Core Insights - Cboe Global Markets reported significant increases in trading volumes across various segments for January 2026 compared to the previous year and month, indicating strong market activity and growth [1][2]. Trading Volume Statistics - Multi-listed options reached an average daily trading volume (ADV) of 14,093 thousand contracts, a 7.2% increase year-over-year from January 2025 [3]. - Index options saw a notable rise to 5,477 thousand contracts, marking a 20.8% increase compared to January 2025 [3]. - Futures trading volume increased to 230 thousand contracts, up 4.6% from the previous year [3]. - U.S. equities on-exchange matched shares totaled 1,872 million, reflecting a 14.3% year-over-year growth [3]. - Off-exchange U.S. equities matched shares skyrocketed to 241 million, a remarkable 189.5% increase from January 2025 [3]. - Canadian equities matched shares reached 239,258 thousand, a 50.3% increase year-over-year [3]. - European equities matched shares totaled 15,218 million, up 33.2% from the previous year [3]. - Australian equities matched shares increased to 1,041 million, a 60.0% rise compared to January 2025 [3]. - Global FX trading set a new record with an aggregate monthly ADV of $67.2 billion, a 33.6% increase year-over-year [5]. Notable Achievements - Cboe Europe Periodic Auctions achieved a record monthly average daily notional value (ADNV) of €5.3 billion in January 2026 [4]. - A record 287 thousand S&P 500 Index (SPX) options contracts were traded during Cboe's Global Trading Hours session on January 20, surpassing the previous record set in April 2025 [6]. - Mini-SPX (XSP) options also set a monthly volume record in January with an ADV of 150 thousand contracts [6].

Core Insights - CME Group reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $2.77, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.7% and reflecting a year-over-year improvement of 9.9% [1] - The quarterly results were driven by increased revenues from higher clearing and transaction fees, as well as market data and information services, alongside higher trading volumes [1] Performance in Detail - CME Group's revenues reached $1.6 billion, marking an 8.1% increase year over year, primarily due to a 7.8% rise in clearing and transaction fees and a 14.5% increase in market data and information services [2] - Total expenses rose by 8.8% year over year to $629.1 million, driven by higher compensation, technology costs, and professional fees [2] Operating Metrics - Operating income increased by 7.7% from the prior-year quarter to $1 billion [3] - Average daily volume (ADV) hit a record of 27.4 million contracts, up 7% year over year, with notable increases in Equities and Metals, while Agricultural ADV rose by 2% [3] - Interest Rate and Forex ADV saw declines of 2% and 12%, respectively, with the total average rate per contract at 70.7 cents [3] Full-Year Highlights - For the full year, adjusted earnings were $11.16 per share, a 15.4% increase year over year, although it missed the consensus estimate by 2 cents [4] - Revenues reached a record $6.5 billion, up 6% year over year, aligning with the consensus estimate [4] - Operating income for the year was $4.2 billion, reflecting a 7.7% year-over-year increase [4] Financial Update - As of December 31, 2025, CME Group had $4.5 billion in cash and marketable securities, a 51.1% increase from the end of 2024 [5] - Long-term debt rose to $3.4 billion, up 27.7% from the end of 2024 [5] - Shareholders' equity was valued at $28.7 billion, an 8.5% increase from the end of 2024 [5] Capital Deployment - CME Group distributed $3.9 billion in dividends during 2025, bringing the total payout to $30 billion since the introduction of the variable dividend policy in early 2012 [6]

