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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2003

Registration No. 333-          

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)		       36-4459170
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

30 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 930-1000
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

Kathleen M. Cronin, Esq.
Corporate Secretary
Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.
30 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 930-1000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies To:

Rodd M. Schreiber, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700		   Leslie N. Silverman, Esq.
Sung K. Kang, Esq.
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
One Liberty Plaza
New York, New York 10006
(212) 225-2380

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. o

        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. o

        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Shares
to be Registered		   Amount To
Be Registered		   Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share(1)		   Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)		   Amount of
Registration Fee
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (including rights to acquire Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to our rights plan)   6,981,000   $47.765   $333,447,465   $26,976
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices of our Class A common stock on April 2, 2003, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

        The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
Issued April 7, 2003

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling shareholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and the selling shareholders are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

                    Shares

LOGO

CLASS A COMMON STOCK

All of the shares of Class A common stock in the offering are being sold by the selling shareholders identified in this prospectus. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling shareholders.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CME." On April 2, 2003, the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $48.16 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7.

PRICE $    A SHARE

 
   Price to Public
   Underwriting Discounts and Commissions
   Proceeds to Selling Shareholders
Per Share   $           $           $        
Total   $                           $                           $                        

The selling shareholders have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional                          shares to cover over-allotments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated expects to deliver the shares to purchasers on                          , 2003.

MORGAN STANLEY   UBS WARBURG
CITIGROUP   JPMORGAN   WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY

                          , 2003


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   Page
Prospectus Summary   1
Risk Factors   7
Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements   23
Use of Proceeds   24
Dividend Policy   24
Price Range of Our Class A Common Stock   24
Capitalization   25
Selected Financial Data   26
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   28
Industry Overview   58
Business   62

 
 
 
Management   94
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   99
Principal and Selling Shareholders   100
Description of Capital Stock   105
Shares Eligible for Future Sale   115
Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Shareholders   116
Underwriters   118
Legal Matters   120
Experts   120
Where You Can Find Additional Information   121
Documents Incorporated By Reference   121
Index to Financial Statements   F-1

        Our principal executive offices are located at 30 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and our telephone number is (312) 930-1000. In this prospectus, we refer to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. as "CME Holdings" and to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Holdings, as "CME." The terms "we," "us" and "our" refer to CME Holdings and CME.

        Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, we refer to our Class A, Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 and Class A-4 common stock collectively as our Class A common stock, and we refer to our Class B-1, Class B-2, Class B-3 and Class B-4 common stock collectively as our Class B common stock.

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. The selling shareholders are offering to sell shares of Class A common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of Class A common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of the Class A common stock. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the section of this prospectus entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

        Chicago Mercantile Exchange, our globe logo, CME®, GLOBEX®, IEF®, and SPAN® are our registered trademarks. CME$INDEX™, GLOBEX Trader™, Moneychanger™, CME E-quotes™ and E-mini™ are our service marks. CLEARING 21® is a registered trademark, and e-miNYSM is a service mark, of CME and New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. pursuant to agreement.

        S&P®, S&P 500®, Standard & Poor's 500, S&P/BARRA Growth™, S&P/BARRA Value™, S&P MidCap 400™, S&P SmallCap 600™, S&P/TOPIX 150™, NASDAQ-100®, Russell 1000®, Russell 2000®, TRAKRSSM, Total Return Asset ContractsSM and other trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks that are not proprietary to us, are the property of their respective owners and are used herein under license. The FORTUNE e-50™ Index is a trademark of FORTUNE, a division of Time Inc., which is licensed for use by us in connection with futures and options on futures. These products have not been passed on by FORTUNE for suitability for a particular use. The products are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FORTUNE. FORTUNE makes no warranty and bears no liability with respect to these products. FORTUNE makes no warranty as to the accuracy and/or completeness of the Index or the data included therein or the results to be obtained by any person from the use of the Index or the data included therein.


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        The following is a summary of some of the information contained in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in our Class A common stock discussed under "Risk Factors" and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements and other information included elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Overview

        We are the largest futures exchange in the United States and the second largest exchange in the world for the trading of futures and options on futures, as measured by 2002 annual trading volume. In 2002, our customers traded futures and options on futures contracts with a notional dollar value of $328.6 trillion, making us the world's largest exchange by this measure. We also have the largest futures and options on futures open interest of any exchange in the world. As of December 31, 2002, our open interest record was 24.8 million contracts, set on December 12, 2002. Open interest is a widely recognized indicator of the level of customer interest in an exchange's products.

        We bring together buyers and sellers of derivatives products on our open outcry trading floors, on the GLOBEX electronic trading platform and through privately negotiated transactions that we clear. We offer market participants the opportunity to trade futures contracts and options on futures on interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities. Our key products include Eurodollar contracts and contracts based on major U.S. stock indexes, including the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ-100. We also offer contracts for the principal foreign currencies and for a number of commodity products, including cattle, hogs and dairy. We believe several of our key products serve as global financial benchmarks. Our Eurodollar contract provides a benchmark for measuring the relative value of U.S. dollar-denominated, short-term fixed-income securities. Similarly, our S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ-100 Index contracts are closely linked to the benchmark indexes for U.S. equity performance.

        Our products provide a means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation relating to the risks associated with interest rate sensitive instruments, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency and changes in the prices of commodity products. Our customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors and major corporations, manufacturers, producers, supranational entities and governments.

        Trading on our trading floors is conducted exclusively by our members, either through open outcry or by using GLOBEX terminals located on our trading floors. Trades executed by our members can be for their own account or for the account of non-member customers. Members also conduct trading electronically through remote access to our GLOBEX platform and through privately negotiated transactions that we clear. Non-members may also access our markets through the GLOBEX electronic trading platform. Generally, member customers are charged lower fees than our non-member customers. During 2002, our members were responsible for approximately 78% of our trading volume.

        Our principal source of revenue is from charges for trade execution and clearing that we assess on each contract traded on our exchange or using our clearing house. We assess clearing and transaction fees based on the product traded, the membership status of the individual executing the trade and whether the trade is executed on our open outcry trading floors, through the GLOBEX electronic trading platform or as a privately negotiated transaction. In addition to clearing and transaction fees, we derive revenue from the sale of valuable data and information regarding pricing and trading activity generated by our markets.

        Our 2002 net revenues were $453.2 million, an increase of 17.1% from the $387.2 million recorded during 2001. In 2002, we derived $356.4 million, or 78.6% of our net revenues, from fees associated with trading and clearing products on or through our exchange. In 2002, we derived approximately 50% of our clearing and transaction fees revenue from open outcry trading, nearly 42% from electronic trading and approximately 8% from privately negotiated transactions. Revenues from market data products totaled $48.7 million, or 10.8% of our net revenues, in 2002. Our net income for 2002 was $94.1 million, compared to net income of $75.1 million during 2001.

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        We own our clearing house and are able to guarantee, clear and settle every contract traded through our exchange. During 2002, we processed an average of approximately 554,000 clearing transactions per day. We currently have the capacity to clear more than 1.5 million transactions per day. Our systems are scalable and give us the ability to substantially increase our capacity with very little lead time. As of December 31, 2002, we acted as custodian for approximately $27.4 billion in collateral. In 2002, we moved an average of $1.8 billion of settlement funds through our clearing system each day. In addition, 40 exchanges and clearing organizations worldwide have adopted our Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk, or SPAN, risk evaluation system. The New York Mercantile Exchange, or NYMEX, and Euronext N.V. also use CLEARING 21, our state-of-the-art clearing system.

        CME was founded in 1898 as a not-for-profit corporation. In November 2000, we became the first U.S. financial exchange to demutualize and become a shareholder-owned corporation. As a consequence, we have adopted a for-profit approach to our business, including strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing volume, efficiency and liquidity. We posted record trading volume of 558.4 million contracts in 2002, an increase of 35.6% over 2001, which was previously our busiest year. Additionally, in December 2002, we completed our initial public offering, and our Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, making us the first publicly traded financial exchange in the United States.

        Currently, we have or are developing strategic relationships with the leading exchanges and clearing houses in Singapore, England, France, Spain, Japan, Korea and China. These relationships are intended to extend the market reach of our global derivatives business.

        We devote substantial resources to introducing new products based on new markets or securities. For example, in 2001, we formed OneChicago, LLC, our joint venture with Chicago Board Options Exchange, or CBOE, and Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, to trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. OneChicago commenced its trading operations on November 8, 2002. We also entered into an agreement with NYMEX in 2002 to introduce smaller-sized versions of key NYMEX energy futures contracts for trading on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. The products, based on our successful E-mini stock index contracts, are called e-miNY energy futures and clear at the NYMEX clearing house.

Competitive Strengths

        We have established ourselves as a premier global marketplace for financial risk management. We believe our principal competitive strengths are:

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Growth Strategy

        Globalization, deregulation and advances in technology offer significant opportunities for expanding futures markets, and exchange markets generally. We intend to increase our revenues and profitability by implementing the following four strategies:

Corporate Information

        We were incorporated in Delaware in August 2001. Our principal executive offices are located at 30 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and our telephone number is (312) 930-1000. Our Web site is http://www.cme.com. Information contained in our Web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should not consider information contained in our Web site as part of this prospectus.

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THE OFFERING

Class A common stock offered by the selling shareholders                    shares    
Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering:        
  Class A common stock                      shares    
  Class B common stock   3,138 shares    
Use of proceeds   We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock in this offering by the selling shareholders.
New York Stock Exchange
symbol		   CME

        The number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding immediately after this offering is based on the number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2002. This number does not take into account:

        If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the selling shareholders will sell            additional shares of Class A common stock and the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding immediately after this offering will be                        .

4


SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The summary information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with "Selected Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the financial statements and related notes and other information included elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   2000
(restated)
   2001
(restated)
   2002
 
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income Statement Data:(1)                  
Net revenues   $ 226,552   $ 387,153   $ 453,177
Total expenses     241,814     261,387     298,948
Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT Limited Partnership     (1,165 )   —     —
Net income (loss)     (10,496 )   75,108     94,067
Earnings (loss) per share:(2)                  
  Basic     (0.36 )   2.61     3.24
  Diluted     —     2.57     3.13
 
   As of
December 31, 2002
 
   (in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:      
Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents(3)   $ 339,260
Proceeds from securities lending activities(4)     985,500
Cash performance bonds and security deposits(5)     1,827,991
Total current assets(6)     3,215,131
Total assets     3,355,016
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:      
Payable under securities lending agreements(4)     985,500
Cash performance bonds and security deposits(5)     1,827,991
Total current liabilities     2,889,494
Shareholders' equity     446,139
(1)
Income statement data for 2000 and 2001 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Prior to the restatement, net income (loss) was ($5.9) million and $68.3 million for 2000 and 2001, respectively. The basic loss per share was $0.21 for 2000 and basic and diluted earnings per share were $2.37 and $2.33, respectively, for 2001.

(2)
Earnings per share are presented as if common stock issued on December 3, 2001 as part of our reorganization into a holding company structure had been outstanding for all periods presented. For 2000, diluted loss per share is not presented, since shares issuable for stock options would have an anti-dilutive effect.

(3)
Cash equivalents consist of money market mutual funds.

(4)
Securities lending transactions utilize a portion of the securities that clearing firms have deposited to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. Securities lending proceeds change daily. The related investment of these proceeds is short-term in nature. Investments consist principally of money market mutual funds. Securities lending activity is represented by an equal and offsetting current asset and current liability. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a more detailed discussion of our securities lending program.

(5)
Our clearing firms are subject to performance bond requirements pursuant to the rules of our exchange. These requirements can be satisfied in cash or by depositing securities, at the clearing firms' election. The deposit of cash is reflected in our financial statements while the deposit of securities is not reflected in our financial statements. The amount of cash performance bonds and security deposits that are deposited by our clearing firms may change daily as a result of changes in the number of the clearing firms' open positions and how clearing firms elect to satisfy their performance bond requirements. The balance of cash performance bonds and security deposits will also fluctuate daily based on the change in the value of positions held by clearing firms. When clearing firms deposit cash, it is held or invested by us on an overnight basis. We are required to return these funds when performance bond requirements are reduced, as these funds ultimately represent assets of the respective clearing firms. Therefore, the current asset represented by cash performance bonds and security deposits has an equal and offsetting current liability. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a more detailed discussion of cash performance bonds and security deposits.

(6)
Current assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable and other current assets in addition to cash performance bonds and security deposits and securities lending proceeds. Current assets are short-term in nature and are generally converted to cash in one year or less.

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   Year Ended December 31,
 
   2000
   2001
   2002
 
   (in thousands, except notional value of trading volume)
Other Data:                  
Total trading volume (round turns, in contracts)(7)     231,110     411,712     558,448
GLOBEX trading volume (round turns, in contracts)(7)     34,506     81,895     197,975
Open interest at period-end (contracts)     8,021     15,039     18,792
Notional value of trading volume (in trillions)   $ 155.0   $ 293.9   $ 328.6
(7)
A round turn represents a matched buy and sell.

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RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the risks below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our operations.

        Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our Class A common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our shareholders who are members and own trading rights on our exchange, and who may have interests that differ from or conflict with those of shareholders who are not also members, currently own substantially all of our voting stock. Shareholders who own trading rights on our exchange account for 17 of the 20 directors on our board and currently control the election of all directors. Our dependence on the trading and clearing activities of our members, combined with their ability to control the election of directors, enables them to exert substantial influence over the operation of our business.

        We estimate that, immediately following this offering, our shareholders who own memberships will together own, of record, shares representing approximately    % of our outstanding Class A common stock. As a result, they will, if voting in the same manner, control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including electing directors and approving changes of control. As of the date of this prospectus, 17 of the 20 directors on our board own or are officers or directors of others who own memberships on our exchange. In addition, we are dependent on the revenues from the trading and clearing activities of our members. This dependence also gives them substantial influence over how we operate our business.

        Many of our trading members and clearing firms derive a substantial portion of their income from their trading or clearing activities on or through our exchange. In addition, trading rights on our exchange have substantial independent value. The amount of income that members derive from their trading or clearing activities and the value of their trading rights are, in part, dependent on the fees they are charged to trade, clear and access our markets and the rules and structure of our markets. Our trading members, many of whom act as floor brokers and floor traders, benefit from trading rules, membership privileges and fee discounts that enhance their open outcry trading opportunities and profits. Our predominantly electronic trading members benefit from fee discounts and transaction fee caps that enhance their electronic trading opportunities and profits. Our clearing firms benefit from all of the foregoing, as well as decisions that increase electronic trading, which over time, will reduce their costs of doing business on our exchange. As a result, holders of our Class A common stock may not have the same economic interests as our members. In addition, our members may have differing interests among themselves depending on the role they serve in our markets, their method of trading and the products they trade. Consequently, members may advocate that we enhance and protect their clearing and trading opportunities and the value of their trading privileges over their economic interest in us represented by Class A common stock they own.

        The share ownership of our members, in combination with their board representation rights and charter provision protections described in the immediately following risk factor, could be used to influence how our business is changed or developed, including how we address competition and how we seek to grow our volume and revenue and enhance shareholder value.

Our certificate of incorporation grants special rights to holders of Class B common stock, which protect their trading rights and give them special board representation, and requires that we maintain open outcry trading until volumes are not significant.

        Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our Class B shareholders have the ability to protect their rights to trade on our exchange by means of special approval rights over changes to the

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operation of our markets. In particular, these provisions include a grant to the holders of our Class B common stock of the right to approve any changes to:

        For a more detailed description of the approval rights of our Class B shareholders, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Capital Stock." Our Class B shareholders are also entitled to elect six of the 20 directors on our board. As the transfer restrictions on shares of Class A common stock held by Class B shareholders terminate over time, Class B shareholders will continue to have these board representation rights, even if their Class A share ownership interest is very small.

        Our certificate of incorporation also includes a provision requiring us to maintain open outcry floor trading on our exchange for a particular traded product as long as the open outcry market is "liquid." Our certificate of incorporation requires us to maintain a facility for conducting business, disseminating price information, clearing and delivery and to provide reasonable financial support for technology, marketing and research for open outcry markets. Our certificate of incorporation provides specific tests as to whether an open outcry market will be deemed liquid, as measured on a quarterly basis. If a market is deemed illiquid as a result of a failure to meet any of these tests, our board will determine whether or not that market will be closed.

We only recently began operating as a for-profit company and have a limited operating history as a for-profit company. Accordingly, our historical and recent financial and business results may not be representative of what they may be in the future.

        We have only operated as a for-profit company with private ownership interests since November 13, 2000. We have a limited operating history as a for-profit business on which you can evaluate our management decisions, business strategy and financial results. As a result, our historical and recent financial and business results may not be representative of what they may be in the future. We are subject to risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties associated with changing and implementing our business strategy that are not typically encountered by established for-profit companies. The major U.S. futures exchanges have operated historically as mutual, membership organizations. There is little history or experience in operating an exchange as a for-profit corporation upon which we can draw. As a not-for-profit company, our business strategy and fee structure were designed to provide profit opportunities for our members. We targeted profit levels that provided sufficient levels of working capital. Today, our for-profit initiatives are designed to increase our revenues, make us profitable, optimize volume and liquidity and create operating efficiencies. These initiatives may not yield the benefits or efficiencies we expect. For example, fee increases, volume and member discounts and new access rules to our markets may not separately result in higher revenues and profits or greater volume or liquidity in our markets. As a result, we may not be able to operate effectively as a for-profit corporation. It is possible that we may incur significant operating losses in the future and that we may not be able to achieve or sustain long-term profitability.

Our business is subject to the impact of domestic and international market and economic conditions, many of which are beyond our control and could significantly reduce our trading volumes and make our financial results more volatile.

        We generate revenues primarily from our trade execution services, clearing services and market data and information services. We expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Each of these revenue

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sources is substantially dependent on the trading volume in our markets. Our trading volume is directly affected by U.S. domestic and international factors that are beyond our control, including:

        Any one or more of these factors may contribute to reduced activity in our markets. Our recent operating results and trading volume have been favorably impacted by global and domestic economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This is because our customers have sought to hedge or manage the risks associated with volatility in the U.S. equity markets, fluctuations in interest rates and price changes in the foreign exchange and commodities markets. The future economic environment will be subject to periodic downturns, including possible recession and lower volatility in financial markets, and may not be as favorable as it has been in recent years. As a result, period-to-period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful. Trends less favorable than those of recent periods could result in decreased trading volume, decreased capital formation and a more difficult business environment for us. Material decreases in trading volume would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

Our operating results are subject to significant fluctuations due to seasonality and a number of other factors. As a result, you will not be able to rely on our operating results in any particular period as an indication of our future performance.

        A number of factors beyond our control may contribute to substantial fluctuations in our operating results—particularly in our quarterly results. In the three years prior to 2001, we experienced relatively higher volume during the first and second quarters, and we generally expect that the third quarter will have lower trading volume. This trend was not evident in 2001 or 2002 in part because of the volatility of interest rates and U.S. equities in the third quarter in each of those years. As a result of seasonality and the factors described in the preceding risk factors, you will not be able to rely on our operating results in any particular period as an indication of our future performance. If we fail to meet securities analysts' expectations regarding our operating performance, the price of our Class A common stock could decline substantially.

Our cost structure is largely fixed. If we are unable to reduce our costs if our revenues decline, our profitability will be adversely affected.

        Our cost structure is largely fixed. We base our cost structure on historical and expected levels of demand for our products and services. If demand for our products and services and our resulting revenues decline, we may not be able to adjust our cost structure on a timely basis. In that event, our profitability will be adversely affected.

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The global trend toward electronic trading may divert volume away from our open outcry trading facilities. Our revenues, profits and stock price will be adversely affected if we experience reductions in our open outcry trading volume that are not offset by increases in our electronic trading volume.

        Both newly formed organizations and established exchanges are increasingly employing trading systems that provide fast, low-cost execution of trades by matching buyers and sellers electronically. These organizations are attracting order flow away from some traditional open outcry trading markets. Many market participants believe that these electronic trading systems represent a threat to the continued viability of the open outcry method of trading. Some major European and Asian futures exchanges have closed their traditional open outcry trading facilities and replaced them entirely with electronic systems. Although we offer an electronic trading system, during 2002 approximately 50% of our revenues from clearing and transaction fees were generated by open outcry trading. Reductions in our open outcry trading volume that are not offset by increases in our electronic trading volume would have a material adverse effect on our revenue, earnings and stock price.

The success of our markets will depend on our ability to complete development of and successfully implement electronic marketplaces that have the functionality, performance, reliability, speed and liquidity required by customers.

        The future success of our business depends in large part on our ability to create interactive electronic marketplaces in a wide range of derivatives products that have the required functionality, performance, reliability, speed and liquidity to attract and retain customers. A significant portion of our current overall volume is generated through electronic trading of our E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini NASDAQ-100 products. However, during 2002, approximately 63% of our volume and approximately 50% of our clearing and transaction fees revenue was generated through our open outcry trading facilities. Most of that open outcry volume is related to trading in Eurodollar contracts. Until recently, our electronic functionality has not been capable of accommodating the complex trading strategies typically used for trading our Eurodollar contracts. As a result, our electronic trading facilities for these products have met with limited success. We recently implemented a new electronic system upgrade called Eagle. This software is designed to provide the required functionality to replicate electronically some of the trading strategies used by open outcry Eurodollar traders. We are currently developing additional functionality to accommodate more Eurodollar trading strategies. We may not complete the development of or successfully implement the required electronic functionality for our Eurodollar marketplace. Moreover, our Eurodollar customers may not accept our electronic trading systems. In either event, our ability to increase our electronic Eurodollar trading volume would be adversely affected. In addition, if we are unable to develop our electronic trading systems to include other products and markets, or if our electronic marketplaces do not have the required functionality, performance, reliability, speed and liquidity, we may not be able to compete successfully in a new environment that we expect to be increasingly dominated by electronic trading.

We maintain the simultaneous operation of open outcry trading and electronic trade execution facilities, which may, over time, prove to be inefficient and costly and ultimately adversely affect our profitability.

        Currently, we maintain both open outcry trade execution facilities and electronic trade execution facilities. For some products, we maintain side-by-side trading facilities for both open outcry and electronic trading. We are obligated, through the inclusion of provisions in our certificate of incorporation, to maintain the operation of our open outcry trading facilities until the trading volumes in them are not significant. If we continue to operate both trading facilities for the same product, liquidity of markets on each may be less than the liquidity of competing markets on a unified trading platform. In addition, it may be expensive to continue operating two trading systems for the same product. We may incur substantial expenses and experience delays because of our efforts to create trading links between the separate trading platforms to facilitate trading on both systems. Any loss of efficiency or increase in time to market of new or improved products could be detrimental to our business. In addition, we may expend resources on the

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maintenance of our open outcry facilities that could be more efficiently used to develop our capacity and reduce our costs in the increasingly competitive market for electronic trading facilities.

The development of our electronic trading facilities exposes us to risks inherent in operating in the new and evolving market for electronic transaction services. If we do not successfully develop our electronic trading facilities, or if our customers do not accept them, our revenues, profits and stock price will be adversely affected.

        We must further develop our electronic trading facilities to remain competitive. As a result, we will continue to be subject to risks, expenses and uncertainties encountered in the rapidly evolving market for electronic transaction services. These risks include our failure or inability to:


        If we do not successfully develop our electronic trading facilities, or our current or potential customers do not accept them, our revenues, profits and stock price will be adversely affected.

Our market data fees may be reduced or eliminated by the growth of electronic trading and electronic order entry systems. If we are unable to offset that reduction through terminal usage fees or transaction fees, we will experience a reduction in revenue.

        Electronic trading systems do not usually impose separate charges for supplying market data to trading terminals. If we do not separately charge for market data supplied to trading terminals, and trading terminals with access to our markets become widely available, we would lose quote fee revenue from those who have access to trading terminals. We will experience a reduction in our revenues if we are unable to recover that lost quote fee revenue through terminal usage fees or transaction fees.

Our change to a for-profit company may cause members to seek alternative trading venues and products and negatively impact the liquidity of our markets and our trading volume.

        The trading activities of our members accounted for approximately 78% of our trading volume during 2002. When we became a for-profit company, we changed the role of our members in the operation of our business. We eliminated many member-dominated committees or converted them into advisory bodies. We gave our professional staff greater decision-making responsibilities. Subject to the oversight of our board of directors, our management is charged with making decisions that are designed to enhance shareholder value, which may lead to decisions or outcomes with which our members disagree. These changes may make us less attractive to our members and encourage them to conduct their business at, or seek membership in, another exchange or to trade in equivalent products among themselves on a private, bilateral basis. A material decrease in member trading activity would negatively impact liquidity and trading volume in our products and reduce our revenues. A loss or material reduction in the number of our

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clearing firms and the capital they provide to guarantee their trades and the trades of their customers would also diminish the strength and attractiveness of our clearing house and our markets.

        Despite our governance changes, our dependence on our members gives them substantial influence over how we operate our business. Members could use their ownership of Class A and Class B common stock, and ability to elect our board of directors, to change or modify our policies or business practices with which they do not agree.

Our trading volume, and consequently our revenues and profits, would be adversely affected if we are unable to retain our current customers or attract new customers to our exchange.

        The success of our business depends, in part, on our ability to maintain and increase our trading volume. To do so, we must maintain and expand our product offerings, our customer base and our trade execution alternatives. Our success also depends on our ability to offer competitive prices and services in an increasingly price sensitive business. In addition, our success depends on our ability to increase the base of individual customers who trade our products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to expand our product lines, or that we will be able to retain our current customers or attract new customers. We also cannot assure you that we will not lose customers to low-cost competitors with comparable or superior products, services or trade execution facilities. If we fail to expand our product offerings or execution facilities, or lose a substantial number of our current customers, or are unable to attract new customers, our business will be adversely affected.

We face intense competition from other companies, including some of our members. If we are not able to successfully compete, our business will not survive.

        The derivatives, securities and financial services industries are highly competitive. We expect that competition will intensify in the future. Our current and prospective competitors, both domestically and around the world, are numerous. They include securities and securities option exchanges, futures exchanges, over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, clearing organizations, market data and information vendors, electronic communications networks, crossing systems and similar entities, consortia of large customers, consortia of some of our clearing firms and electronic brokerage and dealing facilities. We believe we may also face competition from large computer software companies and media and technology companies. The number of businesses providing Internet-related financial services is rapidly growing. Other companies have entered into or are forming joint ventures or consortia to provide services similar to those provided by us. Others may become competitive with us through acquisitions. Recent changes in federal law allow institutions that have been major participants on our exchange to trade the same or similar products among themselves without utilizing any exchange or trading system. Many of our competitors and potential competitors have greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources than we do. These factors may enable them to develop similar products, to provide lower transaction costs and better execution to their customers and to carry out their business strategies more quickly and efficiently than we can. In addition, our competitors may:

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        If our products, markets and services are not competitive, our business, financial condition and operating results will be materially harmed. In addition, even if new entrants do not significantly erode our market share, we may be required to reduce our fees significantly to remain competitive, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability. For more information concerning the competitive nature of our industry and the challenges we face, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Competition."

The enactment of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act will increase competition and enable many of our customers to trade futures contracts other than on exchanges. These events could result in lower trading volume, revenue and profits.

        Our industry has been subject to several fundamental regulatory changes, including changes in the statute under which we have operated since 1974. The Commodity Exchange Act generally required all futures contracts to be executed on an exchange that has been approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC. The exchange trading requirement was modified by CFTC regulations and interpretations to permit privately negotiated swap contracts to be transacted in the OTC market. The CFTC exemption under which the OTC derivatives market operated precluded the OTC market from using exchange-like electronic transaction systems and clearing facilities. These barriers to competition from the OTC market were largely repealed by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act. It is possible that the chief beneficiaries of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act will be OTC dealers and competitors that operate or intend to open electronic trading facilities or to conduct their futures business directly among themselves on a bilateral basis. The customers who may access these trading facilities or engage in bilateral private transactions are the same customers who account for a substantial portion of our trading volume. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also permits banks, broker-dealers and some of their affiliates to engage in foreign exchange futures transactions for or with retail customers without being subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also permits bank clearing organizations and clearing organizations regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, to clear a broad array of derivatives products in addition to the products that these clearing organizations have traditionally cleared. This allocation of jurisdiction may be advantageous to competing clearing organizations and result in a lower volume of trading cleared through our clearing house.

If we are not able to keep up with rapid technological changes, our business will be materially harmed.

        To remain competitive, we must continue to improve the responsiveness, functionality, accessibility and other features of our software, network distribution systems and technologies. The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapidly changing technology, changes in customer demand and uses of our products and services, frequent product and service introductions embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render our existing technology and systems obsolete. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate and adapt to technological advancements and changing standards in a timely, cost-efficient and competitive manner. We cannot assure you that we will successfully implement new technologies or adapt our technology to customer and competitive requirements or emerging industry standards.

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Any significant decline in the trading volume of our Eurodollar, S&P 500 or NASDAQ-100 futures and options on futures contracts or in privately negotiated foreign exchange transactions using our clearing house would adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

        We are substantially dependent on trading volume from three product offerings for a significant portion of our clearing and transaction fees revenues and profits. The clearing and transaction fees revenues attributable to transactions in our Eurodollar contracts, our S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 contracts, and privately negotiated foreign exchange transactions using our clearing house were approximately 47%, 10%, 2% and 10%, respectively, of our total clearing and transaction fees revenues during 2001 and approximately 40%, 9%, 2% and 7%, respectively, during 2002. Any significant decline in our trading volume in any of these products would negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

        We believe our Eurodollar product serves as a global financial benchmark, but we cannot assure you that, in the future, other products will not become preferred alternatives to the Eurodollar contract as a means of managing or speculating on interest rate risk. We also cannot assure you that competitors will not enter the Eurodollar market, or that our members will not trade Eurodollars in privately negotiated bilateral transactions without the use of our clearing house. In either of these events, our trading volume, revenues and profitability would be adversely affected.

        Our rights to the Standard & Poor's and NASDAQ products were obtained through licensing arrangements. Our license agreement with Standard & Poor's provides that the S&P 500 Index futures products will be exclusive until December 31, 2008 and non-exclusive from December 31, 2008 until December 31, 2013.

        Our license with NASDAQ will be exclusive for each calendar year until expiration, provided the aggregate average daily trading volume in NASDAQ-100 futures contracts and options on NASDAQ-100 futures contracts remains above 5,000 contracts per day. The agreement terminates in April 2006, subject to our mutual agreement to extend the agreement. The agreement does not preclude NASDAQ from allowing NASDAQ-100 futures contracts to be traded on a market owned by NASDAQ or some of its affiliates.

