CME Group Inc. Reports Strong Financial Results for Q2 2026

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Jul 22, 2026, 07:00 ET

CHICAGO, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2026.

The company reported revenue of $1.7 billion and operating income of $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2026. Net income was $1.0 billion and diluted earnings per common share were $2.88. On an adjusted basis, operating income was $1.2 billion, net income was $1.1 billion and diluted earnings per common share were $2.99. Financial results presented on an adjusted basis for the second quarter of 2026 and 2025 exclude certain items, which are detailed in the reconciliation of non-GAAP results.¹

"The first half of 2026 was the strongest in CME Group's history," said CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy. "We delivered record H1 performance across revenue, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, all of which were powered by record trading in Q1 and our second-highest Q2 volumes ever. During Q2, market data revenue increased 20% to a record $238 million. Importantly, we provided more than $95 billion in daily margin efficiencies during the quarter, a new high that represents unparalleled capital savings that our clients can redeploy in their businesses. We also continue to innovate a number of new tools to help clients manage risk and pursue opportunities, including Single-Stock futures, 1-Ounce Gold contracts available 24/7, U.S. Treasury clearing and Compute futures."

Second-quarter 2026 average daily volume (ADV) was the third highest quarterly ADV reaching 29.8 million contracts, which included non-U.S. ADV of 9.1 million contracts.

Clearing and transaction fees revenue for second-quarter 2026 totaled $1.4 billion. The total average rate per contract was $0.678. Market data revenue totaled a record $238 million for second-quarter 2026.

1. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial results mentioned to the respective GAAP figures can be found within the Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Common Share charts at the end of the financial statements.

As of June 30, 2026, the company had $2.3 billion in cash (including $200 million deposited with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, which is included in other current assets) and $3.4 billion of debt. The company paid dividends during the second quarter of approximately $468 million and repurchased $695 million in CME Group common shares.

CME Group will hold a Q&A conference call to discuss second-quarter 2026 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. A live audio webcast of the Q&A call will be available on the Investor Relations section of CME Group's website at investor.cmegroup.com under Events & Presentations. An archived recording will be available for up to two months after the call.

