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Can CME Group Retain Its Beat Streak This Earnings Season?
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Key Takeaways
CME expects Q1 2026 revenues of $1.9B, up 14% year over year, with EPS seen at $3.30.
CME volatility-driven volumes may lift clearing and transaction fees to $1.5B, up 14.7% year over year.
CME sees market data revenues of $214.8M on pricing and usage gains, while costs rise on pay and tech.
CME Group Inc. (CME - Free Report) is expected to register an improvement in its top and bottom lines when it reports first-quarter 2026 results on April 22, before the opening bell.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.9 billion, indicating a 14% increase from the year-ago reported figure.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.30 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s first-quarter earnings has moved 3.6% north in the past 30 days. The estimate suggests a year-over-year increase of 17.9%.
What the Zacks Model Says
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for CME Group this time. 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 +2.35%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.37 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.30. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
CME Group’s first-quarter results are likely to benefit from its diversified product portfolio, heightened market volatility and strong competitive position.
Revenue growth is likely to have been aided by gains in market data and information services, along with 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 $1.5 billion, indicating a 14.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
CME Group recorded a quarterly average daily volume (ADV) of 36.2 million contracts in the fourth quarter, marking a 22% year-over-year rise. Trading activity hit record levels across multiple segments, including interest rates, energy, metals, equity indices, agriculture, and foreign exchange. International ADV also reached a new high of 11.4 million contracts in the first quarter of 2026, up 30% from the prior-year period.
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 $214.8 million, suggesting a 10.5% 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 (CBOE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +7.24% and carries a Zacks Rank #1 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.12, indicating a year-over-year increase of 24.8%.
CBOE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.18% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.19, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.3%.
ICE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Nasdaq (NDAQ - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.57% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 93 cents, indicating a year-over-year increase of 17.7%.
NDAQ’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
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Can CME Group Retain Its Beat Streak This Earnings Season?
Key Takeaways
CME Group Inc. (CME - Free Report) is expected to register an improvement in its top and bottom lines when it reports first-quarter 2026 results on April 22, before the opening bell.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.9 billion, indicating a 14% increase from the year-ago reported figure.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.30 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CME’s first-quarter earnings has moved 3.6% north in the past 30 days. The estimate suggests a year-over-year increase of 17.9%.
What the Zacks Model Says
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for CME Group this time. 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 +2.35%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.37 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.30. 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 Group currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Likely to Shape Q1 Results
CME Group’s first-quarter results are likely to benefit from its diversified product portfolio, heightened market volatility and strong competitive position.
Revenue growth is likely to have been aided by gains in market data and information services, along with 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 $1.5 billion, indicating a 14.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
CME Group recorded a quarterly average daily volume (ADV) of 36.2 million contracts in the fourth quarter, marking a 22% year-over-year rise. Trading activity hit record levels across multiple segments, including interest rates, energy, metals, equity indices, agriculture, and foreign exchange. International ADV also reached a new high of 11.4 million contracts in the first quarter of 2026, up 30% from the prior-year period.
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 $214.8 million, suggesting a 10.5% 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 (CBOE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +7.24% and carries a Zacks Rank #1 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.12, indicating a year-over-year increase of 24.8%.
CBOE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.18% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.19, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.3%.
ICE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Nasdaq (NDAQ - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.57% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 93 cents, indicating a year-over-year increase of 17.7%.
NDAQ’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.