CME Group Inc. - CME STOCK NEWS

Farmer sentiment in the U.S. saw a notable increase in August, with the Ag Economy Barometer rising to 144, a 26-point gain from July. This reflects optimism driven by favorable crop yield expectations and rising commodity prices. Both the Index of Current Conditions (up to 124) and the Index of Future Expectations (up to 154) experienced significant increases. Moreover, a surge in export expectations, particularly to China, contributed to a brighter outlook. The proportion of farmers anticipating land value increases rose, and concerns over equity decline reached a low since 2016.

CME Group has launched options on its Micro E-mini S&P 500 and Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures contracts, available for trading as of today. These options are smaller, at 1/10^th the size of standard E-mini options. The listing cycle includes various options contracts. Since their launch, Micro E-mini futures have shown remarkable performance with 186 million S&P 500 contracts and 131 million Nasdaq-100 contracts traded. Daily trading averages 1.5 million contracts, with a notable 30% of the activity occurring outside the U.S.

CME Group announced the launch of South American Soybean (Platts) Futures on September 21, 2020, subject to regulatory review. This new contract aims to provide market participants with a tool for managing exposure to the Brazilian soybean market. Developed in cooperation with B3, these futures will be financially settled based on the SOYBEX price assessment from S&P Global Platts, reflecting FOB prices from Brazil's port of Santos. The contract will be available on CME Globex, facilitating trading in U.S. dollars per metric ton.

CME Group, on August 12, 2020, reported record average daily volume (ADV) in Precious Metals markets, achieving 1.55 million contracts on August 11, surpassing the previous record of 1.51 million from February 28, 2020. Notably, a record 397,000 Silver futures contracts were traded on August 11, exceeding the prior record of 329,000 set on August 7, 2020. The day also marked over 1.66 million contracts traded, making it the second-highest metals volume day on record for CME Group.

CME Group, the leading derivatives marketplace, announced a $0.85 dividend per share for Q3 2020, payable on September 25, 2020, to shareholders of record by September 10, 2020. This decision reflects the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders while maintaining its position in the derivatives market. CME Group continues to empower market participants through its extensive trading platforms across various asset classes, ensuring effective risk management and opportunity capture.

The Ag Economy Barometer for July showed little change, rising just one point to 118, 30% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Farmers are slightly less optimistic about future conditions, with the Index of Future Expectations falling five points to 121. Notably, 56% plan to reduce farm machinery purchases. In contrast, short-term land value expectations improved slightly, with 16% predicting a rise in the next year. Ongoing concerns about COVID-19 have influenced farmers' preferences for information sources, leaning towards magazines and webinars.

CME Group reported its July 2020 market statistics, showcasing an average daily volume (ADV) of 13.6 million contracts and open interest of 101 million contracts. Key highlights include an 82% year-over-year growth in Equity Index ADV, reaching 5.2 million contracts, with substantial growth in Micro E-mini and E-mini futures. Interest Rate ADV hit 4 million contracts. The report underlines CME's position as a leader in derivatives trading, providing a diverse platform for clients to manage risk and capitalize on market opportunities.

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.