        We cannot assure you that either of our Standard & Poor's or NASDAQ license agreements will be renewed when they terminate. In addition, we cannot assure you that others will not succeed in creating stock index futures based on information similar to that which we have obtained by license or that market participants will not increasingly use alternative instruments, including securities and options based on the S&P and NASDAQ indexes, to manage or speculate on U.S. stock risks. We also cannot assure you that NASDAQ will not directly or indirectly offer competitive futures contracts. Currently, NASDAQ LIFFE Markets, or NQLX, offers futures contracts based on an exchange-traded fund called QQQ, which may compete with our NASDAQ-100 futures contracts. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our trading volume, revenues and profits.

Some of our largest clearing firms have indicated their belief that clearing facilities should not be owned or controlled by exchanges and should be operated as utilities and not for profit. These clearing firms are seeking legislative or regulatory changes that would, if adopted, enable them to use alternative clearing services for positions established on our exchange. Even if they are not successful, these factors may cause them to limit or stop the use of our markets.

        Some of our largest clearing firms, which are significant customers and intermediaries in our products, have increasingly stressed the importance to them of centralizing clearing of futures contracts and options on futures in order to maximize the efficient use of their capital, exercise greater control over their value at risk and extract greater operating leverage from clearing activities. Many clearing firms have expressed the view that clearing firms should control the governance of clearing houses or that clearing houses should be operated as utilities rather than as for-profit enterprises. Some of these firms, along with the Futures Industry Association, are attempting to cause legislative or regulatory changes to be adopted that would

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facilitate mechanisms or policies that allow market participants to transfer positions from an exchange-owned clearing house to a clearing house owned and controlled by clearing firms. Our strategic business plan is to operate a vertically integrated transaction execution and clearing and settlement business. If these legislative or regulatory changes are adopted, our strategy and business plan may lead clearing firms to establish, or seek to use, alternative clearing houses for clearing positions established on our exchange. Even if they are not successful in their efforts, the factors described above may cause clearing firms to limit or stop the use of our products and markets. If any of these events occur, our revenues and profits would be adversely affected.

Our clearing house operations expose us to substantial credit risk of third parties. Our financial condition will be adversely affected in the event of a significant default.

        Our clearing house acts as the counterparty to all trades consummated on or through our exchange. As a result, we are exposed to significant credit risk of third parties, including our clearing firms. We are also exposed, indirectly, to the credit risk of customers of our clearing firms. These parties may default on their obligations due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. A substantial part of our working capital is at risk if a clearing firm defaults on its obligations to our clearing house and its margin and security deposits are insufficient to meet its obligations. Although we have policies and procedures to help assure that our clearing firms can satisfy their obligations, these policies and procedures may not succeed in detecting problems or preventing defaults. We also have in place various measures intended to enable us to cover any default and maintain liquidity. However, we cannot assure you that these measures will be sufficient to protect us from a default or that we will not be materially and adversely affected in the event of a significant default. For a more detailed discussion of our clearing house operations, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Clearing."

If we experience systems failures or capacity constraints, our ability to conduct our operations would be materially harmed and we could be subjected to significant costs and liabilities.

        We are heavily dependent on the capacity and reliability of the computer and communications systems and software supporting our operations. We receive and/or process a large portion of our trade orders through electronic means, such as through public and private communications networks. Our systems, or those of our third party providers, may fail or operate slowly, causing one or more of the following to occur:

        We cannot assure you that we will not experience systems failures from power or telecommunications failure, acts of God, war or terrorism, human error, natural disasters, fire, sabotage, hardware or software malfunctions or defects, computer viruses, acts of vandalism or similar events. If any of our systems do not operate properly or are disabled, including as a result of system failure, customer error or misuse of our systems, we could suffer financial loss, liability to customers, regulatory intervention or reputational damage that could affect demand by current and potential users of our market.

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        From time to time, we have experienced system errors and failures that have resulted in some customers being unable to connect to our electronic trading platform or erroneous reporting, such as transactions that were not authorized by any customer or reporting of filled orders as cancelled. In September 2002, we experienced a hardware failure that resulted in a temporary suspension of trading on our GLOBEX platform. The impact of these events has not been material.

        Our status as a CFTC registrant requires that our trade execution and communications systems be able to handle anticipated present and future peak trading volume. Heavy use of our computer systems during peak trading times or at times of unusual market volatility could cause our systems to operate slowly or even to fail for periods of time. We constantly monitor system loads and performance and regularly implement system upgrades to handle estimated increases in trading volume. However, we cannot assure you that our estimates of future trading volume will be accurate or that our systems will always be able to accommodate actual trading volume without failure or degradation of performance. For example, in June and July 2002, the volume on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform repeatedly exceeded one million contracts in a single day. During the initial period of increased GLOBEX trading volume, there were instances of connectivity problems or erroneous reports that affected some users of the platform. System failure or degradation could lead our customers to file formal complaints with industry regulatory organizations, file lawsuits against us or cease doing business with us or could lead the CFTC or other regulators to initiate inquiries or proceedings for failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

        We will need to continue to upgrade and expand our systems as our business grows. Although many of our systems are designed to accommodate additional volume without redesign or replacement, we will need to continue to make significant investments in additional hardware and software to accommodate increased volume. The inability of our systems to accommodate an increasing volume of transactions could constrain our ability to expand our businesses and could cause us to lose business.

We depend on third party suppliers and service providers for a number of services that are important to our business. An interruption or cessation of an important supply or service by any third party could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We depend on a number of suppliers, such as banking, clearing and settlement organizations, telephone companies, online service providers, data processors, and software and hardware vendors for elements of our trading, clearing and other systems, as well as communications and networking equipment, computer hardware and software and related support and maintenance. We cannot assure you that any of these providers will be able to continue to provide these services in an efficient, cost-effective manner or that they will be able to adequately expand their services to meet our needs. An interruption in or the cessation of an important supply or service by any third party and our inability to make alternative arrangements in a timely manner, or at all, would result in lost revenue and higher costs.

Our networks and those of our third party service providers may be vulnerable to security risks, which could result in wrongful use of our information or cause interruptions in our operations that cause us to lose customers and trading volume and result in significant liabilities. We could also be required to incur significant expense to protect our systems.

        We expect the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks to continue to be a critical element of our operations. Our networks and those of our third party service providers, our members and our customers may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other security problems. Persons who circumvent security measures could wrongfully use our information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. Any of these events could cause us to lose customers or trading volume. We may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of security breaches or to alleviate problems, including reputational harm and litigation, caused by breaches. Although we intend to continue to implement industry-standard security measures, these measures may prove to be inadequate and result in system failures and delays that could cause us to lose customers, experience lower trading volume and incur significant liabilities.

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We operate in a heavily regulated environment that imposes significant costs and competitive burdens on our business.

        Although the Commodity Futures Modernization Act significantly reduced our regulatory burdens, we remain extensively regulated by the CFTC. Our international operations may be subject to similar regulations in specific jurisdictions. We have registered in the United Kingdom as a recognized foreign exchange. We may be required to register or become subject to regulation in other jurisdictions in order to accept business from customers in those jurisdictions.

        Many aspects of our operations are subject to oversight and regulation by the CFTC. Our activities relating to single stock and narrow-based stock index futures products will also be subject to oversight by the SEC. Our operations are subject to ongoing review and oversight, including:

        If we fail to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations, we may be subject to censure, fines, cease-and-desist orders, suspension of our business, removal of personnel or other sanctions, including revocation of our designation as a contract market. Changes in laws, regulations or governmental policies could have a material adverse effect on the way we conduct our business.

        The CFTC has broad powers to investigate and enforce compliance and punish non-compliance with its rules and regulations. We cannot assure you that we and/or our directors, officers and employees will be able to fully comply with these rules and regulations. We also cannot assure you that we will not be subject to claims or actions by the CFTC or other agencies.

        Demutualization and utilization of electronic trading systems by traders from remote locations will, among other developments, impact our ability to continue the traditional forms of "self-regulation" that have been an integral part of the CFTC regulatory program. The CFTC is reviewing that impact, and it is unclear at this time whether the CFTC will make modifications to its regulations that will have an adverse effect on the way we conduct our business.

        From time to time, it is proposed in Congress that federal financial markets regulators should be consolidated, including a possible merger between the CFTC and the SEC. While those proposals have not been adopted to date, the perceived convergence of product lines offered on the securities and commodity exchanges could make adoption more likely. To the extent the regulatory environment following such consolidation is less beneficial for us, our business could be negatively affected.

        From time to time, the President's budget includes a proposal that a transaction tax be imposed on futures and options on futures transactions. While those proposals have not been adopted to date, except for a per-contract fee imposed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes, the imposition of any such tax would increase the cost of using our products and, consequently, could adversely impact our trading volumes, revenues and profits.

Our compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

        Generally, the CFTC has broad enforcement powers to censure, fine, issue cease-and-desist orders, prohibit us from engaging in some of our businesses or suspend or revoke our designation as a contract market or the registration of any of our officers or employees who violate applicable laws or regulations. Our ability to comply with applicable laws and rules is largely dependent on our establishment and maintenance of compliance, audit and reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. We face the risk of significant intervention by

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regulatory authorities, including extensive examination and surveillance activity. In the case of non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to investigations and judicial or administrative proceedings that may result in substantial penalties or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages, which can be significant. Any of these outcomes would adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results. In extreme cases, these outcomes could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.

        Our policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage our risks may not be fully effective. Some of our risk management methods depend upon evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters that are publicly available or otherwise accessible by us. That information may not in all cases be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. Management of operational, legal and regulatory risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events. We cannot assure you that our policies and procedures will always be effective or that we will always be successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed.

As a financial services provider, we are subject to significant litigation risk and potential securities law liability.

        Many aspects of our business involve substantial liability risks. While we enjoy governmental immunity for some of our market-related activities, we could be exposed to substantial liability under federal and state laws and court decisions, as well as rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the CFTC. These risks include, among others, potential liability from disputes over terms of a trade, the claim that a system failure or delay caused monetary losses to a customer, that we entered into an unauthorized transaction or that we provided materially false or misleading statements in connection with a transaction. Dissatisfied customers frequently make claims regarding quality of trade execution, improperly settled trades, mismanagement or even fraud against their service providers. We may become subject to these claims as the result of failures or malfunctions of our systems and services we provide. We could incur significant legal expenses defending claims, even those without merit. In addition, an adverse resolution of any future lawsuit or claim against us could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We could be harmed by employee misconduct or errors that are difficult to detect and deter.

        There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees of financial services firms in recent years. Misconduct by our employees, including employees of GFX Corporation, our wholly owned subsidiary that engages in proprietary trading in foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures, could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of customers or improper use of confidential information. Employee misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. It is not always possible to deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our employees also may commit errors that could subject us to financial claims for negligence, or otherwise, as well as regulatory actions.

Our acquisition, investment and alliance strategy involves risks. If we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our business will be materially harmed.

        To achieve our strategic objectives, in the future we may seek to acquire or invest in other companies, businesses or technologies. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the following:

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        We may not be able to integrate successfully any operations, personnel, services or products that we have acquired or may acquire in the future.

        We also may seek to expand or enhance some of our operations by forming joint ventures or alliances with various strategic partners throughout the world. Entering into joint ventures and alliances also entails risks, including difficulties in developing and expanding the business of newly formed joint ventures, exercising influence over the activities of joint ventures in which we do not have a controlling interest, and potential conflicts with our joint venture or alliance partners. For example, in 2001 we entered into an operating agreement governing OneChicago, our joint venture with CBOE and CBOT, to trade single stock futures and futures based on narrow-based stock indexes. Under the terms of our operating agreement, we own approximately a 40% interest in OneChicago, CBOE owns approximately a 40% interest and CBOT and management of OneChicago each own a minority interest. Our ability to control key decisions relating to the operation and development of OneChicago will be limited. In addition, under the terms of our operating agreement, until May 31, 2005, we are restricted from in any way engaging in the business of trading, marketing, regulating, selling, purchasing, clearing or settling transactions in single stock futures other than in conjunction with the joint venture. This restriction on our ability to compete applies whether or not we remain part of the joint venture, but it does not apply to futures based on narrow-based stock indexes. In 2002, we entered into an agreement with NYMEX to introduce e-miNY energy futures contracts, which trade on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform and clear at the NYMEX clearing house. During the term of the agreement and for one year thereafter, we are generally prohibited, other than in cooperation with NYMEX, from providing for or facilitating electronic trading in futures or options on futures contracts on any underlying commodity (or index of commodities) that is also the underlying commodity for a product listed for trading by NYMEX. We cannot assure you that any joint venture or alliance that we have entered or may enter into will be successful.

Our ability to successfully trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes may be impaired by statutory and regulatory provisions that limit our natural competitive advantages and expand opportunities for competitors.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act, which authorized us to trade futures contracts based on individual securities and narrow-based stock indexes, or security futures, prohibited the implementation in connection with these contracts of many traditional features of futures trading that would have made using security futures cheaper, tax advantaged and more efficient than using similar security options and OTC security derivatives. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also created a system of dual registration and regulation for security futures intermediaries and exchanges that may be costly and burdensome to the intermediaries and the exchanges and may discourage intermediaries and investors from using security futures. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also eliminated most legal impediments to unregulated trading of security futures or similar products between qualified investors. In addition, foreign exchanges may be allowed to trade similar products under terms that will be more favorable than the terms we are permitted to offer our customers. Finally, security futures are subject to a number of complicated and controversial regulations. As a result, we cannot assure you that we, either directly or through our joint venture, OneChicago, will be successful in offering single stock futures or futures on narrow-based stock indexes.

The imposition in the future of regulations requiring that clearing houses establish linkages with other clearing houses whereby positions at one clearing house can be transferred to and maintained at, or otherwise offset by a fungible position existing at, another clearing house may have a material adverse effect on the operation of our business.

        In connection with the trading of single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act contemplates that clearing houses will, after an initial period, establish linkages enabling a position in any such product executed on an exchange for which it clears these

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products to be offset by an economically linked or fungible position on the opposite side of the market that is executed on another exchange utilizing a different clearing house. If, in the future, a similar requirement is imposed with respect to futures contracts generally, the resulting unbundling of trade execution and clearing services would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profits.

Expansion of our operations internationally involves special challenges that we may not be able to meet, which could adversely affect our financial results.

        We plan to continue to expand our operations internationally, including by directly placing order entry terminals with members and/or customers outside the United States and by relying on distribution systems established by our current and future strategic alliance partners. We face certain risks inherent in doing business in international markets, particularly in the regulated derivatives exchange business. These risks include:

        In addition, we will be required to comply with the laws and regulations of foreign governmental and regulatory authorities of each country in which we conduct business. These may include laws, rules and regulations relating to any aspect of the derivatives business. To date, we have had limited experience in marketing and operating our products and services internationally. We cannot assure you that we will be able to succeed in marketing our products and services in international markets. We may also experience difficulty in managing our international operations because of, among other things, competitive conditions overseas, management of foreign exchange risk, established domestic markets, language and cultural differences and economic or political instability. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the success of our international operations and, consequently, on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights, which may materially harm our business.

        We rely primarily on trade secret, copyright, service mark, trademark and patent law and contractual protections to protect our proprietary technology and other proprietary rights. We have filed two patent applications covering our technology. Notwithstanding the precautions we take to protect our intellectual property rights, it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary technology without authorization or otherwise infringe on our rights. We also seek to protect our software and databases as trade secrets and under copyright law. We have copyright registrations for certain of our software, user manuals and databases. The copyright protection afforded to databases, however, is fairly limited. While the arrangement and selection of data generally are protectable, the actual data may not be, and others may be free to create databases that would perform the same function. In some cases, including a number of our most important products, there may be no effective legal recourse against duplication by competitors. In addition, in the future, we may have to rely on litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Any such litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs to us and diversions of our resources, either of which could adversely affect our business.

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Any infringement by us on patent rights of others could result in litigation and adversely affect our ability to continue to provide, or increase the cost of providing, electronic execution services.

        Patents of third parties may have an important bearing on our ability to offer certain of our products and services. Our competitors as well as other companies and individuals may obtain, and may be expected to obtain in the future, patents related to the types of products and services we offer or plan to offer. We cannot assure you that we are or will be aware of all patents containing claims that may pose a risk of infringement by our products and services. In addition, some patent applications in the United States are confidential until a patent is issued and, therefore, we cannot evaluate the extent to which our products and services may be covered or asserted to be covered by claims contained in pending patent applications. In general, if one or more of our products or services were to infringe patents held by others, we may be required to stop developing or marketing the products or services, to obtain licenses to develop and market the services from the holders of the patents or to redesign the products or services in such a way as to avoid infringing on the patent claims. We cannot assess the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to patents held by others, whether such licenses would be available or, if available, whether we would be able to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms. If we were unable to obtain such licenses, we may not be able to redesign our products or services to avoid infringement, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

As a holding company, we are totally dependent on dividends from our operating subsidiary to pay dividends and other obligations.

        We are a holding company with no business operations. Our only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of our subsidiary. As a result, we must rely on payments from our subsidiary to meet our obligations. In February 2003, we declared our first regular quarterly dividend. We intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends to our shareholders. We currently expect that the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiary will primarily be retained and used by it in its operations, including servicing any debt obligations it may have now or in the future. Accordingly, our subsidiary may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay a dividend or distribute funds to us in order to allow us to pay a dividend on or make a distribution in respect of our Class A common stock. Our existing credit facility, as well as future credit facilities, other future debt obligations and statutory provisions, may limit our ability to pay dividends.

Risks Associated With Purchasing Our Class A Common Stock In This Offering

If we settle the option granted to our CEO only in shares of Class A common stock, we could be required to issue substantial additional shares of Class A common stock. In addition, if our Class B shares and the associated trading rights increase in value relative to our Class A shares, holders of our Class A shares will experience additional dilution.

        We granted our CEO an option to purchase our Class A and Class B shares, with two separately exercisable tranches. Each tranche of the option is for 2.5% of each class of our common stock outstanding as of the date of our demutualization, as adjusted for our reorganization. We may settle the exercise of the option with any combination of Class A shares or cash, at our discretion. If the entire option was vested and the exercise price was paid in cash on December 31, 2002 and the option was settled only with Class A common stock, we would have been required to issue 2,560,912 shares of Class A common stock, based on the $43.66 per share closing price of our Class A common stock on that date.

        The value of our Class A shares is not directly linked to the value of our Class B shares and the associated trading rights. As a result, if we decide to settle the entire option by issuing only Class A shares, the amount of dilution experienced by holders of our Class A shares would increase if our Class B shares and the associated trading rights increased in value relative to our Class A shares. As of December 31,

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2002, the value of the trading rights associated with our Class B shares had increased by approximately 15% and 130% compared to their value as of December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively.

Sales of our Class A common stock may have an adverse impact on the market price of our Class A common stock.

        Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market following this offering, or the perception that large sales could occur, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline. Either of these circumstances could also limit our future ability to raise capital through an offering of equity securities. All of the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act by persons other than our "affiliates" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

        The currently issued and outstanding shares of our Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 common stock are registered under the Securities Act but are subject to significant transfer restrictions. These transfer restrictions expire at varying times. Upon expiration, these shares of Class A common stock held by existing shareholders will be freely transferable unless held by "affiliates" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If our shareholders sell a large number of shares of our Class A common stock upon the expiration of some or all of these restrictions, the market price for our Class A common stock could decline significantly. For a more detailed description of the transfer restrictions imposed on our Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 common stock, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Capital Stock."

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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Some of the statements under "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, those listed under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus.

        In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.

        Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        All of the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling shareholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock in this offering.


DIVIDEND POLICY

        On June 4, 2002, our board of directors declared a special cash dividend on each outstanding and restricted share of our Class A and Class B common stock in the amount of $0.60 per share to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2002. The aggregate amount of the dividend was $17.3 million, which was paid on June 28, 2002. We did not pay a dividend in 2001.

        We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to our shareholders. The annual dividend target will be approximately 20% of prior year's cash earnings. We declared our first quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share to Class A and Class B shareholders of record as of March 10, 2003. The aggregate amount of the dividend was $4.6 million, which was paid on March 25, 2003. The decision to pay a dividend remains within the discretion of our board of directors and may be affected by various factors, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness and other considerations our board of directors deems relevant. Our existing credit facility, as well as future credit facilities, other future debt obligations and statutory provisions, may limit our ability to pay dividends.


PRICE RANGE OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK

        Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CME." The following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices per share of our Class A common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.

 
   High
   Low
2002:            
  Fourth Quarter (from December 6, 2002)   $ 45.06   $ 42.00
2003:            
  First Quarter     49.62     41.50
  Second Quarter (through April 2, 2003)     48.16     47.97

        On April 2, 2003, the reported last sale price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $48.16 per share.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our capitalization, as of December 31, 2002. The outstanding share information excludes:

        The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Selected Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 
   As of
December 31, 2002
  
 
   (in thousands, except share data)

  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 339,260  
   
 
Long-term debt (including current portion)(1)   $ 6,997  
   
 
Shareholders' equity        
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 9,860,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted   $ —  
  Series A junior participating preferred stock, $.01 par value; 140,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding     —  
  Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 138,000,000 shares authorized; 32,530,372 shares issued and outstanding     325  
  Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 3,138 shares authorized, issued and outstanding     —  
  Additional paid-in capital     179,669  
  Unearned restricted stock compensation     (665 )
  Retained earnings     266,810  
   
 
    Total shareholders' equity     446,139  
   
 
Total capitalization   $ 453,136  
   
 
(1)
Long-term debt consists of capitalized lease obligations.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following selected consolidated financial data with respect to each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2002 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   1998
    
   1999
    
   2000
(restated)
   2001
(restated)
   2002
    
  
 
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)

  
Income Statement Data:(1)                                
Revenues                                
Clearing and transaction fees   $ 126,524   $ 140,305   $ 156,649   $ 292,459   $ 356,396  
Quotation data fees     40,079     43,005     36,285     48,250     48,717  
GLOBEX access fees     1,013     1,899     3,971     11,987     12,945  
Communication fees     8,128     8,165     9,391     9,330     9,733  
Investment income     10,117     9,091     9,736     8,956     7,740  
Securities lending interest income     —     —     —     10,744     18,169  
Other     11,304     8,137     10,520     14,904     15,379  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenues     197,165     210,602     226,552     396,630     469,079  
Securities lending interest expense     —     —     —     (9,477 )   (15,902 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Net revenues     197,165     210,602     226,552     387,153     453,177  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses                                
Salaries and benefits     72,386     80,957     94,067     105,227     114,899  
Stock-based compensation     —     —     8,211     6,238     3,811  
Occupancy     19,702     17,773     19,629     20,420     22,400  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses     28,038     28,319     23,131     27,289     32,549  
Communications and computer and software maintenance     22,731     28,443     41,920     43,598     46,569  
Depreciation and amortization     17,943     25,274     33,489     37,639     48,509  
Patent litigation settlement     —     —     —     —     6,240  
Public relations and promotion     9,586     7,702     5,219     6,326     6,514  
Other     12,586     15,490     16,148     14,650     17,457  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total expenses     182,972     203,958     241,814     261,387     298,948  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before limited partners' interest in PMT and income taxes     14,193     6,644     (15,262 )   125,766     154,229  
Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT     (2,849 )   (2,126 )   (1,165 )   —     —  
Income tax (provision) benefit     (4,315 )   (1,855 )   5,931     (50,658 )   (60,162 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ 7,029   $ 2,663   $ (10,496 ) $ 75,108   $ 94,067  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:(2)                                
  Basic   $ 0.24   $ 0.09   $ (0.36 ) $ 2.61   $ 3.24  
  Diluted     0.24     0.09     —     2.57     3.13  
(1)
Income statement data for 2000 and 2001 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Prior to the restatement, net income (loss) was ($5.9) million and $68.3 million for 2000 and 2001, respectively. The basic loss per share was $0.21 for 2000 and basic and diluted earnings per share were $2.37 and $2.33, respectively, for 2001.

(2)
Earnings per share are presented as if common stock issued on December 3, 2001 as part of our reorganization into a holding company structure had been outstanding for all periods presented. For 2000, diluted loss per share is not presented, since shares issuable for stock options would have an anti-dilutive effect.

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   As of December 31,
 
   1998
    
   1999
    
   2000
(restated)
   2001
(restated)
   2002
    
 
   (in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:(3)                              
Assets:                              
Cash and cash equivalents(4)   $ 14,841   $ 14,249   $ 30,655   $ 69,101   $ 339,260
Proceeds from securities lending activities(5)     —     —     —     882,555     985,500
Cash performance bonds and security deposits(6)     71,803     73,134     156,048     855,227     1,827,991
Total current assets(7)     205,186     178,401     267,432     1,946,110     3,215,131
Total assets     295,090     303,467     384,035     2,066,878     3,355,016
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:                              
Payable under securities lending agreements(5)     —     —     —     882,555     985,500
Cash performance bonds and security deposits(6)     71,803     73,134     156,048     855,227     1,827,991
Total current liabilities     112,555     111,717     198,294     1,801,845     2,889,494
Long-term obligations and limited partners' interest in PMT     15,638     23,087     19,479     16,667     19,383
Shareholders' equity     166,897     168,663     166,262     248,366     446,139

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
   1998
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
 
   (in thousands, except notional value of trading volume)
Other Data:                              
Total trading volume (round turns, in contracts)(8)     226,619     200,737     231,110     411,712     558,448
GLOBEX trading volume (round turns, in contracts)(8)     9,744     16,135     34,506     81,895     197,975
Open interest at period-end (contracts)     7,282     6,412     8,021     15,039     18,792
Notional value of trading volume (in trillions)   $ 161.7   $ 138.3   $ 155.0   $ 293.9   $ 328.6
(3)
Balance sheet data for 2000 and 2001 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."

(4)
For 1998 through 2001, cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less and, for 2002, money market mutual funds.

(5)
Securities lending transactions utilize a portion of the securities that clearing firms have deposited to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. Securities lending proceeds change daily. The related investment of these proceeds is short-term in nature. Investments consist principally of money market mutual funds. Securities lending activity is represented by an equal and offsetting current asset and current liability. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a more detailed discussion of our securities lending program.

(6)
Our clearing firms are subject to performance bond requirements pursuant to the rules of our exchange. These requirements can be satisfied in cash or by depositing securities, at the clearing firms' election. The deposit of cash is reflected in our financial statements while the deposit of securities is not reflected in our financial statements. The amount of cash performance bonds and security deposits that are deposited by our clearing firms may change daily as a result of changes in the number of the clearing firms' open positions and how clearing firms elect to satisfy their performance bond requirements. The balance of cash performance bonds and security deposits will also fluctuate daily based on the change in the value of positions held by clearing firms. When clearing firms deposit cash, it is held or invested by us on an overnight basis. We are required to return these funds when performance bond requirements are reduced, as these funds ultimately represent assets of the respective clearing firms. Therefore, the current asset represented by cash performance bonds and security deposits has an equal and offsetting current liability. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a more detailed discussion of cash performance bonds and security deposits.

(7)
Current assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable and other current assets in addition to cash performance bonds and security deposits and securities lending proceeds. Current assets are short-term in nature and are generally converted to cash in one year or less.

(8)
A round turn represents a matched buy and sell.

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read the following discussion with "Selected Financial Data" and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Corporate Structure

        We are the largest futures exchange in the United States and the second largest exchange in the world for the trading of futures and options on futures, as measured by 2002 annual trading volume. Our international marketplace brings together buyers and sellers on our trading floors, as well as through our GLOBEX electronic trading platform and privately negotiated transactions. We offer market participants the opportunity to trade futures contracts and options on futures primarily in four product areas: interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities.

        Our exchange was organized in 1898 as a not-for-profit membership organization. On November 13, 2000, we became the first U.S. financial exchange to become a for-profit corporation by converting membership interests into shares of common stock. As a result of our conversion into a for-profit corporation, individuals and entities who, at the time, owned trading privileges on our exchange became the owners of all of the outstanding equity of CME. As part of our demutualization, we also purchased all of the assets and liabilities of P-M-T Limited Partnership, or PMT, an Illinois limited partnership that operated the GLOBEX electronic trading platform.

        On December 3, 2001, we completed our reorganization into a holding company structure. As a result of the reorganization, CME became a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Holdings. In our reorganization, CME shareholders exchanged their shares for shares of CME Holdings. After the reorganization, these shareholders owned the same percentage of CME Holdings common stock that they previously owned of CME common stock. CME shareholders retained their memberships and trading privileges in CME. Prior to the reorganization, CME Holdings had no significant assets or liabilities. Our financial statements have been prepared as if the holding company structure had been in place for all periods presented.

        On December 11, 2002, CME Holdings completed the initial public offering of its Class A common stock. CME Holdings' Class A common stock is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CME." All 5,463,730 shares of Class A common stock, including an aggregate of 712,660 shares of Class A common stock covered by an over-allotment option granted by CME Holdings to the underwriters, were sold at a price to the public of $35.00 per share. Of the 5,463,730 shares sold in the offering, 3,712,660 shares were sold by CME Holdings and 1,751,070 shares were sold by selling shareholders. The net proceeds to CME Holdings from the offering were approximately $117.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions paid to the underwriters and other expenses incurred in connection with the offering. CME Holdings did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.

        As a not-for-profit membership organization, our business strategy and fee structure were designed to offer profit opportunities for our members and to limit our profits beyond that necessary to provide for sufficient working capital and infrastructure investment. Membership provided individuals and clearing firms with exclusive direct access to our markets, allowing them to profit from proprietary trading and customer execution. We provided some infrastructure services at a significant discount or as a membership benefit and, on occasion, offered fee holidays or fee rebates. For example, in 1998 we paid a rebate of $17.6 million to our clearing firms and member brokers, which had a negative impact on our profitability,

28


as did other fee reductions implemented prior to our demutualization. As a result, our financial results for periods prior to our demutualization may not be indicative of such results in subsequent periods. Consequently, comparisons of periods before and after demutualization may not be meaningful.

        In conjunction with our demutualization and corporate reorganization, we adopted a for-profit business strategy that has been integrated into our operations. As part of this integration process, we have examined and will continue to examine the fees we charge for our products in order to increase revenues and profitability, provide incentives for members and non-members to use our markets and enhance the liquidity of our markets. To enhance trading volume and promote new products, we offer discounts, some of which may be significant, to our members and non-members to use our markets. In the fourth quarter of 2000 and first quarter of 2001, we implemented changes to our fee structure. These changes included: increasing clearing fees for some products; increasing the daily maximum on GLOBEX fees for our E-mini products; implementing fees for order routing, delivery of agricultural products and a surcharge for trades executed by one firm and cleared by another clearing firm ("give-ups"); increasing fees for access to our trading floor by members and their employees; increasing fees for the use of certain facilities on our trading floor; reducing GLOBEX fees for interest rate products; and implementing reduced clearing fees for customers achieving certain volume levels in our interest rate products. In addition, we increased the number of GLOBEX access choices, altered the pricing for existing GLOBEX access choices, changed the type of market data offered through our non-professional service offering and increased the price of our professional market data service offering. In contrast to the fee rebates and other fee reductions implemented prior to our demutualization, this new approach to fees has had a significant positive impact on our revenues and profitability. In addition, we maintained a focus on expense discipline and specifically focused expenditures on projects designed to enhance our profitability. The net impact of these factors contributed to the growth in our net income from $7.0 million in 1998 to $94.1 million in 2002.

