CME Group Achieves Record Daily Volume of 37.6 Million Contracts in February 2026

CME Group's Unprecedented Volume Surge: Key Takeaways for the Industry

In February 2026, CME Group sets a remarkable new standard in the derivatives marketplace, achieving an average daily volume (ADV) of 37.6 million contracts. This milestone marks a significant 14% increase year-over-year, eclipsing their previous record of 35.9 million contracts established in April 2025. Such impressive growth underscores the burgeoning demand for a diverse range of derivatives products and reaffirms CME Group's leading position in the financial sector. The average daily volume's upward trajectory signals healthy trading activity across multiple asset classes, particularly in interest rates, equities, energy, and commodities.

One of the standout segments in February is the interest rate products, which alone account for an ADV of 21.3 million contracts. This robust increase is driven by record activity in U.S. Treasury futures and options, where volumes surge to an ADV of 13.7 million contracts. This includes extraordinary performances from individual Treasury Note futures, specifically the 10-Year, 5-Year, and 2-Year contracts, which set new individual records of 3.7 million, 3.2 million, and 1.9 million contracts, respectively. Such heightened trading volume demonstrates investors' increasing reliance on Treasury products as hedging tools amidst fluctuating market conditions.

Furthermore, this record-setting month reveals significant growth in other asset classes beyond interest rates. The equity index ADV rises 16%, propelled primarily by a notable uptick in Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures, which soar 37% to 2.2 million contracts. Additionally, energy futures experience a 12% increase, particularly with WTI Crude Oil futures climbing by 35% to hit 1.1 million contracts. Agricultural ADV is also on the rise, experiencing an 11% increase and featuring record soybean futures and options. Meanwhile, the burgeoning metals sector sees an extraordinary 88% spike in ADV, predominantly for Micro Gold and Silver futures, indicating investors' increasing appetite for tangible assets amidst a shifting economic landscape. Finally, the cryptocurrency segment experiences a 45% increase in ADV, buoyed by fortified enthusiasm for Micro Ether and Bitcoin futures.

The international performance for CME Group reaches an all-time high in February, with ADV hitting 11.6 million contracts, and the EMEA region recording an unprecedented ADV of 8.7 million contracts. This exceptional growth across global markets signifies a comprehensive and robust trading ecosystem, reflecting CME Group's commitment to adapting and evolving in accordance with market demands. As the derivatives marketplace continues to expand, companies like Advantage Solutions must remain agile to leverage favorable shifts in trading activity and respond effectively to evolving investor needs.