CME Group Inc. - CME STOCK NEWS

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 16 points to 167 in November, driven by a pessimistic outlook on the agricultural economy. The Index of Future Expectations dropped 30 points to 156, contrasting with a 9-point rise in the Index of Current Conditions, reaching an all-time high at 187. Survey results indicated growing concerns about tighter environmental regulations, increased taxes, and insufficient government support for the ethanol industry. Furthermore, expectations regarding the U.S.-China trade dispute worsened, with only 50% of respondents anticipating a favorable outcome.

CME Group has announced the winners of its 17th annual Trading Challenge, with the University of Antioquia from Colombia taking first place, marking a milestone as the first Latin American team to win. The competition attracted over 500 teams from more than 30 countries, providing university students a platform to hone their trading skills on CQG's electronic trading platform. Participants accessed live newsfeeds to enhance their market understanding. Winners will receive cash prizes and attend a virtual market education conference in December, emphasizing CME's commitment to financial education.

CME Group has launched a comprehensive suite of implied volatility benchmark indexes based on its proprietary CME Group Volatility Index (CVOL™) methodology. Starting with eight indexes focused on 10-Year Treasury Note futures and G5 FX currency pairs, the CVOL family will expand to cover all major asset classes in early 2021. These indexes will enable traders to monitor and hedge against volatility effectively, offering metrics such as Up Variance, Down Variance, and Skew for better market sentiment analysis. Historical data is available for the seven individual indexes.

On November 13, 2020, TriOptima announced the successful completion of its first triBalance FX cycle, optimizing exposures for clients adhering to SA-CCR leverage ratio capital requirements. This cycle occurred on October 29, 2020, focusing on both bilateral and cleared initial margin exposures. TriOptima, operational since 2017, enhances counterparty credit risk management through customized transactions in its extensive multilateral network. As the first to optimize all-in net exposures, TriOptima prepares FX clients for upcoming SA-CCR requirements being implemented across major jurisdictions.

CME Group has launched the first-ever FX Market Profile tool, providing a platform for comparing FX listed futures and spot liquidity. This tool, powered by Quant Analytics, enables market participants to analyze trade flows and benchmark performance against CME's FX futures and EBS's spot markets. It features prices for 11 major currency pairs, offering greater transparency and revealing new trading opportunities. The tool aims to enhance trade execution by allowing traders to evaluate the optimal time for transactions and manage slippage costs effectively.

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.