Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Options and derivatives marketplace Cboe Global Markets (CBOE +3.19%) plans to launch new extended trading hours for select multi-exchange mega-cap stock options.

The extended hours will see the market open for options trading for these select stocks at 7:30 a.m. ET, two hours earlier than the major indexes open for trading. It will stay open until 4:15 p.m. ET, 15 minutes past the rest of the markets. This is for Monday through Friday only.

The 20 or so select stocks are all mega-caps, including all the Magnificent Seven stocks -- Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Tesla. It also includes big names like Broadcom, Palantir, and Advanced Micro Devices.

This is a huge development for Cboe and the markets in general. Now, for the first time, investors will be able to trade stock options for the Magnificent Seven and other market movers two hours before the market opens. That is beneficial for Cboe. Here's why.

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Cboe thrives on volatility Cboe generates most of its revenue from fees tied to trading on its index. So, the more volatility there is, and the higher the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) goes, the more revenue Cboe typically generates. So with trading hours extended, it would lead to additional trading and revenue.

In the first quarter, the VIXEQ, Cboe's Constituent Volatility Index, skyrocketed. The VIXEQ measures the volatility of single stocks as opposed to the whole market. The VIXEQ is currently at 50, the highest its been sinced the tariff spike in April 2025 and one of the highest levels in the past five years.

But more importantly, the spread between the VIX and the VIXEQ is at historically wide levels as the VIX is at a pretty normal level -- 15. This means that single stocks are highly volatile, but that voilàtility is masked by a seemingly calm overall VIX.

It is no coincidence that Cboe had a record Q1, with revenue up 29% and earnings up 54% year over year. Options revenue increased 33%, due to a 10% increase in options average daily volume. Transaction and clearing fees for options were up 34%. Equity revenue also set a record, up 18% year over year, with transaction and clearing fees rising 40%.

Cboe stock spiked to an all-time high of $366 per share on May 13, and at that time it was up 46% year to date. It has since come crashing back down on perhaps several factors. There may have been profit-taking, particualrly after the company announced layoffs and volatility appeared to have subsided. Now, Cboe stock is trading at $265 per share, up about 5% YTD.

Cboe Predicts Cboe is also rolling out a new prediction markets product, in conjunction with Charles Schwab, called Cboe Predicts.

It will allow users to trade on predictions about financial markets. The prediction market product and extended trading hours should help Cboe boost revenue, which could help support revenue when markets are less volatile than they were in Q1.

The VIX has settled down and is back in a more normal range but the VIXEQ is extremely high. With the VIXEQ high, large-cap stocks still overvalued, and geopolitical conflicts ongoing, Cboe stock should be one to keep on your radar.

Cboe stock is trading at a more reasonable level at 22 times earnings. The stock has a median price target of $325 per share, which would represent a 21% increase in price.

Cboe stock might be worth buying at this valuation, because if the market gets wild again, you know youʻll have a stock that thrives on volatility.

Dave Kovaleski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Cboe Global Markets. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways CBOE's revenues grew about 25% in two years on strength across options, equities, futures and data.Cboe Global's options franchise is driven by SPX and VIX demand for hedging, income and volatility needs.CBOE raised its organic net revenue growth outlook to low double-digit to mid-teens growth. Cboe Global Markets' (CBOE - Free Report) revenue growth is being driven by structural market trends, product innovation and an increasingly diversified business model. The company’s revenues have risen by approximately 25% over the past two years, reflecting strength across multiple business lines. Unlike traditional exchanges that rely primarily on cash equity trading, Cboe generates revenues from options, equities, futures, foreign exchange, digital assets and market data.

Its options franchise remains the largest growth engine. Strong institutional demand for SPX and VIX index options for portfolio hedging, income generation and volatility management continues to drive transaction and clearing revenues, while periods of elevated market volatility provide an additional boost to trading activity.

Cboe Global is also expanding its base of recurring, non-transaction revenues through market data, connectivity and access services. These high-margin businesses benefit from growing demand from quantitative firms, algorithmic traders and institutional investors for proprietary market data, making revenues less dependent on trading volumes.

International expansion further strengthens the outlook. Acquisitions across Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan have broadened CBOE’s customer base and created cross-selling opportunities, while investments in foreign exchange and digital asset infrastructure position the company to capture emerging institutional demand.

Although trading activity is inherently cyclical, Cboe Global's increasingly diversified revenue mix provides greater resilience. Growth in recurring revenues, its international operations and continued product innovation reduce reliance on any single business segment. Reflecting these favorable trends, management has raised its outlook and now expects organic net revenue growth in the low double-digit to mid-teens range, compared with its previous guidance of mid-single-digit growth.

What About CBOE’s Peers?Nasdaq Inc. (NDAQ - Free Report) has strengthened its revenue growth profile by expanding beyond exchange trading into financial technology, market data, indexes, and anti-financial crime solutions, building a stable base of recurring subscription revenues. This diversification enables Nasdaq to generate consistent top-line growth despite fluctuations in trading activity and benefit from global demand for its technology platforms.

