CME falls after Argus cuts rating to 'hold' on muted contract‑volume outlook

CME

04/03/2026 15:10

** Shares of U.S. derivatives exchange operator CME CME.O fall 2.05% to $318.48 after Argus Research downgrades CME to "hold" from "buy"

** Cites, "We expect muted growth for equity index, metals, cryptocurrency, and micro contracts for retail investors offset by gains in agriculture and prediction markets"

** Adds, shares surpassed our prior target of $295 and we see limited upside

** "We see mid-single-digit growth in interest-rate contract volume at CME as stubborn inflation, tariffs, and geopolitical concerns stay at the forefront in 2026" - Argus

** Seven of 16 analysts rate stock "strong buy" or "buy", six "hold" and three "sell"; their median PT is $312 - data compiled by LSEG

** Including session's move, CME up 17.16% YTD

(Reporting by Pragyan Kalita in Bengaluru)

((Pragyan.Kalita@thomsonreuters.com;))