As the world's leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, cryptocurrencies, energy, agricultural products and metals. The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates one of the world's leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec is a trademark of BrokerTec Americas LLC and EBS is a trademark of EBS Group LTD. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("S&P DJI"). "S&P®", "S&P 500®", "SPY®", "SPX®", US 500 and The 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones®, DJIA® and Dow Jones Industrial Average are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Futures contracts based on the S&P 500 Index are not sponsored, endorsed, marketed, or promoted by S&P DJI, and S&P DJI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the factors that might affect our performance are increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities, including increased competition from new entrants into our markets and consolidation of existing entities; our ability to keep pace with rapid technological developments, including our ability to complete the development, implementation and maintenance of the enhanced functionality required by our customers while maintaining reliability and ensuring that such technology is not vulnerable to security risks; our ability to continue introducing innovative and competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis, including through our electronic trading capabilities, and derive revenues that are commensurate with our efforts and expectations, and our ability to maintain the competitiveness of our existing products and services; our ability to adjust our fixed costs and expenses if our revenues decline; our ability to manage variable costs associated with CME Group's transition to the Google Cloud, and minimize duplicative costs of maintaining both on-premise and Google Cloud environments during the transition; the resilience of our electronic platforms and the soundness of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans, including in the event of cyberattacks and cyberterrorism or as impacted by a failure of or disruption at one of our suppliers; our ability to maintain existing customers at substantially similar trading levels, develop strategic relationships and attract new customers; our ability to expand and globally offer our products and services; changes in regulations, including the impact of any changes in laws or government policies with respect to our products or services or our industry, such as any changes to regulations and policies that require increased financial and operational resources from us or our customers, as well as the impact of tariffs and tax policy changes, restrictions on our ability to offer CME Group products and services in specific geographies or to specific customers or limitations or changes in underlying/physical product flows across geographies; the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights and our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others; decreases in revenue from our market data as a result of decreased demand or changes to regulations in various jurisdictions; changes in our rate per contract due to shifts in the mix of the products traded, the trading venue and the mix of customers (whether the customer receives member or non-member fees or participates in one of our various incentive programs) and the impact of our tiered pricing structure; the ability of our credit and liquidity risk management practices to adequately protect us from the credit risks of clearing firms and other counterparties, and to satisfy the margin and liquidity requirements associated with the BrokerTec matched principal business; the ability of our compliance and risk management programs to effectively monitor and manage our risks, including our ability to prevent errors and misconduct and protect our infrastructure against security breaches and misappropriation of our intellectual property assets; our dependence on third-party providers and exposure to risk from third parties, including risks related to the performance, reliability and security of technology used by, or facilities provided by, our third-party providers and third-party providers that our clients and third-parties rely on; our reliance on third-party distribution partners, including independent software vendors, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, broker-dealers, regulatory reporting and data distributors and platform operators, and other partners, for facilitating trading and for market data information, and potential impacts from changes in their business models and priorities; volatility in commodity, equity and fixed income prices, and price volatility of financial benchmarks and instruments such as interest rates, equity indices, fixed income instruments and foreign exchange rates; economic, social, political and market conditions, including new and existing geopolitical tensions or conflicts, the volatility of the capital and credit markets and the impact of economic conditions on the trading activity of our current and potential customers; our ability to accommodate increases in contract volume and market data and order transaction traffic across the entire trade cycle and the ability to implement enhancements meeting our regulatory obligations and customer needs without failure or degradation of the performance of our trading and clearing systems; our ability to execute our growth strategy and maintain our growth effectively; our ability to manage the risks, control the costs and achieve the synergies associated with our strategy for acquisitions, investments, alliances, strategic partnerships and joint ventures; variances in earnings on cash accounts and collateral that our clearing house holds; impact of CME Group pricing/fee level and structure and incentive changes; impact of aggregation services and internalization on trade flow and volumes; any negative financial impacts from changes to the terms of intellectual property and index rights; our ability to continue to generate funds and/or manage our indebtedness to allow us to continue to invest in our business; industry, channel partner and customer consolidation and/or concentration; decreases in trading and clearing activity; the imposition of a transaction tax or user fee on futures and options transactions and/or repeal of the 60/40 tax treatment of such transactions; increases in effective tax rates, borrowing costs, or changes in tax policy; our ability to maintain our brand and reputation; and the unfavorable resolution of material legal proceedings. For a detailed discussion and additional information concerning these and other factors that might affect our performance, see our other recent periodic filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 26, 2026, under the caption "Risk Factors".

CME Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions)

	June 30, 2026	December 31, 2025
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,144.2	$ 4,416.9
Marketable securities	131.4	125.0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	753.1	639.2
Other current assets (includes $4.4 and $6.5 in restricted cash)	491.7	522.1
Performance bonds and guaranty fund contributions	158,110.7	159,656.1
Total current assets	161,631.1	165,359.3
Property, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	351.2	362.7
Intangible assets—trading products	17,175.3	17,175.3
Intangible assets—other, net	2,494.6	2,610.7
Goodwill	10,505.8	10,514.7
Other assets	2,518.6	2,401.5
Total Assets	$ 194,676.6	$ 198,424.2
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$ 68.0	$ 71.8
Other current liabilities	538.6	568.8
Performance bonds and guaranty fund contributions	158,110.7	159,656.1
Total current liabilities	158,717.3	160,296.7
Long-term debt	3,424.2	3,422.3
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	5,220.9	5,242.2
Other liabilities	793.8	734.8
Total Liabilities	168,156.2	169,696.0
Total CME Group Shareholders' Equity	26,520.4	28,728.2
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 194,676.6	$ 198,424.2

CME Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts; shares in thousands)

