CME Launches Messenger Service for Energy Traders

CME Group, the derivatives marketplace, has launched CME Direct Messenger - an instant messaging platform for traders in the energy markets. CME Direct Messenger will be powered by software developed by Pivot, which was recently acquired by CME Group.

CME Direct Messenger will build on Pivot's messaging platform to offer instant messaging, content parsing and broadcast technologies. These tools are used to distribute and negotiate Request-for-Quotes, block orders, complex options and other order types within the energy and equity markets. CME Direct Messenger will integrate that technology into pre-trade, trade and post-trade workflows of traders and brokers.

"Instant messaging has become a critical part of the financial community's price discovery and trading operations," said Michel Everaert, Managing Director, OTC Solutions at CME Group. "By integrating Pivot's messaging solutions with CME Direct, we will offer our customers an industry-leading messaging software, alongside the first fully automated front-to-back-office platform for trading CME Group's listed and OTC energy products. This is an important addition to our electronic trading offering for energy markets, and it will create new efficiencies and trading opportunities for our clients."

"Our suite of instant messaging technologies helps traders collaborate with one another in real time and enables them to negotiate complex trades quickly and efficiently," said John H. Eley, CEO of Pivot Inc. "By deeply embedding these tools into CME Direct, customers will have an integrated, state of the art, holistic platform for managing instant messaging workflows and trading listed and OTC derivatives markets."

For equity market participants, Pivot will continue to be offered and supported as a stand-alone service.