With heightened market volatility, commodities are once again in the spotlight for their potential diversification benefits. Recent trading has shown increased correlation between equities and bonds, while commodities have seen their correlations with both bonds and equities approach zero in 2025.

It isn't just the major indices that have seen uncorrelated trading, as there are a variety of smaller commodities that can provide valuable diversification benefits and are absent from the primary benchmarks as well. These stretch across asset classes and have low correlations with both broad commodity indices and equity benchmarks, making them interesting additions to an overall strategy to improve diversification. 

See our latest research for insights on which individual commodities have been the most uncorrelated, how to access them and the impact on diversification of "going beyond the benchmarks."

Thanks to increased electronic trading, precise short-term tools and an uncertain economic outlook, WTI options have come into focus for participants to start 2025. Year-to-date average daily volume (ADV) is approaching a quarter million contracts, up nearly 34% year-over-year.  

In particular, Weekly options have been an important part of the growth in the market. With contracts expiring each weekday, our suite offers precise exposure that can help manage short-term event risk with ease. Through the first half of May, this suite is on track to set new ADV and OI records, underscoring the growing reliance on these tools for today's volatile market. 

The natural gas demand picture has been clouded by an uncertain economic outlook and wildly shifting temps across the country. Against this backdrop, non-linear risk management tools gained popularity, contributing to Natural Gas options reaching an all-time high in 2025 average daily volume (ADV).

Currently, the ADV for the year stands at over 333K contracts, with 202K being executed on screen. Growth in this electronic segment of the options market has been particularly robust, with CME Direct becoming a favorite platform for traders with ADV increasing 35% year-over-year. 

Looking to manage exposure to North American wheat markets? Our new HRS Wheat contracts help manage spring wheat risk and allow for new trading opportunities, rounding out our suite of products for this key grain. Key features include: 

• Intercommodity spread (ICS) Opportunities: Spread trade against KC HRW Wheat and Chicago Wheat.
• Streamlined: Capital and cross-margining efficiencies available. 
• Physically delivered: Shipping certifications and improved delivery specifications.

Participants in the cattle markets are increasingly turning to options to manage risks. So far in 2025, combined Live and Feeder Cattle options are on pace to set records in ADV and ADOI as recent price volatility underscores the need for this type of risk management tool.

This May and June, discover Agri Month for the latest insights and perspectives on global market trends.. 

Our 5th annual event features a series of webinars and curated content that will focus on exploring our suite of benchmark Agricultural contracts. Learn about trading and the global markets with our extensive library of self-paced courses, lessons, in-depth reads, videos and third-party commentaries.

​​​​​​​In addition, take advantage of additional educational opportunities hosted by participating with Agri Month partners.

Heightened risk management needs across the Metals complex pushed combined futures and options ADV in April to the highest monthly figure ever, at just over 1.042M.

Activity in Gold contracts was a primary reason for the record month, with a new all-time one-day high of 1.27M contracts trading on April 22. 

Demand for non-linear risk management solutions was also important for participants given the volatile market, as options set a new monthly ADV record in April. At just over 185.6K, up 16% YoY.

Explore our metals solutions for additional details: 

• Discover Gold futures and options
• Sign up for the Metals Options Monthly Update
• Insights: Copper's rise in the Energy Transition

Supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risks and trade uncertainty underscore the need for effective risk management across the battery metals space. As activity continues to build in both our cobalt and lithium markets, participants can access: 

• Transparent pricing: Real-time access around the clock.
• Market info: Make informed decisions via block alerts and CME Direct.
• Deepening market: With combined OI steadily above 50K, our Battery Metals suite is increasingly attracting end-users looking to manage risks.

Combining a weighted basket of WTI Crude Oil, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and RBOB Gasoline futures, our Petroleum Index gives a transaction-based mark for energy prices. 

This IOSCO compliant benchmark promotes transparency across the energy market and delivers both intraday index values and end of day values by 5:30 p.m. ET, each U.S. business day. Discover this benchmark for managing price risk (especially in Asian markets) or finding new spread trading opportunities.