CME Group Inc. - CME STOCK NEWS

CME Group announced that John Pietrowicz, Chief Financial Officer, and Sean Tully, Global Head of Financial and OTC Products, will present at the Bank of America Securities Future of Financials 2020 Virtual Conference on November 10 at 8:50 a.m. ET. The presentation will be livestreamed on CME Group's investor website, with a replay available 24 hours later. CME Group is a leading derivatives marketplace, enabling trading across various asset classes including interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products, and metals.

CME Group declared a fourth-quarter dividend of $0.85 per share, scheduled for payment on December 29, 2020. Shareholders of record by December 10, 2020 will be eligible for this distribution. As a leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group provides a platform for trading various asset classes, enabling clients to effectively manage risk and seize opportunities. With a well-established position in the market, this dividend announcement reflects the company's ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increased by 27 points to a record high of 183 in October 2020, reflecting improved sentiment among farmers regarding their financial situations. The Current Conditions Index rose significantly by 36 points, while the Future Expectations Index increased by 23 points. Factors contributing to this optimism included rising commodity prices, government payments from CFAP 2, good crop yields, and expectations of increased farmland values and cash rental rates. Additionally, optimism about U.S.-China trade agreements has also surged.

CME Group reported an average daily volume (ADV) of 15.4 million contracts in October 2020. Notable figures include an ADV of 5.4 million in Equity Index and 5.2 million in Interest Rate contracts. The report highlights significant growth, with Equity Index ADV up 60% compared to October 2019, and SOFR futures increasing by 28%. Agricultural ADV rose 25%, driven by record volumes in the EMEA and APAC regions. Overall, CME Group continues to maintain its position as the leading derivatives marketplace.

On October 29, 2020, TriOptima announced the completion of the first triReduce enhanced compression cycle that included SONIA risk replacement trades. This cycle occurred on October 22, 2020, at LCH SwapClear. The triReduce service enables swap market participants to reduce their exposure to legacy benchmark rates while adopting alternate benchmarks. With capacity for simultaneous conversion and compression, TriOptima aims to support clients in transitioning away from outdated benchmarks.

Future compression cycles will also extend to other currencies as market needs evolve.

CME Group Inc. reported third-quarter 2020 financial results, achieving $1.1 billion in revenue and $525 million in operating income. The net income was $412 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $1.15. Adjusted net income stood at $495 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $1.38. The company noted strong performance in metals, equities, agriculture, and data services, despite pandemic challenges. Furthermore, CME Group has returned approximately $14.1 billion to shareholders through dividends since 2012.

BrokerTec has launched its dealer-to-client request for quote (RFQ) trading platform, BrokerTec Quote, for the U.S. repo market through BrokerTec Americas, LLC. This follows its successful European repo market launch in 2019. John Edwards, Global Managing Director, emphasized that the platform enhances efficiency amid economic uncertainty. BrokerTec Quote allows U.S. clients to automate their repo execution workflow and access valuable analytics for trade performance. This initiative aims to strengthen dealer-client relationships and improve liquidity management.

Farmer sentiment reached a post-pandemic high in September 2020, with the Ag Economy Barometer increasing to 156, up 12 points from August. The Current Conditions Index rose to 142 (+18 points), while the Future Expectations Index increased to 163 (+9 points). Optimism stems from rising crop prices and the USDA's CFAP 2 payments. However, expectations for agricultural exports dropped from 67% in August to 58%. Only 47% believe China will fulfill import commitments. Additionally, 40% of corn/soybean producers plan to use cover crops, primarily for soil health.

CME Group has launched a new CME TreasuryWatch Tool to assist market participants in analyzing the U.S. Treasury markets amid rising debt levels, projected to exceed the U.S. economy size in 2021. The tool combines eight data sets, including Treasury yields and auction data, to aid risk management and trading decisions. Agha Mirza, CME Group's Global Head of Interest Rate Products, emphasized the importance of risk management in current market conditions. The tool also offers insights into economic events and key resources from financial institutions.