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RUSSELL 2000

Go Big with
Small-Caps

Harness the Russell 2000® Index to access small-cap momentum, manage risk, and diversify beyond large-caps—all through one efficient, cash-settled options contract.

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Trade Data

(as of May 19, 2026)

59,525

Volume

651,069

Open Interest

Why RUT?

Russell 2000 Index Options deliver broad exposure to 2,000 U.S. small-cap companies in a single trade, offering daily expirations, flexibility, and capital efficiency.

Benefits

Cash Settlement

Positions settle directly to cash at expiration without the need to deliver or receive unwanted shares.
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European-Style Exercise

Options can only be exercised at expiration, providing certainty and eliminating early assignment risk.
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Extensive Expirations

Choose from standard, weekly, daily, and customizable FLEX options to match your trading timeline and strategy requirements.

60/40 Tax Treatment

Benefit from potentially favorable 60/40 tax treatment (60% long-term, 40% short-term).*
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Nearly 24/5 Market Access

Execute strategies with news breaks—regardless of time zone during global trading hours.

Extended Global Trading Hours

Cboe has extended global trading hours (GTH) for Russell 2000® Index (RUT) options to nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week. Trade or hedge broad U.S. market and global equity volatility conveniently across all time zones, day and night.

 Regular Trading HoursCurb Trading HoursGlobal Trading Hours
Chicago8:30 AM - 3:15 PM3:15 PM - 4:00 PM7:15 PM - 8:25 AM
London*2:30 PM - 9:15 PM9:15 PM - 10:00 PM1:15 PM - 2:25 PM
Hong Kong*10:30 AM - 5:15 AM5:15 AM - 6:00 AM9:15 AM - 10:25 AM
Sydney*1:30 AM - 8:15 AM8:15 AM - 9:00 AM12:15 AM - 1:25 AM

*Trading hours are determined by the time in Chicago. Note that Daylight Saving Time (DST) procedures vary by time zone and will affect the times shown here. For non-U.S. cities shown in this table, the trading hours may shift by one hour as the U.S. changes between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time.

Historical Performance for Russell 2000 Indices

Comparison of Russell 2000 Index Options Products

DescriptionRussell 2000 Index Options - TraditionalRussell 2000 Index Options - Weeklys and End of MonthsiShares® Russell 2000 Index Fund (IWM) Options
Options ChainRUTRUTIWM
Root Ticker SymbolRUTRUTWIWM
AM or PM SettlementAM-settledPM-settledPM-settled
Aproximate Notional Size$195,800$195,800$19,400
Exercise StyleEuropeanEuropeanAmerican
Settlement TypeCashCashPhysical Shares of ETF

Cboe Russell 2000 Volatility Index vs. Cboe Volatility Index

Measure volatility where it matters most. The Cboe Russell 2000 Volatility Index (RVX) captures near-term market expectations of volatility conveyed by Russell 2000 stock index option prices. RVX typically trades at higher levels than the Cboe Volatility Index® (the VIX® Index), reflecting the unique risk profile of the small-cap index.

Cboe Russell 2000 Benchmark Indices

Strategy benchmarks provide investors with a measure of the relative performance of Russell 2000 Index-based options strategies.

PUTR — PutWrite IndexBXR — BuyWrite IndexBXRD — 30-Delta BuyWrite Index

Key Resources

Explore specifications, strategy briefs, and other materials for optimal use of RUT index options.

Contract Specifications

Russell 2000 Index Options Agency Brokers

In order to assist institutional market participants that wish to source liquidity in Russell 2000® Index options products (tickers RUT & RUTW), listed on Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe), a list of agency brokers supporting institutional orders in RUT & RUTW is being provided in consideration for obtaining competitive markets.

This list is not an endorsement of the firms listed, and no significance should be attached to a firm's inclusion or omission. In connection with compiling this list, Cboe has not investigated the background or disciplinary history of any of the firms or their associated individuals listed or whether or not they have any required registration status necessary to perform these functions.

This list may not be exhaustive as it only includes those firms that have requested to be included on the list. Any agency brokers that would like to be included in or removed from this list should complete the Trading Permit Holder Consent Form.

List of agency brokers:

Lakeshore Securities LP
Matthew Flipovich
[email protected]

(312) 341-1200

X-Change Financial Access LLC
William Ellington
[email protected]

(312) 580-8772

Latest Market Insights

View All Insights

Stay current with timely market overviews, expert commentary, and best‑in‑class techniques for navigating MRUT options.

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Data Analytics and Indices

How 26 Degrees Enabled its Institutional Broker Clients to Scale Distribution to Millions of Retail End Users Without Breaking Their Data Budget

26 Degrees Global Markets partnered with Cboe Data Vantage to help its institutional broker clients distribute high-quality equities market data to millions of retail end users without incurring prohibitive per-user fees, solving a core scaling and unit‑economics challenge. By leveraging flexible redistribution policies and free retail data, 26 Degrees expanded globally, became one of Cboe’s largest data redistributors, and drove significant growth in retail trading volume —particularly in APAC through extended-hours access.

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Data Analytics and Indices

Index Insights: April 2026

U.S. cash equities rebounded sharply in April as selling pressure eased and risk appetite improved. Following year‑to‑date lows touched in late March, the S&P 500® Index increased 10.4% in April and the Russell 2000® Index outperformed with a 12.2% gain, reflecting renewed interest in cyclical and small‑cap exposure.

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Data Analytics and Indices

Cboe Launches Two New Indices in Q1 2026

As the largest U.S. options exchange operator, Cboe's pool of derivatives data and proprietary pricing algorithms enable its Global Indices team to develop complex index concepts that are central to Cboe’s ecosystem. Read on for a recap of the Cboe Global Indices launches and milestones achieved in the first quarter of 2026.

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*Required Field

There are important risks associated with transacting in any of the Cboe Company products discussed here. Before engaging in any transactions in those products, it is important for market participants to carefully review the disclosures and disclaimers contained at: Disclosures and Disclaimers Related to Cboe Products and Services. These products are complex and are suitable only for sophisticated market participants. In certain jurisdictions, Cboe Company products are only permitted for investment professionals, certified sophisticated investors, or high net worth corporations and associations. These products involve the risk of loss, which can be substantial and, depending on the type of product, can exceed the amount of money deposited in establishing the position. Market participants should put at risk only funds that they can afford to lose without affecting their lifestyle.

*Under section 1256 of the Tax Code, profit and loss on transactions in certain exchange-traded options, including RUT, are entitled to be taxed at a rate equal to 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, provided that the investor involved and the strategy employed satisfy the criteria of the Tax Code. Investors should consult with their tax advisors to determine how the profit and loss on any particular option strategy will be taxed. Tax laws and regulations change from time to time and may be subject to varying interpretations.