Cboe Ditches Limits on S&P Equal Weight Options Trades
Published Date: 9/2/2025
Notice
Summary
Cboe Exchange is removing the limits on how many options traders can hold or exercise for the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index. This change affects anyone trading these specific options and aims to give more freedom and flexibility starting right away. It could impact trading strategies and potentially increase market activity without new fees or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
No Position/Exercise Limits Now
The Exchange and Commission approved removing position and exercise limits for options on the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (SPEQF and SPEQX). This eliminates the prior standardized limits of 25,000 contracts and FLEX limits of 200,000 contracts so standardized and FLEX SPEQF/SPEQX positions will have no position or exercise limits.
Margin and Capital Rules Still Apply
Existing margin, risk-based haircut methodologies, and capital requirements (including Rule 15c3-1 capital charges) remain in force and will apply to large SPEQF and SPEQX positions. That means larger positions can trigger higher margin or capital charges for a Trading Permit Holder or its customers.
Large-Position Reporting Stays At 200
Even after limits are removed, the Exchange will keep the requirement that Trading Permit Holders (TPHs) file reports for any customer who held aggregate long or short positions of 200 or more option contracts of any single class for the previous day. That 200-contract reporting threshold remains part of the Exchange's surveillance program.
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