Overview

        As the largest futures exchange in the United States, our revenue is derived primarily from the clearing and transaction fees we assess on each contract traded through our trading venues or using our clearing house. As a result, revenues fluctuate significantly with volume changes, and thus our profitability is tied directly to the trading volume generated. Clearing and transaction fees are assessed based on the product traded, the membership status of the individual executing the trade and whether the trade is completed on our trading floor, through our GLOBEX electronic trading platform or as a privately negotiated transaction. In addition to clearing and transaction fees, revenues include quotation data fees, GLOBEX access fees, communication fees, investment income, including securities lending activities, and other revenue. Our securities lending activities generate interest income and related interest expense. We present securities lending interest expense as a reduction of total revenues on our consolidated statements of income to arrive at net revenues.

        Net revenues increased from $197.2 million in 1998 to $453.2 million in 2002. As a result of the increase in trading volume during this time period and the fee changes implemented primarily as a result of our demutualization, the percentage of our revenues derived from clearing and transaction fees increased and represented 78.6% of our net revenues in 2002, compared to 64.2% in 1998.

        While volume has a significant impact on our clearing and transaction fees revenue, there are four other factors that also influence this source of revenue: rate structure, mix of products traded, method of trade and the percentage of trades executed by customers who are members compared to non-member customers. Our fee structure is complex, and fees vary depending on the type of product traded. Therefore, our revenue increases or decreases if there is a change in trading or usage patterns. Trades executed through GLOBEX are charged fees for using the electronic trading platform in addition to the clearing fees assessed on all transactions executed on our exchange. Trades executed as privately negotiated transactions also incur additional charges beyond the clearing fees assessed on all transactions. In addition, non-member customers are charged higher fees than customers who are members. Our revenue decreases

29


if the percentage of trades executed by customers who are members increases, and increases if the percentage of trades executed by non-member customers increases, even when our fee structure remains unchanged. As a result, there are multiple factors that can change over time, and these changes all potentially impact our revenue from clearing and transaction fees.

        Our quotation data fees represent our second largest source of revenue. Revenue from these fees has increased a total of 21.6% from 1998 to 2002. In 2002, these fees represented 10.8% of our net revenues. In 1998, we began to generate revenue from fees assessed for access to our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. In June 2001, we began to engage in securities lending activities, which has contributed modestly to our net revenues for 2002. Revenue derived from communication fees has remained relatively constant from 1998 to 2002. However, investment income has experienced a decline, primarily as a result of the decline in interest rates since 2000. In general, other revenue has increased in a manner consistent with our net revenues from 1998 to 2002.

        Expenses increased from $183.0 million in 1998 to $298.9 million in 2002. The rate of increase in expenses has been lower than the rate of increase in revenues. The majority of our expenses fall into three categories: salaries and benefits; communications and computer and software maintenance; and depreciation and amortization. Additional expenses are also incurred for stock-based compensation, occupancy, professional fees, public relations and promotion and other expenses. Our salaries and benefits expense has increased 58.7% from 1998 to 2002 and represented 38.4% of our total 2002 expenses. A significant component of the increase in expenses, stock-based compensation, began in 2000 and is a non-cash expense that results primarily from the option granted to our Chief Executive Officer as well as other stock-based compensation resulting from stock grants to certain other employees. In addition, in 2000, we incurred $9.8 million of expenses associated with restructuring of management, our demutualization and the write-off of certain internally developed software that could not be utilized as intended. Also, in 2002, we incurred $6.2 million of expense to settle the Wagner patent litigation.

        With the exception of license fees paid for the trading of our stock index contracts and a component of our trading facility rent that is related to open outcry trading volume, most of our expenses do not vary directly with changes in trading volume. The number of transactions processed, rather than the number of contracts traded, tends to impact expenses as a result of technology expenses required to process additional transactions. A trade executed on our exchange represents one transaction, regardless of the number of contracts included in that trade. Therefore, total contract trading volume is greater than the number of transactions processed.

Revenues

        Our net revenues have grown from $197.2 million in 1998 to $453.2 million in 2002. Our clearing and transaction fees revenues are tied directly to volume and underlying market uncertainty. We attempt to mitigate the downside of unpredictable volume swings through various means, such as increasing clearing fees, creating volume incentives, opening access to new markets and further diversifying the range of products and services we offer. The annual growth in daily trading volume from 1998, when average daily volume was 899,281 contracts, to 2002 is summarized as follows:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
  
 
   (in round turn trades)

  
Average Daily Volume   793,425   917,120   1,640,288   2,216,063  
Increase (Decrease) from Previous Year   (105,856 ) 123,695   723,168   575,775  
Percentage Increase (Decrease) from Previous Year   (11.8 )% 15.6 % 78.9 % 35.1 %

        Total trading volume in our interest rate products increased 12.8% in 2002 over 2001. Total trading volume in our equity products rose 103.9% in 2002 over 2001. During 2002, total trading volume in our foreign exchange products increased 8.3% over levels in 2001. Our commodity products total trading

30


volume declined 10.9% in 2002 as compared to 2001. In general, volume increased as a result of economic and geopolitical factors, enhancements to our product and service offerings and expansion of our electronic and other trade execution choices. Global and national economic and political uncertainty generally results in increased trading activity, as our customers seek to hedge, manage or speculate on the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, equities, foreign exchange and commodities. In recent periods, our trading volume has been positively affected by the increased volatility in the markets for equity and fixed-income securities. Products and services offered also have a significant effect on volume. We built on earlier successes in our standard S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 stock index contracts by introducing E-mini versions of the S&P 500 contract in 1997 and the NASDAQ-100 contract in 1999. E-mini contracts are one-fifth the size of the standard contract. These E-mini contracts are traded only through GLOBEX, our electronic trading platform. In addition, since 1998, we significantly upgraded our GLOBEX electronic trading platform, and, beginning in November 2000, we modified GLOBEX policies to give more users direct access to our markets. A comparison of our average daily trading volume by venue and the related percentage of clearing and transaction fees associated with each venue are illustrated in the table below:

 
   Average Daily Volume
   Approximate
Percentage of Clearing
and Transaction Fees
Revenue
  
Method of Trade:

   1998
   2002
   Increase
   1998
   2002
  
 
   (in round turn trades)

  
Open Outcry   830,687   1,398,698   568,011   70 % 50 %
GLOBEX   38,668   785,615   746,947   9   42  
Privately Negotiated   29,926   31,750   1,824   21   8  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total   899,281   2,216,063   1,316,782   100 % 100 %
   
 
 
 
 
 

        While the increase in clearing and transaction fees generally has resulted from increased trading volume, the largest factors contributing to the increase in clearing and transaction fees from 1999 to 2000 were the rate increases and new transaction fees implemented in the fourth quarter of 2000, after our demutualization. Additional revenue was also generated in 2000 by the 15.1% increase in total trading volume and an increase in the percentage of trades executed through GLOBEX. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in the percentage of trades attributable to non-member customers, who are charged higher fees than members, and a decrease in the percentage of total volume attributable to our standard equity products, from which we earn higher clearing fees than other contracts. By contrast, the increase in clearing and transaction fees from 2000 to 2001 resulted primarily from the increase in trading volume and was augmented by the rate increases and new transaction fees implemented in the fourth quarter of 2000 and first quarter of 2001. Our revenues from clearing and transaction fees would have been higher in 2001 if the percentage of trading volume attributable to interest rate products, which are charged lower clearing fees than some of the other products offered through our exchange, had not increased compared to such other products. However, management believes the volume achieved, in part as a result of this pricing structure, enhances the liquidity of these products. The increase in trading volume was the primary reason for the increase in revenues from clearing and transaction fees in 2002 when compared to 2001. Partially offsetting this 2002 volume increase was the impact of certain volume discounts, fee limits and a decrease in the percentage of trades executed by non-member customers.

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        Our clearing and transaction fees revenues, stated as an average rate per contract, are illustrated in the table below:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   1998
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
 
   (in thousands, except rate per contract)
Clearing and Transaction Revenues   $ 126,524   $ 140,305   $ 156,649   $ 292,459   $ 356,396
Total Contracts Traded     226,619     200,737     231,110     411,712     558,448
Average Rate per Contract   $ 0.558   $ 0.699   $ 0.678   $ 0.710   $ 0.638

        While the average rate per contract has increased from 1998 to 2002, it has fluctuated from $0.558 in 1998 to a peak of $0.710 in 2001. This overall increase is attributable primarily to the pricing changes implemented in the fourth quarter of 2000 and first quarter of 2001, after our demutualization, as well as growth in the percentage of trades executed through GLOBEX. The average rate per contract in 1998 was the lowest of any year during the five-year period reflected in the table above as a result of fee reductions and rebates. Despite the pricing changes in the fourth quarter of 2000, there was a decrease in the average rate per contract in 2000 that resulted primarily from an increase in the percentage of total volume from Eurodollar products, as these products have a lower average rate per contract, and a decline in the percentage of trades for non-member customers. The decline in the average rate per contract from 2001 to 2002 resulted primarily from volume discounts on certain products, limits on some fees associated with trading through the GLOBEX platform and a decrease in the percentage of trades attributed to non-members. We believe our lower fee structure for members has resulted in the acquisition of the trading rights associated with our Class B shares by parties intending to trade significant volumes on our exchange, creating an increase in member volume and a decrease in non-member volume. In addition, in 2002, our clearing and transaction revenue was reduced by $4.8 million as a result of payments to clearing firms relating to our fee adjustment policy and clearing firm account management errors.

        Our volume discounts for Eurodollar contracts changed effective March 1, 2003. The discount for Eurodollar contracts is $0.04 per contract for daily trading volume in excess of 10,000 contracts. Volume for futures and options on futures is calculated separately for purposes of applying this discount. Prior to March 1, 2003, the discount was $0.05 per contract for trading volume in excess of 7,500 contracts per day, with the discount increasing to $0.07 per contract for trading volume in excess of 15,000 contracts per day. Volume on futures and options on futures was combined for purposes of calculating this discount. Also, effective March 1, 2003, we implemented an incentive plan to promote liquidity in the back months of our Eurodollar complex by offering incentives for high volume traders. The total expense under this incentive plan will not exceed $4.0 million for the ten-month period ending December 31, 2003. Future changes in fees, volume discounts, limits on fees and member discounts, including some that may be significant, may occur periodically based on management's review of our operations and business environment.

        Our second largest source of revenue is quotation data fees, which we receive from the sale of our market data. Revenues from market data products represented 10.8% of our net revenues in 2002. In general, our market data service is provided to two types of customers. Since March 2001, our nonprofessional service has been provided to customers who typically only require market data provided in one-minute snapshots or on a limited group of products, such as our E-mini products. The fee for this service is relatively nominal and is a flat rate per month. Subscribers to our professional service receive market data on all our products on a real-time streaming basis. Fees for the professional service are higher than the non-professional service. Professional customers pay one price for the first device, or screen, at each physical location displaying our market data and a lower price for each additional screen displaying our market data at the same location. Pricing for our market data services is based on the value of the service provided, our cost structure for the service and the price of comparable services offered by our competitors. The pricing of quotation data services was increased on March 1, 2001 as part of the pricing changes implemented in 2001. Increases or decreases in our quotation data revenue will be influenced by changes in our price structure for existing market data offerings, introduction of new market data services

32


and changes in the number of subscribers. In addition, general economic factors will influence revenue from our market data fees. For example, the recent downsizing in the brokerage industry has contributed to a decline in the number of screens displaying our market data and has adversely affected the growth in our market data revenue in 2002.

        At year-end 2002, nearly 54,000 subscribers displayed our data on approximately 175,000 screens worldwide, compared to approximately 48,000 subscribers and approximately 190,000 screens at year-end 2001. With the exception of 2000, revenues from quotation data fees have grown each year for the last five years. In 2000, we began to offer a lower-priced non-professional service that increased the number of subscribers but adversely affected revenue as some of our existing customers switched to this lower-priced service. When this service was changed from real-time streaming to one-minute snapshots of market data in 2001, the number of subscribers to this service declined. Partially offsetting this decrease was the effect of some subscribers to our previous non-professional service switching to our professional service to obtain real-time streaming of market data. In addition, we began to offer a new non-professional service late in 2001 to allow subscribers to obtain market data limited to our E-mini products. At December 31, 2002, there were approximately 16,000 subscribers to this E-mini market data service. The combined effect of these changes was a net decline in the total number of non-professional subscribers from nearly 25,000 at December 31, 2000 to approximately 21,000 at year-end 2002. In addition, one of the major resellers of our quotes declared bankruptcy in February 2001. This reduced our revenue from quotation data fees by $1.4 million in 2000 and $0.5 million in 2001.

        In 2002, the two largest resellers of our market data represented approximately 48% of our quotation data fees revenue. Should one of these vendors no longer subscribe to our market data, we believe the majority of that firm's customers would likely subscribe to our market data through another reseller. Therefore, we do not believe we are exposed to significant risk from the loss of revenue received from any particular market data reseller.

        Prices for our professional market data offering increased effective April 1, 2003. These customers are charged $50 per month for the first screen at each location and $20 per month for each additional screen at the same location. Prior to April 1, 2003, customers were charged $60 per month for the first screen and $12 per month for each additional screen at the same location. At December 31, 2002, there were approximately 33,000 subscribers to our professional market data offering and approximately 126,000 additional screens.

        GLOBEX access fees are the connectivity charges to customers of our electronic trading platform. The fee each customer is charged varies depending on the type of connection provided. There is a corresponding communication expense associated with providing these connections that varies based on the type of connection selected by the customer. Increases or decreases in revenue from GLOBEX access fees are influenced by changes in the price structure for our existing GLOBEX access choices, the introduction of new access choices and our ability to attract new users to our electronic trading platform. In addition, GLOBEX access fees are affected by some of the same factors that influence the general level of activity in electronic trading, including the products offered, quality of execution services and general economic conditions affecting our markets.

        Communication fees consist of charges to members and firms that utilize our various telecommunications networks and communications services. Revenue from communication fees is dependent on open outcry trading, as a significant portion relates to telecommunications on the trading floor. There is a corresponding variable expense associated with providing these services.

        Investment income represents interest income and net realized gains and losses from our marketable securities, from the trading securities in our non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and from income generated by the short-term investment of clearing firms' cash performance bonds and security deposits. Investment income is influenced by our operating results, market interest rates and changes in the levels of cash performance bonds deposited by clearing firms. The total cash performance bonds deposited by

33


clearing firms is a function of the type of collateral used to meet performance bond requirements, the number of open positions held by clearing firms and volatility in our markets. As a result, the amount of cash deposited by clearing firms is subject to significant fluctuation. For example, cash performance bonds and security deposits totaled $156.0 million at December 31, 2000, compared to $855.2 million at December 31, 2001 and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2002. In addition, clearing firms may choose to deposit cash in a foreign currency. Our ability to generate investment income from clearing firms' cash performance bonds and security deposits is impacted by the currency received and the interest rates prevailing in the country for that particular currency. The investment results of our non-qualified deferred compensation plans that are included in investment income do not affect net income, as there is an equal and offsetting impact to our salaries and benefits expense. In the third quarter of 2002, we changed our investment policy and converted our marketable securities to short-term investments. Therefore, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2002, all investments are short-term in nature, and consist of institutional money market funds and U.S. Government agency securities that mature within seven days of purchase.

        Beginning late in the second quarter of 2001, we entered into securities lending transactions utilizing a portion of the securities that clearing firms deposited to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. Securities lending interest income is presented separately in the consolidated statements of income. Substantial interest expense is incurred as part of this securities lending activity and is presented as a deduction from total revenues to arrive at net revenues.

        Other revenue is composed of fees for trade order routing and various services to members, as well as fees for administering our Interest Earning Facility program, or IEF, which consists of money market funds managed by third party investment managers. We offer clearing firms the opportunity to invest cash performance bonds in our IEF. These clearing firms receive interest income, and we receive a fee based on total funds on deposit. In 2001, we implemented an addition to our IEF program, called IEF2, which allows clearing firms to invest directly in public money market mutual funds through a special facility provided by us. Other revenue also includes trading revenue generated by GFX, our wholly owned subsidiary that trades in foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures contracts to enhance liquidity in our markets for these products, fines assessed to members for violations of exchange rules and revenue from the sale of our SPAN software. In 2001, we entered into a joint venture, OneChicago, to trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. We currently have a 40% ownership interest in the joint venture. Our share of the net loss from this joint venture is included in other revenue as well as revenue we receive for providing certain regulatory, clearing and technology services to OneChicago.

        A substantial portion of our clearing and transaction fees, telecommunications fees and various service charges included in other revenue are billed to the clearing firms of the exchange. The majority of clearing and transaction fees received from clearing firms represent charges for trades executed on behalf of the customers of the various clearing firms. There are currently approximately 70 clearing firms. In 2002, one firm, with a significant portion of customer revenue, represented approximately 11% of our net revenues. Should a clearing firm withdraw from the exchange, we believe the customer portion of that firm's trading activity would likely transfer to another clearing firm of the exchange. Therefore, we do not believe we are exposed to significant risk from the loss of revenue received from any particular clearing firm.

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Expenses

        Our expenses have grown from $183.0 million in 1998 to $298.9 million in 2002. The increase in total annual expenses since 1998 is illustrated in the table below:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Total Expenses   $ 203,958   $ 241,814   $ 261,387   $ 298,948  

Total Increase from Previous Year
 
 
20,986
 
 
37,856
 
 
19,573
 
 
37,561
 
Percentage Increase from Previous Year     11.5 %   18.6 %   8.1 %   14.4 %

        Salaries and benefits expense is our most significant expense and includes employee wages, bonuses, related benefits and employer taxes. Changes in this expense are driven by increases in wages as a result of inflation or labor market conditions, the number of employees, rates for employer taxes and price increases affecting benefit plans. This expense, combined with stock-based compensation, accounted for $118.7 million, or 39.7% of total expenses, for 2002. Annual bonus payments also vary from year to year and have a significant impact on total salaries and benefits expense. This expense has increased each year for the years 1998 to 2001 and remained relatively constant from 2001 to 2002. The number of employees increased from 940 at December 31, 1998 to 1,152 at December 14, 2002.

        Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense related to stock options and restricted stock grants. The most significant portion of this expense relates to our CEO's stock option, granted in February 2000 for 5% of all classes of our common stock outstanding at the date of demutualization. For accounting purposes, the option was treated as a stock appreciation right prior to our demutualization. At year-end 2002, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148. As a result, all prior periods presented have been restated to reflect stock-based compensation expense that would have been recognized had the provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all options granted to employees during those periods. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $8.2 million in 2000, $6.2 million in 2001 and $3.8 million in 2002 and did not occur prior to 2000. The expense related to our CEO's option was $8.2 million, $3.5 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Beginning in the second quarter of 2001, restricted stock grants and options were awarded to certain employees. The portion of stock-based compensation expense related to these awards was $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

        Occupancy costs consist primarily of rent, maintenance and utilities for our offices, trading facilities and remote data center. Our office space is primarily in Chicago, and we have smaller offices in Washington, D.C., London and Tokyo. Occupancy costs are relatively stable, although our trading floor rent fluctuates to a limited extent based on open outcry trading volume. In 2002, our occupancy costs increased primarily as a result of the addition of the remote data center. In 2002, we also signed an extension of our Chicago office lease. As a result, this office lease now expires in November 2008.

        Professional fees, outside services and licenses expense consists primarily of consulting services provided for major technology initiatives, license fees paid as a result of trading volume in stock index products and legal and accounting fees. This expense fluctuates primarily as a result of changes in requirements for consultants to complete technology initiatives, stock index product trading volume changes that impact license fees and other undertakings that require the use of professional services.

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        Communications and computer and software maintenance expense consists primarily of costs for network connections with our GLOBEX customers; maintenance of the hardware and software required to support our technology; telecommunications costs of our exchange; and fees paid for access to market data. This expense is affected primarily by the growth of electronic trading. Our computer and software maintenance costs are driven by the number of transactions processed, not the volume of contracts traded. We processed approximately 75% of total transactions electronically in 2002 compared to approximately 65% in 2001, which represented approximately 35% and 20%, respectively, of total contracts traded.

        Depreciation and amortization expense results from the depreciation of fixed assets purchased and acquired under capitalized leases, as well as amortization of purchased and internally developed software. This expense increased as a result of significant technology investments in equipment and software that began in late 1998 and has led to additional depreciation and amortization in the following years.

        Public relations and promotion expense consists primarily of media, print and other advertising expenses, as well as expenses incurred to introduce new products and promote our existing products and services. Also included are seminar, conference and convention expenses for attending trade shows. Expenses of this nature have decreased from $9.6 million in 1998 to $6.5 million in 2002. During this time period, the emphasis of our promotion efforts shifted from print advertising and brochures to direct contact with our primary customers and Internet availability of our promotional materials. We also discontinued certain incentive programs. In 1999, additional expenses were incurred to promote the introduction of our E-mini stock index products and the introduction of daytime electronic trading in our Eurodollar contracts on a limited basis. These products were introduced to increase our trading volume as well as to respond to increased competition. We expect public relations and promotion expense to increase in the near term to enhance brand awareness. Specifically, in the first quarter of 2003, we initiated a brand advertising campaign that will result in approximately $6 million of additional expense for the year. Approximately $5.5 million of this additional expense will occur in the first quarter of 2003.

        Other expense consists primarily of travel, staff training, fees incurred in providing product delivery services to customers, stipends for our board of directors, interest for equipment purchased under capital leases, meals and entertainment, fees for our credit facility, supplies, postage and various state and local taxes. Other expense fluctuates, in part, due to changes in demand for our product delivery services and decisions regarding the manner in which to purchase capital equipment. Certain expenses, such as those for travel and entertainment, are more discretionary in nature and can fluctuate from year to year as a result of management decisions. In 2003, we anticipate an increase in certain insurance expenses included primarily in other expense. This is the result of increased provisions and rates for certain coverage, including directors and officers liability insurance.

Net Income

        Net income for 1998 was $7.0 million, declined in the next two years to a loss of $10.5 million in 2000 and rebounded to net income of $75.1 million in 2001 and $94.1 million in 2002. The decline from 1998 through 2000 resulted from a variety of factors. Trading volume declined from 1998 to 1999, but the percentage of trades executed through GLOBEX continued to increase. A significant portion of the expense increase in 1999 was for depreciation and amortization that resulted from capital expenditures related to our technology. The net loss in 2000 resulted primarily from our management restructuring, the expense associated with the stock option granted to our CEO, demutualization and the write-off of certain internally developed software that could not be used as intended. Increased volume combined with the change in our pricing structure following our demutualization drove the change in operating results from 2000 to 2002.

        Net income from 1998 through 2000 was adversely affected by the limited partners' interest in the earnings of PMT. Prior to our demutualization, PMT owned all rights to electronic trading of our products, received the revenue generated from electronic trading and was charged for our services to support electronic trading. The limited partners were entitled to a portion of the income of PMT, which totaled

36


$2.8 million in 1998, $2.1 million in 1999 and $1.2 million in 2000. We purchased PMT's net assets as part of our demutualization.

        Our initial public offering was completed in December 2002 and resulted in the issuance of an additional 3.7 million shares of Class A common stock. As a result, our earnings per share in 2003 will be adversely impacted by the increase in the number of shares outstanding.

Restatement

        At year-end 2002, we adopted the fair value expense recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148, and we elected the retroactive restatement method of adoption. As a result, we have restated our consolidated financial statements for the years 2000 and 2001 and our quarterly results for 2002 through the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to reflect the fair value expense of all employee stock options, rather than the intrinsic value method that had previously been utilized under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."

Critical Accounting Policies

        The notes to our consolidated financial statements include disclosure of our significant accounting policies. In establishing these policies within the framework of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management must make certain assessments, estimates and choices that will result in the application of these principles in a manner that appropriately reflects our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting policies are those policies that we believe present the most complex or subjective measurements and have the most potential to impact our financial position and operating results. While all decisions regarding accounting policies are important, we believe there are two accounting policies that could be considered critical. These two critical policies, which are presented in detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, relate to stock-based compensation and clearing and transaction fees.

        The accounting for stock-based compensation is complex, and under certain circumstances, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States allow for alternative methods. As permitted, through September 30, 2002, we elected to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25 rather than the alternative fair value method prescribed in SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." As a result, variable accounting was required for the options granted to our CEO as a result of certain provisions of the option agreement. Through September 30, 2002, the expense related to this option fluctuated based on the change in the value of our Class A shares and the underlying trading rights on our exchange associated with our Class B common stock. At year-end 2002, we adopted the fair value method for expensing stock options under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, as amended, and elected the retroactive restatement method of adoption. All prior periods presented have been restated to reflect stock-based compensation expense that would have been recognized had the provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all stock options granted to employees, including the option granted to our CEO, during the periods presented. As a result of this retroactive restatement, our previously reported net loss for 2000 increased from $5.9 million to a restated loss of $10.5 million, and our previously reported net income for 2001 increased from $68.3 million to a restated net income of $75.1 million. For 2002, stock-based compensation expense using the fair value method totaled $3.8 million. If the provisions of SFAS No. 123 had not been adopted at year-end 2002, stock-based compensation expense for the year 2002 would have totaled $36.9 million, resulting in a reduction in net income of $20.2 million from the net income reflected in our consolidated financial statements. We have elected the accelerated method for recognizing the expense related to stock options. As a result of this election and the vesting provisions of our stock grants, a greater percentage of the total expense for all options is recognized in the first year of the vesting period than would be recorded if we used the straight-line method.

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        Clearing and transaction fees are recorded as revenue and collected from clearing firms on a monthly basis. Several factors affect the fees charged for a trade, including whether the individual making the trade has trading privileges on our exchange. In the event inaccurate information provided by the clearing firm has resulted in an incorrect fee, the clearing firm has a period of three months following the month in which the trade occurred to submit the correction and have the fee adjusted. When preparing financial statements for a reporting period, an estimate is made of anticipated fee adjustments applicable to the three months prior to the end of the reporting period. This estimate is recorded as a liability with a corresponding reduction to clearing and transaction fees revenue and is based on historical trends for such adjustments. Our estimate of anticipated fee adjustments at year-end 2002 was $3.1 million.

Key Statistical Information

        The following table presents key information on volume of contracts traded, expressed in round turn trades, as well as information on open interest and notional value of contracts traded.

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   1998
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
Average Daily Volume                    
Product Areas:                    
  Interest Rate   574,829   475,023   550,810   1,091,846   1,226,343
  Equity   174,840   189,984   258,120   425,149   863,271
  Foreign Exchange   113,948   94,747   76,615   89,290   96,289
  Commodity   35,664   33,671   31,575   34,003   30,160
   
 
 
 
 
Total Average Daily Volume   899,281   793,425   917,120   1,640,288   2,216,063

Method of Trade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Open Outcry   830,687   698,011   754,049   1,282,147   1,398,698
  GLOBEX   38,668   63,782   136,928   326,274   785,615
  Privately Negotiated   29,926   31,632   26,143   31,867   31,750
   
 
 
 
 
Total Average Daily Volume   899,281   793,425   917,120   1,640,288   2,216,063

Largest Open Interest (contracts)
 
10,174,734
 
8,799,641
 
9,324,154
 
18,900,911
 
24,804,321

Total Notional Value (in trillions)
 
$161.7
 
$138.3
 
$155.0
 
$293.9
 
$328.6

        The following table sets forth key information on volume of contracts traded, measured based on the number of round turn contracts, by product area presented as a percentage of the total average daily volume for all product areas and by method of trade presented as a percentage of the total average daily volume for all methods of trade.

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   1998
   1999
   2000
   2001
   2002
  
Average Daily Volume                      
Product Areas:                      
  Interest Rate   63.9 % 59.9 % 60.1 % 66.6 % 55.3 %
  Equity   19.4   24.0   28.1   25.9   39.0  
  Foreign Exchange   12.7   11.9   8.4   5.4   4.3  
  Commodity   4.0   4.2   3.4   2.1   1.4  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Average Daily Volume   100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %

Method of Trade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Open Outcry   92.4 % 88.0 % 82.2 % 78.2 % 63.1 %
  GLOBEX   4.3   8.0   14.9   19.9   35.5  
  Privately Negotiated   3.3   4.0   2.9   1.9   1.4  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Average Daily Volume   100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %

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Results of Operations

        The following tables set forth our consolidated statements of income for the periods presented both in dollar amounts and as a percentage of net revenues:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2000
(restated)(1)
   2001
(restated)(1)
   2002
    
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Revenues:                    
Clearing and transaction fees   $ 156,649   $ 292,459   $ 356,396  
Quotation data fees     36,285     48,250     48,717  
GLOBEX access fees     3,971     11,987     12,945  
Communication fees     9,391     9,330     9,733  
Investment income     9,736     8,956     7,740  
Securities lending interest income     —     10,744     18,169  
Other     10,520     14,904     15,379  
   
 
 
 
  Total revenues     226,552     396,630     469,079  
Securities lending interest expense     —     (9,477 )   (15,902 )
   
 
 
 
  Net revenues     226,552     387,153     453,177  
   
 
 
 
Expenses:                    
Salaries and benefits     94,067     105,227     114,899  
Stock-based compensation     8,211     6,238     3,811  
Occupancy     19,629     20,420     22,400  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses     23,131     27,289     32,549  
Communications and computer and software maintenance     41,920     43,598     46,569  
Depreciation and amortization     33,489     37,639     48,509  
Patent litigation settlement     —     —     6,240  
Public relations and promotion     5,219     6,326     6,514  
Other     16,148     14,650     17,457  
   
 
 
 
  Total expenses     241,814     261,387     298,948  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before limited partners' interest in PMT and income taxes     (15,262 )   125,766     154,229  
Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT     (1,165 )   —     —  
Income tax (provision) benefit     5,931     (50,658 )   (60,162 )
   
 
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ (10,496 ) $ 75,108   $ 94,067  
   
 
 
 
(1)
Results of operations for 2000 and 2001 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Prior to the restatement, net income (loss) was ($5.9) million and $68.3 million for 2000 and 2001, respectively.