	Quarter Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2026	2025	2026	2025
Revenues
Clearing and transaction fees	$ 1,352.5	$ 1,388.0	$ 2,895.1	$ 2,725.3
Market data and information services	238.1	198.1	462.2	392.6
Other	115.6	105.9	229.0	216.4
Total Revenues	1,706.2	1,692.0	3,586.3	3,334.3
Expenses
Compensation and benefits	233.5	221.6	456.5	428.3
Technology	83.3	70.9	159.9	136.6
Professional fees and outside services	29.1	37.4	57.3	65.9
Amortization of purchased intangibles	56.0	56.1	112.1	111.3
Depreciation and amortization	28.2	27.3	55.4	54.6
Licensing and other fee agreements	109.1	96.2	215.9	192.8
Other	59.9	53.2	112.4	107.5
Total Expenses	599.1	562.7	1,169.5	1,097.0
Operating Income	1,107.1	1,129.3	2,416.8	2,237.3
Non-Operating Income (Expense)
Investment income	1,429.7	1,518.4	2,819.0	2,411.1
Interest and other borrowing costs	(43.6)	(44.0)	(87.2)	(85.7)
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	97.7	99.0	200.1	187.2
Other non-operating income (expense)	(1,263.2)	(1,372.4)	(2,510.1)	(2,174.8)
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense)	220.6	201.0	421.8	337.8
Income before Income Taxes	1,327.7	1,330.3	2,838.6	2,575.1
Income tax provision	285.9	305.2	642.5	593.8
Net Income	$ 1,041.8	$ 1,025.1	$ 2,196.1	$ 1,981.3

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Basic⁽¹⁾	$ 1,041.8	$ 1,012.2	$ 2,200.4	$ 1,956.4

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Diluted⁽¹⁾	$ 1,041.8	$ 1,012.2	$ 2,196.1	$ 1,956.4

Earnings per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group:
Basic	$ 2.89	$ 2.81	$ 6.11	$ 5.44
Diluted	2.88	2.81	6.06	5.43
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares:
Basic	360,684	359,658	360,005	359,636
Diluted⁽²⁾	361,282	360,355	362,233	360,297


1. The difference between Net Income and Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Basic and Diluted is the result of the distribution of earnings allocated to preferred shares.
2. Preferred shares of 4,584,000 were all converted to Class A Common stock on March 5, 2026 with their weighted-average impact included in the Diluted shares starting in the first quarter of 2026.

CME Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income
(dollars in millions)

	Quarter Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2026	2025	2026	2025
Total Revenues	$ 1,706.2	$ 1,692.0	$ 3,586.3	$ 3,334.3

Adjusted Total Revenues	$ 1,706.2	$ 1,692.0	$ 3,586.3	$ 3,334.3

Total Expenses	$ 599.1	$ 562.7	$ 1,169.5	$ 1,097.0
Restructuring and severance	(6.0)	(1.4)	(10.0)	(2.5)
Deferred compensation⁽¹⁾	(12.4)	(7.7)	(11.6)	(5.5)
Amortization of purchased intangibles	(56.0)	(56.2)	(112.1)	(111.3)
Strategic transaction-related (costs) credits	(1.0)	(2.8)	(1.6)	(2.8)
Real estate-related (costs) credits	0.7	8.1	—	8.1
Foreign exchange transaction gains (losses)	(0.3)	(3.5)	0.6	(5.9)
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on assets	—	(0.4)	—	(0.4)
Litigation matters or settlements	(2.9)	(7.6)	(1.9)	(10.9)
Adjusted Total Expenses	$ 521.2	$ 491.2	$ 1,032.9	$ 965.8

Operating Income	$ 1,107.1	$ 1,129.3	$ 2,416.8	$ 2,237.3

Adjusted Operating Income	$ 1,185.0	$ 1,200.8	$ 2,553.4	$ 2,368.5


1. Includes $12.4 million and $11.6 million for changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation liability in the second quarter and first six months of 2026. This impact does not affect net income and adjusted net income, because the compensation and benefits change has an equal and offsetting change in investment income.

