CME Group Inc. CME is expected to register an improvement in both top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 21, before the opening bell.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s third-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.71 billion, indicating an 11.4% increase from the year-ago reported figure.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $2.98 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s third-quarter earnings has moved 2 cents north in the past seven days. The estimate suggests a year-over-year increase of 11.2%.
What the Zacks Model Says
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for CME Group this time around. This is because the stock has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), which increases the chances of an earnings beat.
Earnings ESP: CME Group has an Earnings ESP of +0.73%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.00 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
CME Group Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
CME Group Inc. price-eps-surprise | CME Group Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank: CME has a Zacks Rank of 3.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Likely to Shape Q3 Results
CME Group’s third-quarter results are likely to benefit from solid trading activity across its major asset classes, driven by interest-rate uncertainty, fluctuations in equity markets, commodity price volatility and growing demand for risk-management products.
Revenue growth is likely to have been aided by gains in market data and information services, as well as higher clearing, transaction and other fee-based income.
Increased volatility across asset classes appears to have boosted trading volumes, which, in turn, supported clearing and transaction fees. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for clearing and transaction fees stands at $1.4 billion, indicating an 11% increase from the same period last year.
CME Group reported a quarterly average daily volume (ADV) of 29.4 million contracts in the third quarter, which increased 16% year over year. Trading activity increased across asset classes. Agricultural ADV of 2 million contracts in the third quarter of 2026 increased 18% from the prior-year period. Equity Index ADV of 87.7 million contracts increased 23% year over year.
Market data and information services revenues are likely to have benefited from pricing adjustments on certain products as well as increased demand and usage. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this segment is pegged at $236.3 million, suggesting a 16.7% year-over-year increase.
On the cost side, expenses are expected to have risen during the quarter, primarily due to higher spending on employee compensation and benefits, along with increased investment in technology.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are three finance stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these also have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. CBOE has an Earnings ESP of +0.94% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.41, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.7%. CBOE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Nasdaq NDAQ has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $1.02, indicating a year-over-year increase of 15.9%. NDAQ’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
The Allstate Corporation ALL has an Earnings ESP of +3.38% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.91, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 38.1%. ALL’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
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CME Group Inc. (CME): Free Stock Analysis Report
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).