Cboe Global Markets announced it will cut roughly one‑fifth of its workforce, notifying about 330 of its 1,670 employees of layoffs. The move accompanies tighter return‑to‑office rules and a voluntary‑retirement offer for staff over 55 with five years’ tenure. CEO Craig Donohue said the reduction is essential to sharpen the firm’s focus on its global significant core businesses.

Since taking the helm in May 2025, Donohue has already reshaped the portfolio, shuttering Cboe’s equities arm in Japan and divesting its Canadian and Australian exchanges. Those exits paved the way for the current 20% headcount trim, which targets non‑strategic units while preserving revenue streams from index options, futures, FX and U.S./European equities trading. It will also audit tech spending for alignment.

The cuts free capital for investment in higher‑margin segments and signal to investors that Cboe is consolidating around areas with stronger growth prospects. By shedding peripheral operations, the exchange aims to improve profit margins and bolster its competitive stance against rivals such as ICE and Nasdaq. The restructuring will take effect over the next few months, reshaping its cost base.