CME Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Common Share
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts; shares in thousands)

	Quarter Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2026	2025	2026	2025
Net Income	$ 1,041.8	$ 1,025.1	$ 2,196.1	$ 1,981.3
Restructuring and severance	6.0	1.4	10.0	2.5
Amortization of purchased intangibles⁽¹⁾	60.0	69.4	120.1	137.6
Strategic transaction-related costs (credits)⁽²⁾	0.3	2.8	0.4	2.8
Real estate-related costs (credits)	(0.7)	(8.1)	—	(8.1)
Foreign exchange transaction (gains) losses	0.3	3.6	(0.6)	6.0
Unrealized and realized (gains) losses on investments	(3.9)	—	19.0	6.4
Unrealized and realized (gains) losses on assets	—	0.4	—	0.4
Litigation matters or settlements	2.9	7.6	1.9	10.9
Income tax effect related to above	(15.3)	(15.5)	(36.3)	(31.6)
Other income tax items⁽³⁾	(9.7)	(7.3)	(8.8)	(8.9)
Adjusted Net Income	$ 1,081.7	$ 1,079.4	$ 2,301.8	$ 2,099.3

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Basic⁽⁴⁾	$ 1,081.7	$ 1,065.8	$ 2,305.6	$ 2,072.9

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Diluted⁽⁴⁾	$ 1,081.7	$ 1,065.8	$ 2,301.8	$ 2,072.9

Earnings per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group:
Basic	$ 2.89	$ 2.81	$ 6.11	$ 5.44
Diluted	2.88	2.81	6.06	5.43

Adjusted Earnings per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group:
Basic	$ 3.00	$ 2.96	$ 6.40	$ 5.76
Diluted	2.99	2.96	6.35	5.75

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares:
Basic	360,684	359,658	360,005	359,636
Diluted⁽⁵⁾	361,282	360,355	362,233	360,297


1. Includes $2.6 million and $5.2 million of amortization of purchased intangibles at S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and $1.4 million and $2.8 million of amortization of purchased intangibles at FanDuel Prediction Markets Holdings LLC in the second quarter and first six months of 2026. This is reported in Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
2. The values shown above may differ from what is shown in the Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income as that schedule does not include adjustment items or portions of items included in non-operating results.
3. Other income tax items in the second quarter of 2026 include benefits related to the resolution of certain state income tax examinations and adjustments to tax reserves and tax receivables.
4. The difference between Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders of CME Group - Basic and Diluted is the result of the distribution of earnings allocated to preferred shares.
5. Preferred shares of 4,584,000 were all converted to Class A Common stock on March 5, 2026 with their weighted-average impact included in the Diluted shares starting in the first quarter of 2026.

CME Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Quarterly Operating Statistics

	2Q 2025	3Q 2025	4Q 2025	1Q 2026	2Q 2026
Trading Days	62	64	64	61	62

Quarterly Average Daily Volume (ADV)⁽¹⁾
CME Group ADV (in thousands)

Product Line	2Q 2025	3Q 2025	4Q 2025	1Q 2026	2Q 2026
Interest rates	15,472	13,378	13,010	18,674	14,532
Equity indexes	7,661	6,278	7,738	8,655	8,633
Foreign exchange	1,096	834	853	1,193	989
Energy	3,082	2,295	2,523	3,985	2,667
Agricultural commodities	1,964	1,712	1,787	2,042	2,080
Metals	943	825	1,441	1,682	941
Total	30,217	25,322	27,353	36,231	29,843
Venue
CME Globex	28,097	23,418	25,542	33,633	27,935
Open outcry	993	989	816	1,241	830
Privately negotiated	1,127	915	995	1,357	1,078
Total	30,217	25,322	27,353	36,231	29,843

Quarterly Average Rate Per Contract (RPC)⁽¹⁾
CME Group RPC

Product Line	2Q 2025	3Q 2025	4Q 2025	1Q 2026	2Q 2026
Interest rates	$ 0.481	$ 0.487	$ 0.486	$ 0.457	$ 0.480
Equity indexes	0.635	0.652	0.611	0.597	0.605
Foreign exchange	0.772	0.841	0.847	0.780	0.813
Energy	1.138	1.214	1.245	1.084	1.131
Agricultural commodities	1.435	1.423	1.427	1.344	1.426
Metals	1.456	1.505	1.295	1.153	1.315
Average RPC	$ 0.690	$ 0.702	$ 0.707	$ 0.652	$ 0.678