CME books record revenues, profits

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. today reported a 32% hike in total revenues and a 42% increase in net income. Revenues rose to a record $332 million and net income to a record $130 million for first quarter of 2007 compared with first quarter a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose 41%. The company, the largest futures exchange in the United States, is trying to acquire rival CBOT Holdings and stave off an unsolicited bid by the rival Intercontinental Exchange. "During the first quarter, we surpassed volume records in all our products lines, leading to the strongest top-line, quarter-over-quarter growth since 2004 and resulting in record earnings and cash flow," said CME executive chairman Terry Duffy in a statement. "In addition, we processed record volumes for the Chicago Board of Trade and the New York Mercantile Exchange,” he said.