Markets Home

Active trader

Hear from active traders about their experience adding CME Group futures and options on futures to their portfolio.

Find a broker

Search our directory for a broker that fits your needs.

CREATE A CMEGROUP.COM ACCOUNT:

MORE FEATURES, MORE INSIGHTS

Get quick access to tools and premium content, or customize a portfolio and set alerts to follow the market.
Market Data Home

Real-time market data

Stream live futures and options market data directly from CME Group.

E-quotes application

Access real-time data, charts, analytics and news from anywhere at anytime.

CME DATAMINE:

THE SOURCE FOR HISTORICAL DATA

Explore historical market data straight from the source to help refine your trading strategies.
Services Home

Uncleared margin rules

Understand how CME Group can help you navigate new initial margin regulatory and reporting requirements.

Calculate margin 

Evaluate your cleared margin requirements using our interactive margin calculator.
Education Home

Now live: ESG solutions

Manage the risk associated with renewable energies, environmental change and sustainable investments.

Create a CMEGroup.com Account: More features, more insights

Get quick access to premium educational content, including expert-led webinars, a real-time trading simulator, and more.
      Course Overview
      • Introduction to E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures Contract
      • Spread Trading with E-mini Russell 2000 Futures
      • Reasons to trade E-mini Russell 2000 futures over Russell 2000 ETF (IWM)
      Learn About E-mini Russell 2000 Futures
      You completed this course.Get Completion Certificate

      Introduction to E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures Contract

      Video not supported!

      CME’s E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures Contract, ticker symbol RTY, is a very liquid futures contract, and one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to gain market exposure to U.S. small cap stocks. CME Group also offers futures contracts that track the Russell 2000 Growth and Russell 2000 Value indexes, as well as Options on the E-mini Russell 2000 Index futures.

      The Russell 2000 Index is a broad-based, market capitalization weighted index that tracks 2000 small cap stocks covering a wide variety of sectors of the US economy. The Russell 2000 index is generally considered a key benchmark for small cap U.S. stocks. The E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures Contract allows market participants to take positions on the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. Market participants can enter orders through the central limit order book (CLOB), block trades, BTIC (basis trade at index close), or EFP’s.

      The E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures Contract trades Sunday through Friday, from 5pm to 4pm central time, with daily trading halts from 3:15 to 3:30pm central time.

      A single RTY contract has a value of $50 times the agreed upon E-mini Russell 2000 futures price, and trades in increments of 0.10 index points, with 1 tick equaling five dollars.

      RTY futures expire on a quarterly basis, settling in cash to the opening value of the Russell 2000 Index on the 3rd Fridays of March, June, September, and December. Currently, RTY futures require approximately 4% as initial margin, resulting in over 25 times leverage on their position.

      E-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures allow market participants to hedge their macro exposure or capitalize on anticipated movement in the underlying Russell 2000 Index, especially around major market moving events.


      Test your knowledge

      Related Courses
      /content/cmegroup/en/education/courses/learn-about-e-mini-russell-2000-futures/introduction-to-e-mini-russell-2000
      • {{ course.name }}
      Previous Lesson
      Next Lesson
      Course Overview
      Get Completion Certificate
      Previous Lesson Next Lesson
      • YouTube
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • LinkedIn
      • Instagram
      • Rss

      CME Group is the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace. The company is comprised of four Designated Contract Markets (DCMs). 
      Further information on each exchange's rules and product listings can be found by clicking on the links to CME, CBOT, NYMEX and COMEX.

      © 2021 CME Group Inc. All rights reserved.

      Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookie Policy  |  Terms of Use  |  Data Terms of Use  |  Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement  |  Report a Security Concern