CME: Committed To Organic Growth In Core Derivatives Business

CME Group Inc. (CME) said Tuesday that the futures exchange operator remains committed to "organic growth" in derivatives trade, following speculation that the Chicago company may launch a rival bid for NYSE Euronext (NYX).

CME was reported Monday to be exploring a possible offer for the Big Board parent, which is in advanced merger talks with Germany's Deutsche Boerse AG (DB1.XE), with Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. (NDAQ) as a potential partner in such a deal.

"We remain committed to creating shareholder value by executing our strategy to pursue organic growth opportunities in our core derivatives business, expand globally, and extend our capabilities into OTC markets and index services," the exchange operator said in a statement.

A spokesman for Nasdaq OMX declined comment Monday.

While CME will watch the fresh round of consolidation remaking the global exchange business, "it is not our policy to comment on rumor or speculation," according to the statement.

CME shares settled lower Monday at $302.57 after the reports that it may throw its hat in the ring to acquire NYSE Euronext, which would bring on board Liffe, that company's robust U.K. futures market.

The Chicago operator was among the most active acquirers in the 2006-2007 dealmaking that swept the exchange segment, spending about $20 billion in purchases of the Chicago Board of Trade and the New York Mercantile Exchange to create the world's largest platform for trading futures.

The onset of the credit crisis, which hit hard many of CME's biggest customers and left little reason to hedge against record-low interest-rates, roughly halved CME's market value, recently $20.3 billion.

-By Jacob Bunge, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4117; jacob.bunge@dowjones.com

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