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE - Free Report) has similarly diversified through energy and interest-rate derivatives, mortgage technology and data services. Intercontinental Exchange is steadily increasing recurring revenues from its technology businesses, enhancing revenue visibility. Thus, Intercontinental Exchange remains well-positioned for sustainable long-term revenue growth.

CBOE’s Price PerformanceShares of Cboe Global have lost 0.8% year to date, outperforming the industry, but underperforming sector and S&P 500.

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CBOE’s Expensive ValuationCBOE is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 18.05, lower than the industry average of 18.16.

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Estimate Movement for CBOEThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for CBOE’s second and third-quarter 2026 earnings per share (EPS) witnessed no movement in the last seven days. The consensus estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved 1 cent north each, respectively, in the last seven days.
 

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Key Takeaways CBOE grew Q1 net revenue 29% to $728.9M, led by a 32% increase in derivatives revenue.Cboe's SPX options reached record volume, while Data Vantage revenue climbed to $181.3M.CBOE is cutting costs through restructuring and had $569.4M remaining for share repurchases. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE - Free Report) shares have lost 28.4% over the past month compared with the industry's decline of 10%.

The stock has been weighed down by concerns over its valuation compression, competitive threats, and selling pressure after a strong rally that reached a 52-week high in May. Investor sentiment has also been affected by market-share erosion and expectations of lower market volatility that could reduce trading activity. However, the solid earnings growth, record trading volumes, a profitable derivatives and market-data business, and prudent capital deployment position the company well for long-term growth.

Shares of some of its peers, including Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE - Free Report) , CME Group Inc. (CME - Free Report) , and Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ - Free Report) , have lost 14.1%, 15.8% and 9.2%, respectively, in the past month.

1-Month Price Performance: CBOE, ICE, CME, NDAQ & Industry
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CBOE’s Average Target Price Suggests UpsideBased on short-term price targets offered by 14 analysts, the Zacks average price target is $317.50 per share. The average suggests a potential 24% upside from the last closing price.

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CBOE ValuationShares of Cboe Global are currently trading at a discount. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 18.69X, which is below the industry average of 18.72X.

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Shares of Intercontinental Exchange are trading at a discount, while CME and Nasdaq are trading above the industry average.

CBOE’s Growth Projection EncouragesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cboe Global’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 25%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $2.75 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 13.1%.

The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 5.5% and 2.9%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.

Earnings have grown 14.7% in the past five years, better than the industry average of 10.6%. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is 16.8%, %, better than the industry average of 12.2%. It also has a Growth Score of A.

Optimist Analyst Sentiment on CBOE10 analysts covering the stock have raised estimates for 2026 and 2027 over the past 60 days, with no downward revisions. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved up 8.8% and 9.1%, respectively, over the same period.

CBOE’s Favorable Return on CapitalReturn on equity for the trailing-12 months was 24.9%, which compared favorably with the industry’s average of 16%. This reflects its efficiency in utilizing shareholders’ funds.  

Return on invested capital in the trailing-12 months was 14.6%, better than the industry average of 6.7%, reflecting CBOE’s efficiency in utilizing funds to generate income.

What Drives CBOE’s Growth?Cboe Global’s organic strength lies in a diversified business mix that ensures uninterrupted revenue generation and recurring non-transaction revenues. The company is sharpening its focus on core derivatives, data, clearing and off-exchange businesses through portfolio optimization, including the planned sale of its Canada and Australia operations. At the same time, CBOE is investing in high-growth opportunities such as prediction markets, tokenized products and expanded clearing services.

Trading activity across Cboe’s derivatives complex continues to be the primary organic growth engine.  Net revenue rose 29% year over year to $728.9 million, with derivatives net revenue up 32% in the first quarter of 2026. Proprietary SPX options set another quarterly record with average daily volume up 34% year over year to 4.9 million contracts, supported by both shorter-dated and longer-dated demand as market conditions shifted. Management raised its 2026 organic total net revenue growth target to low double-digit to mid-teens.

Growing demand for market data, connectivity services and analytics solutions is driving solid growth in the Data Vantage segment. In the first quarter of 2026, Data Vantage revenue increased to $181.3 million from $152.5 million a year ago, supported primarily by new customer additions and increased product adoption. Management lifted its 2026 Data Vantage organic net revenue growth target to low double-digit.

The multi-quarter realignment is now paired with additional actions aimed at reducing complexity and improving execution. Management expects these initiatives to reduce its workforce by approximately 20% and be substantially completed by the end of 2026. Management also lowered 2026 expense guidance and expects meaningful savings from restructuring initiatives.

CBOE’s strategic investments are well supported by solid capital management. The company has been strengthening its balance sheet with a strong cash position supporting continued investment in technology, sales and product initiatives as well as capital returns, while lowering its debt balance. As of March 31, 2026, it had $569.4 million remaining under existing share repurchase authorizations.

ConclusionCboe Global’s growth strategy of expanding its product line across asset classes, broadening geographic reach, diversifying the business mix with recurring revenues, and leveraging technology reflects its operational expertise. A VGM Score of B instils optimism.

Coupled with cheap valuation, optimistic analyst sentiment, favorable ROE and favorable growth estimates, the time appears right for potential investors to bet on this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) insurer. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.