39

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2000
(restated)
   2001
(restated)
   2002
    
  
 
   (as a percentage of net revenues)

  
Revenues:              
Clearing and transaction fees   69.1 % 75.5 % 78.6 %
Quotation data fees   16.0   12.5   10.8  
GLOBEX access fees   1.8   3.1   2.9  
Communication fees   4.2   2.4   2.1  
Investment income   4.3   2.3   1.7  
Securities lending interest income   —   2.8   4.0  
Other   4.6   3.8   3.4  
   
 
 
 
  Total revenues   100.0   102.4   103.5  
Securities lending interest expense   —   (2.4 ) (3.5 )
   
 
 
 
  Net revenues   100.0   100.0   100.0  
   
 
 
 
Expenses:              
Salaries and benefits   41.5   27.2   25.4  
Stock-based compensation   3.6   1.6   0.8  
Occupancy   8.7   5.3   4.9  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses   10.2   7.0   7.2  
Communications and computer and software maintenance   18.5   11.3   10.3  
Depreciation and amortization   14.8   9.7   10.7  
Patent litigation settlement   —   —   1.4  
Public relations and promotion   2.3   1.6   1.4  
Other   7.1   3.8   3.9  
   
 
 
 
  Total expenses   106.7   67.5   66.0  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before limited partners' interest in PMT and income taxes   (6.7 ) 32.5   34.0  
Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT   (0.5 ) —   —  
Income tax (provision) benefit   2.6   (13.1 ) (13.3 )
   
 
 
 
  Net income (loss)   (4.6 )% 19.4 % 20.7 %
   
 
 
 

Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001

        Our operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 resulted in net income of $94.1 million compared to net income of $75.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in net income resulted primarily from a 17.1% increase in net revenues that was only partially offset by a 14.4% increase in operating expenses. The increase in net revenues was driven by a 35.6% increase in total trading volume during 2002 when compared to 2001. However, the percentage growth in volume did not result in an equal percentage growth in revenue as volume incentive programs, which include limits on GLOBEX fees for E-mini contracts and volume discounts for customers trading large volumes of our Eurodollar products, had a greater impact on revenue from clearing and transaction fees during 2002. Contributing to the overall increase in expenses was the settlement of the Wagner patent litigation in August 2002, and a subsequent agreement in December 2002 with Euronext for reimbursement of one-half of the settlement amount. The net result of these two agreements was a one-time expense of $6.2 million for 2002. Partially offsetting the overall increase in expenses was a decrease in stock-based compensation, a non-cash expense, from $6.2 million in 2001 to $3.8 million in 2002.

        Trading volume for 2002 totaled a record 558.4 million contracts, representing an average daily trading volume of 2.2 million contracts. This was a 35.6% increase over the 411.7 million contracts traded during 2001, representing an average daily trading volume of 1.6 million contracts. On October 31, 2002, we experienced a new single-day total trading volume record of nearly 5.9 million contracts, surpassing the

40


previous record of nearly 4.3 million contracts established on June 27, 2002. This volume record on October 31, 2002 included 2.6 million contracts from the launch of an additional TRAKRS contract, a product line developed with Merrill Lynch that first traded on July 31, 2002. The launch date of each new TRAKRS contract includes orders taken since the product was announced. In addition, the month of October 2002 represented our busiest month ever with total trading volume of 61.5 million contracts, and total trading volume excluding TRAKRS of 58.7 million contracts. GLOBEX volume exceeded one million contracts for a single day for the first time on June 12, 2002 and exceeded one million contracts on 42 days through the end of 2002. A new GLOBEX volume record was established on July 24, 2002, when 1.5 million contracts were traded. These GLOBEX volume records exclude the volume related to TRAKRS contracts.

        Total revenues increased $72.5 million, or 18.3%, from $396.6 million for 2001 to $469.1 million for 2002. Net revenues increased $66.0 million, or 17.1%, from 2001 to 2002. The increase in revenues was attributable primarily to a 35.1% increase in average daily trading volume in 2002. The increase represented our third consecutive year of record trading volume and marked the second year our exchange was the largest futures exchange in the United States, based on annual trading volume. In 2002, electronic trading volume represented 35.5% of total trading volume, or 785,615 contracts per day, a 140.8% increase over the year 2001. Open outcry trading volume averaged 1,398,698 contracts per day in 2002, a 9.1% increase over the year 2001. Increased trading volume levels resulted from continued volatility in U.S. stocks and currencies; the anticipation of possible changes in interest rates; increased customer demand for the liquidity provided by our markets; product offerings that allowed customers to manage their risks; and enhanced access choices to our products. Partially offsetting these volume increases, and the related increase in clearing and transaction fees, was a decline in investment income resulting primarily from a decrease in rates earned on our marketable securities, short-term investments and the short-term investment of clearing firms' cash performance bonds and security deposits; a decrease in the trading revenue generated by our trading subsidiary, GFX; and our share of the net loss of OneChicago, our joint venture in single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes that initiated trading in November 2002.

        Clearing and Transaction Fees.    Clearing and transaction fees, which include clearing fees, GLOBEX electronic trading fees and other volume-related charges increased $63.9 million, or 21.9%, from $292.5 million in 2001 to $356.4 million in 2002. A significant portion of the increase was attributable to the 35.1% increase in average daily trading volume. Also, in 2002, 39.0% of our trading volume related to equity products, compared to 25.9% in 2001. This contrasts with our interest rate product volume, which represented 55.3% of our trading volume in 2002, a decline from 66.6% in 2001. This shift in product mix resulted in additional revenue in 2002 as the average rate per contract for equity products is greater than the average rate per contract for interest rate products. In 2002, the additional revenue resulting from these volume increases and product mix change was partially offset by a $4.8 million one-time payment to clearing firms relating to our fee adjustment policy and clearing firm account management errors.

        Despite the increase in revenue from clearing and transaction fees, the average rate, or revenue, per contract decreased $0.072 from $0.710 in 2001 to $0.638 in 2002. Management believes the fee limits for our E-mini equity products and volume discounts offered to large users of our Eurodollar products contributed to increased overall trading volume but had a negative impact on our average rate per contract. While volume discounts and limits on certain GLOBEX fees were in effect during both 2001 and 2002, the average rate per contract for 2002 was more adversely impacted by these programs as increased trading volume resulted in more trades being executed at the discounted levels. In addition, the volume discounts for our Eurodollar products that were implemented in January 2001 were expanded in the third quarter of 2001. While volume in Eurodollar contracts has grown, the larger volume discounts have partially offset the additional revenue generated by the increased trading volume in this product. The

41


average rate per contract was also affected by the lower percentage of trades attributed to non-member customers. The percentage of trades by non-members decreased to approximately 22% of total trading volume in 2002 compared to approximately 25% in 2001. We believe our lower fee structure for members has resulted in the acquisition of trading rights by parties intending to trade significant volumes on our exchange, creating an increase in member volume. In addition, on July 31, 2002, we began trading a new contract, Long-Short Technology TRAKRS, that was followed by two additional TRAKRS contracts in the fourth quarter of 2002. Similar to limits on certain GLOBEX fees, transaction fees for this contract are limited based on the size of the order and generally averaged $0.007 per contract. As a result, TRAKRS volume has had an adverse impact on our overall rate per contract in 2002. If volume and fees for TRAKRS were excluded from the 2002 rate per contract calculation, our average rate per contract would have increased by approximately $0.011 to $0.649 from $0.638. Finally, the $4.8 million payment to clearing firms relating to our fee adjustment policy and clearing firm account management errors reduced our average rate per contract by $0.009 in 2002.

        The following table shows the average daily trading volume in our four product areas, the portion that was traded electronically through the GLOBEX platform, and clearing and transaction fees revenues expressed in total dollars and as an average rate per contract:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
    
  
Product Area
   Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
  
  2002
   2001
  
Interest Rate     1,226,343     1,091,846   12.3 %
Equity     863,271     425,149   103.1  
Foreign Exchange     96,289     89,290   7.8  
Commodity     30,160     34,003   (11.3 )
   
 
     
  Total Volume     2,216,063     1,640,288   35.1  
   
 
     
GLOBEX Volume     785,615     326,274   140.8  
GLOBEX Volume as a Percent of Total Volume     35.5 %   19.9 %    
Clearing and Transaction Fees Revenues (in thousands)   $ 356,396   $ 292,459      
Average Rate per Contract   $ 0.638   $ 0.710      

        During 2002, volatility in U.S. equity markets continued. This volatility, combined with increased distribution to customers through the available access choices to our GLOBEX platform and marketing efforts to increase awareness of our product offerings, drove the growth in volume in our equity products. Approximately 83% of our stock index product volume is traded through the GLOBEX platform. While the U.S. Federal Reserve Board left interest rates unchanged until the fourth quarter of 2002, compared to 11 interest rate reductions in 2001, we continued to experience increased volume in our interest rate products. Continued uncertainty over interest rates and volatility in U.S. stocks has led to increased use of our interest rate products. With respect to foreign exchange products, the increase in trading volume was attributable to the impact of instituting side-by-side trading of these products on our GLOBEX platform during open outcry trading hours in April 2001, and additional volatility in the foreign exchange markets during 2002. The decrease in average daily volume for the commodity products was primarily the result of the extensive long-term drought that has depressed trading activity in our livestock products.

        Quotation Data Fees.    Quotation data fees increased $0.4 million, or 1.0%, from $48.3 million in 2001 to $48.7 million in 2002. The increase principally reflects the effect of fee increases, implemented in March 2001, for the full year 2002 and an increase in the administrative fee for our quote vendor services, effective January 2002. These increases were partially offset by a decline in the number of users of our professional market data service that began in the second quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of recent downsizing at a number of major brokerage firms. As a result, the number of screens displaying our market data decreased from approximately 190,000 at December 31, 2001 to approximately 175,000 screens at

42


December 31, 2002. This decline was partially offset by an increase in the number of subscribers from approximately 48,000 at December 31, 2001 to approximately 54,000 at December 31, 2002. The increase in subscribers occurred in our lower-priced non-professional E-mini market data service. Quotation data fees for 2001 were adversely impacted by $0.5 million as a result of the bankruptcy filing of a vendor that serves as a large distributor of our market data. There was no similar adverse event in 2002.

        GLOBEX Access Fees.    GLOBEX access fees increased $0.9 million, or 8.0%, from $12.0 million in 2001 to $12.9 million in 2002. This increase resulted primarily from the additional monthly access fees generated by an increased number of GLOBEX users during 2002. Partially offsetting this increase was a $0.5 million decrease in installation revenue during 2002 when compared to 2001. When our pricing structure was changed in February 2001, we increased our installation charges for certain access choices. Many customers elected those access choices when they were first introduced. This resulted in an increase in installation revenue in the second and third quarters of 2001 that was not repeated during 2002. In addition, some new customers in 2002 selected access choices that do not require installation fees, such as our virtual private network.

        Communication Fees.    Communication fees increased $0.4 million, or 4.3%, from $9.3 million in 2001 to $9.7 million in 2002. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in telecommunication services and equipment provided on our trading floor and modest increases in fees for some of the wireless services we provide.

        Investment Income.    Investment income decreased $1.3 million, or 13.6%, from $9.0 million in 2001 to $7.7 million in 2002. The decline resulted primarily from a reduction in rates earned on our marketable securities, short-term investments of available funds and the investment of clearing firms' cash performance bonds and security deposits. Through the third quarter of 2002, a significant portion of these investments were short-term in nature. In the third quarter of 2002, we changed our investment policy and converted all of our marketable securities to short-term investments. Therefore, in the fourth quarter of 2002, all investments were short-term in nature. The average rate earned on all investments declined from approximately 3.8% in 2001 to approximately 2.6% in 2002, representing a decrease in investment income of approximately $6.3 million. The decrease in rates earned resulted from the actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board in 2001 and 2002 to lower the Fed funds rate and the change in our investment policy in the third quarter of 2002. Another component of the decrease in investment income was the $0.6 million decrease in the investment results of our non-qualified deferred compensation plan that is included in investment income but does not affect our net income, as there is an equal decrease in our salaries and benefits expense. Partially offsetting these decreases in investment income was an increase of approximately $3.3 million in interest income as a result of increased balances in marketable securities, short-term investments of available funds and cash performance bonds and security deposits, as well as the investment of the net proceeds of our initial public offering that was completed in December 2002. In addition, as a result of the change in our investment policy in the third quarter of 2002, we sold the marketable securities owned at the time the investment policy was changed, resulting in one-time realized gains of $2.7 million, compared to realized gains of $0.3 million in 2001.

        Securities Lending Interest Income and Expense.    Securities lending interest income increased $7.5 million, or 69.1%, from $10.7 million in 2001 to $18.2 million in 2002. Our securities lending activity began late in June 2001. Therefore, the revenue generated in 2001 does not represent a full year of securities lending activity. Our securities lending is limited to a portion of the securities that clearing firms deposit to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. The average balance of proceeds from securities lending activity was $924.1 million in 2002 and $632.6 million in 2001 from the time this activity began to the end of the year. In 2001, the securities from one clearing firm were used to launch this program. By year-end 2002, securities of four clearing firms were being utilized in the securities lending program. Securities lending interest expense increased $6.4 million, or 67.8%, from $9.5 million in 2001 to $15.9 million in 2002. This expense is an integral part of our securities lending program and is required to

43


engage in securities lending transactions. Therefore, this expense is presented in the consolidated statements of income as a reduction of total revenues. The net revenue from securities lending represented a return of 0.20% on the average daily balance in 2001 compared to 0.25% in 2002.

        Other Revenue.    Other revenue increased $0.5 million, or 3.2%, from $14.9 million in 2001 to $15.4 million in 2002. This increase is attributed primarily to a $2.3 million increase in fees associated with managing our Interest Earning Facility program, $0.7 million of revenue for providing certain communication and regulatory services to OneChicago that began in the third quarter of 2002 and a $0.3 million increase in fees generated for providing order routing services. In addition, two additional exchanges adopted CLEARING 21 in 2002, resulting in $0.3 million of revenue. Partially offsetting these increases was a $2.6 million increase in our share of the net loss of OneChicago. The increase in the net loss for 2002 represented an entire year of activity, whereas 2001 only represented activity from August 2001, the date of our initial capital contribution. OneChicago began trading operations in November 2002. However, fees for trades executed were waived for 2002. In addition, the trading revenue generated by GFX declined $0.6 million from 2001 to 2002.

        Total operating expenses increased $37.5 million, or 14.4%, from $261.4 million in 2001 to $298.9 million in 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in depreciation resulting from recent capital expenditures, increases in salaries and benefits and professional fees, as well as the settlement of the Wagner patent litigation. These expense increases were partially offset by a reduction in stock-based compensation expense.

        Salaries and Benefits Expense.    Salaries and benefits expense increased $9.7 million, or 9.2%, from $105.2 million in 2001 to $114.9 million in 2002. There are two significant components to this increase. The average number of employees increased approximately 7%, or by 70 employees, from 2001 to 2002. We had 1,152 employees at December 14, 2002. This increased headcount resulted in increased salaries and benefits of approximately $6.3 million. In addition, salaries and benefits increased approximately $6.2 million as a result of annual salary increases and related increases in employer taxes, pension and benefits. Partially offsetting these increases was a $2.0 million increase in the capitalization of salaries and benefits relating to internally developed software and a $0.6 million increase in the losses experienced in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan during 2002 when compared to 2001.

        Stock-Based Compensation Expense.    Stock-based compensation, a non-cash expense, decreased $2.4 million, or 38.9%, from $6.2 million in 2001 to $3.8 million in 2002. The stock option granted in 2000 to our CEO represents $1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense in 2002. Employee stock options, granted primarily in 2001, and restricted stock granted in 2001 comprise the balance of this expense. The total expense associated with a stock option is calculated at the date of grant based on its fair value. Since we have elected an accelerated method for recognizing this expense, a greater percentage of the total expense for all stock awards is recognized in the first year of the vesting period. The decline in expense in 2002 is a direct result of the time that has lapsed since the options were granted and the expense previously recognized in the year immediately following the date of grant.

        Occupancy Expense.    Occupancy expense increased $2.0 million, or 9.7%, from $20.4 million in 2001 to $22.4 million in 2002. This increase resulted primarily from the additional rent and utility expense incurred in 2002 for a remote data center leased in the fourth quarter of 2001 and an increase in rent for our trading floors. A portion of the trading floor rent is determined based on total open outcry trading volume, which increased 9.5% in 2002 when compared to 2001. In addition, the operating expenses related to our office space in Chicago increased during 2002.

        Professional Fees, Outside Services and Licenses Expense.    Professional fees, outside services and licenses increased $5.2 million, or 19.3%, from $27.3 million in 2001 to $32.5 million in 2002. This increase

44


is attributed primarily to two factors. There was a $3.2 million increase in legal fees associated with our defense of the Wagner patent litigation in 2002 and a $2.2 million increase in license fees resulting from growth in our equity product trading volume. Additional expenses totaling $1.0 million also were incurred in 2002 for building security in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, temporary employees, services to support our Web site and shareholder services. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.6 million decrease in professional fees for technology initiatives, net of the portion that relates to development of internal use software and is capitalized rather than expensed. Total professional fees for technology increased $2.0 million; however, the nature of the projects requiring the use of professional services resulted in increased capitalization of $2.6 million. New initiatives during 2002 included work on the capacity of our clearing and trade processing systems, adaptation of certain systems to accommodate single stock futures transactions and technology work to prepare for our E-quotes market data offering. In addition, our expenses related to recruiting employees declined $1.0 million from 2001 to 2002. This decrease resulted primarily from using internal resources to hire new employees rather than using outside search firms.

        Communications and Computer and Software Maintenance Expense.    Communications and computer and software maintenance expense increased $3.0 million, or 6.8%, from $43.6 million in 2001 to $46.6 million in 2002. The increase in 2002 resulted primarily from greater communications expense and communications-related expense of $2.1 million associated with our remote data facility and $0.9 million of expenses for news and quote services and software maintenance to support our E-quotes offering that began in March 2001. In addition, we incurred $1.1 million in hardware and software maintenance costs in 2002 as a result of new hardware purchases and initiatives, such as single stock futures. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.6 million reduction in communication expense associated with connections to our GLOBEX platform that resulted from the renegotiation of a contract with one of our vendors in the second half of 2001 and our decision to not renew our agreement with Euronext-Paris for maintenance of our matching engine software. This agreement expired at the end of 2001, and in 2002 we assumed the maintenance utilizing our technology staff. The expense relating to this maintenance agreement was $1.0 million in 2001.

        Depreciation and Amortization Expense.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased $10.9 million, or 28.9%, from $37.6 million in 2001 to $48.5 million in 2002. Capital expenditures totaled $27.1 million in 2000, $36.5 million in 2001, and $56.9 million in 2002, with technology-related purchases representing approximately 80% to 90% of total purchases. Equipment and software represent the greatest portion of these technology-related purchases and are depreciated over a three- to four-year period. Therefore, these recent purchases, which include the development of software for internal use, have resulted in increased depreciation and amortization expense.

        Patent Litigation Settlement.    Patent litigation settlement expense totaled $6.2 million in 2002. This expense includes $13.7 million for the August 2002 settlement with eSpeed of the Wagner patent litigation. This expense was subsequently reduced as a result of the December 2002 settlement of a dispute with Euronext-Paris, our licensor of the NSC software that was the subject of the patent litigation, whereby Euronext-Paris agreed to pay us an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the settlement with eSpeed. Our settlement with eSpeed required a $5.0 million payment in September 2002 with five subsequent payments of $2.0 million each beginning in August 2003. In turn, Euronext-Paris has agreed to make two payments to us for $3.75 million each, the first of which was received in January 2003 and the second payment is to be received in December 2003. The expense recorded in 2002 represents the present value of these payments. No similar expense occurred in 2001.

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        Public Relations and Promotion Expense.    Public relations and promotion expense increased $0.2 million, or 3.0%, from $6.3 million in 2001 to $6.5 million in 2002. Two offsetting changes resulted in this total expense remaining relatively unchanged from 2001 to 2002. Advertising and promotional activities increased from 2001 to 2002 as a result of greater expenditures for print advertising, focused primarily on our E-mini stock index and our foreign exchange products, as well as trade shows and conventions. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in charitable contributions. In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we established the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Foundation and made an initial contribution of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2001. No similar expense was incurred in 2002.

        Other Expense.    Other expense increased $2.8 million, or 19.2%, from $14.7 million in 2001 to $17.5 million in 2002. Fees paid to our board of directors increased during 2002 when compared to 2001 due to two changes in our board fee structure that became effective on July 1, 2001 and October 1, 2002. In addition, expenses related to travel, meals and entertainment increased $0.9 million, primarily as a result of increased customer visits and sales efforts by our products and services division. Bank fees increased $0.6 million as a result of the fees associated with securities lending that began late in the second quarter of 2001. Expense increases also occurred in other categories, such as supplies, bad debts and interest expense. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in the expense related to the settlement of certain litigation in 2001, for which there was no similar expense in 2002.

        We recorded a tax provision of $50.7 million in 2001, compared to $60.2 million in 2002. The effective tax rate was 40.3% in 2001 and 39.0% in 2002. The decline in the effective tax rate in 2002 resulted primarily from the favorable resolution of an outstanding income tax matter with the Internal Revenue Service.

Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2000

        Our operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 resulted in net income of $75.1 million compared to a net loss of $10.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. Our improved operating results were driven by a $170.0 million, or 75.1%, increase in total revenues. Net revenues increased $160.6 million, or 70.9%. This increase in revenues was partially offset by a $19.6 million, or 8.1%, increase in expenses in 2001 when compared to 2000. Excluding stock-based compensation, which represented a non-cash expense of $6.2 million in 2001 and $8.2 million in 2000, our net income for 2001 would have been $78.8 million compared to a loss of $5.3 million for 2000.

        During 2001, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board lowered the Fed funds rate on 11 occasions, resulting in a total reduction of 4.75%. The increased need for risk management instruments resulting from this interest rate volatility led to increased volume in our Eurodollar contract. Our Eurodollar contract also became a benchmark for the industry, contributing to its volume growth. Concerns and uncertainty about the global and national economy, interest rates and the performance of U.S. stocks that had resulted in increased trading volume throughout 2001 were magnified after the terrorist attacks of September 11. In addition, opening access to our electronic trading platform and improved performance of that platform, coupled with uncertainty over the economy and interest rates, resulted in increased trading volume in our stock index products.

        Total revenues increased $170.0 million, or 75.1%, from $226.6 million for 2000 to $396.6 million for 2001. Net revenues increased $160.6 million, or 70.9%, from 2000 to 2001. The increase in revenues was attributable primarily to a 78.9% increase in average daily trading volume in 2001, establishing an

46

exchange record and making our exchange the largest futures exchange in the United States, based on annual trading volume, for the first time. In 2001, we also experienced record levels of electronic trading that resulted in average daily GLOBEX volume of 326,274 contracts, representing 19.9% of our trading volume and an increase of 138.3% compared to 2000. These increased volume levels resulted from uncertainty over interest rates and volatility in U.S. stocks, a diverse product offering, our new open access policy for GLOBEX and volume discounts available to customers using our markets to manage their financial risk. Finally, a new pricing framework announced in December 2000 that took effect in the first quarter of 2001 resulted in additional revenue.

        Clearing and Transaction Fees.    Clearing and transaction fees and other volume-related charges increased $135.9 million, or 86.7%, from $156.6 million in 2000 to $292.5 million in 2001. Total trading volume increased 78.1% from 231.1 million contracts, our previous trading volume record established in 2000, to 411.7 million contracts for 2001. Many other volume records were established in 2001. Trading volume of 3.3 million contracts on November 15, 2001 established a new single-day trading volume record. Trading volume for the month of November 2001 also established a new monthly record, with 45.3 million contracts traded. This growth in total volume, and the related increase in clearing fees, was compounded by additional GLOBEX transaction fees resulting from a 138.3% increase in electronic trading volume from 2000 to 2001. In addition to increased volume, revenue was favorably impacted by changes to our pricing structure that were implemented in the first quarter of 2001.

        In response to the terrorist attacks in the United States, our markets closed early on September 11, 2001, and our exchange remained closed on September 12, 2001. Trading resumed on September 13, 2001. However, equity products did not trade for an additional two business days, until September 17, 2001, when the equity markets in the United States resumed trading.

        In addition to the increase in trading volume, the average rate per contract increased $0.032 from $0.678 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $0.710 for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in 2001 reflects increases in pricing, which were partially offset by volume discounts for our Eurodollar products. These discounts were implemented in January 2001 and expanded in the third quarter of 2001. Also, as a result of the limits on certain GLOBEX fees, the additional trading volume generated through GLOBEX has increased clearing fees but has not necessarily resulted in additional GLOBEX fees.

        The following table shows the average daily trading volume in our four product areas, the portion that was traded electronically through the GLOBEX platform, and clearing and transaction fees revenues expressed in total dollars and as an average rate per contract:

 
   Year Ended
December 31,
    
  
Product Area
   Percentage
Increase
  
  2001
   2000
  
Interest Rate     1,091,846     550,810   98.2 %
Equity     425,149     258,120   64.7  
Foreign Exchange     89,290     76,615   16.5  
Commodity     34,003     31,575   7.7  
   
 
     
  Total Volume     1,640,288     917,120   78.9  
   
 
     
GLOBEX Volume     326,274     136,928   138.3  
GLOBEX Volume as a Percent of Total Volume     19.9 %   14.9 %    
Clearing and Transaction Fees Revenues (in thousands)   $ 292,459   $ 156,649      
Average Rate per Contract   $ 0.710   $ 0.678      

        While we experienced increased volume in all products, the most significant increases occurred in interest rate and equity products. This increased volume reflected market dynamics in U.S. stocks and

47


interest rates, as well as the effect of volume discounts and increased access to our electronic trading platform. These measures were designed to stimulate additional activity in a time of volatility in interest rates and U.S. equities.

        Quotation Data Fees.    Quotation data fees increased $12.0 million, or 33.0%, from $36.3 million in 2000 to $48.3 million in 2001. On March 1, 2001, we implemented a fee increase for professional subscribers. At year-end 2001, more than 48,000 subscribers displayed our data on approximately 190,000 screens worldwide. This represented a modest decrease from year-end 2000 when we had approximately 54,000 subscribers displaying our data on more than 196,000 screens. In addition, while we maintained our non-professional market data offering, the service was changed from real-time streaming to one-minute snapshots of market data. This led some of our subscribers to convert to the higher-priced professional service. In addition, our 2000 revenue was adversely impacted by the bankruptcy filing of one of the larger resellers of our quotes.

        GLOBEX Access Fees.    GLOBEX access fees increased $8.0 million, or 201.9%, from $4.0 million in 2000 to $12.0 million in 2001. This increase was primarily attributable to the growth in the number of GLOBEX connections. Our FIX API connections increased from approximately 60 at December 31, 2000 to approximately 175 at December 31, 2001. These connections generally are used by clearing firms and allow multiple users to access GLOBEX. In addition, our GLOBEX Trader-Internet connections, a new access choice in 2001, grew to approximately 250 connections. Also contributing to the increase in revenue were changes to fees charged for access to GLOBEX in 2001 that were partially offset by a decrease in dedicated terminals accessing GLOBEX.

        Communication Fees.    Communication fees were relatively constant, experiencing a decrease of $0.1 million, from $9.4 million in 2000 to $9.3 million in 2001.

        Investment Income.    Investment income decreased $0.7 million, or 8.0%, from $9.7 million in 2000 to $9.0 million in 2001. The decline resulted primarily from a decrease in interest rates, which had a negative impact on the rate earned on funds invested. Also, there was a $0.2 million decrease in the investment results of our non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which did not impact our net income as there was an equal reduction to our salaries and benefits expense. Partially offsetting these decreases was investment income generated by additional funds available for investment in marketable securities as a result of our improved financial performance. Also, cash performance bonds deposited by clearing firms increased from 2000 to 2001, resulting in additional investment income in 2001.

        Securities Lending Interest Income and Expense.    Securities lending interest income was $10.7 million in 2001. There was no similar income for 2000, as our securities lending activity began in June 2001. Securities lending is limited to a portion of the securities that clearing firms deposit to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. Securities lending interest expense was $9.5 million in 2001. There was no similar expense for 2000. This expense is an integral part of our securities lending program and is required to engage in securities lending transactions. Therefore, this expense is presented in the consolidated statements of income as a reduction of total revenues.

        Other Revenue.    Other revenue increased $4.4 million, or 41.7%, from $10.5 million in 2000 to $14.9 million in 2001. The majority of this increase, or $2.3 million, was attributable to increased fees associated with managing our IEF program. Fees earned are directly related to amounts deposited in each IEF. In addition, the comprehensive pricing changes implemented in the first quarter of 2001 resulted in additional revenue from floor access charges, booth rental on our trading floors and order routing services. Finally, sales of our SPAN software increased by $0.3 million in 2001 compared to 2000. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.6 million decrease in the trading revenue generated by GFX and our share of the net loss of OneChicago, the joint venture established in August 2001 for the trading of single stock futures.

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        Total operating expenses increased $19.6 million, or 8.1%, from $241.8 million in 2000 to $261.4 million in 2001. The most significant components of this increase were the increase in salaries and benefits expense, professional fees and depreciation and amortization.

        Salaries and Benefits Expense.    Salaries and benefits expense increased $11.1 million, or 11.9%, from $94.1 million in 2000 to $105.2 million in 2001. Included in this expense in 2000 was $4.3 million of one-time expenses relating to the restructuring of management that included a sign-on bonus for our new President and CEO hired in February 2000 and expenses related to severance payments to departing executives with employment contracts. Excluding these one-time charges, salaries and benefits increased $15.5 million, or 17.3%, in 2001 primarily as a result of an increase in overall compensation levels and employee bonus expense, coupled with related increases in pension expense, employment taxes and employee benefits costs. In addition, the average number of employees increased approximately 1% during 2001. This increased headcount resulted in additional salaries and benefits expense of approximately $1.4 million. These increases were compounded by a reduction in the number of technology staff utilized for internally developed software initiatives in 2001 when compared to 2000. As a result, more employee-related costs were expensed, rather than being capitalized as part of the development of internal use software.

        Stock-Based Compensation Expense.    Stock-based compensation, a non-cash expense, decreased $2.0 million, from $8.2 million in 2000 to $6.2 million in 2001. The stock option granted in 2000 to our CEO represents $3.5 million of stock-based compensation expense in 2001. Employee stock options, granted in May and July 2001, and restricted stock granted in May 2001 comprise the balance of this expense. The total expense associated with a stock option is calculated at the date of grant using the fair value method. Since we have elected an accelerated method for recognizing this expense, a greater percentage of the total expense is recognized in the first year of the vesting period. The decline in expense in 2001 is a result of the higher expense recognized in 2000 related to the CEO option, which is partially offset by the employee grants awarded in 2001.

        Occupancy Expense.    Occupancy expense increased $0.8 million, or 4.0%, from $19.6 million in 2000 to $20.4 million in 2001. This is primarily the result of an increase in rent expense related to our trading floors, as a portion of this rent is directly related to increased open outcry trading volume.

        Professional Fees, Outside Services and Licenses Expense.    Professional fees, outside services and licenses increased $4.2 million, or 18.0%, from $23.1 million in 2000 to $27.3 million in 2001. Professional fees for technology-related initiatives, net of the reduction for the portion that relates to the development of internal use software and is capitalized rather than expensed, increased $4.5 million in 2001 when compared to 2000. Major initiatives in 2001 included improvements to the Application Program Interface (API) to GLOBEX, work on enhancing the ability to execute sophisticated spread trades in GLOBEX and improvements to our Web site. In addition, there was a $0.9 million increase in license fees resulting from increased stock index product trading volume. We also incurred fees in 2001 relating to our reorganization into a holding company structure. In 2000, we completed our management restructuring and demutualization that resulted in recruiting, legal and other professional fees that were not repeated in 2001.

