UBS Keeps Neutral Rating on CME Group and Reduces Price Target to $285
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 08 2025
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Should l Buy CME?
Source: Benzinga
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Analyst Views on CME
Wall Street analysts forecast CME stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 301.640
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
Current: 301.640
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
About CME
CME Group Inc. provides a derivatives marketplace. The Company enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and over the counter (OTC) markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data. It exchanges offer a range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange (FX), energy, agricultural products and metals. It offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and FX trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates central counterparty clearing provider, CME Clearing. Its products provide a means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation related to the risks associated with, among other things, interest rate sensitive instruments, and changes in the prices of agricultural, energy and metal commodities. It provides clearing and settlement services for a range of exchange-traded futures and options on futures contracts and OTC derivatives.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
CME Group Event Contracts Reach 100 Million Traded Milestone
- Trading Milestone: CME Group has achieved a significant milestone of 100 million event contracts traded within just eight weeks since their launch in December, indicating strong demand from retail traders and reinforcing CME's leadership in the derivatives market.
- Market Expansion Plans: CEO Terry Duffy stated that given the robust early support, the company aims to further expand the distribution and reach of event contracts to attract new market participants and the next generation of potential traders, enhancing market vitality.
- Product Design Advantages: Event contracts provide investors with a simple, intuitive, and low-cost way to express their views on financial indicators, cultural moments, and sports events, catering to the needs of modern retail traders and enhancing customer experience and market participation.
- Global Market Impact: As the world's leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group empowers clients to manage risk and capture opportunities through a diverse range of trading products, further driving liquidity and efficiency in global financial markets.
See More
CME Options Contract Analysis and Investment Opportunities
- Put Option Appeal: The current bid for the $290 put option is $8.60, and if an investor sells this contract, they effectively commit to buying shares at $290, resulting in a cost basis of $281.40, which represents a 4% discount to the current price of $303.61, making it attractive for those looking to buy CME shares at a lower price.
- Yield Potential Analysis: Should the $290 put option expire worthless, it would yield a 2.97% return on cash commitment, or an annualized 11.90%, highlighting the strategy's potential appeal in the current market environment.
- Call Option Returns: The $360 call option has a current bid of $0.75, and if an investor buys CME shares at $303.61 and sells this contract, they could achieve an 18.82% total return if the stock is called away at expiration, indicating high return potential for this strategy.
- Risk Assessment: The $360 call option has a 91% chance of expiring worthless, allowing investors to retain their shares and the premium collected, thereby enhancing both the safety and profitability of the investment.
See More
January CPI Data Shows Cooling Inflation Trends
- Core Inflation Decline: January's core inflation fell to its lowest level since early 2021, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Minimal Impact of Trump Tariffs: Data reveals that tariffs from the Trump administration had little effect on goods prices, suggesting that trade policies have not significantly altered market price structures.
- Rent Inflation Eases: Continued decline in rent inflation may provide consumers with increased purchasing power, potentially stimulating consumer spending and aiding economic recovery.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Investor reactions to the inflation data could impact the Fed's interest rate strategy, with markets generally anticipating a slower pace of future rate hikes.
See More
U.S. Senators Raise Concerns About CFTC's Enforcement Following Staff Exits
- CFTC Staff Reductions: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is reducing staff at its main office in Chicago.
- Regulatory Concerns: Lawmakers are expressing concerns about the CFTC's capacity to effectively regulate the growing markets related to cryptocurrencies and event contracts.
See More
CME Increases Quarterly Dividend by 4% to $1.30
- Dividend Increase: CME has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, marking a 4% increase from the previous $1.25, which indicates the company's ongoing improvement in cash flow and profitability, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Yield Performance: This dividend adjustment results in a forward yield of 1.72%, providing investors with a relatively attractive return that reflects the company's robust performance in the current market environment.
- Annual Variable Dividend: CME's annual variable dividend stands at $6.15 per share, demonstrating the company's commitment to its dividend policy aimed at attracting long-term investors and enhancing shareholder value.
- Shareholder Assurance: The dividend will be payable on March 26, with a record date of March 10 and an ex-dividend date also on March 10, ensuring that shareholders receive their earnings promptly, further solidifying the trust between the company and its investors.
See More
CME Group Explores Upgrade Plans
- Upgrade Plan Exploration: CME Group is exploring upgrade plans aimed at enhancing its service and product quality to adapt to changing market demands, although specific details have yet to be disclosed.
- Market Adaptability: This move reflects CME Group's keen insight into market dynamics, which could strengthen its competitiveness in the financial markets, especially in an ever-evolving trading environment.
