CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) today reported revenues of $762 million and operating income of $430 million for the third quarter of 2014. Revenue is up 6.7% from 2013’s third quarter of $714 million and up 4% from 2014 second quarter revenues of $730 million. Net income attributable to CME Group was $290 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.86. Excluding the items noted in the reconciliation, adjusted earnings per share would have been $0.84.
“Our core business performed very well during the third quarter, with our record overall options volume and record volume from outside the United States accounting for 60 percent of the quarterly volume growth,” said CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy. “In addition, the momentum has continued, and October is on track to have the highest monthly volume in our history. In particular, on October 15 we set an all-time daily record with volume approaching 40 million contracts. This reflects the significant client demand during a more volatile period, supported by the company’s unmatched liquidity, tight bid-ask spreads, system reliability and capital efficiency. Bottom line, with nearly 9 million contracts traded that day from Europe, Asia and Latin America, we truly are the place where the world comes to manage risk.”
“During the third quarter, we streamlined our organizational structure to better meet the needs of our global client base and accelerate future earnings growth and cash flow,” said CME Group Chief Executive Officer Phupinder Gill. “With increased agility from an operational perspective, we are aggressively focused on improving execution, enhancing efficiency and increasing our speed to market throughout the world. If we are successful, revenues will increase and expenses decrease, and our shareholders will be rewarded as we further strengthen our position in the evolving global marketplace. Based on our current plans, we expect to keep operating expenses essentially flat in 2015 relative to this year.”
Third-quarter 2014 average daily volume was 13.5 million contracts, up 12 percent from third-quarter 2013. Clearing and transaction fee revenues were $641.8 million, up 7 percent compared with third-quarter 2013. Third-quarter 2014 total average rate per contract was 72.5 cents, down from 74.9 cents in second-quarter 2014, driven primarily by the 7 percent growth in total volume made up of a higher proportion of lower priced financial products.
As of September 30, 2014, the company had $1.2 billion of cash and marketable securities and $2.1 billion of long-term debt.
Guidance
CME Group full-year 2014 adjusted operating expenses are expected to be approximately $1.3 billion, at the low-end of the previously stated range. Based upon the impact related to the recent reorganization and other expense management initiatives, the company’s current estimate of 2015 operating expenses is the same as 2014, at approximately $1.3 billion. The estimate excludes the impact of the pending transaction with GFI Group.
