CME Group Stock Price, News & Analysis

CME Group announced that its Micro E-mini Equity Index futures have surpassed 3 billion contracts traded across all four indices as of November 29, 2024. Launched in May 2019, these products have become one of CME Group's most successful new product launches in its history.

Key performance metrics include 2.5 million contracts in average daily volume in 2024-to-date, with 19% of volume occurring outside U.S. trading hours. More than 700 firms and 620,000 unique accounts have traded these contracts in the last year. The product suite expanded in March 2023 to include Micro E-mini S&P MidCap 400 and Micro E-mini SmallCap 600 futures.

CME Group has announced the launch of 1-Ounce Gold (1OZ) futures contract on January 13, 2025, pending regulatory review. The new contract aims to meet increasing retail demand and will be financially-settled based on the daily settlement price of the global benchmark Gold futures contract.

The announcement comes amid strong performance of CME's existing metals products, with Micro Gold futures reaching record average daily volume of 105,000 contracts and Micro Silver futures hitting 19,000 contracts year-to-date. Multiple industry leaders, including Interactive Brokers, Plus500US, and Phillip Nova, have expressed support for the new product, highlighting its potential to broaden retail access to gold trading and portfolio diversification opportunities.

CME Group has announced two major shareholder return initiatives. The Board declared a $5.80 per share annual variable dividend for 2024, totaling approximately $2.1 billion, payable January 16, 2025. Additionally, they authorized a $3 billion share repurchase program for Class A common stock.

The combined quarterly and variable dividends announced in 2024 represent a 4.9% total yield based on 2024's average stock price, marking an 8% increase from 2023. Since 2012, CME Group has paid over $28 billion in dividends. Starting 2026, the annual variable dividend payment will align with the first quarter regular dividend in March rather than year-end.

CME Group has announced the launch of CME Term €STR Reference Rates in response to client demand for a term rate anchored in €STR markets. The rates, currently in beta, are based on CME Group's €STR futures and OTC swap market data, available in 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month tenors.

The €STR futures market has shown significant growth, with open interest exceeding 70,000 contracts and participation from over 250 end users. Since launching in October 2022, more than 5 million contracts have been traded. The rates are currently available for information and evaluation purposes only, pending appropriate licensing.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer surged 30 points to 145 in November 2024, reaching its highest level since May 2021. The increase was driven by significant gains in both Future Expectations (up 37 points to 161) and Current Conditions (up 18 points to 113) indices. Farmers showed increased optimism about their operations, with 33% expecting improved financial performance, up from 19% in October. The Farm Capital Investment Index rose 13 points to 55, while 52% of respondents predicted prosperity for U.S. agriculture in the next five years. However, 42% of farmers expressed concerns about potential trade war risks affecting agricultural exports.

CME Group reported record November 2024 average daily volume (ADV) of 30.2 million contracts, up 7% from November 2023. The company achieved all-time monthly records in several categories, including U.S. Treasury futures and options and international ADV of 9.3 million contracts. Notable growth was seen across all six asset classes:

- Interest Rate ADV: 17.5 million contracts (+4%)
- Equity Index ADV: 6.4 million contracts (+6%)
- Energy ADV: 2.6 million contracts (+20%)
- Agricultural ADV: 1.9 million contracts (+15%)
- Foreign Exchange ADV: 1 million contracts (+6%)
- Metals ADV: 843,000 contracts (+27%)

CME Group has successfully converted approximately 42 trillion pesos ($2 trillion) in outstanding notional open interest from 28-day TIIE swaps to F-TIIE overnight index swaps on November 22. The conversion involved 90,000 swaps and aligns with Banco de México's transition to a risk-free rate benchmark based on overnight repo transactions rather than survey-based methodology. CME Group will continue providing daily conversion support for remaining 28-day TIIE swaps through December 31, 2025. The company also offers F-TIIE futures alongside SOFR futures and MXN/USD FX futures for comprehensive hedging solutions.

CME Group announced that Henry Hub Natural Gas options achieved a record single-day volume of 561,379 contracts on November 21, surpassing the previous record of 506,500 contracts from November 2018. A record 395,952 contracts were traded electronically, with over half through CME Direct. The total Natural Gas futures and options volume reached 1,721,017 contracts, while futures volume hit a yearly high of 1,007,308 contracts. The record trading activity comes as the U.S. enters winter season with falling production, creating price volatility in natural gas markets.

CME Group announced record performance in its Adjusted Interest Rate (AIR) Total Return futures, reaching 710,358 contracts in open interest ($224 billion notional) on November 20. The average daily volume stands at 11,600 contracts for 2024, marking a 152% increase year-over-year. Starting December 9, CME will introduce additional monthly expirations for AIR S&P 500 Total Return futures based on the Effective Federal Funds Rate. The AIR Total Return futures are available across major global indices including S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 1000, Russell 2000, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and FTSE 100.