CME Profit

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http://cmegroup.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=3012

CHICAGO, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CME Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CME) today reported that first-quarter total revenues increased 7 percent to $693 million and operating income increased 7 percent to $415 million from the year-ago period. First-quarter 2010 operating margin was 60 percent, in line with first-quarter 2009. Operating margin is defined as operating income as a percentage of total revenues.

First-quarter net income was $240 million and diluted earnings per share were $3.62, both up 21 percent from the same period last year. First-quarter 2010 results included $6 million in non-operating income for the recovery of a bankruptcy claim and a $6 million reduction in certain tax reserves, offset primarily by $10 million of professional fees related to the company's joint venture with Dow Jones. These three items increased net income by $2 million. First-quarter 2010 figures include the results of Dow Jones Indexes beginning March 19, 2010.

"CME Group's discipline and focus helped deliver a strong quarter, and we see ongoing opportunities domestically and internationally to improve on this performance," said CME Group Executive Chairman Terry Duffy. "First-quarter operating income of $415 million and earnings per share of $3.62 were the best quarterly results since 2008. With volume, liquidity and depth of book improving across asset classes, CME Group is poised to continue to serve our customers worldwide and deliver sustainable financial results."

"The first quarter highlighted the resiliency of CME Group's business amid improving macroeconomic trends," said CME Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue. "We achieved overall volume growth of 12 percent, and average daily volumes for our foreign exchange, metals and interest rate products grew by 75 percent, 52 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Building on the momentum of the first quarter, April volumes are up 28 percent from the year-ago period – a positive trend. In addition, we are successfully executing our long-term strategy to expand our global distribution network and client acquisition efforts, as well as our OTC clearing services initiatives in interest rate swaps, OTC FX and credit default swaps."

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Net income ^ +21%