        Communications and Computer and Software Maintenance Expense.    Communications and computer and software maintenance expense increased $1.7 million, or 4.0%, from $41.9 million in 2000 to $43.6 million in 2001. As a result of a new contract with our communications provider, communication costs related to GLOBEX connections increased modestly despite the increased number of customers utilizing our electronic trading platform. In addition, our hardware and software maintenance costs increased in 2001 as a result of technology-related purchases.

49


        Depreciation and Amortization Expense.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.1 million, or 12.4%, from $33.5 million in 2000 to $37.6 million in 2001. This increase was attributable primarily to depreciation of the cost of equipment and software purchased late in 2000, as well as amortization on internally developed software completed in 2001 and the second half of 2000.

        Public Relations and Promotion Expense.    Public relations and promotion expense increased $1.1 million, or 21.2%, from $5.2 million in 2000 to $6.3 million in 2001. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, we established the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Foundation with an initial contribution of $1.0 million to be distributed to those affected by the events of September 11, 2001. In addition, in 2001 promotion expense was affected by increased spending on direct advertising offset by reduced expenditures for trade shows and specific product promotions.

        Other Expense.    Other expense decreased $1.4 million, or 9.3%, from $16.1 million in 2000 to $14.7 million in 2001. This decrease was due primarily to a $2.7 million write-off of previously capitalized software development costs during 2000. It was determined that the software would not be utilized as intended. A similar write-off of $0.3 million occurred in 2001. Other factors affecting these expenses in 2001 included a reduction in travel and entertainment when compared to 2000, offset by the expense associated with the settlement of litigation in 2001.

        During 2000, the limited partners' interest in the earnings of PMT was $1.2 million. We purchased the net assets of PMT on November 13, 2000 as part of our demutualization. Therefore, there was no reduction in earnings during 2001 as a result of the sharing of profits with the limited partners of this entity.

        We recorded a tax provision of $50.7 million in 2001, compared to a tax benefit of $5.9 million in 2000. The effective tax rate was 40.3% in 2001 and 36.1% in 2000.

Quarterly Results of Operations

        Quarterly results have varied significantly as a result of the following:

        The following tables set forth certain unaudited consolidated quarterly income statement data, both in dollar amounts and as a percentage of net revenues, for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2002. In our opinion, this unaudited information has been prepared on substantially the same basis as the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the unaudited quarterly data. The unaudited quarterly

50


data should be read together with the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 
   Quarter Ended(1)
  
 
   Mar. 31,
2001
(restated)
   June 30,
2001
(restated)
   Sep. 30,
2001
(restated)
   Dec. 31,
2001
(restated)
   Mar. 31,
2002
(restated)
   June 30,
2002
(restated)
   Sep. 30,
2002
(restated)
   Dec. 31,
2002
    
  
 
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)

  
Revenues:                                                  
Clearing and transaction fees   $ 70,938   $ 68,266   $ 72,690   $ 80,565   $ 77,885   $ 84,274   $ 99,255   $ 94,982  
Quotation data fees     10,225     13,582     12,003     12,440     12,465     11,925     12,117     12,210  
GLOBEX access fees     2,347     3,557     3,004     3,079     3,130     3,278     3,362     3,175  
Communication fees     2,256     2,350     2,299     2,425     2,405     2,506     2,453     2,369  
Investment income     2,573     2,496     1,727     2,160     1,617     1,304     3,177     1,642  
Securities lending interest income     —     605     6,885     3,254     3,514     6,275     4,913     3,467  
Other     3,831     4,411     3,252     3,410     3,053     3,518     4,372     4,436  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenues     92,170     95,267     101,860     107,333     104,069     113,080     129,649     122,281  
Securities lending interest expense     —     (569 )   (6,531 )   (2,377 )   (2,977 )   (5,548 )   (4,484 )   (2,893 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net revenues     92,170     94,698     95,329     104,956     101,092     107,532     125,165     119,388  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:                                                  
Salaries and benefits     25,059     25,147     28,132     26,889     29,227     28,349     27,646     29,677  
Stock-based compensation     1,252     1,424     1,779     1,783     1,546     986     679     600  
Occupancy     5,257     4,796     5,092     5,275     5,781     5,308     5,881     5,430  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses     6,018     5,538     6,816     8,917     7,261     8,377     9,109     7,802  
Communications and computer and software maintenance     9,988     10,141     11,236     12,233     10,308     11,325     12,183     12,753  
Depreciation and amortization     8,888     9,146     9,245     10,360     10,814     12,337     12,353     13,005  
Patent litigation settlement     —     —     —     —     —     —     13,695     (7,455 )
Public relations and promotion     581     788     2,055     2,902     1,563     1,354     1,481     2,116  
Other     2,990     3,631     4,035     3,994     3,429     5,007     4,005     5,016  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total expenses     60,033     60,611     68,390     72,353     69,929     73,043     87,032     68,944  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes     32,137     34,087     26,939     32,603     31,163     34,489     38,133     50,444  
Income tax provision     (12,870 )   (13,550 )   (10,956 )   (13,282 )   (12,504 )   (13,498 )   (15,235 )   (18,925 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net income   $ 19,267   $ 20,537   $ 15,983   $ 19,321   $ 18,659   $ 20,991   $ 22,898   $ 31,519  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:(2)                                                  
  Basic   $ 0.67   $ 0.71   $ 0.56   $ 0.67   $ 0.65   $ 0.73   $ 0.79   $ 1.06  
  Diluted     0.67     0.70     0.54     0.66     0.63     0.71     0.77     1.02  
(1)
Quarterly results for 2001 and the first three quarters of 2002 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."

(2)
Earnings per share are presented as if common stock issued on December 3, 2001 as part of our reorganization into a holding company structure had been outstanding for all periods presented.

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   Quarter Ended(1)
  
 
   Mar. 31,
2001
(restated)
   June 30,
2001
(restated)
   Sep. 30,
2001
(restated)
   Dec. 31,
2001
(restated)
   Mar. 31,
2002
(restated)
   June 30,
2002
(restated)
   Sep. 30,
2002
(restated)
   Dec. 31,
2002
    
  
 
   (as a percentage of net revenues)

  
Revenues:                                  
Clearing and transaction fees   77.0 % 72.1 % 76.3 % 76.8 % 77.0 % 78.4 % 79.3 % 79.6 %
Quotation data fees   11.1   14.3   12.6   11.9   12.3   11.1   9.7   10.2  
GLOBEX access fees   2.5   3.8   3.2   2.9   3.1   3.1   2.8   2.7  
Communication fees   2.4   2.5   2.4   2.3   2.4   2.3   1.9   1.9  
Investment income   2.8   2.6   1.8   2.1   1.6   1.2   2.5   1.4  
Securities lending interest income   —   0.6   7.2   3.1   3.5   5.8   3.9   2.9  
Other   4.2   4.7   3.4   3.2   3.0   3.3   3.5   3.7  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total revenues   100.0   100.6   106.9   102.3   102.9   105.2   103.6   102.4  
Securities lending interest expense   —   (0.6)   (6.9)   (2.3)   (2.9)   (5.2)   (3.6)   (2.4)  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net revenues   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:                                  
Salaries and benefits   27.2   26.6   29.6   25.6   28.9   26.4   22.1   24.9  
Stock-based compensation   1.4   1.5   1.9   1.7   1.5   0.9   0.5   0.5  
Occupancy   5.7   5.1   5.3   5.0   5.7   4.9   4.7   4.5  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses   6.5   5.8   7.1   8.5   7.2   7.8   7.3   6.5  
Communications and computer and software maintenance   10.8   10.7   11.8   11.7   10.2   10.5   9.7   10.7  
Depreciation and amortization   9.7   9.7   9.7   9.9   10.7   11.5   9.9   10.9  
Patent litigation settlement   —   —   —   —   —   —   10.9   (6.2)  
Public relations and promotion   0.6   0.8   2.2   2.8   1.5   1.3   1.2   1.8  
Other   3.3   3.8   4.2   3.8   3.4   4.7   3.2   4.2  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total expenses   65.2   64.0   71.8   69.0   69.1   68.0   69.5   57.8  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes   34.8   36.0   28.2   31.0   30.9   32.0   30.5   42.2  
Income tax provision   (14.0 ) (14.3 ) (11.5 ) (12.7 ) (12.4 ) (12.6 ) (12.2 ) (15.9 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net income   20.8 % 21.7 % 16.7 % 18.3 % 18.5 % 19.4 % 18.3 % 26.3 %
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Quarterly results for 2001 and the first three quarters of 2002 have been restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."

        Although individual expense categories may vary, our total ongoing expenses have proven to be relatively fixed in nature. We expect that salaries and benefits expense will continue to account for the largest portion of our expenses. In addition, we expect that communications and computer and software maintenance expense will continue to increase in absolute dollars as our electronic trading volume increases. We expect that occupancy expense; professional fees, outside services and licenses; and public relations and promotions expense will remain relatively fixed.

        We believe that our operating results will also be affected by several factors including trading volume, the mix of fees generated from the trading of different products, changes in our pricing policies, migration from open outcry to electronic trading, our ability to leverage capital expenditures related to our electronic infrastructure and new product introductions. Our trading volume is directly affected by domestic and international factors that are beyond our control, including economic, political and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, changes in levels of trading activity, price levels and price volatility in the derivatives markets and in underlying fixed-income, equity, foreign exchange and commodity markets, legislative and regulatory changes, competition, changes in government monetary policies, foreign exchange rates, consolidation in our customer base or within our industry and inflation. Our business is also subject to seasonality. In the three years prior to 2001, we experienced relatively higher volume during the first and second quarters, and we generally expect that the third quarter will have lower trading volume. This historical trend was not evident in 2001 or 2002 in part because of the volatility of interest rates and U.S. equities in the third quarter of each of those years.

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        Due to all of the foregoing factors, period-to-period comparisons of our revenues, expenses and operating results are not necessarily meaningful, and these comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Cash and cash equivalents totaled $339.3 million at December 31, 2002 compared to $69.1 million at December 31, 2001. The $270.2 million increase from December 31, 2001 to December 31, 2002 resulted primarily from the change in our investment policy to convert our marketable securities to more short-term investments. Our revised investment policy, implemented in the third quarter of 2002, allows us to invest in institutional money market funds with a fund balance over $1.0 billion and certain U.S. Treasury and Government agency securities, provided these securities will mature at par value within seven days of purchase. This new policy resulted in a $148.6 million increase in the balances invested in money market funds and securities that are treated as cash equivalents. In addition, our initial public offering was completed on December 11, 2002 and resulted in net proceeds of approximately $117.5 million. Our operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 also contributed to the increase in cash and cash equivalents since December 31, 2001. Partially offsetting these increases was the June 28, 2002 payment of a $17.3 million dividend to owners of our common stock. During 2002 and 2001, the balance retained in cash and cash equivalents was a function of anticipated or possible short-term cash needs, prevailing interest rates, our investment policy and alternative investment choices.

        Other current assets readily convertible into cash include accounts receivable and, in 2001, marketable securities. When combined with cash and cash equivalents, these assets represented 72.0% of our total assets at December 31, 2002, excluding cash performance bonds and security deposits and investment of securities lending proceeds, compared to 61.3% at December 31, 2001. The increase from December 31, 2001 to year-end 2002 resulted primarily from the net proceeds of our initial public offering and cash generated by operations during 2002, and was partially offset by purchases of capital assets and the dividend payment in 2002. Cash performance bonds and security deposits, as well as investment of securities lending proceeds, are excluded from total assets and total liabilities for purposes of this comparison.

        Each clearing firm is required to deposit and maintain a specified performance bond balance based on the number of open contracts at the end of each trading day. Performance bond requirements can be satisfied with cash, U.S. Government securities, bank letters of credit or other approved investments. Cash performance bonds and security deposits are included in our consolidated balance sheets and fluctuate due to the investment choices available to clearing firms and changes in the amount of deposits required. Securities lending transactions utilize a portion of the securities that clearing firms have deposited to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. The balance in our securities lending activity fluctuates based on the amount of securities that clearing firms have deposited and the demand for securities lending activity in the particular securities available to us. As a result of these factors, the balances in cash performance bonds and security deposits, as well as the balances in our securities lending program, may fluctuate significantly over time. In general, the balance of cash performance bonds and security deposits has increased in recent years. Our securities lending program began in June 2001. Since that time, our securities lending balances have, as of the end of each quarter, ranged from a low of approximately $131.3 million at September 30, 2001 to a high of $985.5 million at December 31, 2002.

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        Cash performance bonds and security deposits and securities lending proceeds consisted of the following at December 31, 2001 and 2002:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   2001
   2002
 
   (in thousands)
Cash Performance Bonds   $ 848,391   $ 1,805,052
Cash Security Deposits     6,836     22,939
   
 
Total Cash Performance Bonds and Security Deposits     855,227     1,827,991
Proceeds from Securities Lending and Payable Under Securities Lending Agreements     882,555     985,500
   
 
Total   $ 1,737,782   $ 2,813,491
   
 

        As discussed above, clearing firms may also deposit U.S. Government securities and other approved investments, including deposits in our IEF program, to satisfy their performance bond and security deposit requirements. With the exception of the portion of securities deposited that are utilized in our securities lending program, assets of this nature are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We are required under the Commodity Exchange Act to segregate cash and securities deposited by clearing firms on behalf of customers. In addition, our exchange rules require a segregation of all funds and securities deposited by clearing firms from exchange operating funds and securities. As with cash performance bonds and security deposits, these balances will fluctuate due to the investment choices available to clearing firms and the change in the amount of total deposits required. Securities, at fair market value, and IEF funds were deposited for the following purposes at December 31, 2001 and 2002:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
 
   2001
   2002
 
   (in thousands)
Performance Bonds   $ 27,208,994   $ 25,278,903
Security Deposits     694,323     896,192
Cross-margin Securities Held Jointly with Options Clearing Corporation     422,996     636,848
   
 
Total   $ 28,326,313   $ 26,811,943
   
 

        Included in other assets at December 31, 2002 is $17.3 million of deferred tax assets resulting primarily from depreciation, stock-based compensation and deferred compensation. There is no valuation reserve for these assets as we expect to fully realize their value in the future based on our expectation of future taxable income.

        Historically, we have met our funding requirements from operations. Net cash provided by operating activities was $141.1 million for 2002 and $120.6 million for 2001. The cash provided by operations increased in 2002 as a result of our improved operating results. The net cash provided by operating activities exceeded our net income in 2002 primarily as a result of non-cash expenses, such as depreciation, which do not adversely impact our cash flow.

        Cash provided by investing activities was $34.4 million for 2002 compared to cash used in investing activities of $78.2 million for 2001. The increase of $112.6 million is primarily due to the $93.8 million of proceeds received from the sale of marketable securities in excess of the cash required to purchase marketable securities as a result of the change in our investment policy. By comparison, purchases of securities exceeded sales and maturities in 2001, resulting in a net use of cash of $46.5 million. Cash used to acquire property and software increased $25.9 million, from $30.4 million for 2001 to $56.3 million for 2002. Purchases of software and equipment and leasehold improvements in 2002 included $14.5 million for our remote data center, which became operational in late September 2002, and $4.5 million to

54


accommodate trading in single stock futures. An additional investment in OneChicago of $3.1 million was made in 2002. We continue to fund capital expenditures from current operating funds.

        Cash provided by financing activities was $94.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to cash used in financing activities of $3.9 million for 2001. The increase is due to the net proceeds received from our initial public offering in December 2002. Partially offsetting this increase was the cash dividend of $0.60 per share on Class A and Class B shares of common stock that was declared by our board of directors on June 4, 2002 for shareholders of record on June 17, 2002. The dividend was paid on June 28, 2002 and totaled $17.3 million. In addition, cash used in financing activities for both periods includes regularly scheduled payments on long-term debt related to our capital lease obligations.

        We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to our shareholders. The annual dividend target will be approximately 20% of prior year's cash earnings. The decision to pay a dividend, however, remains within the discretion of our board of directors and may be affected by various factors, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness and other considerations our board of directors deem relevant. On February 5, 2003 the board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share to Class A and Class B shareholders of record as of March 10, 2003. The aggregate amount of the dividend was $4.6 million, which was paid on March 25, 2003.

        We maintain a $500.0 million line of credit with a consortium of banks to be used in certain situations, such as a disruption in the domestic payments system that would delay settlement between our exchange and our clearing firms or in the event of a clearing firm default. The line of credit has never been utilized. On October 18, 2002, at the annual renewal date, the line of credit was renewed for the same amount and with substantially the same terms. The credit agreement continues to be collateralized by clearing firm security deposits held by us in the form of U.S. Treasury or agency securities, as well as security deposit funds in IEF2.

        In addition, as of December 31, 2002, we were contingently liable on irrevocable letters of credit totaling $55.0 million in connection with our mutual offset system with The Singapore Derivatives Exchange Ltd. We also guarantee the principal for funds invested in the first IEF facility, which had a balance of $350.0 million as of December 31, 2002.

        CME also guarantees a $2.5 million standby letter of credit for GFX. The beneficiary of the letter of credit is the clearing firm that is used by GFX to execute and maintain its foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures position. The letter of credit will be utilized in the event that GFX defaults in meeting requirements to its clearing firm. Per exchange requirements, GFX is required to place performance bond deposits with its clearing firm. In the unlikely event of a payment default by GFX, GFX's performance bond would first be used to cover the deficit. If this amount is not sufficient, the letter of credit would be used, and finally CME would guarantee the remaining deficit, if any.

        In August 2002, the lawsuit relating to Wagner patent 4,903,201 entitled "Automated Futures Trade Exchange" was settled for $15.0 million. The settlement required an initial payment of $5.0 million in September 2002 and requires five subsequent annual payments of $2.0 million each beginning in August 2003. The entire expense related to this settlement was recognized in the third quarter of 2002, at its present value of $13.7 million. In December 2002, we settled a dispute with Euronext-Paris, our licensor of the NSC software, that was the subject of the patent litigation. Under the terms of this settlement, Euronext-Paris has agreed to make payments to us totaling $7.5 million, representing one-half of the total payments agreed to in our settlement of the Wagner patent litigation. These funds will be received in two payments of $3.75 million each, with the first payment received in January 2003 followed by a final payment to be received in December 2003. The present value of the payments to be received was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2002 as a reduction of the patent litigation settlement expense recognized in the third quarter of 2002.

55


        Capital expenditures, which includes expenditures for purchased and internally developed software as well as equipment acquired utilizing capital leases, have varied significantly from 2000 through 2002, as demonstrated in the table below:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2000
   2001
   2002
  
 
   (in millions, except percentages)

  
Total Capital Expenditures   $ 27.1   $ 36.5   $ 56.9  
Technology     21.6     32.3     50.9  
Percent for Technology     79.9 %   88.3 %   89.4 %

        This highlights our commitment to continual enhancements to the technology we employ. In 2002, capital expenditures included $19.1 million for purchased and internally developed software, $28.1 million for equipment purchased for our data centers and $3.1 million for leasehold improvements at our remote data center. In 2001, capital expenditures for technology included $13.9 million for purchased and internally developed software, as well as $17.3 million in equipment purchases for our data centers. These purchases were attributable primarily to increased capacity requirements and performance enhancements to our electronic platform as a result of higher trading volume. This necessitated additional equipment and software licenses. Continued capital expenditures for technology are anticipated as we continue to expand our electronic trading platform and improve the technology utilized as part of our open outcry facilities.

        Each year capital expenditures also are incurred for improvements to our trading floor facilities, offices, telecommunications capabilities and other operating equipment.

        If operations do not provide sufficient funds to complete capital expenditures, short-term investments can be reduced to provide the needed funds, or assets can be acquired through capital leases.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        Market risk represents interest rate risk relating to the marketable securities that are available for sale, as well as derivatives trading risk associated with GFX. With respect to interest rate risk, a change in market interest rates would impact interest income from temporary cash investments, cash performance bonds and security deposits, variable rate marketable securities and new purchases of marketable securities. Changes in market interest rates also would have an effect on the fair value of any marketable securities owned. However, as a result of our new investment policy that became effective in the third quarter of 2002, we invest only in cash equivalents composed primarily of institutional money market mutual funds and obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies with maturities of seven days or less. Prior to the recent change in our investment policy, we monitored interest rate risk by completing regular reviews of our marketable securities portfolio and its sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates, commonly referred to as a portfolio's duration. We controlled the duration of the portfolio primarily through the purchase of individual marketable securities having a duration consistent with our overall investment policy. In addition, under our prior investment policy, we would generally hold marketable securities to maturity, which acted as a further mitigating factor with respect to interest rate risk. GFX engages in the purchase and sale of our foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures contracts on the GLOBEX electronic trading platform to promote liquidity in our products and subsequently enters into offsetting transactions using futures contracts or spot foreign exchange transactions with approved counterparties in the interbank market to limit market risk. Any potential impact on earnings from a change in foreign exchange rates would not be significant. Net position limits are established for each trader and currently amount to $12.0 million in aggregate notional value.

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        Interest income from marketable securities, temporary cash investments, cash performance bonds and security deposits was $5.9 million in 2002, $8.9 million in 2001 and $9.7 million in 2000. Our marketable securities experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $2.2 million in 2002, $0.7 million in 2001 and $0.6 million in 2000. At December 31, 2002, we owned no marketable securities. As a result of a change in our investment policy, marketable securities previously owned were sold during the third quarter of 2002. The proceeds from the sale of these securities have been invested in other short-term liquid investments, primarily in institutional money market mutual funds and U.S. Government and agency securities that mature within seven days of purchase.

        At December 31, 2002, GFX held futures positions with a notional value of $51.9 million, offset by a similar amount of spot foreign exchange positions. All positions are marked to market through a charge or credit to other revenue on a daily basis. Net trading gains were $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $3.8 million for the year ended 2001. At December 31, 2001, futures positions held by GFX had a notional value of $102.3 million, offset by a similar amount of spot foreign exchange positions, resulting in a zero net position.

Accounting Matters

        In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN No. 45 requires certain guarantees, including indemnification arrangements, to be recorded at fair value at inception, and also requires a guarantor to make significant new disclosures. For those arrangements where the company receives an explicit fee for the guarantee, FIN No. 45 requires that the company defer the fee and recognize it over the life of the arrangement. For arrangements where no explicit fee is received, FIN No. 45 requires a liability to be recorded and amortized over the life of the arrangement, along with an offsetting asset, depending on the arrangement. We have adopted the accounting provisions of FIN No. 45 for guarantees issued beginning January 1, 2003, and have adopted the disclosure provisions for all existing guarantees as of December 31, 2002. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the accounting provisions of FIN No. 45 on our consolidated financial statements.

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." The objective of FIN No. 46 is to improve financial reporting by achieving more consistent application of consolidation policies to variable interest entities (also referred to as special-purpose entities) and, thus, to improve comparability between enterprises engaged in similar activities even if some of those activities are conducted through variable interest entities. Prior to the issuance of FIN No. 46, a company would generally not have to include another entity in its consolidated financial statements unless it controlled the entity through voting interest. FIN No. 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. We will adopt FIN No. 46 on July 1, 2003 and are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN No. 46 on our consolidated financial statements.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Introduction

        A futures contract is a derivatives product that provides the means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation and is used in nearly all sectors of the global economy. Those who trade futures essentially trade contracts to buy or sell an underlying commodity or financial instrument at a specific date in the future—usually within a few months or less. Futures contracts are generally traded through a centralized auction or computerized matching process, with all bids and offers on each contract made public. Through this process, a prevailing market price is reached for each contract, based primarily on the laws of supply and demand. Futures markets are rarely used to actually buy or sell the physical commodity or financial instrument being traded. Rather, they are used for price estimation, risk management and, for some people, investment and profit.

        Dating back to the 1800s, futures initially were developed to help agricultural producers and commercial users manage the price risks they faced as a result of the various factors that affect the supply of, and demand for, crops. The futures industry still serves those markets, but has broadened beyond its agricultural origins. Today, for example, futures serve as risk management tools related to interest rates, government and other securities, stock indexes, foreign exchange and non-agricultural as well as agricultural commodities. The customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors, as well as major corporations, manufacturers, producers, supranational entities and governments.

        Notwithstanding the rapid growth and diversification of futures markets, their primary purpose remains the same—to provide an efficient mechanism for the management of price risks. Futures markets attract two kinds of market participants: hedgers, or those who seek to minimize and manage price risk, and speculators, or those who are willing to take on risk in the hope of making a profit. By buying and selling futures contracts, hedgers seek to protect themselves from adverse price changes. For example, a producer hedger wants to transfer the risk that prices will decline by the time a sale is made. By contrast, a consumer hedger wants to transfer the risk that prices will increase before a purchase is made. Speculators buy when they anticipate rising prices and sell when they anticipate declining prices. The interaction of hedgers and speculators helps to provide active, liquid and competitive markets. Other market participants utilize futures as a method of asset allocation and a means to achieve greater diversification and a potentially higher overall rate of return on their investments. These market participants attempt to assure that at least a portion of their investment portfolio is allocated to an asset class that has the potential to perform well when other portions of the portfolio are underperforming.

        A futures contract is different from a share of stock, or equity, that is traded on a stock exchange. A share of stock represents an ownership interest in a corporation. A futures contract does not itself represent a direct interest in an underlying commodity or financial instrument. Rather, it is an agreement between a buyer and a seller to consummate a transaction in that commodity or financial instrument at a predetermined time in the future at a price agreed on today. One of the main attractions of futures is the leverage they provide. With relatively little initial outlay, usually just a small percentage of the contract's value, buyers and sellers are able to participate in the price movement of the full contract. As a result, the leverage can lead to substantial returns on the original investment. However, it can also lead to substantial losses. The risks associated with futures can be significant.

Industry Growth

        According to the Futures Industry Association, the total number of futures contracts traded worldwide on reporting futures exchanges grew from approximately 475 million in 1990 to approximately 2.2 billion in 2002, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 13.5%. In the United States, the total number of futures contracts traded on futures exchanges increased from approximately 277 million in 1990 to approximately 851 million in 2002. In Europe, the total number of futures contracts traded on futures

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exchanges grew from approximately 76 million in 1990 to approximately 894 million in 2002, and in Asia this number grew from approximately 109 million in 1990 to approximately 294 million in 2002.

        The substantial recent growth in global futures trading volume is attributable to a number of factors. Increasing awareness of the importance of risk management has significantly expanded the demand for risk management tools in all economic sectors. Greater price volatility in key market sectors, such as in the fixed-income sector, has increased the need for these tools. Greater access to futures markets through technological innovation and the relaxation of regulatory barriers has also expanded the market reach of futures exchanges and the customer base for these products. Growing awareness of the opportunities to obtain or hedge market exposure through the use of futures contracts at a lower cost than the cost of obtaining or hedging comparable market exposure by purchasing or selling the underlying financial instrument or commodity has also contributed to increased customer interest in the use of futures contracts.

        At year-end 2002, there were 57 futures exchanges located in 30 countries, including 11 futures exchanges in the United States. Major futures exchanges in the United States include us, CBOT, NYMEX and the New York Board of Trade. Major futures exchanges outside the United States include Eurex, which is a part of Deutsche Börse Group and the Swiss Exchange; Euronext N.V., which recently acquired a controlling interest in the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange, or LIFFE, and announced plans to integrate their derivatives markets; Mercado Oficial de Futuros y Opciones Financieros in Spain, or MEFF; Singapore Derivatives Exchange; and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In early 2003, Eurex announced its intention to operate a registered U.S. derivatives exchange by the beginning of 2004.

Methods of Trading

        Trading in futures products at futures exchanges has traditionally occurred primarily on physical trading floors in arenas called "pits" through an auction process known as "open outcry." Open outcry trading is face-to-face trading, with each trader serving as his or her own auctioneer. The traders stand in the pit and make bids and offers to one another, via shouting or flashed hand signals, to buy and sell contracts. Only members owning or leasing a seat on the exchange may trade in the pit, and orders from individual and institutional traders are sent to these members on the trading floor, usually through a broker. The rules of many exchanges also permit block trading, which involves the private negotiation of large purchases and sales away from the trading floor, but which are settled and cleared through the exchange's clearing facilities. Futures exchanges also offer privately negotiated exchange-for-physical, or EFP, transactions and exchange basis facility, or EBF, transactions. An EFP transaction is a privately negotiated and simultaneous exchange of a futures position for a corresponding cash position, outside of the public auction market, in the context of a non-interest rate contract. An EBF is essentially an EFP trade that is transacted in the context of interest rate contracts. EFPs and EBFs are also sometimes referred to as "cash for futures transactions."

        In order to expand access to their markets, most futures exchanges, either exclusively or in combination with open outcry trading facilities, provide electronic trading platforms that allow subscribing customers to obtain real-time information about bid and ask prices and trading volume and enter orders directly into the platform's centralized order book, subject to the agreement of a clearing firm to accept responsibility for clearing resulting transactions on behalf of the customer. The emergence of electronic trading has been enabled by the ongoing development of sophisticated electronic order routing and matching systems, as well as advances in communications networks and protocols. Examples of electronic trading platforms include the GLOBEX system, the a/c/e platform, LIFFE Connect™ and the eSpeed platform, which supports the Cantor Exchange.

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Liquidity of Markets

        Liquidity of markets is a key component to attracting customers and ensuring the success of a market. Liquidity is important because it means a contract is easy to buy or sell quickly with minimal price disturbance. Liquidity is a function of the number of participants making a market or otherwise trading in a contract, the size, or notional value, of the positions participants are willing to accommodate and the prevailing spread between the levels at which bids and offers are quoted for the relevant contract. As a result, the volume of contracts or transactions executed on an exchange is a widely recognized indicator of liquidity on the exchange. Volume is stated in round turn trades, which represent matched buy and sell orders. In addition, the daily total of positions outstanding on an exchange, or open interest, and notional values of contracts traded are widely recognized indicators of the level of customer interest in a specific contract.

        A neutral, transparent and relatively anonymous trading environment, as well as a reputation for market integrity, are critical to the establishment and maintenance of a liquid market. In addition, a successful exchange must provide cost-effective execution and have access to an advanced technology infrastructure that enables reliable and efficient trade execution as well as dependable clearing and settlement capabilities.

Clearing and Settlement

        Transactions executed on futures exchanges are settled through an entity called a clearing house that acts as a central counterparty to the clearing firm on each side of the transaction. When a futures transaction has been executed in the pit or on an electronic platform and matched, the clearing house facilitates the consummation of the transaction by substituting itself as the counterparty to both the clearing firm that is or represents the buyer and the clearing firm that is or represents the seller in the transaction. By interposing itself between two transacting parties, a clearing house guarantees the contractual obligations of the transaction. A clearing house also can provide clearing services for transactions that occur outside the pit or electronic platform, such as block trades, EFPs and EBFs.

