Historically Low Levels of Volatility Blamed for Weak Q2 Results at CME

Chicago-based operator of commodity futures marketplaces, CME Group, with some of the biggest commodities exchanges across the globe, including the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term as its subsidiaries, today reported its financial results for the second-quarter (Q2) of 2014. The group’s report reflects a disappointing turn with decreases in revenues and earnings for the CME in Q2 compared to the positive previous quarter.

The CME reported revenues of $732 million and an operating income of $412 million for the second-quarter of 2014. Net income attributable to CME Group was $264 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.79. Excluding the items noted in the reconciliation, adjusted earnings per share would have been $0.77.

On a quarter to quarter basis, today’s figures reveal a 5.8% drop in revenues, 9.3% decrease in operating income and a slight 1.1% drop in net income from Q4 2013. Additionally, diluted earnings per share were flat and excluding items noted in the reconciliation, adjusted earnings per share went down by 7.2%.

In the previous quarter, the CME reported revenues of $777 million and operating income of $454 million for the first quarter of 2014. Net income attributable to CME Group was $267 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.79. Excluding the items noted in the reconciliation, adjusted earnings per share would have been $0.83.

"Historically low levels of Volatility Volatility In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad Read this Term impacted the overall market during the second quarter, although the effect on CME was lessened by the diversity of our product lines," said CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy. "Though total volumes were nearly flat year-to- date through the second quarter, our interest rate complex was up 7%, a strong outperformance compared with the rest of the market. We continue to see positive economic signs that could potentially lead to a more traditional Federal Reserve monetary policy. This would affect the Fed Funds rate and likely accelerate market activity as firms shift back into growth mode. Already we are nearing historic levels of open interest as we approach 100 million contracts, up 18% year-to-date."

"We continue to strengthen our global footprint with a record 24 percent of our electronic volume coming from outside the United States during the second quarter, mainly driven by activity coming from European customers," said CME Group Chief Executive Officer, Phupinder Gill. "Also, we announced plans to acquire Trayport and FENICS, pending regulatory approval. Trayport will give us deepened access to commercial customers in the rapidly evolving European energy markets, while FENICS' strong client base, particularly in Asia, will further complement our foreign exchange (FX) product distribution. In addition, we are encouraged that trading volumes in our recently launched European exchange are beginning to gain early traction, "he added.

Second-quarter 2014 total Average Daily Volume (ADV) was 12.6 million contracts, down 12% from second-quarter 2013 and 8% from the previous quarter. Foreign Exchange (FX) ADV suffered almost 22% decrease from Q1 to 638,000.

As of June 30, 2014, the company had $1.1 billion of cash and marketable securities and $2.1 billion of long-term debt.