Innovation is Key
For the fifth consecutive year, CME Group has been named to the InformationWeek 500, the annual ranking of the most innovative users of business technology in the United States. "Technology plays a crucial role in our business, with electronic trading representing more than 80 percent of our volume," says CME Group Chief Operating Officer Bryan Durkin. "CME Globex, the industry-leading electronic trading platform, and our clearing operations were key factors in our successful merger with CBOT in 2007 and our recent acquisition of NYMEX. The marriage of our global benchmark products with our Globex technology has enabled us to increase our business and to meet the growing needs of our expanding customer base."
"CME Group's commitment to technology and innovation remains a top priority," says CME Group Chief Information Officer Kevin Kometer. "This award is a direct reflection of our employees' commitment and dedication to offering reliable and diverse technologies. We will continue to look for ways to build upon our success as we look at growing our business through technology in areas such as emerging markets and over-the-counter business.'
Now in its 20th year, the InformationWeek 500 has tracked the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America's best-known companies, highlighting the power of innovative information technology
Rise Above the Risk
In wake of the credit crunch, CME Group has been reaching out to customers to help them better manage their risks in the current market environment. A new advertising campaign, "Rise Above the Risk," highlights the safety and transparency of CME Group's markets. The campaign ran in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Barron's and Chicago Tribune as well as online at Bloomberg.com, BusinessWeek.com and Marketwatch.com. For more information on how CME Group provides confidence in an uncertain world, please visit cmegroup.com/company/risk.
Quote Me on It
CME Group launched the latest version of E-quotes, a real-time streaming market data application that offers quotes, charting, advanced analytics and news on CME Grouptraded products, in October.
E-quotes will enable users to access prices for all CME Group listings, including interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, commodities, energy, metals and alternative investments. In addition, there is also access to prices for products listed on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and the Kansas Board of Trade, which are available for electronic trading on CME Globex.
The E-quote Basic, Advanced and Professional editions enable users to track the markets with customizable features including quote monitors, market depth, advanced charts, time and sales and more.
E-quotes supports Simplified Chinese, Russian and Japanese languages and is expandable to add additional languages.
A European Accent
CME Group expanded its popular S&P product line when it launched the Euro-dominated E-mini S&P 500 exclusively for trading on the CME Globex trading platform.
The contract will enable customers to use a single trading vehicle to access the widely watched U.S. large-cap stock index, combined with the exposure to the euro currency.
"The denomination of the contract multiplier in euros increases the relevance of our U.S. equity index products to our European customer base," says Robert Ray, managing director, CME Group international sales, equity and commodity products. "Customers throughout Europe want efficient exposure to U.S. equity markets and this product facilitates that, as well as allowing for new spreading opportunities between CME Group products and the listed derivatives traded in other markets."
"The Euro E-mini S&P 500 further extends the scope of our equity index product suite," says Scot Warren, managing director, CME Group equity products. "Building on the success of the E-mini S&P 500, which trades more than 2.2 million contracts per day, we believe our customers will benefit from the expanded opportunities the euro-denominated S&P 500 futures will provide."
Sound of Silver
Olympic swimmer Christine Magnuson rang the opening bell on the CME Group agriculture trading fl oor on September 23. Magnuson, a Chicago native, won two silver medals at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, in the 100-meter butterfly and as a member of the 4x100-meter medley relay. From left, Magnuson with CME Group Executive Chairman Terry Duffy and Vice Chairman Charles Carey.
Osaka Rising
CME Group and the Osaka Securities Exchange Co., Ltd. (OSE), the premier Japanese derivatives and securities exchange, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue opportunities to jointly develop products and services that will benefit market users globally.
"Under this agreement with OSE, we expect to create additional trading opportunities and increase access to more markets for customers of both organizations," says CME Group Executive Chairman Terry Duffy.
"Through this MOU, we hope to further extend CME Group's reach into the Asian marketplace," says CME Group Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue. "By working directly with OSE, we hope to identify additional opportunities to create new benefits for our customers."
OSE President and Chief Executive Officer Michido Yoneda says, "We believe that cooperation with CME Group will be beneficial to investors in Japan and around the world. This new partnership will advance the presence of the OSE throughout the world. The futures products on the Nikkei Stock Average, which are listed on both of our exchanges and wellestablished as a benchmark of the Japanese market, have an intrinsic potential for further growth through mutual cooperation."
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