CME Group Sets Record Open Interest in Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures
CME Group has set a new open interest record in its Henry Hub natural gas futures, surpassing the previous high of 1,801,183 contracts. The new record stands at 1,807,497 contracts, achieved on September 1, 2026.
Trading in physically-delivered Henry Hub futures tends to increase ahead of winter months, with open interest typically peaking around November of each year. However, in 2026, the rise in open interest was faster than usual and reached record levels as clients positioned for geopolitical shifts and winter volatility.
Clients are turning to CME Group's energy futures and options markets to manage their risk due to factors such as a Super El Niño reshaping weather-driven demand, record LNG output reordering global gas flows, and ongoing supply uncertainty in the Middle East.
Peter Keavey, Global Head of Energy and Environmental Products at CME Group, stated that clients are 'turning to CME Group's energy futures and leading options markets to manage their risk as a Super El Niño reshapes weather-driven demand, record LNG output reorders global gas flows, and the Middle East creates ongoing supply uncertainty.'
In addition, CME Group's energy business had a record first half of 2026, with average daily volume climbing 11% to 3.3 million contracts.