CME Group Inc. Reports Strong Third-Quarter 2015 Financial Results 

– Third-quarter 2015 revenues rose 12 percent to $850 million
– Third-quarter 2015 adjusted net income of $344 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.02 both grew more than 20 percent(1)

CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) today reported revenues of $850 million and operating income of $516 million for the third quarter of 2015. Net income was $360 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.06. Excluding the items noted in the reconciliation, adjusted net income would have been $344 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share would have been $1.021.

“We delivered balanced organic revenue growth in the third quarter,” said CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy. “Commodity products revenue grew by 14 percent, financial products were up 10 percent, and market data revenue rose 13 percent. This top-line performance, coupled with solid expense discipline, resulted in earnings growth above 20 percent, similar to the level of growth produced during the first half of the year. In addition, we generated a substantial amount of cash flow during the quarter, positioning us well to return a meaningful amount of capital to our shareholders in the coming months.”

“Our focused growth initiatives are significantly increasing our global activity,” said CME Group Chief Executive Officer Phupinder Gill. “For the third quarter, electronic trading revenue from customers outside the United States reached a record 32 percent. Additionally, we have made system enhancements, launched new products and heavily engaged with customers to continue to drive our expanding options business. During the quarter, we reached record levels of options volume and the highest percentage of volume traded electronically. In addition, we have been very active over the last few months partnering with global exchanges and index providers to further drive long-term growth.”

1. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial results mentioned to the respective GAAP figures can be found within the Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures chart at the end of the financial statements.

Third-quarter 2015 average daily volume was 14.4 million contracts, up 7 percent from third-quarter 2014, and included record quarterly options average daily volume as well as double digit growth across all commodities product lines. Clearing and transaction fee revenues were $715 million, up 11 percent compared with third-quarter 2014. Market data revenue was $100 million, up 13 percent compared with the third quarter last year. Third-quarter 2015 total average rate per contract was 75.9 cents, down from 77.7 cents in second-quarter 2015, driven primarily by higher volume discounts as well as a sequential product mix shift from commodities to equity index products which capture lower fees.

As of September 30, 2015, the company had $1.5 billion of cash and marketable securities and $2.2 billion of long-term debt. In September, the company paid out $168 million in its regular quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share.

Source: CME Group – CME Group Inc. Reports Strong Third-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

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