US Futures Market Review: Q1-2018

US futures and options-on-futures volumes kicked off 2018 with record results. Futures volume in the first quarter was up 31% over Q4 2017, with a record 1.2 billion contracts traded, led by a staggering 439 million contracts in February, which easily set a new monthly record. And options-on-futures volume jumped 40% in Q1 2018 compared to Q4 2017, with a record 319 million contracts traded. Meanwhile, the number of Futures Commission Merchants sat at 62 at the end of February 2018, due to consolidation rather than simple contraction; but global expansion with a focus on Asia may lead to an expansion of the FCM community in 2018.

TABB Group’s Futures Market Review analyzes quarterly trends in the futures and options-on-futures markets in the US and offers a brief global overview. In addition, we provide details on swap and volatility futures contracts, as well as a comprehensive ranking of the top 25 FCMs as determined by customer segregated balances held on their books.