CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) announced that Glencore and Trafigura executed the first trades of its U.S. Zinc Futures contracts on August 20 via CME Globex, with the initial transactions set for September delivery.

CME Group updated its zinc contract to U.S. duty-paid in March 2026, citing client demand for a tool to manage U.S. pricing dynamics. The contract is physically settled, exchange-traded, and centrally cleared, listed under COMEX rules.

"As geopolitical fragmentation reshapes global supply chains, regional price signals matter more than ever," said Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group. "The U.S. zinc market increasingly moves to its own dynamics — driven by domestic policy and supply security — and our new futures contract addresses this gap by providing participants a precise tool to manage their exposure."

According to the company's press release, other metals contracts have seen notable trading activity. U.S. Hot-Rolled Coil steel futures averaged 1,483 contracts per day year-to-date, while European Hot-Rolled Coil averaged 360 contracts per day. Copper futures rose 12% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, averaging 107,000 contracts per day. The Regional Aluminum Premium suite recorded a daily average of 864 contracts in 2025.