Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is expanding its European equity derivatives suite with the introduction of a broad range of new single stock options (SSOs), marking a significant step in the exchange’s push to grow its listed equity derivatives offering.
According to an ICE Futures Europe circular, the new standard and mini single stock options, along with flexible single stock options and futures, are scheduled to be available for trading from 8 December 2025, subject to completion of regulatory processes.
The contracts will be tradable via the Central Limit Order Book and ICE Block, giving participants both electronic and block trading access. ICE is also inviting members to apply for liquidity provider positions to support the new market launch.
Single stock options on UK, European and US equities
The launch covers a wide selection of underlying companies spanning UK blue chips, European heavyweights and major US technology stocks.
The list of UK underlyings includes household names such as AstraZeneca, Barclays, HSBC, Shell, Tesco, Vodafone, Rolls-Royce and the London Stock Exchange Group, with contracts typically offering front-three-month and next-three-quarter maturities and standard contract sizes of 100 shares.
European equities added to the offering include Airbus, ASML, Ferrari, LVMH, Rheinmetall and TotalEnergies, expanding ICE’s coverage across major continental markets.
Notably, the flexible options segment includes exposure to leading US technology stocks such as Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla and Meta, alongside firms like Coinbase, Palantir and ServiceNow.
Flexible contracts and mini options
Alongside standard contracts, ICE is introducing flexible single stock options (FSSOs) and flexible single stock futures (FSSFs). These products allow customised expiry and settlement features, giving institutional traders more flexibility for hedging and structured strategies.
Flexible contracts typically carry smaller contract sizes for US equities (often 10 shares) and 1,000-share sizes for UK stocks, with tick sizes as low as 0.01.
ICE also confirmed that UK stamp duty and SDRT relief available to recognised options intermediaries will apply to share delivery arising from the new contracts.
Strategic push into equity derivatives
The expansion highlights ICE’s ongoing efforts to build liquidity in European equity derivatives and compete more directly with established single stock options venues.
By offering standard, mini and flexible contracts across a wide range of global equities, ICE is aiming to attract both institutional hedgers and active traders seeking listed alternatives to OTC derivatives.
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