CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) Stake Cut by Forsta AP Fonden

Forsta AP Fonden decreased its stake in CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) by 17.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 457,893 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 99,100 shares during the period. CME Group accounts for approximately 1.6% of Forsta AP Fonden’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Forsta AP Fonden owned about 0.13% of CME Group worth $57,347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in CME. Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new position in CME Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $9,571,000. Teachers Advisors LLC raised its position in CME Group by 70.3% in the fourth quarter. Teachers Advisors LLC now owns 1,019,252 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $117,571,000 after buying an additional 420,693 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems acquired a new position in CME Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,840,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund acquired a new position in CME Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,267,000. Finally, Highbridge Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in CME Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $6,147,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.09% of the company’s stock.

CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) traded down 0.48% during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $120.42. 236,328 shares of the company were exchanged. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.06 and a beta of 0.74. CME Group Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.95 and a 12 month high of $127.96. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $123.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $120.21.

CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.02. CME Group had a net margin of 43.62% and a return on equity of 7.43%. The business had revenue of $929 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $932.06 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.15 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that CME Group Inc. will post $4.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 26th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 7th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.18%. CME Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.14%.

A number of research analysts have commented on CME shares. Jefferies Group LLC restated a “buy” rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of CME Group in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Deutsche Bank AG reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $133.00 target price (down previously from $134.00) on shares of CME Group in a report on Monday, May 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $127.00 target price on shares of CME Group in a report on Friday, July 14th. Citigroup Inc. started coverage on shares of CME Group in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. Finally, BidaskClub raised shares of CME Group from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. CME Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $128.00.

In other CME Group news, insider Sunil Cutinho sold 10,265 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.85, for a total transaction of $1,209,730.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 21,690 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,556,166.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Kathleen M. Cronin sold 8,125 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.35, for a total transaction of $1,034,718.75. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 38,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,861,458.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 48,754 shares of company stock worth $5,955,724. Corporate insiders own 0.61% of the company’s stock.

About CME Group

CME Group Inc, through its exchanges, provides products across all asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products and metals. The Company’s segment primarily consists of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc (CME), Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc (CBOT), New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc (NYMEX) and Commodity Exchange, Inc (COMEX) exchanges.

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