0DTE Volatility Expands With New 24-Hour Trading for Russell 2000 Index Options

• Cboe Global Markets expanded Russell 2000 Index (RUT) and Russell 2000 Index Weeklys (RUTW) options trading hours to nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week according to market reports.
• This move supports global investors, particularly in Europe and Asia, in managing U.S. small-cap equity exposure during local business hours as data shows.
• In January 2026, 0DTE options accounted for 23% of RUT options activity, reflecting strong investor interest in short-dated strategies according to reports.

The expanded trading hours aim to enhance liquidity and reduce execution risk for investors, making it easier for them to engage with U.S. small-cap markets during their local daytime hours according to analysis.
This initiative aligns with broader trends in financial markets, where real-time execution and flexibility are increasingly important as market trends indicate.
Investors are using these options to hedge, express market views, and generate yield, reflecting a shift toward more dynamic and responsive trading strategies .

The move also benefits market participants by providing tools to execute strategies with greater precision and flexibility as reported.
Rising market volatility and dispersion have contributed to the growing demand for these short-term strategies according to analysis.
As a result, the Cboe Global Trading Hours (GTH) session saw a 27% increase in trading volume in 2025 compared to the previous year according to reports.

Why Is This Expansion Important for Global Investors?

The expansion of trading hours allows investors in Europe and Asia-Pacific to manage U.S. small-cap equity exposure during their local business hours according to market data.
This can lead to more efficient risk management and better alignment with market events that occur outside traditional trading hours as research shows.
Investors in these regions can now react to market developments in real time without waiting for U.S. market hours to begin according to analysis.

How Does This Impact the Use of 0DTE Options in the Market?

The increased use of 0DTE options shows a growing preference among investors for short-term strategies as data indicates.
This trend is driven by the need to respond quickly to market volatility and dispersion according to market reports.
Investors are leveraging these options to hedge, express market views, and generate yield with greater precision as analysis shows.

The growing use of 0DTE options reflects a shift toward more dynamic and responsive trading strategies according to reports.
This shift is likely to continue as markets evolve and investors seek more flexible and real-time execution tools as market data shows.
Cboe's expansion is expected to further enhance liquidity and reduce execution risk for global investors according to analysis.