The Nasdaq 100 Index is the most important share index for technology shares in the USA. It includes the 100 companies of the Nasdaq Composite with the highest market capitalization. The Nasdaq 100 Futures (futures contracts on the index) are very popular among exchange traders worldwide and can be traded almost around the clock.
Contract specifications
| Designation | E-mini Nasdaq 100 Futures |
| Abbreviation | NQ |
| Contract size | 20 USD x Nasdaq 100 Index |
| Price quote | Index points |
| Tick size | 0.25 Index points |
| Tick value | 5 USD |
| Daily price limit | None |
| Stock Exchange | CME/Globex |
| Trading hours (DE) | 0 o'clock - 22.15 o'clock 22:30 - 23:00 |
| Contract months | Mar (H), Jun (M), Sep (U), Dec (Z) for the next 5 quarters |
What is the Nasdaq 100 Future?
The E-mini Nasdaq 100 Future (abbreviation: NQ) is a futures contract on the Nasdaq 100 Index. The next five contracts with the delivery months (expiration dates) March, June, September and December are traded. The contracts expire on the third Friday of each month.
Contract size
The multiplier of the Nasdaq 100 futures is 20 USD. To calculate the equivalent value of a contract, the index level is multiplied by 20 USD. For example, an index level of 10,500 (July 2020) results in an equivalent value of 210,000 USD.
A change of e.g. 1 % (= 105 points) thus causes an account movement of 105 x 20 USD = 2100 USD.
The tick size is 0.25 index points, resulting in a tick value of 5 USD.
Other products on the Nasdaq 100
In addition to regular Nasdaq 100 futures, smaller futures contracts are also available, as well as options and ETFs.
Options
As with numerous other American share indices, index options are available for the Nasdaq 100, as well as Futures options are available. The options can be found in the Trader Workstation, for example in the Option Trader.
Nasdaq 100 Micro Futures
Since the introduction of the Micro E-Mini Futures of the CME in 2019, smaller futures are also available for the Nasdaq 100, whose contract size is one tenth of the E-Minis. The Micro E-Mini Nasdaq 100 futures thus have a point value of only two USD and are, among other things, very well suited for private traders with smaller accounts.
Micro E-Mini options
CME Group has announced options on the Micro Futures. These will be available from August 31, 2020.
"CHICAGO, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced options on its Micro E-mini S&P 500 and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contracts will be available for trading Aug. 31, 2020, pending regulatory review."
"Since their introduction a year ago, Micro E-mini Equity futures have benefited market participants of all types, who have used them to scale their equity index exposure up or down or more precisely hedge existing equity portfolio positions," said Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products. "Based on the success of our micro-sized equity futures contracts and increased customer demand, we are pleased to offer options on the Micro E-mini S&P 500 and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures. We believe this will provide our clients with even greater flexibility amid continuing economic uncertainty."
Quelle: boerse.de
ETFs on the Nasdaq 100
Thanks to the increasing popularity of ETFs in recent years, various ETFs are also available for the Nasdaq 100. The best-known and most liquid ETF on the technology index is the "Invesco QQQ Trust Nasdaq", known by its abbreviation "QQQ".