Cboe plans to launch extended trading hours for selected US equity options on 13 July 2026 following SEC approval, adding pre-market and post-market sessions for around 20 actively traded stocks, subject to a related rule filing.
On 28 May 2026, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading global market operator and pioneer in listed equities and index derivatives, announced that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had approved its application to offer extended trading hours for selected multiply listed equity options. According to the announcement, the Cboe Options Exchange (C1) plans to launch the sessions on 13 July 2026, subject to SEC approval of a related rule filing.（Source: Cboe, Cboe Receives SEC Approval to Offer Extended Trading Hours, published: 2026-05-28.）
Cboe said the initiative represented the latest step in its efforts to broaden international investors’ access to US markets through longer trading hours. The company explained that allowing investors to trade single-stock options outside regular US equity market hours would help them manage options positions more effectively in response to potentially market-moving events, including pre-market or post-market corporate announcements and macroeconomic data releases.
Arrangements for the New Pre-Market and Post-Market Sessions
The new extended trading hours for multiply listed equity options will cover selected highly traded and liquid stocks and operate from Monday to Friday. The table below sets out the schedules for the two additional sessions, with all times stated in US Eastern Time:
| Session Type | Start Time (ET) | End Time (ET) | Applicable Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-market trading session | 7:30 am | 9:25 am | Monday to Friday |
| Post-market trading session | 4:00 pm | 4:15 pm | Monday to Friday |
Cboe explained that the post-market session would give investors a 15-minute window after the closing bell to adjust their positions in response to after-hours events, helping to reduce the risk of contrary exercises.
Around 20 Stocks Expected to Be Included Initially
Under the proposed criteria, Cboe expects around 20 stocks to be included when the extended trading sessions launch, covering all members of the “Magnificent Seven” and other widely traded stocks, including:
“Magnificent Seven” stocks such as Nvidia, Tesla and Apple;
Other actively traded and popular stocks, including Palantir, Broadcom and AMD.
Eligibility Thresholds for Extended Trading
Three Quantitative Criteria Must Be Met Simultaneously
Meaghan Dugan, Head of US Derivatives at Cboe, commented on the initiative:
“Today’s SEC approval marks an important milestone for the US options industry. We are taking a measured approach by initially launching selected single-stock options to ensure that market safeguards and investor protections are maintained. As equity trading moves towards nearly round-the-clock availability, this initiative will also help align options trading more closely with the underlying securities, enabling investors to manage risk and pursue opportunities more effectively.”
To qualify for pre-market and post-market trading, an equity option must have met all of the following conditions during the preceding six months:
Average daily options trading volume of at least 150,000 contracts;
A market capitalisation of at least US$50 billion for the underlying stock;
Average daily trading volume of at least 10 million shares for the underlying stock.
Cboe said it expected to update the list of eligible multiply listed equity option classes every six months: once using data from 1 July to 31 December and once using data from 1 January to 30 June.（Source: Cboe, Cboe Receives SEC Approval to Offer Extended Trading Hours, published: 2026-05-28, eligibility thresholds and list update paragraphs.）
Cboe’s Broader Extended Trading Hours Strategy
Index Options Already Offer Near-24-Hour Trading
According to the announcement, Cboe already provides near-24×5 trading for several proprietary index options during its Global Trading Hours (GTH, from 8:15 pm to 9:25 am ET the following morning) and Curb session (from 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm ET). The products covered include S&P 500 Index (SPX) options, Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) options, Mini-S&P 500 Index (XSP) options and Russell 2000 Index (RUT) options.
Cboe disclosed that trading volumes during both GTH and the Curb session reached record highs in the first quarter of 2026, increasing 32% from the first quarter of 2025, partly due to growing demand from clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
Further Plans for Equity Trading Hours
In its US equities business, Cboe currently offers trading from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm ET on two of its four exchanges. The company also plans to introduce 23×5 US equity trading on its Cboe EDGX Equities Exchange (EDGX) in December 2026, subject to regulatory approval and industry readiness.（Source: Cboe, Cboe Receives SEC Approval to Offer Extended Trading Hours, published: 2026-05-28, paragraphs concerning GTH, the Curb session and EDGX.）
Frequently Asked Questions About Cboe’s Extended Options Trading Hours
When will Cboe launch its extended options trading hours?
According to Cboe’s announcement of 28 May 2026, the Cboe Options Exchange (C1) plans to launch the sessions on 13 July 2026, subject to SEC approval of a related rule filing.
What are the new pre-market and post-market trading hours?
The pre-market session will run from 7:30 am to 9:25 am ET, while the post-market session will run from 4:00 pm to 4:15 pm ET, both from Monday to Friday. The post-market session will provide a 15-minute window after the closing bell for investors to adjust positions in response to after-hours events.
Which stocks will initially be eligible for extended trading?
Cboe expects around 20 stocks to be included initially, covering all members of the “Magnificent Seven”, including Nvidia, Tesla and Apple, as well as other popular stocks such as Palantir, Broadcom and AMD.
What conditions must equity options meet to qualify for extended trading?
During the preceding six months, an option must have recorded average daily trading volume of at least 150,000 contracts, while the underlying stock must have had a market capitalisation of at least US$50 billion and average daily trading volume of at least 10 million shares. The list is expected to be updated every six months.
How does this initiative relate to Cboe’s existing extended trading sessions?
Cboe already provides near-24×5 trading for several proprietary index options. Trading volumes during its Global Trading Hours and Curb sessions reached record highs in the first quarter of 2026, rising 32% year on year. The extension to single-stock options expands this broader strategy.
What other plans does Cboe have for extended equity trading?
Cboe currently offers equity trading from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm ET on two of its exchanges and plans to introduce 23×5 US equity trading on its EDGX exchange in December 2026, subject to regulatory approval and industry readiness.
