Elizabeth A. Cook, a director at CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME), recently sold 750 shares of the company's Class A common stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.33 per share, amounting to a total transaction value of approximately $169,751. Following this transaction, Cook holds 18,239 shares indirectly through a trust and 20 shares through a joint account. This sale is part of Cook's ongoing management of her investment portfolio with CME Group.
In other recent news, CME Group reported robust trading volumes for October 2024, marking the second-highest October average daily volume (ADV) in the company's history. The company also posted a record-setting third quarter, with an adjusted EPS of $2.68 and revenues nearing $1.6 billion, a noteworthy 18% rise from the same quarter in 2023. This performance was primarily driven by a 27% increase in ADV and a 36% rise in interest rate trading volume.
CME Group has also received approval from the National Futures Association to establish its own futures commission merchant, a strategic move aimed at adapting to evolving client needs. Following these developments, Oppenheimer maintained an Outperform rating on CME Group shares and increased the price target to $258, while BofA Securities adjusted its price target to $181, maintaining an Underperform rating.
In addition, CME Group reported significant growth in new retail traders and institutional clients, up by 30% and nearly 40% respectively. The energy sector volumes rose by 21%, with a 45% increase in options volumes. These recent developments have showcased the company's continued focus on customer acquisition and product innovation.
InvestingPro Insights
As Elizabeth A. Cook adjusts her investment portfolio with CME Group, it's worth noting that the company's stock is currently trading near its 52-week high, with a price that's 98.72% of its peak. This aligns with the recent insider sale and may indicate a perception of fair valuation among company leadership.
CME Group's financial health appears robust, with InvestingPro Data showing a market capitalization of $81.9 billion and a P/E ratio of 23.87. The company's revenue growth is noteworthy, with an 18.47% increase in the most recent quarter, suggesting strong operational performance.
Investors may find CME Group's dividend policy particularly attractive. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that the company has maintained dividend payments for 22 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. Currently, CME offers a dividend yield of 4.36%, which could be appealing in the current market environment.
For those considering CME Group as an investment, it's worth noting that InvestingPro has identified 10 additional tips that could provide further insights into the company's prospects. These tips, along with more detailed financial metrics, are available to InvestingPro subscribers, offering a comprehensive view of CME Group's financial standing and potential.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.