CME Group to launch single-stock futures on July 27

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group is set to launch single-stock futures on July 27, giving traders a new way to bet on the price movements of major U.S. equities. The contracts will cover stocks like Apple, Amazon, and Tesla, among others, and are designed to appeal to both retail and institutional investors. This marks the return of a product that was banned in the U.S. after the 2000 dot-com crash due to regulatory concerns, but the CME believes the time is right for a comeback. The launch matters because it could reshape how traders hedge or speculate on individual stocks, offering a more capital-efficient alternative to buying shares outright. The CME's move comes amid growing retail interest in derivatives and follows years of regulatory review. The exchange expects the futures to attract a broad audience, though adoption may depend on broker support and market education. If successful, the product could expand the derivatives landscape and increase liquidity in single-stock markets.