First Citizens Financial Corp Buys New Shares in CME Group Inc. $CME

First Citizens Financial Corp purchased a new position in CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 3,388 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $888,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in CME Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $612,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in CME Group in the second quarter worth about $53,671,000. FLC Capital Advisors bought a new position in shares of CME Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,122,000. Haverford Trust Co bought a new position in shares of CME Group in the second quarter worth approximately $13,818,000. Finally, Bowie Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CME Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $22,991,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.75% of the company’s stock.

CME Group Stock Performance

Shares of CME traded down $1.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $263.14. 1,498,201 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,543,817. The stock has a market cap of $94.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.32, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $270.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $272.63. CME Group Inc. has a 1 year low of $218.31 and a 1 year high of $329.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02.

CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The financial services provider reported $2.99 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.91 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.68 billion. CME Group had a net margin of 63.30% and a return on equity of 15.60%. The firm’s revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.96 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that CME Group Inc. will post 12.27 earnings per share for the current year.

CME Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 9th were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 9th. CME Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised shares of CME Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the company from $316.00 to $323.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Bank of America increased their target price on CME Group from $226.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $320.00 target price on shares of CME Group in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on CME Group in a research note on Thursday. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $301.00 price target for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on CME Group from $249.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $289.81.

Key Headlines Impacting CME Group

Here are the key news stories impacting CME Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Record trading activity supports revenue prospects: CME Group reported September and third-quarter average daily volume records, with ADV rising 22% year over year in September and 16% for the quarter. Higher volumes generally increase clearing and transaction revenue. CME Group Sets September, Q3 Average Daily Volume Records
• Positive Sentiment: Strong soybean futures participation: CME Group set a new open-interest record in soybean futures, indicating continued engagement in agricultural derivatives and supporting the exchange’s diversified volume base. CME Group Sets New Open Interest Record in Soybean Futures
• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter earnings expectations remain favorable: Analysts anticipate low double-digit bottom-line growth when CME Group reports third-quarter results later this month, helped by the elevated trading volumes. What You Need to Know Ahead of CME Group’s Earnings Release
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor commentary highlights a volume-versus-price disconnect: Cambiar Investors’ quarterly letter discussed CME Group as a potential addition on weakness, noting that record trading activity has not translated into comparable stock performance. This may attract value-oriented investors but also underscores market hesitation. CME Group Adding on Weakness
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation may limit near-term upside: An analysis asked whether CME Group is fully priced following its push into cryptocurrency futures, suggesting investors may need additional growth or execution evidence to justify further appreciation. Is CME Group Fully Priced After Its Crypto Futures Push?
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst rating adds pressure: Wall Street analysts recently assigned CME Group a “Hold” rating, reinforcing the view that the stock’s strong operating performance may already be reflected in its valuation. CME Group Stock Rated Hold

Insider Transactions at CME Group

In related news, CEO Terrence Duffy sold 15,000 shares of CME Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.44, for a total value of $4,116,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 40,630 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,150,497.20. The trade was a 26.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Cook sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.11, for a total value of $140,055.00. Following the sale, the director owned 17,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,018,450.76. This trade represents a 2.72% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.30% of the company’s stock.

About CME Group

CME Group Inc operates global derivatives marketplaces that enable customers to manage risk and trade futures and options contracts. Its exchanges offer products linked to interest rates, equity indexes, foreign currencies, agricultural commodities, energy, metals and other asset classes.

The company also provides central counterparty clearing, settlement and related risk-management services for transactions conducted on its markets. In addition, CME Group offers market data, benchmark products and technology services that support trading, analysis and connectivity for financial institutions, businesses, professional traders and other market participants.

CME Group’s history includes the Chicago Board of Trade, founded in 1848, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, established in 1898.