Who Uses Equity Index Products?

Equity index products are used by a wide range of industries and groups, including portfolio managers, endowments, asset managers, mutual and ETF funds, and self-directed traders. CME Group offers futures and options products on multiple equity indices to accommodate different market participant needs.

Portfolio Managers

Portfolio managers (PMs) are responsible for creating and managing equity market risk for their clients. Equity Index futures lend themselves to a variety of risk management overlay strategies to either reduce risk or enhance returns. Some of these strategies may include:

Beta replication

Asset rebalancing

Sector rotation

Funds

Endowment, pension and mutual funds generally take a long-term investment view. They may focus a substantial part of their investments in equity markets to help achieve their long-term capital growth objectives.

Certain Equity Index futures strategies can be applied by risk managers to efficiently create a long equity position. This way, they can gain the equity market exposure they want, while only using a fraction of the capital. The remaining capital can be used for other investment opportunities.

Self-Directed Traders

Self-directed traders can use Equity Index futures to express a view on the overall equity market.

Rather than having to evaluate individual share values they can trade the entire index using the futures contract.

Summary

CME Group understands that different investors have different needs. With our suite of Equity Index futures and options, CME Group can help you tailor your portfolio to meet your needs.