        The measures used to evaluate the strength and efficiency of a clearing house include the number of transactions that are processed per day, the amount of settlement payments that are handled per day and the amount of collateral deposits managed by the clearing house. The major clearing houses for futures products include the CME Clearing House, which we own, the Board of Trade Clearing Corporation, the London Clearing House, Eurex Clearing AG, Singapore Exchange Derivatives Clearing Limited and Clearnet.

Trends in the Industry

        Globalization, deregulation and recent advances in technology are changing the way both the futures and broader commodities and financial exchange markets operate.

        Globalization.    In recent years, the world's financial markets, as well as the exchanges and marketplaces that serve them, have experienced an accelerating pace of globalization. The emphasis on greater geographic diversification of investments, investment opportunities in emerging markets and expanded cross-border commercial activities are leading to increasing levels of cross-border trading and capital movements. In response to these trends, financial exchanges within particular geographic regions, notably in Europe, are both expanding access to their markets across borders and consolidating.

        Deregulation.    Deregulation of the financial services industry in the United States, Europe and Asia has increased customer access to products and markets, reduced regulatory barriers to product innovation and encouraged consolidation.

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        Technological Advances.    Technological advances have led both to the decentralization of exchanges and the introduction of alternative trading systems, or ATSs.

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BUSINESS

Overview

        We are the largest futures exchange in the United States and the second largest exchange in the world for the trading of futures and options on futures, as measured by 2002 annual trading volume. In 2002, our customers traded futures and options on futures contracts with a notional dollar value of $328.6 trillion, making us the world's largest exchange by this measure. We also have the largest futures and options on futures open interest of any exchange in the world. As of December 31, 2002, our open interest record was 24.8 million contracts, set on December 12, 2002.

        We bring together buyers and sellers of derivatives products on our open outcry trading floors, on the GLOBEX electronic trading platform and through privately negotiated transactions that we clear. We offer market participants the opportunity to trade futures contracts and options on futures on interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities. Our key products include Eurodollar contracts and contracts based on major U.S. stock indexes, including the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ-100. We also offer contracts for the principal foreign currencies and for a number of commodity products, including cattle, hogs and dairy. We believe several of our key products serve as global financial benchmarks. Our Eurodollar contract provides a benchmark for measuring the relative value of U.S. dollar-denominated, short-term fixed-income securities. Similarly, our S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ-100 Index contracts are closely linked to the benchmark indexes for U.S. equity performance.

        Our products provide a means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation relating to the risks associated with interest rate sensitive instruments, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency and changes in the prices of commodity products. Our customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors and major corporations, manufacturers, producers, supranational entities and governments.

        We own our clearing house and are able to guarantee, clear and settle every contract traded through our exchange. During 2002, we processed an average of approximately 554,000 clearing transactions per day. We currently have the capacity to clear more than 1.5 million transactions per day. Our systems are scalable and give us the ability to substantially increase our capacity with very little lead time. As of December 31, 2002, we acted as custodian for approximately $27.4 billion in collateral. In 2002, we moved an average of $1.8 billion of settlement funds through our clearing system each day. In addition, 40 exchanges and clearing organizations worldwide have adopted our SPAN risk evaluation system. NYMEX and Euronext N.V. also use CLEARING 21, our state-of-the-art clearing system, although we do not generate material revenue from the adoption of these systems by other exchanges.

        We have a history of innovation in our industry. In the 1960s, we introduced the first livestock futures contract that resulted in the physical delivery of live cattle. In 1972, we introduced the world's first financial futures contracts when we launched seven foreign exchange futures contracts. That innovation fundamentally changed the nature and scope of futures markets, transforming them from agricultural hedging mechanisms to hedging and risk management markets for financial instruments and financial risks. We also developed the first cash-settled futures in 1981 with the introduction of Eurodollar futures, which was the world's most actively traded futures contract in 2002. Cash settlement also enabled us to introduce in 1982 the first successful stock index futures contract, the S&P 500 futures. In 1987, we pioneered the concept of global electronic trading of derivatives contracts, and we subsequently launched the GLOBEX platform in 1992. Today, most of our products trade electronically in addition to on our open outcry trading floors. In 1997, we introduced the first of our E-mini stock index products, which are smaller-sized electronically traded versions of our successful benchmark stock index futures contracts.

        CME was founded in 1898 as a not-for-profit corporation. In November 2000, we became the first U.S. financial exchange to demutualize and become a shareholder-owned corporation. As a consequence, we have adopted a for-profit approach to our business, including strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing

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volume, efficiency and liquidity. We posted record trading volume of 558.4 million contracts in 2002, an increase of 35.6% over 2001, which was previously our busiest year. Additionally, in December 2002, we completed our initial public offering, and our Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, making us the first publicly traded financial exchange in the United States.

        We devote substantial resources to introducing new products based on new markets or securities. For example, in 2001, we formed OneChicago, our joint venture with CBOE and CBOT to trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. OneChicago commenced its trading operations on November 8, 2002. We also entered into an agreement with NYMEX in 2002 to introduce smaller-sized versions of key NYMEX energy futures contracts for trading on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. The products, based on our successful E-mini stock index contracts, are called e-miNY energy futures and clear at the NYMEX clearing house.

        Throughout our history, our members have conducted their trading through our open outcry trading facilities. The roots of our open outcry trading extend to the late 1800s when our predecessor, the Chicago Butter and Egg Board, established official quotations in butter, eggs, poultry and other farm products. Membership gave the right to participate in the markets, in what was to become open outcry trading, and was expanded over the decades to accommodate new traders in new commodities and financial products. For the year ended December 31, 2002, open outcry represented approximately 63% of our trading volume.

        Trading on our open outcry trading floors is conducted exclusively by our members. Our members are individual traders, as well as most of the world's largest banks, brokerages and investment houses. Prior to the introduction of our electronic trading platform, our members traded only on our open outcry trading floors. Today, our members are able to conduct trading on our open outcry trading floors, electronically through the GLOBEX platform and through privately negotiated transactions. Members who broker trades executed on our open outcry trading floors generally do not play a role in facilitating the execution of transactions on behalf of customers on GLOBEX.

        Prior to our demutualization, direct access to our markets, whether on our open outcry trading floors or through the GLOBEX platform, was limited to members and those with an exchange permit who met specified qualifications. In connection with our demutualization, we opened access to our markets by allowing unlimited, direct access to the GLOBEX platform for all market participants. Today, any individual or institutional customer guaranteed by a clearing firm is able to obtain direct access to the GLOBEX platform. We have further opened access to our markets by expanding the range of member and non-member customer choices for alternative execution procedures, such as block trading and privately negotiated EFP transactions. While our members benefit from market information advantages that may accrue from their proximity to activity on the trading floors, as a result of the increased access to our markets, all market participants now have the ability to view bids and offers in the market. Generally, member customers are charged lower fees than our non-member customers. In 2002, our members were responsible for approximately 78% of our total trading volume.

        As a result of our conversion into a for-profit corporation in the fall of 2000, individuals and entities who, at the time, were members and owned trading rights on our exchange became the owners of all our outstanding equity. These individuals and entities continued to own substantially all of our outstanding equity following our reorganization into a holding company structure in December 2001. As of December 31, 2002, owners of trading rights on our exchange owned, of record, approximately 81% of our Class A common stock.

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Competitive Strengths

        We have established ourselves as a premier global marketplace for financial risk management. We believe our principal competitive strengths are:

        Highly Liquid Markets.    The liquidity in our markets is a key factor in attracting and retaining customers. We have the largest futures and options on futures open interest of any exchange in the world. As of December 31, 2002, our open interest record was 24.8 million contracts, set on December 12, 2002. Before 2002, our open interest record was 18.9 million positions set in 2001. During 2002, we posted record trading volume of 558.4 million contracts, an increase of 35.6% over 2001, making us the most active exchange in the United States and the second most active in the world for the trading of futures and options on futures during that period. By notional value, we are the largest futures exchange in the world, with $328.6 trillion traded in 2002. Our deep and liquid markets tend to attract additional customers, which in turn further enhances our liquidity.

        Global Benchmark Products.    We believe our key products serve as global benchmarks for valuing and pricing risk. Our Eurodollar contract is increasingly referenced as the global benchmark for measuring the relative value of U.S. dollar-denominated short-term fixed-income securities. Similarly, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 indexes are considered primary tools for benchmarking investment performance against U.S. equity market exposure. Our Eurodollar, S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 contracts, which are based on these benchmarks, are increasingly recognized by our customers as efficient tools for managing and hedging their interest rate and equity market risks.

        Diverse Portfolio of Products and Services.    We differentiate ourselves from our competitors by developing and offering to our customers a diverse array of products, as well as a broad range of trade execution and clearing services. We have a long history of developing innovative interest rate, stock index, foreign exchange and commodity products designed to appeal to institutional and individual customers. We offer both open outcry auction trading and electronic order-matching services, and we provide facilities to clear privately negotiated transactions. Our markets provide important risk management tools to our customers, which include leading global and financial institutions around the world. We work closely with our customers to create markets and products that meet their needs. These relationships help us to anticipate and lead industry changes.

        Wholly Owned Clearing House.    We own our clearing house, which guarantees, clears and settles every contract traded through our exchange. During 2002, we processed an average of approximately 554,000 clearing transactions per day. We currently have the capacity to clear more than 1.5 million transactions per day, and our scalable systems give us the ability to further increase our capacity substantially, with very little lead time. As of December 31, 2002, we acted as custodian for approximately $27.4 billion in collateral and, in 2002, moved an average of $1.8 billion of settlement funds through our clearing system each day. We believe our performance guarantee is a major attraction of our markets, particularly compared to the OTC markets, because it substantially reduces counterparty risk. Our clearing system permits more efficient use of capital for our customers by allowing netting of long and short positions in a single type of contract and providing risk offset and cross-margining arrangements with several other leading clearing houses. In addition, ownership of our clearing house enables us to more quickly and

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efficiently bring new products to market through coordination of our clearing functions with our product development, technology, market regulation, other risk management and other activities. Our current capacity ensures that we are able to service peak volumes, introduce new products with high volume potential and provide clearing services to other exchanges in the future.

        Proven and Scalable Technology.    We believe our ability to use technology effectively has been a key factor in the successful development of our business. As a result of significant investments in our technology asset base, we possess fast, reliable and fully integrated trading and clearing systems. Our highly scalable systems are designed to accommodate additional products with relatively limited modifications and low incremental costs. The core components of our system infrastructure for trading, clearing and risk management are becoming widely adopted throughout the futures industry, resulting in common interfaces and efficiencies for intermediaries and customers. For example, our SPAN risk evaluation system, which is used to determine the appropriate performance bond requirements for trading portfolios, has been adopted by 40 exchanges and clearing organizations worldwide. In addition, CLEARING 21, our state-of-the-art clearing system, is being used by NYMEX and Euronext N.V.

        Global Reach.    Globalization of financial markets is expanding the customer base for futures products beyond traditional boundaries. Our electronic trading services, which are available approximately 23 hours a day and five days per week, position us to take advantage of this development. We have established strategic relationships with other exchanges and clearing houses around the world to enable our customers to gain further capital and execution efficiencies. Currently, we have or are developing strategic relationships with the leading exchanges and clearing houses in Singapore, England, France, Spain, Japan, Korea and China. These relationships are intended to extend the market reach of our global derivatives business. We received $5.4 million in clearing and transaction fees from these relationships during the year ended December 31, 2002.

Growth Strategy

        Globalization, deregulation and advances in technology offer significant opportunities for expanding futures markets, and exchange markets generally. We intend to increase our trading volumes, revenues and profitability by capitalizing on these opportunities through implementation of the following four strategies:

        Expand Our Current Core Business.    We intend to advance our position as a leader in the futures industry by continually expanding customer access to our markets and services, offering additional trade execution choices and enhancing our market data and information products.

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        Add New Products.    We develop new products and product line extensions based on research and development in collaboration with our customers and financial services firms. We have created modified versions of some of our existing products in order to attract new types of customers. For example, in 1997 and 1999, respectively, we introduced E-mini versions of our larger open outcry-traded S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 futures contracts. By creating smaller-sized products and offering electronic trading services in them, we have successfully expanded our customer base and overall volume. We introduced E-mini Russell 2000 futures contracts in October 2001, and in January 2002, we initiated trading in E-mini S&P MidCap 400 futures contracts, another smaller scale version of one of our larger contracts that offers exposure to small-and medium-sized capitalization company stocks. In July 2002, we launched TRAKRS, a private label index product developed with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. TRAKRS, which stands for Total

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Return Asset Contracts, are a new series of non-traditional futures contracts licensed exclusively to us for North America, and the first broad-based index product traded on a U.S. futures exchange that can be sold by securities brokers. TRAKRS are designed to enable customers to track an index of stocks, bonds, currencies or other financial instruments. Long-Short Technology TRAKRS were the first in this new product line. We subsequently introduced in 2002 Select 50 TRAKRS contracts and LMC TRAKRS, which identify value and growth stocks of lower market capitalization companies. TRAKRS differ from traditional futures contracts in that most non-institutional customers who purchase these contracts are required to post 100% of the TRAKRS market value at the time of the purchase. As a result, these customers will not be subject to margin calls or any requirement to make any additional payments throughout the life of their TRAKRS positions.

        In March 2003, we launched futures and options on futures based on a new dollar index, the CME$INDEX, a geometric index of seven foreign currencies that is weighted to reflect the relative competitiveness of U.S. goods in foreign markets. The CME$INDEX provides investors with a new instrument for currency speculation and risk management. The seven currencies included in the CME$INDEX index are the Euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Swiss franc, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Swedish krona.

        In September 2002, we began to introduce futures contracts based on industry sectors within the S&P 500 Index. We also intend to continue expanding our derivatives product lines by introducing contracts based on new markets or securities, such as single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. We believe these products offer significant opportunities to generate new business and capture business from other markets. We believe our joint venture, OneChicago, with CBOE and CBOT to trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes will position us to take advantage of opportunities in this market. OneChicago initiated trading of 21 single stock futures on November 8, 2002, and, as of December 31, 2002, had introduced 83 single stock and exchange-traded fund futures. OneChicago has announced plans to offer narrow-based stock index contracts in the first half of 2003. In addition, we intend to continue working with emerging cash market trading platforms to jointly develop innovative futures products.

        Provide Transaction Processing and Other Business Services to Third Parties.    We intend to leverage our existing capacity, scalable technology and business processes to provide a broad range of services to other exchanges, clearing organizations and e-marketplaces. We intend to offer services, including clearing and settlement processing and risk management, market structuring, product structuring and trade execution platforms. We believe we can differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering some or all of these services on a cost-effective basis in combination with the potential to access our broad distribution and customer base and to access our experienced liquidity providers. Users of our clearing services also have the potential to gain substantial capital and collateral efficiencies for their clearing firms.

        Pursue Select Alliances and Acquisitions.    We plan to supplement our internal growth through the formation of joint ventures or alliances and select acquisitions of businesses or technologies. We will seek alliances and acquisitions that help us to enter new markets, provide services that we currently do not offer, open access to our markets or advance our technology. For example, in 2002, we entered into an agreement with NYMEX to introduce smaller-sized versions of key NYMEX energy futures contracts for trading on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. The products, based on our successful E-mini stock index contracts, are called e-miNY energy futures and clear at the NYMEX clearing house. On June 17, 2002, e-miNY crude oil and natural gas futures contracts began trading. We believe we can achieve significant potential economies of scale through the consolidation of exchange transaction processing services, either directly through acquisition, or indirectly through the provision of these services to others.

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Products

        Our broad range of products includes futures contracts and options on futures contracts based on interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities. Our products are traded through our open outcry auction markets, through the GLOBEX electronic trading platform or in privately negotiated transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2002, we derived $356.4 million, or 78.6% of our net revenues, from fees associated with trading and clearing products on or through our exchange. These fees include per contract charges for trade execution, clearing and GLOBEX fees. Fees are charged at various rates based on the product traded, the method of trade and the exchange trading privileges of the customer making the trade. Generally, members are charged lower fees than non-members. Our customers benefit from volume discounts and limits on fees as part of our effort to encourage increased liquidity in our markets. Our markets also generate valuable data and information regarding pricing and trading activity in our markets. Revenues from market data products totaled $48.7 million, or 10.8% of our net revenues, in 2002. The following charts depict the percentage of our total volume represented by each product group and the percentage of our total clearing and transaction fees revenues generated from each product group, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2002. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract.

GRAPH

        We identify new products by monitoring economic trends and their impact on the risk management and speculative needs of our existing and prospective customers. Historically, we have successfully introduced a variety of new futures products. We pioneered the trading of foreign exchange futures in 1972 and Eurodollar futures, the first cash-settled futures contracts listed for trading, in 1981. In 1982, we were the first to introduce a successful stock index futures contract, the S&P 500 Index futures contract, and in 1996 we introduced the NASDAQ-100 Index futures contract. We believe the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ-100 Index are the global benchmarks for managing exposure to the U.S. stock markets, and our futures contracts based on them are among the most successful products in our industry. The smaller, electronically traded versions of these contracts, the E-mini S&P 500 Index futures and the E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures, were introduced in 1997 and 1999, respectively, and are the fastest growing futures contracts in the history of our exchange.

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        The following table shows the total notional value and average daily volume of contracts traded in our four principal product groups for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

 
    
   Total Notional Value
(in billions)
   Average Daily Contract Volume
(in thousands)
Product Sector
   Principal Underlying Instruments
  2000
   2001
   2002
   2000
   2001
   2002
Interest Rate   Eurodollar, LIBOR, Euroyen   $ 141,000   $ 279,100   $ 311,200   551   1,092   1,227
Equity   S&P 500, NASDAQ-100, S&P MidCap 400, S&P 500/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes, Nikkei Stock Average, Russell 2000   $ 12,000   $ 12,600   $ 14,800   258   425   863
Foreign Exchange   Euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar   $ 1,800   $ 2,000   $ 2,400   77   89   96
Commodity   Cattle, hogs, pork bellies, lumber, dairy   $ 200   $ 200   $ 200   31   34   30

        Interest Rate Products.    Our interest rate products include our global benchmark Eurodollar futures contracts. Eurodollars are U.S. dollar bank deposits outside the United States. Eurodollar futures contracts are a short-term interest rate product and constitute one of the most successful products in our industry and the most actively traded futures contract in the world during 2002. Open interest on Eurodollar futures and options on futures contracts traded on our exchange was nearly 10.3 million contracts on December 31, 2002, representing a notional value of nearly $10.3 trillion. We also trade contracts based on other short-term interest rates, such as one-month LIBOR, which stands for the London Interbank Offered Rate, and Euroyen. Interest rate products represented 55.3% of our trading volume during 2002, an average of approximately 1.2 million contracts per day.

        The growth of our Eurodollar futures market has been driven by the general acceptance of the U.S. dollar as the principal reserve currency for financial institutions throughout the world. As a result, Eurodollar deposits have significance in the international capital markets. Participants in our Eurodollar futures market are generally major domestic and international banks and other financial institutions that face interest rate risks from their lending and borrowing activities, their activities as dealers in OTC interest rate swaps and structured derivatives products and their proprietary trading activities. Many of these participants use our Eurodollar and other interest rate contracts to hedge or arbitrage their money market swaps or convert their interest rate exposure from a fixed rate to a floating rate or a floating rate to a fixed rate. Asset managers also use our interest rate products to lengthen the effective maturity of short-term investment assets by buying futures contracts, or shorten the effective maturity by selling futures. Our contracts are an attractive alternative when physical restructuring of a portfolio is not possible or when futures transaction costs are lower than the cash market transaction costs. In 1999, we initiated simultaneous, side-by-side electronic trading in our Eurodollar contracts. Trading in our Eurodollar contracts often involves complex trading strategies that we believe cannot be fully accommodated by existing electronic trading platforms. Accordingly, electronic trading in our Eurodollar contracts has achieved only limited market acceptance. We are developing and have begun implementing new electronic functionality to accommodate trading strategies required for electronic trading of Eurodollar contracts. In 2003, we launched our Eagle (Electronic Arbitrage GLOBEX Liquidity Enhancer) Project, which enables customers to execute trades electronically in the first eight quarterly expirations and 22 corresponding calendar spreads in Eurodollar futures. We intend to introduce more functionality that will accommodate other complex trading strategies electronically. The new technology closely replicates Eurodollar trading

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conventions employed in open outcry and is designed to help maintain our leadership in Eurodollar futures.

        As shown below, our interest rate product trading volume has grown significantly over the last five years, with total 2002 trading volume up 13% over 2001. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract. The increase is due primarily to the volatility of short-term interest rates, monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and a decline in the issuance of U.S. Treasury securities. With less availability of U.S. Treasury securities, swap dealers, who represent a significant group of our customers, have increasingly turned to our Eurodollar contract as a benchmark for valuing fixed-income obligations and as a tool for managing dollar-denominated interest rate exposure. However, we believe the availability of U.S. Treasury securities may increase in the future as a result of the U.S. government's need to finance budget deficits.

GRAPH

        We intend to increase our revenues from our interest rate product sector by increasing trading volume, optimizing pricing of existing products and introducing new products. We have been active in adopting new policies and practices that are closely aligned with customer demand and designed to promote enhanced market penetration. We also increased institutional trading of Eurodollar futures by expanding privately negotiated transaction alternatives. Privately negotiated transactions include block trades, EFP transactions and EBF transactions and are executed apart from the public auction market. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Execution" for a description of types of trading alternatives. These trading opportunities are particularly attractive to large-scale institutional traders. We have recently extended EBF trading to all Eurodollar futures contracts. Block trading was originally introduced in late 2000 in a limited number of Eurodollar futures contracts. As of July 2001, block trading has been extended to all Eurodollar futures contracts using a revised and more competitive fee schedule.

        Equity Products.    We have been a leader in stock index futures since we began offering these products in 1982 and remain the largest exchange in the world for trading stock index futures. Stock index futures products permit investors to obtain exposure, for hedging or speculative purposes, to a change in the weighting of one or more equity market sectors more efficiently than by buying or selling the underlying securities. We offer trading in futures contracts based upon the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 stock indexes, as well as other small-, medium- and large-capitalization indexes based on both domestic and foreign equity markets. As of December 31, 2002, we had approximately a 95% market share in all U.S. listed stock index futures, based on the number of contracts traded.

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        Our total trading volume for stock index products rose 104% in 2002, to 217.5 million contracts, from 106.7 million contracts in 2001. Trading in stock index futures products represented 39.0% of our total trading volume during 2002, an average of more than 863,000 contracts per day. In 2002, 94% of our stock index product trading volume was based on the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ-100 Index. The total notional value of S&P 500 futures and options on futures contracts traded on our exchange was approximately $12.6 trillion during 2002, compared to the approximately $10.3 trillion value of stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the notional value of our stock index futures contracts is significantly larger than the comparable exchange-traded fund, which is a basket of securities designed to track an index but trade on a securities exchange or electronic communications network like a single stock. In 2002, the total notional value of our S&P 500 futures contracts was more than $11.3 trillion, compared with approximately $0.8 trillion for S&P 500 Depositary Receipts, or SPDRs. In 2002, the total notional value of our NASDAQ-100 futures contracts was approximately $1.8 trillion, compared to approximately $0.6 trillion for the QQQs, which is the NASDAQ-100 Index tracking stock.

        Standard & Poor's designed and maintains the S&P 500 Index to be a proxy for a diversified equity portfolio representing a broad cross-section of the U.S. equity markets. The index is based on the stock prices of 500 large-capitalization companies. We have an exclusive license with Standard & Poor's Corporation until 2008. The NASDAQ-100 Index is based on the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ National Market. We have a license with NASDAQ that allows us to offer the NASDAQ-100 Index contract exclusively, other than as to NASDAQ and some of its affiliates, until 2006. For a more detailed discussion of these license agreements, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Licensing Agreements." Our standard S&P and NASDAQ products are traded through our open outcry facilities during regular trading hours and on GLOBEX after the close of open outcry trading.

        We also offer futures and, in some cases, options on futures, on the S&P MidCap 400, the S&P SmallCap 600, the S&P/BARRA Growth and Value Indexes, which are based on data compiled by S&P and BARRA, Inc., the Nikkei Stock Average, the S&P/TOPIX 150, the Russell 2000 Stock Price Index and the FORTUNE e-50 Index. In July 2002, we launched TRAKRS, a private label index product developed with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. TRAKRS are a new series of non-traditional futures contracts licensed exclusively to us for North America, and the first broad-based index product traded on a U.S. futures exchange that can be sold by securities brokers. TRAKRS are designed to enable customers to track an index of stocks, bonds, currencies or other financial instruments. Long-Short Technology TRAKRS were the first in this new product line. We subsequently introduced Select 50 TRAKRS and LMC TRAKRS in 2002. TRAKRS differ from traditional futures contracts in that most non-institutional customers who purchase these contracts are required to post 100% of the TRAKRS market value at the time of purchase. As a result, these customers will not be subject to margin calls or any requirement to make any additional payments throughout the life of their TRAKRS positions. In September 2002, we introduced SPCTR futures contracts based on subsets of the S&P 500 Index: Technology and Financial. Each contract is sized at $125 times the respective index price, making the contract size comparable to the E-mini stock index contracts. We intend to introduce other futures contracts based on additional S&P 500 sector indexes, pursuant to an April 2002 agreement we signed with Standard & Poor's.

        We believe the variety of our stock index futures products appeals to a broad group of equity investors. These investors include public and private pension funds, investment companies, mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial services companies that benchmark their investment performance to different segments of the equity markets.

        In 1997, we launched our E-mini S&P 500 futures contracts. We followed this highly successful new product offering with the introduction of E-mini NASDAQ-100 futures contracts in 1999. E-mini contracts are traded exclusively on our electronic GLOBEX platform and are one-fifth the size of our standard size S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 futures contracts. These products are designed to address the growing demand for stock index derivatives and electronically traded products from individual traders and small institutions. Since their introduction, trading volumes in these products have grown rapidly, achieving new

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volume and open interest records on a regular basis during 2001 and 2002. This growth is attributable to the benefits of stock index futures, electronic market access and significant volatility in the U.S. equity markets. In October 2001, we also introduced E-mini Russell 2000 index futures. In January 2002, we introduced an E-mini version of our S&P MidCap 400 futures contract, and we plan to introduce futures based on the Russell 1000 index in April 2003 for trading on GLOBEX.

        The following charts depict the average trading volume in our S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 products during the five-year period ending in 2002. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract. E-mini S&P 500 and E-mini NASDAQ-100 contracts are one-fifth the size of their standard-size counterparts.

GRAPH

GRAPH

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        Our stock index product trading volume has increased substantially, more than doubling from 2001 to 2002. Trading volume for the five-year period ending in 2002 is shown below. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract. Volume has been affected significantly by the volatility of the U.S. equity markets, particularly during the last two years. We believe our leading market position in equity products is a result of the liquidity of our markets, the status of the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ-100 Index as two of the principal U.S. financial standards for benchmarking stock market returns and the appeal to investors and traders of our E-mini products and GLOBEX. We believe future growth in our stock index products will come from expanding customer access to our electronic markets, as well as further educating the marketplace on the benefits of these products. For example, we expect that adding direct connections to a number of customers that provide brokerage services to day traders will contribute to continued growth of our E-mini equity products in 2003.

GRAPH

        Other equity product growth opportunities are expected to come from the introduction of single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. Recent industry deregulation permits futures and securities exchanges to offer single stock futures and futures contracts on narrow-based stock indexes. Single stock futures allow investors to obtain exposure, for hedging or speculative purposes, that is economically equivalent to owning or shorting an individual stock without actually buying or selling the stock. They are designed to offer leverage, ease of trading and less expensive, more customized risk management strategies than equity options, equity swaps and stock lending transactions. In 2001, we entered into an operating agreement governing OneChicago, our joint venture with CBOE and CBOT, to trade single stock futures contracts on stocks trading worldwide as well as futures on narrow-based stock indexes. Under the terms of our operating agreement, we own approximately a 40% interest in OneChicago, CBOE owns approximately a 40% interest and CBOT owns a minority interest. We believe the joint venture will reduce the costs and risks associated with the start-up of trading in a new futures product and increase our chances of success by combining the customer bases and resources of our exchanges. In particular, we believe the collective marketing and distribution channels of CME, CBOE and CBOT will create liquidity that will allow the joint venture to become a market leader in single stock futures. Under the terms of our operating agreement, until May 31, 2005 we are restricted from in any way, directly or indirectly, engaging in the business of trading, marketing, regulating, selling, purchasing, clearing or settling transactions in single stock futures other than in conjunction with the joint venture. This restriction on our ability to compete applies whether or not we remain part of the joint venture, but it

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does not apply to futures based on narrow-based stock indexes. On November 8, 2002, OneChicago commenced its trading operations.

        Foreign Exchange Products.    We became the first exchange to introduce financial futures when we launched foreign exchange futures in 1972. Since that time we have built a strong presence in foreign exchange futures. Institutions such as banks, hedge funds, commodity trading advisors, corporations and individual customers use these products to manage their risks associated with, or speculate on, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Foreign exchange products represented 4.3% of our trading volume in 2002, an average of more than 96,000 contracts per day. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract. We offer futures and options on futures contracts on major currencies, including the Euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Australian dollar, Brazilian real, New Zealand dollar and South African rand.

        As shown below, our trading volume for foreign exchange futures products rose in 2002, following a decline during the four years prior to 2001 when overall industry-wide foreign exchange trading volume had been flat. During 2002, our total foreign exchange trading volume increased 8.3% over levels in 2001. Previously, our volume was impacted by the introduction of the Euro and subsequent phasing out of many of the major European currencies, the continuing consolidation in the financial institutions sector, increased use of internal netting mechanisms by our customers and wide use of electronic trading for foreign exchange transactions by competing markets. We have begun improving the performance of this product sector by expanding electronic trading in our foreign exchange products and permitting wider use of block trading and EFPs through our markets. We introduced side-by-side electronic and open outcry trading of foreign exchange futures in April 2001. We believe this change has helped facilitate the increase in volume in these products. In 2002, electronically traded foreign exchange futures volume increased 115% over 2001, from approximately 3.5 million contracts to nearly 7.5 million contracts, while open outcry trading decreased 11.2%, from 12.1 million contracts in 2001 to 10.9 million contracts in 2002. The growth in privately negotiated transactions that we accept, settle and guarantee through our clearing house offset a portion of the revenue impact from the lower trading volume in recent years. Our per transaction revenues for these trades are higher than other means of trade execution.

GRAPH

        In May 2002, we introduced 13 new cross-rate foreign exchange futures contracts, consisting of two U.S. dollar- based contracts and 11 non-dollar-based contracts.