Core Insights - Nasdaq has been selected by Osaka Exchange (OSE) to provide advanced Eqlipse Trading and Market Surveillance technology platforms, marking a significant step in OSE's modernization efforts and enhancing Japan's competitiveness in the global derivatives market [1][2][3] Group 1: Technology Partnership - The partnership with Nasdaq is expected to strengthen OSE's derivatives trading foundation, providing a safer and more efficient trading environment for all market stakeholders [2] - Nasdaq's technology will enable OSE to rapidly deploy new products and services, efficiently manage volume fluctuations, and maintain high performance standards [2][5] Group 2: Market Integrity and Performance - The integration of Nasdaq Market Surveillance technology will enhance OSE's market integrity framework, utilizing advanced analytics and AI to detect potential market abuse [6] - The Eqlipse Trading platform will support multi-asset trading with ultra-low latency, providing robust risk management tools and market-standard APIs [5] Group 3: Commitment to Modernization - OSE's modernization program reflects a commitment to world-class market infrastructure that adapts to evolving market dynamics while ensuring operational excellence [4][8] - Nasdaq's long-standing partnership with Japan's financial services ecosystem underscores its role in supporting the modernization and growth of Japan's capital markets [7][8] Group 4: Global Technology Leadership - Nasdaq's technology is utilized by major global financial institutions, including systematically important banks and stock exchanges, showcasing its leadership in market infrastructure [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) plans to expand its cryptocurrency offerings in 2026 by launching new futures contracts linked to major digital assets such as Solana, Ripple, and Tron [1][2][3] Group 1: New Product Launches - MOEX will introduce three new crypto indices that reflect the price dynamics of Solana, Ripple, and Tron, followed by futures contracts based on these indices [2][3] - The exchange currently offers futures on Bitcoin and Ethereum and aims to broaden its crypto pairings with top market names [3] Group 2: Index Foundation for Futures - Futures contracts on crypto assets require underlying indices as reference prices, which MOEX currently provides for Bitcoin and Ethereum [4][5] - The indices are calculated according to a transparent methodology and are published on the exchange's website [5] Group 3: Contract Specifications - The new futures contracts will be cash-settled, similar to existing Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts, and will expire monthly [6] - These contracts will comply with current Bank of Russia regulations and will only be available to qualified investors [6] Group 4: Future Considerations - MOEX is also considering the introduction of perpetual futures and options for major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, after expanding its range of futures pairs [7]

Core Insights - Increased volatility, supportive U.S. economic policies, higher acceptance of digital assets, and retail trading growth are shaping the future of exchanges [1] - Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN) is positioned to benefit from market volatility and rising digital asset valuations, while Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is set to grow through a solid portfolio and risk management services [1][2] Coinbase (COIN) - Coinbase is leveraging President Trump's pro-crypto stance and aims to transform into an "everything exchange" offering a wide range of financial services [3] - The company has expanded its product ecosystem, including enabling Solana on its Base network, launching Shiba Inu futures, and introducing new products like prediction markets and tokenized equities [4] - Coinbase's growth strategy includes a focus on its Base Layer 2 blockchain and stablecoins to enhance crypto adoption and reduce costs [5] - Mergers and acquisitions are key to Coinbase's strategy, with ten acquisitions in 2026, including The Clearing Company, to strengthen its prediction market presence [6] - Despite facing margin pressure from high operating costs, Coinbase's expanding ecosystem and improving regulatory environment support a positive long-term growth outlook [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COIN's 2026 revenues indicates an 11.6% year-over-year increase, with EPS expected to grow by 27.3% [14] - COIN shares have decreased by 42.1% over the past six months, trading at a forward P/E multiple of 34.4, lower than its three-year median of 46.1 [16][17] Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) - ICE offers a comprehensive suite of products and risk management services, supported by strategic acquisitions that enhance its offerings [8][12] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the digitization of the U.S. residential mortgage market and is expanding its mortgage business through the integration of Ellie Mae [10] - ICE maintains a strong global data services platform, with expected growth in data revenue driven by market activity and performance in its index business [11] - The company has a solid track record of acquisitions that have contributed to growth and expense synergies, supported by a strong balance sheet [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ICE's 2026 revenues implies a 6.1% increase, with EPS expected to grow by 9.4% [14] - ICE shares have increased by 19.7% in the past six months, trading at a forward P/E multiple of 23.5, higher than its three-year median of 22 [16][17] Conclusion - Coinbase is diversifying its revenue base through trading fees, staking, custodial services, and derivatives, aiming to be a one-stop destination for digital asset trading [18] - ICE is poised for growth through its strong portfolio, risk management services, strategic acquisitions, and impressive dividend history, having doubled its dividends in the last six years [19]

