Micro E-Mini Futures FAQs
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When will the Micro E-Mini products be listed for trading?
CME Group will launch the following futures contracts on May 6th.
- Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures
- Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures
- Micro E-mini Dow futures
- Micro E-mini Russell 2000 futures
Why is CME Group choosing to launch these products?
Since the launch of the E-mini product suite in 1997, the notional value of these contracts has increased dramatically. As a reference, see the price chart of the S&P 500 since its launch in 1997.
The notional value of the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract has increased from ~$47K on the date that it launched to ~$145K on April 22, 2019. The amount of capital needed to access the futures market has become too burdensome for many individual traders. To make our more market accessible to all, CME will launch the Micro E-mini suite of futures, which feature multipliers 1/10 the size of their E-mini counterparts (i.e. $5 multiplier for Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures contract vs. $50 for E-mini S&P 500 (ES) futures).
What are the differences between the currently listed E-mini products and the recently announced Micro E-mini products?
| Index Family | Micro E-mini Multiplier | E-mini Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | $5 | $50 |
| Nasdaq-100 | $2 | $20 |
| Dow Jones | $0.50 | $5 |
| Russell 2000 | $5 | $50 |
What are the contract specifications?
Micro E-mini futures will be listed on the customary U.S. Equity Index futures cycle – there will be five concurrent futures that expire against the opening index value on the third Friday of March, June, September and December. The tick increments will follow their E-mini counterparts as follows:
| Index Futures Contract Specs | Outright | Calendar Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures | 0.25 Index points= $1.25 | 0.05 index points= $0.25 |
| Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures | 0.25 Index points= $0.50 | 0.05 index points= $0.10 |
| Micro E-mini Dow futures | 1.00 Index points= $0.50 | 1.00 index points= $0.50 |
| Micro E-mini Russell 2000 futures | 0.10 Index points= $0.50 | 0.05 index points= $0.25 |
What are the codes for these products?
| Index Futures Contracts | CME Globex | Firetip X |
|---|---|---|
| Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures | MES | MES |
| Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 Futures | MNQ | MNQ |
| Micro E-mini Dow Futures | MYM | MYM |
| Micro E-mini Russell 2000 Futures | M2K | M2K |
How many contracts will be listed at a given time?
There will be five months listed in the March Quarterly Cycle (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec) for Micro E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 and Russell 2000 futures.
Dow Micro E-mini futures will list four months.
What are the trading hours on CME Globex and ClearPort?
Sunday – Friday 6:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET with a trading halt from 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
How are the daily settlement price Micro E-mini futures determined?
Daily settlement for Micro E-mini futures are based on the 30-second volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of CME Globex trades between 4:14:30 p.m. and 4:15:00 p.m. ET of their E-mini counterpart.
How are final settlement prices of the futures determined?
The Micro E-mini will have the same SOQ value as the corresponding E-mini contract on final settlement day. Final settlement value is based on the Special Opening Quotation (SOQ) on the third Friday of the contract month. The SOQ is based on the opening price of each component stock in the relative index, regardless of when those stocks open.
Are these futures contracts eligible for block trading or BTIC?
No, Micro E-mini Equity Index futures contracts will not be block or BTIC trading eligible.
What are the margin requirements for Micro E-mini Index futures?
Margins are indicative of their E-mini counterparts and the below estimates are based on current market conditions and are subject to change.
| Initial | Maintenance | Futures Price | Multiplier | Notional Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MES | 690 | 630 | 2912.5 | 5 | 14562.5 |
| MNQ | 836 | 760 | 7734.75 | 2 | 15469.5 |
| MYM | 649 | 590 | 26513 | 0.5 | 13256.5 |
| M2K | 391 | 355 | 1564.1 | 5 | 7820.5 |
What are the available margin credits for offsetting positions between the Micro E-mini Index futures and CME Group’s major U.S. benchmark index futures?
Margins credits are indicative of their E-mini counterparts and the below estimates are based on current market conditions and are subject to change
Micro E-Mini Equity Index Futures Margin Offsets:
| MES | MNQ | MYM | MRT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MES | x | 1:1 (75%) | 1:6 (85%) | 2:15 (80%) |
| MNQ | 1:1 (75%) | x | 3:5 (55%) | 2:3 (70%) |
| MYM | 6:1 (85%) | 5:3 (55%) | x | 2:3 (70%) |
| MRT | 15:2 (80%) | 3:2 (70%) | 3:2 (70%) | x |
Learn More about Margins
Are Micro E-mini products fungible with their E-mini counterparts? Can they be offset?
Yes, Micro E-mini futures are offset eligible versus their E-mini counterparts at 10:1 ratio. This can only be applied to offsetting positions. Request can be made by your clearing broker directly to CME Clearing.
Additional Information
Will there be on-screen market makers for the Micro E-mini products?
CME Group plans to introduce a market maker program to assure continuous two-sided markets are quoted on-screen throughout the trading day starting on launch date.
How can I see prices for Micro E-mini Index futures?
You can view quotes through any of our offered Trading Platforms.
What trade matching algorithm will be used for the Micro E-mini futures on Globex?
Micro E-mini futures will use FIFO (First in, first out) algorithm, identical to their E-mini counterparts.
What are the fees for Micro E-mini contracts?
Micro E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and Russell 2000 products will be part of the Micro E-mini Equity Index futures suite according to the CME Fee Schedule.
Micro E-mini Dow will be part of the Micro E-mini Equity Index future suite according to the CBOT Fee Schedule.
Please note the above relates to CME clearing fees. Commissions, clearing, NFA, and other fees may apply.
Are there circuit breakers on Micro E-mini products?
CME Group U.S. Equity Index price limits (and corresponding CME and CBOT rules) are designed to coordinate with circuit breakers provisions as applied by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Micro E-mini contracts will follow the same rules as their E-mini counterparts.
- 7%, 13%, and 20% price limits are applied to the futures fixing price and are effective from 8:30 a.m. CT – 3:00 p.m. CT. Mondays through Fridays. This only applies to the downside.
- 5% up-and-down limits are effective 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 a.m. CT. Sundays through Fridays; and 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT, Mondays through Fridays. Between 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. the 5% price limit will not be allowed to breach the 20% daily limit.
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us or leave a comment.
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Information was gathered from an independent 3rd party, and while the information is believed to be reliable, Ironbeam is not responsible for inaccuracies.
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