CME CME Group Inc

CME Group operates the world's largest derivatives marketplace, providing trading in futures and options across interest rates, equities, energy, and agricultural commodities. Sector: Financials.

CME Group Inc (CME) is an individual stock. The analysis below presents key financial metrics for the company, covering profitability, capital efficiency, valuation, margins, and growth.

From a returns-on-capital standpoint, ROIC is 6.62%, WACC is 6.09%, and the economic spread is 0.53%. On balance, the company clears its capital cost hurdle modestly — value creation is present but not emphatic. Supporting metrics show ROE at 14.74% and ROA at 1.98%, a combination that helps frame whether profitability strength is broad enough to hold through different market conditions. Taken together, the return profile suggests a company that is value-creative but with less room for execution slippage.

The current pricing of the company reads trailing P/E of 26.96, forward P/E of 24.66, PEG of 2.76. The small spread between trailing and forward P/E suggests neither meaningful acceleration nor deterioration is currently priced into the earnings outlook. The PEG reading here is above the range most value-oriented investors would find comfortable — the valuation requires a high degree of confidence in forward earnings delivery. The aggregate current ratio of 1.03 points to tighter short-term liquidity across the company. In aggregate, the valuation reads as fair to moderately stretched — leaving the investment case dependent on earnings execution rather than multiple expansion.

On profitability at each income statement layer, gross margin sits at 93.05%, operating margin at 65.16%, and free cash flow margin at 64.38%. Gross margins are well above average, signaling strong production-level economics across the company. At this operating margin level, the company demonstrate a clear ability to scale profitably. Free cash flow conversion is outstanding — the company is generating exceptional cash after capital expenditures. Across gross, operating, and free cash flow layers, profitability quality appears consistently strong for this company.

Looking at growth and market-implied direction, TTM revenue growth of 8.09% indicating top-line growth that is constructive without being speculative. At the same time, the estimated 12-month price change of -0.80%, where target-based expectations currently skew to downside. It's worth distinguishing between what businesses are actually delivering and what the market is being asked to believe about the next 12 months. Maintaining alignment between reported results and forward estimates is particularly important in periods where macro uncertainty is elevated. The estimated 12-month price change is based on analyst consensus price target estimates, sourced from publicly available data, and should not be interpreted as a reliable prediction of future performance.

The metrics do not present an obvious case for aggressive action in either direction, and a measured, monitoring posture is appropriate given the current mix of signals.

This summary is based on publicly available quantitative data and is not intended as investment advice. Carefully consider your personal financial circumstances before making any decisions.