How big is the Chicago Mercantile Exchange?

The CME is the largest futures and options exchange by daily volume. According to CME Group, the exchange handles 3 billion contracts per year, worth approximately $1 quadrillion.

When did the Chicago Mercantile Exchange start?

Founded in 1898, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange began life as the "Chicago Butter and Egg Board" before changing its name in 1919. It was the first financial exchange to "demutualize" and become a publicly traded, shareholder-owned corporation in 2000. The CME launched its first futures contracts in 1961 on frozen pork bellies.

Does Chicago Mercantile Exchange offer futures & options?

While the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) offer a wide range of futures and options contracts, there are still markets and asset classes that are not represented nor available for trading. Also, membership access is required, making it difficult for individual investors to participate directly in the markets.