CME Group Starts 14 New Petroleum Futures Contracts Based on Platts' Physical Market Price Assessments in Crude Oil, Fuel Oil and Gasoil

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group, the Chicago-based derivatives marketplace, today introduced trading and clearing services for 14 new energy futures contracts based on Platts' physical market price assessments in crude oil, fuel oil and gasoil. Platts is a leading global energy, petrochemicals and metals information provider and a top publisher of global benchmark price references.

"We welcome the futures industry's recognition of Platts' commitment to providing quality data that reflect open and transparent market values in the physical spot markets," said Gerald Bueshel, Platts director of global licensing.

Visit the CME Group's energy products page (http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/energy/) for a detailed listing of the new NYMEX crude oil swap futures contract, seven new fuel oil swap futures contracts, and six new Singapore gasoil swap futures contracts based on Platts' data. The first trading and clearing date for these contracts is February 28, 2011.

With today's launch, the total number of CME Group contracts settled on physical market price assessments published by Platts is approximately 430.

Platts, founded in 1909, is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (MHP). In addition to the above mentioned price assessments, Platts provides price, supply/demand information and news across the full spectrum of energy commodities, including other petroleum-based products, liquefied natural gas, coal, nuclear power, petrochemicals, electricity, carbon emissions, biofuels, as well as iron ore, steel and the broader metals complex.

The underlying assessment methodology for Platts' petroleum price assessment processes can be found at: http://www.platts.com/MethodologyAndSpecifications/Oil

For more information on the physical markets for crude oil, fuel oil and gasoil, visit the Platts website at www.platts.com.

*Platts does not sponsor, endorse, promote or sell CME Group contracts.

About Platts: Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals and metals information. With a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better business decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the Knowledge Economy. Leading brands include Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has approximately 21,000 employees with more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2010 were $6.2 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE Platts