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        We expect the potential for growth in our foreign exchange product line will come from further transitioning to electronic trading in this market that will allow us to compete more effectively for electronic volume. The foreign exchange spot market is heavily reliant on electronic trading, with the majority of trades estimated to be brokered online. We continue to increase both functionality and distribution and are in discussions to add electronic interfaces with OTC market electronic trading platforms. We believe these interfaces, if successfully implemented, will position us to increase our foreign exchange futures volume and expand our product offerings. In March 2003, we launched futures and options on futures based on a new dollar index, the CME$INDEX, a geometric index of seven foreign currencies that is weighted to reflect the relative competitiveness of U.S. goods in foreign markets. CME$INDEX provides investors with a new instrument for currency speculation and risk management. The seven currencies included in the CME$INDEX index are the Euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Swiss franc, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Swedish krona.

        Commodity Products.    Commodity products were our only products when our exchange first opened for business. We have maintained a strong franchise in our commodity products, including futures contracts based on cattle, hogs, pork bellies, lumber and dairy products. Commodity products accounted for 1.4% of our trading volume during 2002, an average of more than 30,000 contracts per day. These products provide hedging tools for our customers who deal in tangible physical commodities, including agricultural producers of commodities and food processors. Our commodity products are traded through our open outcry and electronic trading execution facilities. In the first quarter of 2002, we introduced side-by-side electronic and open outcry trading of lean hog, live cattle and feeder cattle futures.

        As shown below, trading volume for our commodity products has been relatively stable in recent years. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract. We believe continuing consolidation and restructuring in the agricultural sector, coupled with the reduction or elimination of government subsidies and the resulting increase in demand for risk management in this sector, could create growth in our commodity markets as more producers and processors adopt formal hedging and risk management programs.

GRAPH

        We intend to leverage our experience in trading futures on physical commodities to jointly develop new commodity products with operators of electronic, cash and derivatives trading platforms. For example, in 2002 we entered into an agreement with NYMEX to introduce smaller-sized versions of key NYMEX energy futures contracts for trading on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. The products, based on

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our successful E-mini stock index contracts, are called e-miNY energy futures and clear at the NYMEX clearing house. On June 17, 2002, e-miNY crude oil and natural gas futures contracts began trading.

        Market Data and Information Products.    Our markets generate valuable information regarding prices and trading activity in our products. The market data we supply is central to trading activity in our products and to trading activity in related cash and derivatives markets. We sell our market data, which includes information about bids, offers, trades and trade size, to banks, broker-dealers, pension funds, investment companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, individual investors and other financial services companies or organizations that use our markets or monitor general economic conditions. We sell our market data directly to our electronic trading customers as part of their access to our markets through our electronic facilities. We also sell market data via dedicated networks to approximately 170 worldwide quote vendors who consolidate our market data with that from other exchanges, other third party data providers and news services, and then resell their consolidated data. As of December 31, 2002, approximately 54,000 subscribers displayed our data on approximately 175,000 screens. Revenues from market data products totaled $48.7 million, or 10.8% of our net revenues, in 2002.

        We have begun enhancing our current market data and information product offerings by packaging the basic data we have traditionally offered with advanced analytical data and information. We have created marketing programs to increase the use of our market data. We have started to develop new business relationships with companies that develop value-added computer-based applications that process our market data to provide specific insights into the dynamics of trading activity in our products. In March 2002, we expanded the scope of our market data offerings by providing CME E-quotes, direct, real-time price quotes, to the trading community over the Internet, through our Web site. The new service enables users to integrate interactive charting and news services with market data, building customized packages of data, charting and news that fit their particular needs. CME E-quotes received a 2002 European Banking Technology Award for the best use of information technology in the wholesale banking sector. In June 2002, enhancements to our market data interface software reduced customers' bandwidth requirements by 65% to 70%. In August 2002, we introduced CME E-history to automate the process of supplying users with historical price data for our futures and options on futures.

Execution

        Our trade execution facilities consist of our open outcry trading pits and the GLOBEX electronic trading platform. Both of these execution facilities offer our customers immediate trade execution, anonymity and price transparency and are state-of-the-art trading environments supported by substantial infrastructure and technology for order routing, trade reporting, market data dissemination and market surveillance and regulation. In addition, trades can be executed through privately negotiated transactions that are cleared and settled through our clearing house. The chart below shows the range of trade execution choices we provide our customers in some of our key products.

Product
   Open Outcry
   GLOBEX Daytime
   GLOBEX Nighttime
   Privately Negotiated Transactions
Eurodollar   X   X   X   X
Standard S&P 500   X   —   X   X
Standard NASDAQ-100   X   —   X   X
E-mini S&P 500   —   X   X   —
E-mini NASDAQ-100   —   X   X   —
Foreign Exchange   X   X   X   X
Commodity   X   X   —   X

        Open Outcry Trading.    Open outcry trading represented 63.1% of our total trading volume in 2002. The trading pits are the centralized meeting place for floor traders and floor brokers representing customer orders to trade contracts. The trading floors, covering approximately 70,000 square feet, have tiered booths

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surrounding the pits from which clearing firm personnel can communicate with customers regarding current market activity and prices and receive orders either electronically or by telephone. In addition, our trading floors display current market information and news on electronic wallboards hung above the pits. During 2002, approximately 50% of our clearing and transaction fee revenues were derived from open outcry trading.

        GLOBEX Electronic Trading.    We began electronic trading in 1992 using a system developed in partnership with Reuters. Our second generation electronic trading platform was introduced in 1998, and is based on the Nouveau Système de Cotation, or NSC, owned and licensed to us by Euronext-Paris, a subsidiary of Euronext N.V. GLOBEX maintains an electronic, centralized order book and trade execution algorithm for futures contracts and options on futures contracts and allows users to enter orders directly into the order book. Initially, these systems were used to offer our products to customers after the close of our regular daytime trading sessions. Today, however, we trade some of our most successful products on the GLOBEX platform nearly 23 hours a day, five days a week. In 2002, 35.5% of our trading volume was executed using GLOBEX, compared to 19.9% in 2001. Our electronic volume has grown rapidly during the last five years. Electronic trading volume has increased from nearly 4.4 million contracts in 1997 to nearly 198.0 million contracts in 2002. GLOBEX volume exceeded one million contracts for a single day for the first time on June 12, 2002. As of December 31, 2002, GLOBEX had achieved 55 days of volume greater than one million contracts, including the volume attributable to the first-day trading volumes of TRAKRS, a product line developed with Merrill Lynch. On October 7, 2002, GLOBEX volume exceeded open outcry volume for the first time. During 2002, approximately 42% of our clearing and transaction fees revenue were derived from electronic trading.

        The following chart depicts the average daily volume for electronic trading for the five-year period from 1998 to 2002. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract.

GRAPH

        Privately Negotiated Transactions.    In addition to offering traditional open outcry and electronic trading through the GLOBEX platform, we permit qualified customers to trade our products by entering into privately negotiated EFP and EBF transactions and block trades, which are reported and included in the market data we distribute. We also clear, settle and guarantee these transactions through our clearing house. Some market participants value privately negotiated transactions as a way to ensure that large transactions can be completed at a single price or in a single transaction while preserving their ability to

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effectively complete a hedging, risk management or other trading strategy. During 2002, approximately 8% of our clearing and transaction fees revenues were derived from this type of trading.

        EFP and EBF transactions involve a privately negotiated exchange of a futures contract for a cash position or other qualified instrument. While EFP capabilities have been available for many years, and constitute a significant and profitable segment of our foreign exchange futures trading, EFPs have been offered on a restricted basis in some of our other markets. Recently, we have taken steps to liberalize our trading policies, including extending EBF capabilities to all Eurodollar futures contracts.

        A block trade is the privately negotiated purchase and sale of futures contracts. Block trading was introduced on our exchange in late 2000, and volume has been limited to date. We believe block trading provides an important new source of access designed to appeal to large-scale institutional traders. Originally, these transactions were limited to a certain number of contracts and required high minimum quantity thresholds along with a fee surcharge. More recently, we implemented new pricing and trading rules designed to increase customer participation.

        The following chart depicts the average daily volume for privately negotiated transactions for the five-year period ending in 2002. Volume is measured based on the number of round turn contracts, with each round turn representing a matched buy and sell of one contract.

GRAPH

        We intend to continue to enhance the utility of EFP and block transactions while maintaining an appropriate balance with the transactions conducted within the open outcry and electronic trading environments.

Clearing

        We operate our own clearing house that clears, settles and guarantees the performance of all transactions matched through our execution facilities. By contrast, many derivatives exchanges, including CBOT, CBOE and LIFFE, do not provide clearing services for trades conducted using their execution facilities, relying instead on outside clearing houses to provide these services. Ownership and control of our own clearing house enables us to capture the revenue associated with both the trading and clearing of our products. This is particularly important for trade execution alternatives such as block trades, where we can derive a higher per trade clearing fee compared to other trades. By owning our clearing house, we also control the cost structure and the technology development cycle for our clearing services. We believe having an integrated clearing function provides significant competitive advantages. It helps us manage our new product initiatives without being dependent on an outside entity.

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        During 2002, we processed an average of approximately 554,000 clearing transactions per day, with an average transaction size of 12 contracts. We maintain the largest futures and options on futures open interest of any exchange in the world. As of December 31, 2002, our open interest record was 24.8 million contracts, set on December 12, 2002. As of December 31, 2002, we acted as custodian for approximately $27.4 billion in performance bond assets deposited by our clearing firms and, during 2002, we moved an average of approximately $1.8 billion a day in settlement funds through our clearing system. In addition, our clearing house guarantees the performance of our contracts with a financial safeguards package of approximately $3.4 billion.

        The clearing function provides three primary benefits to our markets: efficient, high-volume transaction processing; cost and capital efficiencies; and a reliable credit guarantee. The services we provide can be broadly categorized as follows:

        Transaction Processing and Position Management.    We developed a state-of-the-art clearing system, CLEARING 21, in conjunction with NYMEX to provide high quality clearing services. This system processes reported trades and positions on a real-time basis, providing users with instantaneous information on trades, positions and risk exposure. CLEARING 21 is able to process trades in futures and options products, securities and cash instruments. CLEARING 21 can also support complex new product types including combinations, options on combinations, options on options, swaps, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and other instruments. Through CLEARING 21 user interfaces, our clearing firms can electronically manage their positions, exercise options, enter transactions related to foreign exchange deliveries, manage collateral posted to meet performance bond requirements and access all of our other online applications. Together with our order routing and trade matching services, we offer straight-through electronic processing of transactions in which an order is electronically routed, matched, cleared and made available to the clearing firm's back-office systems for further processing.

        Cross-Margining and Mutual Offset Services.    We have led the derivatives industry in establishing cross-margining agreements with other leading clearing houses. Cross-margining arrangements reduce capital costs for clearing firms and our customers. These agreements permit an individual clearing house to recognize a clearing firm's open positions at other participating clearing houses, and clearing firms are able to offset risks of positions held at one clearing house against those held at other participating clearing houses. This reduces the need for collateral deposits by the clearing firm. For example, our cross-margining program with the Options Clearing Corporation reduces performance bond requirements for our members by approximately $472 million a day. We have implemented cross-margining arrangements with the Government Securities Clearing Corporation and with the London Clearing House for LIFFE positions. We have also implemented a cross-margining arrangement with NYMEX in connection with our agreement to offer e-miNY energy futures. In addition, we have a mutual offset agreement with Singapore Derivatives Exchange, which has been in place since 1984 that allows a clearing firm of either exchange initiating trades in some interest rate products on either exchange to execute after-hours trades at the other exchange in those products, then transfer them back to the originating exchange. This mutual offset system enables firms to seamlessly execute trades at either exchange virtually 24 hours per day.

        Market Protection and Risk Management.    Our clearing house guarantee of performance is a significant attraction, and an important part of the functioning, of our exchange. Because of this guarantee, our customers do not need to evaluate the credit of each potential counterparty or limit themselves to a

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selected set of counterparties. This flexibility increases the potential liquidity available for each trade. Additionally, the substitution of our clearing house as the counterparty to every transaction allows our customers to establish a position with one party and then to offset the position with another party. This contract netting process provides our customers with significant flexibility in establishing and adjusting positions.

        In order to ensure performance, we establish and monitor financial requirements for our clearing firms. We also set minimum performance bond requirements for our traded products. Our clearing house uses our proprietary SPAN software, which determines the appropriate performance bond requirements by simulating the gains and losses of complex portfolios. We typically hold performance bond collateral to cover at least 95% of price changes for a given product within a given historical period. Performance bond requirements for a clearing firm's or customer's overall portfolio are calculated using SPAN.

        At each settlement cycle, our clearing house values at the market price prevailing at the time, or marks to market, all open futures positions and requires payments from clearing firms whose positions have lost value and makes payment to clearing firms whose positions have gained value. Our clearing house marks-to-market all open futures positions at least twice a day, and more often if market volatility warrants. Marking-to-market provides both participants in a transaction with an accounting of their financial obligations under the contract.

        Conducting a mark-to-market a minimum of two times a day helps protect the financial integrity of our clearing house, our clearing firms and market participants. This allows our clearing house to identify quickly any clearing firms that may not be able to satisfy the financial obligations resulting from changes in the prices of their open contracts before those financial obligations become exceptionally large and jeopardize the ability of our clearing house to ensure performance of their open positions.

        In the unlikely event of a payment default by a clearing firm, we would first apply assets of the clearing firm to cover its payment obligation. These assets include security deposits, performance bonds and any other available assets, such as the proceeds from the sale of Class A and Class B common stock and memberships of the clearing firm at our exchange owned by or assigned to the clearing firm. Thereafter, if the payment default remains unsatisfied, we would use our surplus funds, security deposits of other clearing firms and funds collected through an assessment against all other solvent clearing firms to satisfy the deficit. We have a secured, committed $500.0 million line of credit with a consortium of banks in order to provide additional liquidity to address a clearing firm payment default. The credit agreement requires us to pledge all clearing firm security deposits held by us in the form of U.S. Treasury or agency securities, as well as security deposit funds in our IEF2 program. This line of credit may also be utilized if there is a temporary disruption with the domestic payments system that would delay settlement payments between our clearing house and clearing firms.

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        The following shows the available assets of our clearing house at December 31, 2002 in the event of a payment default by a clearing firm:

CME Clearing House Available Assets
(in millions)

Aggregate Performance Bond Deposits by All Clearing Firms(1)   $ 27,360.5
   
Market Value of Pledged Shares/Memberships (minimum requirement per firm)(2)   $ 4.8
CME Surplus Funds(3)     171.6
Security Deposits of Clearing Firms(4)     869.2
Limited Assessment Powers(5)     2,390.5
   
  Minimum Total Assets Available for Default   $ 3,436.1
   
(1)
Aggregate performance bond deposits by all clearing firms includes cash performance bond deposits of $1.79 billion and the value assigned by our exchange for securities deposited to satisfy performance bond requirements. This assigned value for securities is generally less than the fair market value of the securities deposited.

(2)
Each clearing firm is required to pledge to the clearing house specified trading rights, shares of our Class B common stock associated with those trading rights and a specified number of shares of our Class A common stock. These trading rights and shares become available to us in the event of a clearing firm default. The amount included in the table above represents the market value of the minimum number of Class A shares and trading rights and associated Class B shares required to be pledged. Any trading rights or shares owned in excess of the minimum requirements are not included. The market value for the trading rights and associated Class B shares at December 31, 2002 is based on the average of the bid and offer. The market value for the Class A shares at December 31, 2002 is based on the closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange on that date.

(3)
CME surplus funds represent the amount of our working capital reduced by an amount necessary to support our short-term operations.

(4)
Security deposits of clearing firms include security deposits required of clearing firms but do not include any excess deposits held by our exchange at the direction of the clearing firms.

(5)
In the event of a clearing firm default, if a loss continues to exist after the utilization of the assets of the defaulted firm, our surplus funds and the security deposits of non-defaulting firms, we have the right to assess all non-defaulting clearing members up to 2.75 times their existing security deposit requirements.

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        Settlement, Collateral and Delivery Services.    We manage final settlement in all of our contracts, including cash settlement, physical delivery of selected commodities, and option exercises and assignments. Because some initial and maintenance performance bonds from clearing firms, as well as mark-to-market obligations on some of our contracts, are denominated in various foreign currencies, we offer multi-currency margin and settlement services. We also offer the Moneychanger Service to our clearing firms. This service provides members with access to overnight funds in various foreign currencies at competitive bid/ask spreads free of charge to satisfy the terms of a foreign currency denominated futures contract.

        Although more than 95% of all futures contracts are liquidated before the expiration of the contract, the underlying financial instruments or commodities for the remainder of the contracts must be delivered. We act as the delivery agent for all contracts, ensuring timely delivery by the seller of the exact quality and quantity specified in a contract and full and timely payment by the buyer.

        In order to administer its system of financial safeguards efficiently, our clearing house has developed banking relationships with a network of major U.S. banks and banking industry infrastructure providers, such as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, or SWIFT. Among the key services provided to our clearing house by these banks and service providers are a variety of custody, credit and payment services that support the substantial financial commitments and processes backing the guarantee of our clearing house to market participants.

        Investment Services.    In order to achieve collateral efficiencies for our clearing firms, we have also established our IEF program, money market funds managed by third party investment managers, to allow clearing firms to enhance the yields they receive on their performance bond collateral deposited with our clearing house. The first IEF was organized in 1997 as two limited liability companies. Interest earned, net of expenses, is passed on to participating clearing firms. The principal of the first IEF is guaranteed by us. The investment portfolio of these facilities is managed by two of the exchange's approved settlement banks, and eligible investments include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, U.S. Treasury strips and reverse repurchase agreements. The maximum average portfolio maturity is 90 days, and the maximum maturity for an individual security is 13 months. We believe that the market risk exposure relating to our guarantee is not material to the financial statements taken as a whole. In 2002, IEF2 was organized. IEF2 offers clearing firms the opportunity to invest cash performance bonds in shares of approved money market mutual funds. Dividends earned on these shares, net of fees, are solely for the account of the clearing firm on whose behalf the shares were purchased. The principal of IEF2 is not guaranteed by us. As of December 31, 2002, clearing firms had more than $12.2 billion in balances in IEF and IEF2 funds, as compared to $8.3 billion at December 31, 2001. Our clearing house earns fee income in return for providing this value-added service to our clearing firms.

        Our clearing house launched a securities lending program in 2001 using a portion of certain securities deposited to meet the proprietary performance bond requirements of our clearing firms. Under this securities lending program, we lend a security to a third party and receive collateral in the form of cash. The majority of the cash is then invested on an overnight basis to generate interest income. The related interest expense represents payment to the borrower of the security for the cash collateral retained during the duration of the lending transaction. Securities on loan are marked-to-market daily and compared to collateral received. The securities lending activity utilizes some of the securities deposited by clearing firms, one of which is a subsidiary of the bank used for executing this securities lending program. Proceeds from securities lending at December 31, 2002 were invested in a money market mutual fund administered by a subsidiary of this same bank or held in the form of cash.

Technology

        Our operation of both trading facilities and a clearing house has influenced the design and implementation of the technologies that support our operations.

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        Trading Technology.    We have a proven track record of operating successful open outcry and electronic markets by developing and integrating multiple, evolving technologies that support a growing and substantial trading volume. The integrated suite of technologies we employ to accomplish this has been designed to support a significant expansion of our current business and provides us with an opportunity to leverage our technology base into new markets, products and services.

        As electronic trading activity expands, we continue to provide greater match engine functionality unique to various markets, market models and product types. We have adopted a modular approach to technology development and engineered an integrated set of solutions that support multiple specialized markets. We continually monitor and upgrade our capacity requirements and have designed our systems to handle at least twice our peak transactions in our highest volume products. Significant investments in production planning, quality assurance and certification processes have enhanced our ability to expedite the delivery of the system enhancements that we develop for our customers.

        Speed, reliability, scalability, capacity and functionality are critical performance criteria for electronic trading platforms. A substantial portion of our operating budget is dedicated to system design, development and operations in order to achieve high levels of overall system performance. For example, to respond to customer requests and bring down the cost of trading for our European customers, we established a telecommunications hub in London in early 2002. In late September 2002, we also launched a remote data center to provide additional system capacity and redundancy for our trading and clearing technology. The remote data center features an entirely new network to enhance data base and order routing servers and to improve overall system performance and functionality. Our data centers support our customer interfaces, trading and execution systems, as well as clearing and settlement operations.

        The technology systems supporting our trading operations can be divided into four major categories:

Distribution   Technologies that support the ability of customers to access our trading systems from terminals through network access to our trading floor and/or electronic trading environments.

Order routing/
order management
 
Technologies that control the flow of orders to the trading floor or electronic trading systems and that monitor the status of and modify submitted orders.

Trade matching
(electronic market)
 
Technologies that aggregate submitted orders and electronically match buy and sell orders when their trade conditions are met.

Trading floor operations
 
Technologies that maximize market participants' ability to capitalize on opportunities present in both the trading floor and electronic markets that we operate.

        The GLOBEX electronic trading platform includes distribution, order routing, order management and trade matching technology. The modularity and functionality of GLOBEX enable us to selectively add products with unique trading characteristics onto the trading platform with minimal additional investment.

        The distribution technologies we offer differentiate our platform and bring liquidity and trading volume to our execution facilities. As of December 31, 2002, nearly 1,300 customers connected directly with us, and thousands more connected with us through 25 independent software vendors and data centers, as well as 28 clearing firms that have interfaces with our systems. Many of these customers connect through a dedicated private frame-relay network that is readily available, has wide distribution and provides fast connections in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, we initiated efforts to provide additional access choices to customers, and in early 2001, implemented a Web-based, virtual private network solution, GLOBEX Trader-Internet, for our lower-volume customers. This added a low-cost

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alternative that was the first of its kind among major exchanges. In its first year of operations, we attracted approximately 275 users.

        In order routing and management, we offer a range of mechanisms and were among the first U.S. derivatives exchanges to fully implement the FIX 4.2 protocol—the standard order routing protocol used within the securities industry. In addition, our order routing and order management systems are capable of supporting multiple electronic trading match engines. This functionality gives us great latitude in the types of markets that we choose to serve.

        Several key technology platforms and standards are used to support these activities, including fault-tolerant Tandem systems, IBM mainframes, Sun Microsystems servers, HP and Dell PCs, Oracle and DB2 databases, Unix, Windows NT, Novell, Unicenter TNG software systems, TIBCO middleware and multi-vendor frame relay and virtual private network solutions.

        Our match engine is based upon the computerized trading and match software known as the NSC. We have a long-term license from Euronext-Paris, under which we have the ability to modify and upgrade the performance of the basic NSC system to optimize its performance to suit our needs. We have a fully trained development team that maintains, upgrades and customizes our version of the NSC system. For example, despite a large increase in trading volume, we reduced the average customer response time from 1.2 seconds at the beginning of 2002 to 0.3 seconds at year-end, allowing trades to be executed more quickly and consistently. The customized enhancements that we have developed address the unique trading demands of each marketplace that we serve. We continue to focus on performance features of the match engine and presently have multiple enhancements under development.

        Clearing Technology.    CLEARING 21, our clearing and settlement software, and SPAN, our margining and risk management software, form the core of our clearing technology.

        CLEARING 21 is a system for high-volume, high-capacity clearing and settlement of exchange-based transactions that we developed jointly with NYMEX. The system offers clearing firms improved efficiency and reduced costs. CLEARING 21's modular design gives us the ability to rapidly introduce new products. The software can be customized to meet the unique needs of specialized markets.

        SPAN is our sophisticated margining and risk management software. SPAN has now been adopted by 40 exchanges and clearing organizations worldwide. This software simulates the effects of changing market conditions on a complex portfolio and uses standard options pricing models to determine a portfolio's overall risk. SPAN then generates a performance bond requirement that typically covers 95% of price changes within a given historical period.

Strategic Relationships

        Tokyo Stock Exchange.    In October 2000, we signed a non-binding letter of intent to pursue a global alliance with the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with the goal of further developing our respective fixed-income and equity derivatives markets. In March 2002, we introduced S&P/TOPIX 150 stock index futures on our electronic GLOBEX platform during the hours they are not available on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

        Mercado Oficial de Futuros y Opciones Financieros.    In 2000, we established an alliance with MEFF in an effort to expand our successful equity index franchise globally. MEFF is the official Spanish futures and options market. Through this partnership, derivatives on the European S&P index products are listed for trading on MEFF's electronic trading platform and cleared at our clearing house. By allowing MEFF to join our clearing house as a clearing firm, both CME and MEFF market participants can leverage their existing clearing relationships through participation in this product market.

        New York Mercantile Exchange.    We entered into an agreement in 2002 with NYMEX to introduce small-sized versions of key NYMEX energy futures contracts for trading on our GLOBEX electronic trading platform. The products, based on our successful E-mini stock index contracts, are called e-miNY

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energy futures and clear at the NYMEX clearing house. On June 17, 2002, e-miNY crude oil and natural gas futures contracts began trading. As part of the agreement, we now offer a cross-margining program, creating capital efficiencies for market professionals and proprietary accounts by calculating performance bond requirements based on specified positions in both markets. In addition, GLOBEX terminals are available to NYMEX market participants on the NYMEX trading floor, and other market participants are able to connect to GLOBEX through a variety of access channels. During the term of the agreement and for one year thereafter, we are generally prohibited, other than in cooperation with NYMEX, from providing for or facilitating electronic trading in futures or options on futures contracts on any underlying commodity (or index of such commodities) that is also the underlying commodity for a product listed for trading by NYMEX.

        Korea Futures Exchange.    In October 2002, we signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Korea Futures Exchange to pursue joint business development initiatives in derivatives products.

        London Clearing House and LIFFE.    We have implemented a cross-margining arrangement with the London Clearing House and LIFFE, which was recently acquired by Euronext N.V. This cross-margining arrangement allows an individual clearing house to recognize a clearing firm's open positions at other participating clearing houses, and clearing firms are able to offset risks of positions held at one clearing house against those held at other participating clearing houses. Through this relationship, we provide cost savings to clearing firms and their affiliates who have positions in our Eurodollar contract and LIFFE's Euribor futures and options on futures contracts.

        Singapore Derivatives Exchange Ltd.    In 1984, we entered into a mutual offset agreement with the Singapore Derivatives Exchange. This relationship allows a clearing firm of either exchange initiating trades in some interest rate products on either exchange to execute after-hours trades at the other exchange in those products, then transfer them back to the originating exchange.

        Shanghai Futures Exchange.    In March 2003, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai Futures Exchange, or SHFE, to pursue joint business development initiatives in derivatives products. The agreement is the first of its kind between SHFE and a North American exchange.

Marketing Programs and Advertising

        Our marketing programs primarily target institutional customers and, to a lesser extent, individual traders. Our marketing programs for institutional customers aim to inform traders, portfolio managers, corporate treasurers and other market professionals about novel uses of our products, such as new hedging and risk management strategies. We also strive to educate these users about changes in product design, margin requirements and new clearing services. We participate in major domestic and international trade shows and seminars regarding futures and options and other derivatives products. In addition, we sponsor educational workshops and marketing events designed to educate market users about our new products. Through these relationships and programs, we attempt to understand the needs of our customer base and use information provided by them to drive our product development efforts.

        We advertise our products and our brand name to increase our trading volume. Our advertising strategy is twofold: to maintain awareness and familiarity among our institutional target customers and to generate awareness among our growing retail audience. Our primary method of advertising has been through print media, using both monthly trade magazines and daily business publications.

Competition

        Until the passage of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, futures trading was generally required to take place on or subject to the rules of a federally designated contract market. The costs and difficulty of obtaining contract market designation, complying with applicable regulatory requirements, establishing efficient execution facilities and liquidity pools and attracting customers created significant

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barriers to entry. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act has eroded the historical dominance by the exchanges of futures trading in the United States by, among other things, permitting private transactions in most futures contracts and similar products and authorizing the use of electronic trading systems to conduct both private and public futures transactions. For a more detailed description of the regulation of our industry and the regulatory changes brought on by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Regulatory Matters."

        These changing market dynamics have led to increasing competition in all aspects of our business and from a number of different domestic and international sources of varied size, business objectives and resources. We now face competition from other futures, securities and securities option exchanges; OTC markets and clearing organizations; consortia formed by our members and large market participants; alternative trade execution facilities; technology firms, including market data distributors and electronic trading system developers; and other competitors.

        At year-end 2002, there were 57 futures exchanges located in 30 countries, including 11 futures exchanges in the United States. In early 2003, Eurex announced its intention to operate a registered U.S. derivatives exchange by the beginning of 2004. Because equity futures contracts are alternatives to underlying stocks and a variety of equity option and other contracts provide an alternative means of obtaining exposure to the equity markets, we also compete with securities and options exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange and CBOE, dealer markets such as NASDAQ and alternative trading systems such as Instinet.

        OTC markets for foreign exchange and fixed-income derivatives products also compete with us. The largest foreign exchange markets are operated primarily as electronic trading systems. Two of the largest of these, operated by Electronic Broking Services and Reuters plc, serve primarily professional foreign exchange trading firms. Additional electronic platforms designed to serve corporate foreign exchange users are beginning to emerge. Two of these are operated by consortia of interdealer and interbank market participants. A third is a proprietary trading system. These systems present significant potential competitive challenges to the growth of our foreign exchange futures markets.

        The OTC fixed-income derivatives market is by far the largest fixed-income derivatives marketplace. The OTC market consists primarily of interbank and interdealer market participants. There is currently no single liquidity pool in the OTC fixed-income derivatives market that is comparable to our Eurodollar markets. The OTC market for fixed-income derivatives products has traditionally been limited to more customized products, and the large credit exposures created in this market and the absence of clearing facilities have limited participation to the most creditworthy institutional participants. However, the size of this market and technology-driven developments in electronic trading and clearing facilities, as well as regulatory changes implemented by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, increase the likelihood that one or more substantial liquidity pools will emerge in the future in the OTC fixed-income derivatives market.

        Other emerging competitors include consortia owned by firms that are members of our exchange, and large market participants also may become our competitors. For example, BrokerTec Global LLC, or BrokerTec, an electronic interdealer fixed-income broker whose members include Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, Deutsche Bank AG, Goldman Sachs Group, J.P. Morgan Chase, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch & Co., Morgan Stanley and UBS Warburg, is a significant intermediary in the market for U.S. Treasury securities, Euro-denominated sovereign debt and other fixed-income securities and repurchase transactions involving those securities. In addition, in 2002, BrokerTec launched an electronic futures exchange and clearing house for futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities and may list futures on other fixed-income instruments in the future. All of the members of BrokerTec are currently our member firms or affiliates of our member firms and include many of the most significant participants in our Eurodollar and S&P 500 futures markets. In January 2003, BrokerTec agreed to sell the majority of its trading operations to ICAP plc. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the spring of 2003.

