CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME) Shares Purchased by Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its position in CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CME - Free Report) by 4.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 54,478 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 2,529 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd's holdings in CME Group were worth $12,651,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new position in CME Group during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its position in shares of CME Group by 570.6% during the fourth quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 114 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC grew its stake in CME Group by 188.4% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 124 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in CME Group in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its holdings in CME Group by 120.3% in the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 152 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CME has been the subject of several research reports. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on CME Group from $250.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of CME Group from $210.00 to $233.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $235.00 target price on shares of CME Group in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of CME Group from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of CME Group from $231.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $229.27.

CME Group Stock Up 0.2 %

CME opened at $244.83 on Friday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $235.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $223.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market cap of $88.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.74, a P/E/G ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 0.57. CME Group Inc. has a 12 month low of $190.70 and a 12 month high of $249.02.

CME Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.04%. This is a positive change from CME Group's previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. CME Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.37%.

CME Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, December 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 3.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

CME Group Company Profile

CME Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates contract markets for the trading of futures and options on futures contracts worldwide. It offers futures and options products based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, agricultural commodities, energy, and metals, as well as fixed income and foreign currency trading services.

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