International derivatives marketplace CME Group today announced plans to expand its smaller-sized contract suite with the launch of E-nano equity index futures on August 24, pending regulatory review.

At one-tenth the size of Micro E-mini futures, these new nano-sized contracts are designed to enable institutional and retail investors to optimize exposure to the market’s leading equity benchmarks. Clients can express views on the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000 and Dow Jones Industrial Average 23 hours per day, with additional precision for risk management strategies.

“As equity markets continue to reach all-time highs, the barrier to entry has increased for retail investors, creating a need for even smaller contracts that deliver cost efficiency and enhanced flexibility,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group. “E-nano equity index futures will enable our clients to hedge their portfolios with an unprecedented level of granularity, all within the trusted infrastructure and centralized liquidity that is available from CME Group.”

Since launching in May 2019, approximately 4.5 billion Micro E-mini futures have traded at CME Group. With demand for smaller-sized equity index futures growing in recent years, the complex is seeing record levels of volume and participation, including:

• Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures – record monthly ADV of 3.2 million contracts in June
• Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures – record quarterly ADV of 1.5 million contracts in Q1.

E-nano equity index futures will be listed on and subject to the rules of CME and CBOT.