CME Group Stock Price, News & Analysis

CME Group reported strong financial results for Q2 2020, with revenue of $1.2 billion and net income of $503 million, translating to diluted earnings per share of $1.40. On an adjusted basis, net income was $583 million, with diluted EPS of $1.63. The Average Daily Volume (ADV) was 17.6 million contracts, with clearing and transaction fees revenue reaching $940.2 million. The company has returned approximately $13.8 billion to shareholders since 2012. CME Group's commitment to innovation continues as they prepare to launch new products, including options on Micro E-mini Equity futures.

CME Group has launched access to delayed and JSON formatted futures data via Google Cloud, enhancing data consumption options for customers. This initiative aims to simplify how clients access market data while ensuring compliance with licensing policies. Customers can obtain both real-time and delayed data without infrastructure management, facilitating easier integration with existing applications. The expansion of this partnership highlights the growing demand for cloud-based solutions in the financial market.

CME Group announced that options on its Micro E-mini S&P 500 and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures will launch on August 31, 2020, pending regulatory review. These options aim to enhance flexibility for market participants amid economic uncertainty, following the successful introduction of Micro E-mini Equity futures in May 2019. Highlights include over 300 million cumulative contracts traded and an average of 1.67 million contracts traded daily in 2020. With strong international participation and over 160,000 unique accounts, the new options are expected to further support equity index trading.

CME Group Foundation has awarded over $1 million in grants to support educational initiatives in Chicago, particularly amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding aims to enhance access to quality educational resources and address long-term issues like learning loss among vulnerable populations. Over $300,000 is earmarked for special grants targeting those severely impacted by the crisis. The Foundation's ongoing commitment to education spans over a decade, focusing on crucial areas including computer science and early childhood learning.

TriOptima has enhanced data connectivity between DTCC's Global Trade Repository (GTR) and its triResolve platform to aid firms in validating securities financing transactions ahead of the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation (SFTR) compliance deadline on July 13. This collaboration enables users to align DTCC GTR records with their reported data, facilitating quicker identification of discrepancies. The initiative aims to improve data accuracy in the securities financing market, historically underreported.

Farmer sentiment improved in June, with the Ag Economy Barometer rising 14 points to 117, as revealed by the Purdue University/CME Group report. Current conditions and future expectations indices increased significantly. The Farm Capital Investment Index recovered to 60, though still below pre-COVID levels. Although 64% of respondents remain concerned about profitability, 60% felt the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program had alleviated some worries. Expectations for land values have also improved, with more farmers anticipating increases over the next five years.

CME Group reported average daily volume (ADV) of 17.6 million contracts for Q2 2020 and 17.1 million contracts for June. Open interest reached 101 million contracts at June's end. Key performance metrics include:

• Interest Rate: 6.9 million ADV
• Equity Index: 5.6 million ADV, with a record 1.9 million in Micro E-mini Equity futures
• Options: 2.8 million ADV
• Energy: 2.6 million ADV
• Agricultural: 1.3 million ADV
• Foreign Exchange: 725,000 ADV
• Metals: 519,000 ADV

On June 29, 2020, CME Group recognized 25 graduates from City Colleges of Chicago, awarding them $5,000 scholarships for further studies at four-year colleges. These scholarships support students from diverse economic backgrounds seeking degrees in fields such as finance and computer science. Since joining the initiative in 2017, CME Group has contributed nearly $2.2 million to thousands of CPS students. The Chicago Star Scholarship has allowed over 8,550 graduates to attend college tuition-free, with a notable graduation rate exceeding the national average for community colleges.

CME Group has been recognized as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in IT by IDG's Insider Pro and Computerworld, marking the third consecutive year of this honor. The ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation of company benefits, career development, and IT worker surveys. CME Group's CIO, Kevin Kometer, highlighted the importance of talented teams in delivering cutting-edge technology solutions. The recognition underscores CME Group's focus on empowering employees with growth opportunities and competitive compensation.