CME Group Reports Record Trading Activity in 2025, Highlighting Market Uncertainty

CME Group’s first quarter of 2025 marked a historic surge in trading activity, with average daily volume (ADV) reaching 29.8 million contracts. This performance drove record revenue, operating income, and earnings per share for the derivatives marketplace.

Chairman and CEO Terrence Duffy attributed the 13% year-over-year ADV growth to heightened economic uncertainty and escalating demand for risk management tools. "Deep liquidity proves indispensable during market stress," Duffy emphasized during the April 2035 earnings call.

The exchange operator saw 43% of 2025’s trading days exceed 30 million contracts—nearly double the frequency observed in 2024. Four of CME’s top five trading days on record occurred within this year’s first four months, signaling intensified volatility across global markets.