- Record trading volume of 2,587 contracts in battery metals futures and options on May 29, 2025.
- All-time high open interest of 64,387 contracts across the battery metals complex.
- 100% year-over-year increase in average daily trading volume, reaching 837 contracts year-to-date.
The CME Group has set new milestones in its battery metals complex by reaching a record trading volume of 2,587 contracts on May 29, 2025. This surpassed the previous record of 2,301 contracts, showcasing a growing market interest in battery metals trading. Concurrently, the company reported an all-time high of 64,387 contracts in combined open interest, reflecting a substantial increase in market activity and engagement.
Particularly strong performances were noted in the Lithium Hydroxide and Cobalt Metal futures, each trading over 1,000 contracts in a single day for the first time. This surge is indicative of the increasing use of these futures as risk management tools, driven by accelerating demand within the electric vehicle supply chain.
Year-to-date, the average daily trading volume has seen a substantial 100% growth compared to the previous year, hitting 837 contracts. This remarkable growth can be attributed to the diversification of products offered under CME's battery metals suite, including Lithium Hydroxide futures and options, Lithium Carbonate futures, Cobalt Metal futures and options, Cobalt Hydroxide futures, and Spodumene futures.
The expansion and record-breaking activity in CME Group's battery metals complex underscore the maturation of this market segment. As commercial users such as battery manufacturers, automakers, and mining companies increasingly utilize these markets for price discovery and hedging, the participation and liquidity are expected to further increase. This positions CME (CME, Financial) strategically at the forefront of the electric vehicle industry's supply chain ecosystem.
