Russell 2000 Futures
Russell 2000 futures describes RTY contract mechanics, not a forecast or a recommendation.
Educational only, not a recommendation to buy or sell any contract or a solicitation to open an account. Futures and options trading involves substantial risk of loss. You can lose more than your initial deposit.
Contract specifications
| Specification | RTY |
|---|---|
| Exchange | CME |
| Symbol | RTY |
| Contract size | $50 × Russell 2000 Index |
| Tick size / value | 0.10 index points = $5 |
| Trading hours | CME education lists Sunday–Friday 5:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. CT with a 3:15–3:30 p.m. CT halt. Confirm current hours on the official RTY page. |
| Listed months | Quarterly listings; confirm the current listed months. |
| Settlement | Cash-settled to the opening index value on the third Friday, subject to exchange rules. |
Last verified November 10, 2026.
This is the supplied source-note date, not confirmation of every live field. Dated sources and fields requiring exchange confirmation are identified below.
RTY outright tick and multiplier are in CME Rulebook Chapter 393.
Micro, mini, and related smaller contracts
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K): $5 × index, tick 0.10 = $0.50. The official FAQ describes five quarterly months; confirm current listings.
Worked tick and 1% example
Hypothetical arithmetic illustration only — not a current price, projection, trading result, or recommendation.
One outright tick changes one RTY contract by $5. Four ticks change it by 4 × $5 = $20, in either direction, before costs.
Assume a made-up quotation of 2,000 index points. A 1% price change is 20 in those quote units. Multiplying by 50 gives $1,000 for one contract. The same move against a position produces a loss of that amount before costs.
Commissions, fees, bid-ask spreads, and slippage are excluded. Leverage can lead to losses larger than your deposit; a 1% price move is not a 1% account-equity move.
Margin and leverage
Margin is a performance bond, not the purchase price or a limit on loss. Exchange requirements and carrying-firm requirements can change; the firm may require more and may liquidate positions when requirements are not met. No margin dollar amounts are quoted here.
Official exchange product and margin information · Margin and Leverage in Futures
What moves the market
Small-company earnings, credit conditions, interest rates, and U.S. growth news can change expectations.
Reading the Economic Calendar explains scheduled-release timing. Unscheduled news can also move prices; stops do not guarantee an exit price.
Rollover and expiration
Quarterly cash settlement to the opening value on the third Friday. Confirm the exact contract calendar and holiday rules.
A roll closes one contract month and opens another; spreads, costs, and execution risk remain. Firm deadlines may be earlier than exchange deadlines. See Contract Rollover, First Notice Day, and Last Trading Day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the contract size and tick value?
RTY: $50 × Russell 2000 Index; 0.10 index points = $5.
Is there a smaller related contract?
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K): $5 × index, tick 0.10 = $0.50. The official FAQ describes five quarterly months; confirm current listings.
How does settlement and expiration work?
Cash-settled to the opening index value on the third Friday, subject to exchange rules. Quarterly cash settlement to the opening value on the third Friday. Confirm the exact contract calendar and holiday rules.
Does a smaller contract or a stop remove risk?
No. Futures remain leveraged; you can lose more than your initial deposit. Smaller contracts change dollar exposure, not market direction. Stops do not guarantee a fill at the stop price.
Talk it through, if that would help
Ask about contract mechanics or practicing with simulated funds. There is no obligation to open an account.
Demo accounts use simulated funds. Demo results do not reflect real trading and are not indicative of future results. Features, terms, and availability can change.
Drew Rathgeber, President
949-996-4611 · drathgeber@profuturestrader.com