CME Group Inc. - CME STOCK NEWS

CME Group announced the winners of its 21st annual University Trading Challenge, with Indiana University securing first place. The competition saw record participation with nearly 570 teams from 180 universities across 24 countries. Teams traded various futures contracts using CQG's simulated trading platform with access to Dow Jones newsfeeds. The top five included teams from Mexico, France, and Italy. Students received hands-on experience trading agriculture, energy, metals, equity indices, interest rates, and forex futures. Winners will receive cash prizes and all participants are invited to an exclusive market education event on December 9.

CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, has announced a fourth-quarter dividend of $1.15 per share. The dividend will be payable on December 27, 2024, to shareholders of record as of December 9, 2024. CME Group operates as a comprehensive trading platform offering futures, options, cash, and OTC markets through its CME Globex platform, BrokerTec for fixed income, and EBS for foreign exchange trading. The company also provides central counterparty clearing services through CME Clearing.

Farmer sentiment showed a significant improvement in October 2024, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rising 27 points to 115. The Future Expectations Index jumped 30 points to 124, while the Current Conditions Index improved to 95. The Farm Financial Performance Index increased by 22 points to 90, nearly matching last year's level. Fewer farmers (53% vs. 73% in September) anticipate challenging times for U.S. agriculture in the coming year. However, over half of surveyed producers reported worse farm financial conditions compared to the previous year. The survey revealed reduced concerns about interest rates and improved expectations for farmland values, with the Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rising 25 points to 120.

CME Group reported its October 2024 market statistics with average daily volume (ADV) reaching 24.3 million contracts, marking the second-highest October volume ever. The company achieved record October ADV across multiple sectors: Interest Rate (12.5M contracts), Energy (2.7M contracts), Agricultural (1.8M contracts), and Metals (647K contracts). Notable increases include Energy ADV up 16%, Agricultural ADV up 23%, and significant growth in micro products, with Micro Bitcoin futures rising 332% to 50,000 contracts. BrokerTec U.S. Repo ADNV increased 11% to $316.7 billion, while EBS Spot FX ADNV grew 15% to $58.3 billion.

CME Group announced record-breaking performance in its Henry Hub futures contracts, reaching 1.73 million contracts in open interest on October 30, 2024. International participation hit all-time highs with 25% of total trading originating outside the U.S. Average daily volume increased 26% year-to-date to 500,000 contracts, with EMEA up 57% and APAC up 15%. Henry Hub options also showed strong growth, with average daily volume up 62% to 235,000 contracts, reaching the highest levels since 2013. On-screen trading volume outside the U.S. surged 120%.

CME Group has received approval from the National Futures Association (NFA) to establish a futures commission merchant (FCM). The approval strengthens CME Group's position in the derivatives marketplace, allowing them to adapt to evolving client needs while maintaining their commitment to the FCM model's risk management benefits. As the world's leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group enables trading in futures, options, cash, and OTC markets through platforms including CME Globex, BrokerTec, and EBS.

CME Group has launched new Spodumene CIF China (Fastmarkets) futures, with 29 contracts traded on the first day. Notable participants included JA Commodities, Mitsubishi RTM, Wogen Resources, and Wooray Commodities, with the first trade executed by Freight Investor Services. The new futures contract adds to CME Group's battery metals product suite, providing additional hedging capabilities for price exposure across the lithium value chain. Industry participants highlighted the importance of these futures for managing risk in the growing battery fabrication sector and meeting increasing demand for lithium-related products.

CME Group reported record-breaking Q3 2024 results with revenue reaching $1.6 billion and operating income of $1.0 billion. The company achieved net income of $913 million and diluted EPS of $2.50, while adjusted net income was $977 million with adjusted EPS of $2.68. Trading volume hit a record quarterly ADV of 28.3 million contracts, with growth across all asset classes. Financial products volume increased 28%, led by a 36% rise in interest rates to 14.9 million contracts ADV. The company maintained strong international performance with record non-U.S. ADV, showing 30% growth in EMEA and 28% in Asia.

CME Group has launched CBL Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) futures for trading. The first trade, consisting of five contracts, was executed as a block between Freepoint Commodities and Mercuria on October 14, 2024. These futures are physically-settled and based on Xpansiv market CBL's underlying ACCU spot market.

Peter Keavey, Global Head of Energy and Environmental Products at CME Group, highlighted the increasing demand for Australian carbon credits on both compliance and voluntary bases. The new futures will provide access to the Australian market and help establish a forward curve for improved price discovery.

CBL ACCU futures allow for delivery of Australian carbon credits on the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units (ANREU), with deliveries facilitated by CBL. These futures are listed by and subject to the rules of NYMEX.