Dupree Financial Group LLC Makes New Investment in CME Group Inc. $CME

Dupree Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 16,365 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $4,287,000. CME Group comprises about 1.1% of Dupree Financial Group LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of CME Group during the second quarter worth about $612,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in CME Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $53,671,000. Haverford Trust Co purchased a new position in CME Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $13,818,000. Bowie Capital Management LLC bought a new position in CME Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $22,991,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in CME Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,807,000. 87.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CME Group Trading Up 1.5%

NASDAQ CME opened at $280.56 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $100.88 billion, a PE ratio of 23.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 0.24. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $272.07 and its 200 day moving average is $271.26. CME Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $218.31 and a twelve month high of $329.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 22nd. The financial services provider reported $2.99 earnings per share (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 return on equity of 15.60% and a net margin of 63.30%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.96 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that CME Group Inc. will post 12.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CME Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 9th were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 9th. CME Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on CME Group from $329.00 to $295.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on CME Group from $249.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Bank of America raised their price target on CME Group from $226.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of CME Group from $270.00 to $281.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of CME Group from $330.00 to $337.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $292.06.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Elizabeth Cook sold 500 shares of CME Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.11, for a total transaction of $140,055.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 17,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,018,450.76. This trade represents a 2.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director William Shepard acquired 293 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $268.76 per share, for a total transaction of $78,746.68. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 263,289 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $70,761,551.64. This represents a 0.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.