CME Group (CME) Q2 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Achieved record Q2 2026 revenue of $1.7 billion, up 1% year-over-year, with net income of $1.04 billion and adjusted net income of $1.1 billion; adjusted EPS was $2.99, and diluted EPS was $2.88.

• Market data revenue reached a record $238 million, up 20% year-over-year, driven by new products, subscriber growth, and price increases.

• Average daily volume for Q2 2026 was 29.8 million contracts, the second highest Q2 in history, with open interest up 8% year-over-year and 16% since the start of 2026.

• Continued innovation with launches of 24/7 crypto and gold trading, Single Stock futures, and upcoming Compute Futures and Treasury Link.

• Institutional clients accounted for 94% of trading volume in the first half of 2026.

Financial highlights

• Q2 2026 revenue was $1.7 billion (+1% YoY); adjusted net income was $1.1 billion (+1% YoY); adjusted diluted EPS was $2.99 (+1% YoY); net income was $1.04 billion (+2% YoY); diluted EPS was $2.88.

• Market data revenue hit $238 million (+20% YoY); clearing and transaction fees were $1.4 billion.

• Adjusted operating margin was 69.5%; operating margin was 64.9%-65%.

• Adjusted operating income was $1.2 billion; adjusted non-operating income was $208 million.

• Returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in Q2 2026 via $468 million in dividends and $695 million in share repurchases.

Outlook and guidance

• Management expects continued momentum in the second half of 2026, driven by strong demand for risk management products and ongoing product innovation.

• Third quarter volumes are tracking 18% ahead of last year as of July; July 2026 ADV trending toward highest July in history.

• Full-year adjusted operating expense (ex-license fees) expected at ~$1.695 billion; capital expenditures at ~$85 million.

• Adjusted effective tax rate expected at the low end of 23.5%-24.5% guidance.

• Ongoing investments in technology, including cloud transformation, are expected to drive future expense growth.