize RUT options to hedge or express market views, generate yield, or implement zero-days-to-expiry (0DTE) positions. In January, 0DTE trading represented 23% of total RUT options activity, reflecting growing investor demand for short-dated strategies.

“Cboe remains steadfast in our efforts to expand global access to U.S. markets and empower investors with the flexibility and tools they need to manage today’s market environment,” said Rob Hocking, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe. “Demand for Russell 2000 Index options remained elevated as market participants navigated uncertainty, looked to diversify exposure and sought the utility index options can provide. By offering nearly 24-hour RUT trading alongside our SPX and VIX options, global investors can better act on their strategies in real time, regardless of time zone.”

Shawn Creighton, Director of Index Derivatives Solutions at FTSE Russell, said:

“Cboe’s decision to introduce nearly 24-hour trading for Russell 2000 Index options is a significant milestone for global investors. As a key benchmark for U.S. small-cap equities, the expansion of Russell 2000 Index options will now offer investors enhanced flexibility to capture opportunities across time zones.”

RUT and RUTW options now trade Monday through Friday during Cboe’s Regular Trading Hours (RTH) (9:30 a.m. ET to 4:15 p.m. ET), Global Trading Hours (GTH) (8:15 p.m. ET to 9:25 a.m. ET) and Curb Trading Hours (4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).