- Customer Demand Response: Through the upgrade plan, CME Group aims to better meet customer needs and enhance customer satisfaction, potentially fostering long-term loyalty among clients.
- Future Development Potential: While no specific implementation timeline is available, the exploration of this plan indicates CME Group's ongoing pursuit of innovation and improvement to maintain its market leadership position.
See More
CME Group Event Contracts Reach 100 Million Traded Milestone
- Trading Milestone: CME Group has achieved a significant milestone of 100 million event contracts traded within just eight weeks since their launch in December, indicating strong demand from retail traders and reinforcing CME's leadership in the derivatives market.
- Market Expansion Plans: CEO Terry Duffy stated that given the robust early support, the company aims to further expand the distribution and reach of event contracts to attract new market participants and the next generation of potential traders, enhancing market vitality.
- Product Design Advantages: Event contracts provide investors with a simple, intuitive, and low-cost way to express their views on financial indicators, cultural moments, and sports events, catering to the needs of modern retail traders and enhancing customer experience and market participation.
- Global Market Impact: As the world's leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group empowers clients to manage risk and capture opportunities through a diverse range of trading products, further driving liquidity and efficiency in global financial markets.
See More
CME Options Contract Analysis and Investment Opportunities
- Put Option Appeal: The current bid for the $290 put option is $8.60, and if an investor sells this contract, they effectively commit to buying shares at $290, resulting in a cost basis of $281.40, which represents a 4% discount to the current price of $303.61, making it attractive for those looking to buy CME shares at a lower price.
- Yield Potential Analysis: Should the $290 put option expire worthless, it would yield a 2.97% return on cash commitment, or an annualized 11.90%, highlighting the strategy's potential appeal in the current market environment.
- Call Option Returns: The $360 call option has a current bid of $0.75, and if an investor buys CME shares at $303.61 and sells this contract, they could achieve an 18.82% total return if the stock is called away at expiration, indicating high return potential for this strategy.
- Risk Assessment: The $360 call option has a 91% chance of expiring worthless, allowing investors to retain their shares and the premium collected, thereby enhancing both the safety and profitability of the investment.
See More
January CPI Data Shows Cooling Inflation Trends
- Core Inflation Decline: January's core inflation fell to its lowest level since early 2021, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Minimal Impact of Trump Tariffs: Data reveals that tariffs from the Trump administration had little effect on goods prices, suggesting that trade policies have not significantly altered market price structures.
- Rent Inflation Eases: Continued decline in rent inflation may provide consumers with increased purchasing power, potentially stimulating consumer spending and aiding economic recovery.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Investor reactions to the inflation data could impact the Fed's interest rate strategy, with markets generally anticipating a slower pace of future rate hikes.
See More
U.S. Senators Raise Concerns About CFTC's Enforcement Following Staff Exits
- CFTC Staff Reductions: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is reducing staff at its main office in Chicago.
- Regulatory Concerns: Lawmakers are expressing concerns about the CFTC's capacity to effectively regulate the growing markets related to cryptocurrencies and event contracts.
See More
CME Increases Quarterly Dividend by 4% to $1.30
- Dividend Increase: CME has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, marking a 4% increase from the previous $1.25, which indicates the company's ongoing improvement in cash flow and profitability, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Yield Performance: This dividend adjustment results in a forward yield of 1.72%, providing investors with a relatively attractive return that reflects the company's robust performance in the current market environment.
- Annual Variable Dividend: CME's annual variable dividend stands at $6.15 per share, demonstrating the company's commitment to its dividend policy aimed at attracting long-term investors and enhancing shareholder value.
- Shareholder Assurance: The dividend will be payable on March 26, with a record date of March 10 and an ex-dividend date also on March 10, ensuring that shareholders receive their earnings promptly, further solidifying the trust between the company and its investors.
See More
CME Group Explores Upgrade Plans
- Upgrade Plan Exploration: CME Group is exploring upgrade plans aimed at enhancing its service and product quality to adapt to changing market demands, although specific details have yet to be disclosed.
- Market Adaptability: This move reflects CME Group's keen insight into market dynamics, which could strengthen its competitiveness in the financial markets, especially in an ever-evolving trading environment.
- Customer Demand Response: Through the upgrade plan, CME Group aims to better meet customer needs and enhance customer satisfaction, potentially fostering long-term loyalty among clients.
- Future Development Potential: While no specific implementation timeline is available, the exploration of this plan indicates CME Group's ongoing pursuit of innovation and improvement to maintain its market leadership position.
See More
