CME Group(US:CME) ZACKS·2025-10-22 16:06Core Insights - CME Group Inc. reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $2.68, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%, with the bottom line unchanged year over year [1][9] - The quarterly results showed a decline in revenues primarily due to lower clearing and transaction fees, as well as reduced trading volumes [1][2] Financial Performance - CME Group's revenues for the quarter were $1.5 billion, a decrease of 2.9% year over year, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate [2][9] - Total expenses rose by 0.8% year over year to $565 million, driven by increased compensation, technology, and professional fees, exceeding the estimate of $505.6 million [2] - Operating income fell by 5% from the prior-year quarter to $972.6 million, below the estimate of $1 billion [3] - Average daily volume (ADV) reached a record 25.3 million contracts, down 10.4% year over year, with declines across various product lines [3][9] Financial Update - As of September 30, 2025, CME Group had $3.6 billion in cash and marketable securities, an 8.5% decrease from the end of 2024 [4] - Long-term debt increased to $3.4 billion, up 27.7% from the end of 2024 [4] - Shareholders' equity stood at $28.2 billion, reflecting a 6.4% increase from the end of 2024 [4] Capital Deployment - CME Group paid out $3.5 billion in dividends during the first nine months of 2025, totaling $29.5 billion since the implementation of the variable dividend policy in early 2012 [5]