Core Viewpoint - CICC maintains the earnings forecast for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) for 2025 and 2026, introducing a profit estimate of HKD 17.9 billion for 2027, with a target price of HKD 500, indicating a potential upside of 12.6% based on current P/E ratios [1] Group 1: Earnings Forecast - For Q4 2025, CICC predicts a year-on-year profit decline of 1% and a quarter-on-quarter decline of 24% [2] - Total revenue for Q4 2025 is expected to increase by 4% year-on-year but decrease by 15% quarter-on-quarter to HKD 6.61 billion, with core business revenue projected to rise by 13% year-on-year but fall by 13% quarter-on-quarter to HKD 5.81 billion [2] - Full-year total revenue is forecasted to grow by 27% to HKD 28.46 billion, with profit expected to increase by 31% to HKD 17.15 billion [2] Group 2: Trading Activity - In Q4 2025, the average daily trading (ADT) for Hong Kong stocks is expected to be HKD 229.8 billion, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 23% but a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 20% [2] - Southbound ADT is projected to rise by 35% year-on-year to HKD 105.7 billion, while northbound ADT is expected to remain flat year-on-year at HKD 231.1 billion [2] - Derivatives trading is anticipated to see a slight decline, with overall ADV down by 2% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter to 1.61 million contracts [2] Group 3: Investment Income - CICC forecasts a significant drop in investment income for Q4 2025, with a year-on-year decline of 35% and a quarter-on-quarter decline of 25% [3] - The decline in investment income is attributed to reduced margin investment returns and external investment redemptions, alongside changes in margin interest rebate policies [3] Group 4: Long-term Value and Market Dynamics - The average daily trading for Hong Kong stocks has reached HKD 267.6 billion since the beginning of the year, indicating a 7% increase compared to the full year of 2025 [4] - CICC notes that for every HKD 10 billion increase in ADT in 2026, the year-on-year profit growth rate could increase by 2.4 percentage points [4] - The valuation trends of HKEX have historically aligned with the Hang Seng Index, but since September, HKEX has underperformed the index by 11 percentage points [4]

Group 1 - The total short interest in 3,515 Nasdaq Global Market securities reached 15,349,969,813 shares as of January 15, 2026, an increase from 15,183,396,236 shares in the previous period [1] - Short interest in 1,669 securities on The Nasdaq Capital Market totaled 3,478,325,627 shares, up from 3,382,557,383 shares in the prior reporting period [2] - Overall, short interest across all 5,184 Nasdaq securities amounted to 18,828,295,440 shares, compared to 18,565,953,619 shares previously, indicating a slight increase in short selling activity [3] Group 2 - The average short interest represents 2.88 days of trading volume for Nasdaq Global Market securities, compared to 2.83 days in the previous period [1] - The average daily volume for short interest in The Nasdaq Capital Market decreased to 1.19 days from 1.27 days [2] - The overall average daily volume for all Nasdaq securities is 2.28 days, down from 2.31 days in the prior reporting period [3] Group 3 - Short sales are defined as the sale of securities that the seller does not own, or sales completed by delivering borrowed securities [4] - Nasdaq is a leading global technology company that provides services to corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators [7]

Core Viewpoint - Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) has experienced a significant share price increase of approximately 43% over the past year, driven by strong fundamentals, increased trading volumes, new IPOs, and supportive policies [1][3]. Group 1: Business Fundamentals - SGX operates as Singapore's sole approved and regulated stock exchange, creating a natural monopoly that allows for robust cash flow generation with minimal capital expenditure [2]. - The exchange has a solid dividend track record, having paid annual dividends since 2003, which has historically rewarded long-term shareholders with dependable dividends and capital appreciation [5][6]. - SGX's recent annual dividend for 2025 is S$0.375 per share, with a payout ratio of 61.9%, supported by a healthy free cash flow of S$773.6 million for FY2025 [6]. Group 2: Recent Developments - Recent market fluctuations have led to increased trading and derivatives volumes, alongside positive policy initiatives and market reforms that have heightened interest in Singapore's markets [3][4]. - SGX is diversifying its offerings, including data, derivatives, and fixed income, which reduces reliance on equity trading and supports revenue growth [5][7]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - Despite the positive outlook, SGX's current forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 27.6 times, which is elevated compared to its 10-year historical average of 21.9 times, indicating stretched valuations [8]. - Long-term investors should focus on underlying fundamentals rather than short-term price movements, with current trailing annual yield at 2.1%, below the 10-year average of 3.44% [9][10]. - A dollar-cost-averaging (DCA) strategy may be prudent for investors to mitigate the risk of buying at a premium while ensuring consistent dividend income [11].

