CME Group Stock Price, News & Analysis

CME Group reported a record in foreign exchange futures and options trading, surpassing 3 million contracts in a single day on Sept. 14, 2022. This marks a 7% increase over the previous record of 2.8 million contracts established on Dec. 3, 2020. Additionally, open interest for these futures and options reached 3.3 million contracts on Sept. 8, 2022, a 17% year-on-year increase, representing approximately $295 billion in notional value. The growth is attributed to clients leveraging liquidity and capital efficiencies amid new regulatory measures.

CME Group has launched options on Ether futures, coinciding with the expected Ethereum Merge. This strategic move aims to meet the growing interest in Ether derivatives, which have seen a 43% increase in average daily volume year-on-year. Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equity and FX Products, highlighted that these new contracts will provide market participants with essential tools for managing Ether exposure. The options are sized at 50 ether per contract and are based on the CME CF Ether-Dollar Reference Rate.

CME Group announced an expansion of its E-mini Nasdaq-100 options, launching Tuesday and Thursday Weekly options on October 3, pending regulatory review. This decision responds to growing demand for short-dated equity options, allowing clients improved flexibility and precision for trading. Average daily volume for existing weekly options has seen a significant 66% year-over-year increase, with approximately 29.4K contracts. The new offerings complement the current Monday, Wednesday, and Friday options, enhancing access to the deep Nasdaq-100 futures market.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increased by 14 points in August to 117, reflecting improved farmer sentiment. This rise was attributed to a 9-point increase in the Index of Current Conditions and a 16-point boost in the Index of Future Expectations. The Farm Financial Performance Index also rose by 11 points to 99, driven by better expectations for corn and soybean prices. However, 53% of producers expressed concerns over higher input costs, with many predicting price increases for 2023. Investment sentiment remains low, with the Farm Capital Investment Index at 39, indicative of cautious spending.

CME Group has proposed a conversion of Eurodollar futures and options open interest into corresponding SOFR contracts on April 14, 2023. This plan aligns with OTC market timelines and excludes contracts expiring before June 30, 2023. SOFR options will be added to the portfolio margining solution by December 2022. In August, CME reported a record average daily volume for SOFR futures of nearly 2.5 million contracts and open interest of 19 million contracts, with SOFR options also reaching record levels. Client feedback is invited until September 30.

CME Group reported a significant increase in average daily volume (ADV) for August 2022, rising by 22% to 21.2 million contracts. This marks the highest-ever August for Equity Index ADV, with key asset classes including Interest Rate (10.6 million contracts), Equity Index (6.3 million), and Options (3.4 million). Notably, SOFR futures and options reached record open interest, reflecting robust market activity. Year-over-year comparisons show substantial growth, particularly in Micro E-mini S&P 500 futures (85%) and Foreign Exchange ADV (39%).

CME Group, the premier derivatives marketplace, will have its executives, including Chief Financial Officer John Pietrowicz, Deputy CFO Lynne Fitzpatrick, and Senior Managing Director Derek Sammann, present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on September 12, 2022, at 2:45 p.m. ET. The presentation will be livestreamed on CME Group's investor website. An audio replay will be available approximately 24 hours post-conference.

For more details, visit CME Group's investor site.

CME Group has launched new Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts, building on the existing U.S. dollar-denominated futures. These contracts aim to provide institutional clients with regulated trading tools for the two largest cryptocurrencies. Sized at five bitcoin and 50 ether per contract, they are cash-settled based on specific Euro reference rates. The launch is part of CME's strategy to enhance liquidity and trading precision for global clients.

CME Group announces the opening of registration for its 19th annual University Trading Challenge, aimed at college students pursuing careers in finance. The competition, which runs from October 2 to October 28, 2022, allows participants to engage in simulated futures trading across various asset classes. Last year, 386 teams from 24 countries competed. Registration for faculty advisors begins today, while general student registration opens on September 7 and closes on September 29. CME Group emphasizes its commitment to financial education and market knowledge.