Core Insights - Cboe Global Markets announced the appointments of Scott Johnston as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Heidi Fischer as Executive Vice President, Global Head of Equities and Spot Markets, effective in 2026 [1][9] Leadership Changes - Scott Johnston will replace Chris Isaacson, who is retiring on March 6, 2026, and will serve as an advisor until the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition [2][9] - Heidi Fischer will take over oversight of Cboe's global cash equities and spot markets, previously managed by Isaacson [2] - Alex Dalley has been promoted to Senior Vice President, overseeing Cboe's European Equities business, pending regulatory approval [3] - Jon Weinberg will expand his role to oversee Cboe's global FX and off-exchange trading business lines [4] Strategic Initiatives - Cboe is implementing a regional office leadership structure to enhance its globalization strategy, with key leaders assigned to various locations including Kansas City, New York, London, and Amsterdam [5] - Johnston will focus on day-to-day operations, market operations, infrastructure, and clearing teams, collaborating with Tim Lipscomb, Chief Technology Officer, to drive innovation and operational capabilities [6][10] - Fischer aims to enhance client engagement and product development for both on-exchange and off-exchange solutions [7] Executive Statements - Craig Donohue, CEO of Cboe, expressed confidence in the new leadership team, highlighting their industry experience and strategic vision [6] - Johnston expressed enthusiasm for joining Cboe and aims to leverage his experience to scale the business and enhance operational performance [7] - Fischer emphasized the exceptional momentum at Cboe and her commitment to expanding the company's global footprint and strengthening client relationships [8]

Core Viewpoint - The launch of the Global X Tokenization Ecosystem Index ETF (TOKN) aims to provide investors with exposure to companies involved in the development and adoption of tokenized financial infrastructure, reflecting a significant shift in financial technology towards tokenization and stablecoins [1][4]. Group 1: Tokenization Ecosystem - Tokenization represents real-world assets, rights, or data as digital tokens on blockchain networks, applicable across various sectors including financial instruments [2]. - The tokenization ecosystem includes financial institutions and technology companies that facilitate the adoption of tokens and stablecoins, driven by demand for faster settlement and greater transparency [3]. - Tokenized assets and stablecoins currently represent hundreds of billions of dollars in market value, indicating a foundational shift in global financial infrastructure [3]. Group 2: ETF Details - TOKN seeks to replicate the performance of an index focused on companies deriving economic benefits from the tokenized asset market, including stablecoin issuers and infrastructure providers [5]. - The ETF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TOKN, with a management fee of 0.49% [6]. - Eligible securities within the index are categorized into four themes: Token Distributors, Asset Tokenizers, Stablecoin Issuers, and Infrastructure providers, ensuring comprehensive exposure to the tokenization market [6]. Group 3: Market Applications - The tokenization of U.S. Treasury securities exemplifies practical applications of tokenization, with nearly US$10 billion issued on-chain, highlighting significant growth potential in tokenized fixed-income assets [8]. - The early adoption of tokenized U.S. Treasuries indicates the technology's relevance beyond cryptocurrencies, suggesting a lasting impact on the future of finance [9]. Group 4: Company Overview - Global X Investments Canada Inc. manages over $48 billion in assets and offers a diverse range of ETFs, positioning itself as a key player in the Canadian financial services market [10]. - As a subsidiary of Mirae Asset Financial Group, Global X benefits from a global asset management network exceeding $1 trillion [10].