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        Alternative trade execution facilities that currently specialize in the trading of equity securities have electronic trade execution and routing systems that also can be used to trade products that compete with our products. While these firms generally may lack overall market liquidity and distribution capability, typically, they have advanced electronic and Internet technology, significant capitalization and competitive pricing. In addition, while there is currently relatively little electronic trading of OTC equity derivatives and the greatest portion of this market is conducted through privately negotiated transactions, it is likely that one or more OTC equity derivatives markets will emerge in the future.

        Technology companies, market data and information vendors and front-end software vendors also represent potential competitors because, as purveyors of market data, these firms typically have substantial distribution capabilities. As technology firms, they also have access to trading engines that can be connected to their data and information networks. Additionally, technology and software firms that develop trading systems, hardware and networks that are otherwise outside of the financial services industry may be attracted to enter our markets.

        We also face a threat of trading volume loss if a significant number of our traditional participants decide to trade futures or similar products among themselves without using any exchange or specific trading system. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act allows nearly all of our largest customers to transact futures or similar products directly with each other. While those transactions raise liquidity and credit concerns, they may be attractive based on execution costs, flexibility of terms, negotiability of margin or collateral deposits, or other considerations. Additionally, changes under the Commodity Futures Modernization Act permitting the establishment of stand-alone clearing facilities for futures and OTC derivatives transactions will facilitate the mitigation of credit-risk concentrations arising from such transactions.

        We believe competition in the derivatives and securities businesses is based on a number of factors, including, among others:

        We believe that we compete favorably with respect to these factors, and that our deep, liquid markets; breadth of product offerings; rate and quality of new product development; and efficient, secure settlement, clearing and support services distinguish us from our competitors. We believe that in order to maintain our competitive position, we must continue to develop new and innovative products; enhance our technology infrastructure, including its reliability; and maintain liquidity and low transaction costs.

        We expect competition in our businesses to intensify as potential competitors expand into our markets, particularly as a result of technological advances and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act and other changes introduced by the CFTC that have reduced the regulatory requirements for the development and entry of products and markets that are competitive with our own. Additional factors that may intensify competition in the future include: an increase in the number of for-profit exchanges; the consolidation of our customer base or intermediary base; an increased acceptance of electronic trading and electronic order routing by our customer base; and the increasing ease and falling cost of other exchanges

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leveraging their technology investment and electronic distribution to enter new markets and list the products of other exchanges.

        In addition to the competition we face in our derivatives business, we face a number of competitors in our business services and transaction processing business, including:

        We believe competition in the business service and transaction processing market is based on, among other things, the cost of the services provided, quality and reliability of the services, timely delivery of the services, reputation and value of linking with existing products, markets and distribution.

Regulatory Matters

        The Commodity Exchange Act, the scope of which was significantly expanded in 1974, subjected us to comprehensive regulation by the CFTC. Under the 1974 amendments, the CFTC was granted exclusive jurisdiction over futures contracts (and options on such contracts and on commodities). Such contracts were generally required to be traded on regulated exchanges known as contract markets. The Commodity Exchange Act placed our business in a heavily regulated environment but imposed significant barriers to unregulated competition.

        Between 1974 and December 2000, the barriers against unregulated competitors were eroded. The Commodity Exchange Act's exchange trading requirement was modified by CFTC regulations and interpretations to permit privately negotiated swap contracts meeting specified requirements to be transacted in the OTC market. At June 30, 2002, according to data from the Bank for International Settlements, the total estimated notional amount of outstanding OTC derivatives contracts was nearly $128 trillion compared to nearly $23.4 trillion for exchange-traded futures and options contracts. The CFTC exemption and interpretations under which the OTC derivatives market operated precluded the OTC market from using exchange-like electronic transaction systems and clearing facilities.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act, which became effective on December 21, 2000, significantly altered the regulatory landscape and may have important competitive consequences. This legislation greatly expanded the freedom of regulated markets, like ours, to innovate and respond to competition. It also permits us to offer a previously prohibited set of products—single stock futures and futures on narrow-based indexes of securities. The provisions that permit us to trade these security futures products require a novel sharing of jurisdiction between the CFTC and the SEC. Exchange trading of these security futures products is subject to more burdensome regulation than our other futures products. For example, in order to trade these products, we are required to "notice register" with the SEC as a special purpose national securities exchange solely for the purpose of trading security futures products, and the SEC is authorized to review some of our rules relating to these security futures products. Our members trading those products are subject to registration requirements and duties and obligations to customers under the securities laws that do not pertain to their other futures business.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act excluded or exempted many of the activities of our non-exchange competitors from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act created broad exclusions and exemptions from the Commodity Exchange Act that permit derivatives contracts, which may serve the same or similar functions as the contracts we offer, to be sold in the largely unregulated OTC market, including through electronic trading facilities.

        Additionally, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act permits SEC-regulated and bank clearing organizations to clear a broad array of derivatives products in addition to the products that such clearing organizations have traditionally cleared. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also permits banks

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and broker-dealers, and some of their affiliates, to offer and sell foreign exchange futures to retail customers without being subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act created a new flexible regulatory framework for us in our capacity as a CFTC registrant, and eliminated many prescriptive requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC in favor of more flexible core principles. For instance, CFTC-regulated exchanges may now list new contracts and adopt new rules without prior CFTC approval under self-certification procedures, permitting more timely product launch and modification.

        For regulated markets, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act creates a new three-tiered regulatory structure. The degree of regulation is related to the characteristics of the product and the type of customer that has direct or indirect access to the market, with retail customer markets being subject to greater regulation. The new three-tiered regulatory structure is as follows:

        Our existing market, which trades a broad range of products and permits intermediaries to represent unsophisticated customers, is subject to the most thorough oversight as a designated contract market. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act permits us to organize markets that are subject to lesser regulation depending on the types of products traded and the types of traders. Markets can be organized that trade only products that are unlikely to be susceptible to manipulation and permit direct trading only among institutional participants in order to achieve a less intrusive degree of oversight.

        The Commodity Futures Modernization Act also provides for regulation of derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs), like our clearing house, separately from the exchanges for which they clear contracts and permits DCOs to clear a range of OTC-traded products in addition to products traded on an exchange. The Commodity Futures Modernization Act requires a DCO that clears for a registered futures exchange to register with the CFTC. However, our clearing house was deemed to be registered by reason of its activities prior to enactment of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act. A DCO may accept for clearing any new contract or may adopt any new rule or rule amendment by providing to the CFTC a written certification that the new contract, rule or rule amendment complies with the Commodity Exchange Act. Alternatively, the DCO may request that the CFTC grant prior approval to any contract, rule or rule amendment, and the CFTC must grant approval within 75 days unless the CFTC finds that the proposed contract, rule, or rule amendment would violate the Commodity Exchange Act.

        From time to time it is proposed in Congress that federal financial markets regulators should be consolidated, including a possible merger between the CFTC and the SEC. While those proposals have not been adopted to date, the perceived convergence of product lines offered on the securities and commodity exchanges could make adoption more likely. To the extent the regulatory environment following such consolidation is less beneficial for us, our business, financial condition and operating results could be negatively affected.

        From time to time it is proposed in the President's budget that a transaction tax be imposed on futures and options on futures transactions. While those proposals have not been adopted to date, except for a per-contract fee on single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes, the imposition of any

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such tax could increase the cost of using our products and, consequently, our business, financial condition and operating results could be negatively affected.

Our Members

        As a result of our conversion into a for-profit corporation in the fall of 2000, individuals and entities who, at the time, were members and owned trading rights on our exchange became the owners of all of the outstanding equity of CME. In our reorganization into a holding company structure, CME shareholders exchanged their shares for shares of CME Holdings. CME shareholders who were members and owned trading rights on our exchange retained them after the merger. Owners of trading rights on our exchange owned, of record, approximately 81% of our outstanding Class A common stock as of December 31, 2002. CME members can execute trades for their own accounts or for the accounts of customers of clearing firms. Members who trade for their own account, including those who lease trading rights, qualify for lower transaction fees in recognition of the market liquidity that their trading activity provides. These members also benefit from market information advantages that may accrue from their proximity to activity on the trading floors. Generally, member customers are charged lower fees than our non-member customers. In 2002, our members were responsible for approximately 78% of our total trading volume. There are four divisions of membership at our exchange: the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, or CME, division; the International Monetary Market, or IMM, division; the Index and Option Market, or IOM, division; and the Growth and Emerging Markets, or GEM, division. Each membership division has different trading rights. Membership applicants planning to access the trading floor are subject to a review and approval process prior to becoming members and obtaining trading rights. We also have individual trading members and clearing firms. For a more detailed discussion of our exchange membership interests, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Capital Stock."

        Membership in our exchange entitles members to appear on the floor of the exchange during business days and act as a floor broker and/or floor trader executing trades in the appropriate contracts that correlate with their membership division. Applicants for membership on our exchange are required to be of good moral character, reputation and business integrity. They must also have adequate financial resources and credit to assume the responsibilities and privileges of membership. All members must understand the rules and regulations of our exchange and agree to abide by them. Additionally, they must comply with the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and the rules and regulations issued by the CFTC.

        Our exchange is a self-regulatory organization subject to the oversight of the CFTC. Members submit to the jurisdiction of our exchange rules. Our Division of Market Regulation is the investigative and enforcement arm of our exchange with regard to our exchange rules. Members who are found to have violated a rule can be subject to sanctions such as fines, trading suspensions and/or expulsion from our exchange. Changes to our rules must be approved by our board of directors. Some rule changes are subject to CFTC approval prior to their implementation. In addition, members receive prior notice of a new rule or amendment before it becomes effective through various publications.

        Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our members, as Class B shareholders, have the ability to protect their rights to trade on our exchange by means of special approval rights over changes to the operation of our markets and are entitled to elect six of the 20 directors on our board. In particular, our certificate of incorporation grants the holders of our Class B common stock the right to approve any changes to the trading floor rights, access rights and privileges that a member has, the number of memberships in each membership class and the related number of authorized shares in each class of Class B common stock and the eligibility requirements to exercise trading rights or privileges. Class B shareholders must approve any changes to these special rights.

        Our Shareholder Relations and Membership Services Department maintains an auction market for individual trading rights and for trading rights bundled with their associated restricted Class A-1, A-2, A-3

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and A-4 shares. Prospective purchasers sign and file with the department a "Bid to Purchase" form which must be guaranteed by either a clearing firm or accompanied by a certified or cashier's check. The department posts bids, offers and last trade prices for purchase of trading rights and for trading rights bundled with their associated restricted Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 shares. The department then matches the highest bid to buy with the lowest offer to sell.

Other Business Relationships and Subsidiaries

        GFX Corporation.    GFX Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of CME, was established in 1997 for the purpose of maintaining and creating liquidity in our foreign exchange futures contracts. GFX expanded its business model in 2002 to allow for the trading of interest rate products. GFX accounted for 0.7%, 1.0% and 2.4% of our consolidated net revenues in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Experienced foreign exchange and interest rate traders employed by GFX buy and sell our foreign exchange and interest rate futures contracts using our GLOBEX system. They limit risk from these transactions through offsetting transactions using futures contracts and spot foreign exchange transactions with approved counterparties in the interbank market.

        CME Trust.    The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Trust, or the CME Trust, was established in 1969 to provide financial assistance, on a discretionary basis, to customers of any clearing firm that becomes insolvent. We funded the CME Trust through tax-deductible contributions until June 1996. The CME Trust had approximately $57.8 million, $55.4 million and $52.0 million in net assets as of December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, as a result of contributions, investment income and the absence of any distributions. Trustees of the CME Trust, who are also members of our board of directors, have full discretion to use the CME Trust to satisfy customer losses in the event a clearing firm fails to or is in such severe financial condition that it cannot meet a customer's obligations, provided that the customer's losses are related to transactions in our contracts. No outside parties, including CME, have any residual interest in the assets of the CME Trust.

Licensing Agreements

        Standard & Poor's.    We have had a licensing arrangement with Standard & Poor's Corporation since 1980. In 1997, all of our previous licensing agreements with Standard & Poor's were consolidated into one agreement that terminates on December 31, 2013 and includes a clause to negotiate potential extensions in good faith. Under the terms of the agreement, S&P granted us a license to use certain S&P stock indexes and the related trade names, trademarks and service marks in connection with the creation, marketing, trading, clearing and promoting of futures and/or options contracts that are indexed to certain S&P stock indexes. The license is exclusive until December 31, 2008 for S&P stock indexes licensed to us and listed by us prior to September 24, 1997. For contracts granted before September 24, 1997 but not listed before September 24, 1997, the licenses are exclusive for one year with possible extensions, and, once listed, the license will be exclusive upon meeting a certain minimum average trading volume or payment of a fee by us. For contracts granted and listed after September 24, 1997, and upon which we have listed indexed contracts for trading within one year of the grant date, the licenses are exclusive for two years after listing, after which they may be made exclusive for the remainder of the term of the agreement upon meeting a certain minimum average trading volume or payment of a fee by us. These licenses become non-exclusive in the event we and S&P do not agree on an extension or we list certain competitive contracts. We have a right of first refusal for stock indexes not licensed under the license agreement as of September 24, 1997 and that are developed solely by S&P before and during the term of the license agreement. We pay S&P a per trade fee and have made certain lump sum payments in accordance with the terms of our agreement. If S&P discontinues compilation and publication of any license or index, we may license, on a non-exclusive and royalty-free basis, the information regarding the list of companies, shares outstanding and divisors for that index or terminate the obligations regarding the index.

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        NASDAQ.    We have had a licensing arrangement with The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. since 1996 to license the NASDAQ-100 Index and related trade names, trademarks and service marks. The license was exclusive for the first three-and-a-half years after trading of the NASDAQ-100 futures contracts began on April 10, 1996, and remains exclusive subject to the maintenance of certain trading volumes in the NASDAQ-100 futures contracts and options on those contracts. The exclusivity of the license means that NASDAQ will not grant a license to use the NASDAQ-100 Index in connection with the trading, marketing and promotion of futures contracts and options on those contracts that would be traded on any commodity exchange between 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or any time during the day on a commodity exchange located in the Western Hemisphere. The exclusivity is also subject to the ability of NASDAQ to allow NASDAQ-100 futures contracts to be traded on any markets that it owns or operates. We have paid a lump sum fee to NASDAQ and pay per trade fees as well. Our NASDAQ-100 license agreement will continue until April 10, 2006, with five-year extensions unless either party gives notice of termination at least 120 days prior to the end of the current period.

        NSC.    Our license agreement for the NSC software was signed with ParisBourseSBFSA in 1997, and it continues until 2022. The agreement was assigned by ParisBourseSBFSA to Euronext N.V. in 1997. Under the terms of the agreement, Euronext N.V. granted us a nonexclusive license to use the NSC software for the trading of our products and the products of certain other exchanges. The agreement also allows us to specify modifications and enhancements to the NSC software prior to delivery to be made by ParisBourseSBFSA. In addition, we have the right to use our GLOBEX trademark in conjunction with our operation of the electronic trading system based on NSC software. In consideration for the license of the NSC software, we granted Euronext N.V. a license to use and modify CLEARING 21. In December 2002, we acquired the right to offer application service provider, or ASP, services to third parties using the NSC software. We also had a maintenance and development agreement with Euronext N.V., which expired at the end of 2001, under which we paid annual amounts and per day fees for certain services.

Intellectual Property

        We regard substantial elements of our brand name, marketing elements and logos, products, market data, software and technology as proprietary. We attempt to protect these elements by relying on trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret laws, restrictions on disclosure and other methods. For example, with respect to trademarks, we have registered marks in more than 20 countries. We have filed some patent applications to protect our technology. Our rights to stock indexes for our futures products principally derive from license agreements that we have obtained from Standard & Poor's, NASDAQ, and other exchanges and institutions. For a more detailed discussion of these licenses, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Business—Licensing Agreements."

        We regularly review our intellectual property to identify property that should be protected, the extent of current protection for that property and the availability of additional protection. We believe our various trademarks and service marks have been registered or applied for where needed. We also seek to protect our software and databases as trade secrets and under copyright law. We have copyright registrations for certain of our software, user manuals, and databases. Recent legal developments allowing patent protection for methods of doing business hold the possibility of additional protection, which we are examining.

        Patents of third parties may have an important bearing on our ability to offer certain of our products and services. It is possible that, from time to time, we may face claims of infringement that could interfere with our ability to use technology or other intellectual property that is material to our business.

Legal Proceedings

        From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not a party to or threatened with any litigation or other

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legal proceeding that, in our opinion, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

        On or about November 25, 2002, a former employee filed a three-count complaint against CME in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (Case No. 02L014905) alleging common law claims of retaliatory discharge, promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment relating to termination of his employment by CME and is seeking damages in excess of $3 million. CME filed a motion to dismiss, and in response, the plaintiff has been given an opportunity to amend his complaint. Based on its investigation to date and advice from legal counsel, management believes these claims are without merit.

        In August 2002, the lawsuit relating to Wagner patent 4,903,201 entitled "Automated Futures Trade Exchange" was settled for $15.0 million. The settlement required an initial payment of $5.0 million in September 2002 and requires five subsequent annual payments of $2.0 million each beginning in August 2003. The entire expense related to this settlement was recognized in the third quarter of 2002, at its present value of $13.7 million. In December 2002, we settled a dispute with Euronext-Paris, our licensor of the NSC software, that was the subject of the patent litigation. Under the terms of this settlement, Euronext-Paris has agreed to make payments to us totaling $7.5 million, representing one-half of the total payments agreed to in our settlement of the Wagner patent litigation. We are receiving these funds in two payments of $3.75 million each, with the first payment received in January 2003 followed by a final payment to be received in December 2003. The present value of the payments to be received was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2002 as a reduction of the patent litigation settlement expense recognized in the third quarter of 2002. In connection with the settlement, we also acquired the right to offer ASP services to third parties using the NSC software.

Properties

        Our trading facilities and corporate headquarters are located at 30 South Wacker Drive in Chicago, Illinois. We occupy approximately 445,000 square feet of office space under two leases. The term of the first lease expires in November 2003. The term of the second lease has recently been amended and expires in November 2008. Upon the expiration of the first lease in November 2003, all of the office space will be governed by the second lease, under which we have an option on three extensions that will allow us to continue to occupy this office space until November 2026. We also occupy 70,000 square feet of trading floor space under a lease with the CME Trust that expires in 2005. We have an option on three extensions that will allow us to continue to occupy this trading facility until October 2026. We maintain backup facilities for our electronic systems in separate office towers at 10 and 30 South Wacker Drive, and we opened a remote data center in a Chicago suburb that became operational in the third quarter of 2002. We also lease administrative office space in Washington, D.C., and Tokyo, Japan and both administrative and communication equipment space in London, England. We believe our facilities are adequate for our current operations and that additional space can be obtained if needed.

Employees

        As of December 31, 2002, we had 1,156 employees. We consider relations with our employees to be good. We have never experienced a work stoppage. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement. However, we employ eight engineers who are associated with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 399, AFL-CIO.

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MANAGEMENT

Directors, Executive Officers and Key Advisors

        The following table sets forth the directors, executive officers and key advisors of CME Holdings and CME and their ages and positions as of March 31, 2003:

Name
   Age
   Position
James J. McNulty(1)   52   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Terrence A. Duffy(1)(2)   44   Director and Chairman of the Board
Craig S. Donohue   41   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Phupinder Gill   42   Managing Director and President, Clearing House Division and GFX
David G. Gomach   44   Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer
Scott L. Johnston   39   Managing Director and Chief Information Officer
Eileen Beth Keeve   49   Managing Director, Organizational Development
James R. Krause   54   Managing Director, Operations and Enterprise Computing
Satish Nandapurkar   39   Managing Director, Products and Services
Nancy W. Goble   49   Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer
Timothy R. Brennan   61   Director
John W. Croghan(3)   72   Director
Martin J. Gepsman(1)(2)   50   Director and Secretary of the Board
Daniel R. Glickman(2)   58   Director
Scott Gordon(1)   50   Director
Yra G. Harris   49   Director
Bruce F. Johnson   60   Director
Gary M. Katler   56   Director
Patrick B. Lynch(1)(3)   37   Director and Treasurer of the Board
Leo Melamed(1)   71   Director, Chairman Emeritus and Senior Policy Advisor
John D. Newhouse   57   Director
James E. Oliff(1)   54   Director and Vice Chairman of the Board
William G. Salatich, Jr.   51   Director
John F. Sandner(1)(3)   61   Director and Special Policy Advisor
Myron S. Scholes   61   Director
Verne O. Sedlacek(3)   48   Director
William R. Shepard(1)(2)   56   Director
Howard J. Siegel   46   Director
(1)
Member of the executive committee.

(2)
Member of the compensation committee.

(3)
Member of the audit committee.

        James J. McNulty has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CME since February 2000 and of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001. He has served as an appointed director of the boards of CME Holdings and CME since April 2002 and previously served as a non-voting member of the board of CME from February 2000 to April 2002 and of CME Holdings from its inception on August 2, 2001 to April 2002. Mr. McNulty has over 26 years of experience in global financial markets. Prior to joining us, he served as Managing Director and Co-Head of the Corporate Analysis and Structuring Team in the Corporate Finance Division at Warburg Dillon Read, an investment banking firm now known as UBS Warburg. He was a general partner with O'Connor and Associates, a futures and options trading organization and a pioneer in sophisticated risk management technology, from 1987 to 1992. From 1984 to

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1987 he was the founder and President of Hayes & Griffith Futures, Inc. He serves on the Boards of Directors of OneChicago, LLC and World Business Chicago. Mr. McNulty is also a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago Finance Council. Mr. McNulty's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. McNulty is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Terrence A. Duffy has served as Chairman of CME Holdings' and CME's boards since April 2002, has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1995 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 22 years. Mr. Duffy served as Vice Chairman of CME Holdings' board from its formation on August 2, 2001 until April 2002 and of CME's board from 1998 until April 2002. Mr. Duffy has served as President of T.D.A. Trading, Inc. since 1981. Mr. Duffy's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Duffy is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Craig S. Donohue has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the CEO, of CME Holdings and of CME since October 9, 2002. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of CME Holdings from its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME from April 2001, when his title was changed from Managing Director, Business Development and Corporate/Legal Affairs of CME, which he had held since March 2000. He also previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of CME from October 1998 to March 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Donohue served as Vice President of the Division of Market Regulation from 1997 to 1998 and Vice President and Associate General Counsel from 1995 to 1997.

        Phupinder Gill has served as Managing Director and President of CME Holdings' Clearing House Division and GFX since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME since March 2000. Prior to that, he served as President of CME's Clearing House Division from July 1998 to March 2000, Senior Vice President of the Clearing House Division from May 1997 to July 1998 and Vice President from May 1994 to May 1997. Mr. Gill has held numerous other positions with us since 1988.

        David G. Gomach has served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME since March 2000. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CME from December 1997 to March 2000, as Vice President, Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer of CME from June 1997 to December 1997 and as Vice President, Administration and Finance of CME from December 1996 to June 1997. Mr. Gomach is a certified public accountant.

        Scott L. Johnston has served as Managing Director and Chief Information Officer of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME since April 2000. Prior to joining us, he served as Managing Director in the Information Technology Division at UBS Warburg, an investment banking firm, from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Johnston also served as that firm's Executive Director in the Foreign Exchange/Interest Rate Technology Division from 1996 to 1997 and as Director in the Foreign Exchange Division from 1994 to 1996.

        Eileen Beth Keeve has served as Managing Director, Organizational Development of CME Holdings and CME since November 2002. She previously served as our Director, Human Resources from March 2000 to November 2002 and as our Vice President of Human Resources from July 1994 to March 2000.

        James R. Krause has served as Managing Director, Operations and Enterprise Computing of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME since April 2001. He previously served as Managing Director, Enterprise Computing from March 2000 to April 2001. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Computing from January 1999 to March 2000, Senior Vice President,

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Systems Development from May 1998 to January 1999 and Vice President, Systems Development from August 1990 to May 1998.

        Satish Nandapurkar has served as Managing Director, Products and Services of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME since April 2001, when his title was changed from Managing Director, e-Business of CME, which he had held since March 2000. Prior to joining us, Mr. Nandapurkar served as Head of Strategic Solutions for OptiMark Technologies. He also served as Managing Director and Global Head of Foreign Exchange Options for the Bank of America in Chicago from 1997 to 1999, Managing Director and Head of Structured Equity Products Trading at Deutsche Bank Morgan Grenfell from 1996 to 1997, and Managing Director and Global Head of Exotic Options and Quantitative Methodologies for Swiss Bank Corporation in London from 1994 to 1996.

        Nancy W. Goble has served as Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer of CME Holdings and CME since February 2002. She previously served as Director and Controller of CME Holdings from its formation on August 2, 2001 to February 2002, Director and Controller of CME from July 2000 to February 2002 and as Associate Director and Assistant Controller of CME from October 1997 to July 2000. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Richard Ellis Inc., a commercial real estate firm, from 1993 until 1997. Ms. Goble is a certified public accountant.

        Timothy R. Brennan has served as a director of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001, a director of CME since 1990 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 26 years. Mr. Brennan has been a floor broker and trader since 1974 and has also served as Executive Vice President of RB&H Financial Services, L.P., one of our clearing firms, for more than six years. Mr. Brennan's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        John W. Croghan has served as a director of CME Holdings since its formation on August 2, 2001, a director of CME since 2001 and has been a member of our exchange for more than one year. He is also a director of Republic Services, Inc. and Schwarz Paper Co. Previously, Mr. Croghan was founder and Chairman of Lincoln Capital Management and President of Lincoln Partners. Mr. Croghan's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Croghan is not standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Martin J. Gepsman has served as Secretary of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1998, has served as a director of CME since 1994 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 18 years. Mr. Gepsman has also been an independent floor broker and trader since 1985. Mr. Gepsman's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Daniel R. Glickman has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 2001. Since August 5, 2002, Mr. Glickman has served as Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and has been a Senior Advisor in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, where he was a Partner from February 2001. Mr. Glickman previously served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from March 1995 through January 2001 and as a member of the U.S. Congress, representing a district in Kansas, from January 1977 through January 1995. Mr. Glickman's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Glickman is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Scott Gordon has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1982 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 25 years. Mr. Gordon served as Chairman of CME Holdings from its formation on August 2, 2001 until April 2002 and as Chairman of CME from 1998 to April 2002, as Vice Chairman from 1995 to 1997 and as Secretary from 1984 to 1985 and 1988 to 1994. Mr. Gordon served as CME's acting Chief Executive Officer from April 1999 until February 2000. He has been President, Chief Operating Officer and director since 1999 of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Futures (USA), Inc., a clearing firm of our exchange, wholly owned by The Bank of

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Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. He previously served as that firm's Executive Vice President and director. He is also a member of the CFTC's Global Markets Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee to the Illinois Institute of Technology Center for the Study of Law and Financial Markets. Mr. Gordon is a director of the Institute for Financial Markets. Mr. Gordon's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Yra G. Harris has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1997 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 23 years. Mr. Harris has been an independent floor trader since 1977. Mr. Harris' terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Harris is not standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Bruce F. Johnson has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1998 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 30 years. Mr. Johnson has served as President, Director and part owner of Packers Trading Company, Inc., a former futures commission merchant and former clearing firm, since 1969. He is also a director of Eco Technology Inc., Nettle Creek Standard Bred Farm, Inc. and Smoke Rise Ranch Co., River Basin Ranch Co. and Johnson OK LLC. Mr. Johnson's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Gary M. Katler has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1993 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 14 years. He is currently Vice President of O'Connor & Company LLC. Previously, Mr. Katler was Head of the Professional Trading Group of Fimat USA from November 2000 to April 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Katler served as Senior Vice President of ING Barings Futures and Options Inc. Mr. Katler's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Katler is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Patrick B. Lynch has served as Treasurer of CME Holdings' and CME's boards since April 2002 and as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 2000. He has been a member of our exchange since 1990 and has been an independent floor trader for more than 12 years. Mr. Lynch's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Leo Melamed has served as an elected director of CME Holdings' and CME's boards since April 2002. Mr. Melamed previously served as a non-voting director and Senior Policy Advisor of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and as Chairman Emeritus, Senior Policy Advisor and a non-voting director of CME. Mr. Melamed previously served as an elected and appointed board member for 26 years. He served as Chairman of CME from 1969 until 1972 and founding Chairman of the International Monetary Market from 1972 until its merger with our exchange in 1977. Mr. Melamed served as Special Counsel to CME's board from 1977 until 1991 and Chairman of our exchange's Executive Committee from 1985 until 1991. He has been a member of our exchange for more than 45 years. From 1993 to 2001, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sakura Dellsher, Inc., a former clearing firm of our exchange, and he currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melamed & Associates, a global consulting group. He is also a member of the CFTC's Global Markets Advisory Committee and currently serves on the board of directors of OneChicago, LLC. Mr. Melamed's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        John D. Newhouse has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1996 and also previously served as a director of CME from 1980 to 1985 and 1987 to 1988. Mr. Newhouse has been a member of our exchange for more than 26 years and a floor broker and trader since 1975. He is currently President of John F. Newhouse & Company, and he also served as President of Euro Spread Brokers, a broker association filling orders in Eurodollars, from 1981 to 2000. He currently trades for his own account. He is a director of John F. Newhouse & Company and

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Gator Trading Company. Mr. Newhouse's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        James E. Oliff has served as Vice Chairman of CME Holdings' and CME's boards since April 2002, as a director of CME since 1994 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 25 years. Mr. Oliff served as Second Vice Chairman of CME Holdings' board from its formation on August 2, 2001 until April 2002 and of CME's board from 1998 until April 2002. He previously served on CME's board from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Oliff has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of FFast Trade U.S., LLC, since December 2001, as Chief Operating Officer of FFastFill Inc., an organization that provides trading and risk management software solutions, since December 2001, as Executive Director of International Futures and Options Associates since 1996 and as President of FILO Corp., a floor brokerage business, since 1982. He also served as President of LST Commodities, LLC (an introducing broker), now known as FFast Trade U.S., LLC, from 1999 until January 2002. He currently serves on the board of directors of OneChicago, LLC and is a visiting lecturer in financial market ethics at the Lemberg School of International Finance and Economics at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Mr. Oliff's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Oliff is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        William G. Salatich, Jr. has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1997 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 26 years. Mr. Salatich has been an independent floor broker and trader since 1975. Mr. Salatich's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Salatich is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        John F. Sandner has served as Special Policy Advisor and as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001. Mr. Sandner has been Special Policy Advisor to CME since 1998, a member of CME's board since 1978 and a member of our exchange for more than 31 years. Previously, he served as Chairman of CME's board for 13 years. Mr. Sandner has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of RB&H Financial Services, L.P., a futures commission merchant and one of our clearing firms, since 1985. Mr. Sandner currently serves on the board of directors of Click Commerce, Inc. and as a member of that company's audit committee. He also currently serves on the board of directors of the National Futures Association. Mr. Sandner's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Sandner is standing for reelection at that meeting.

        Myron S. Scholes has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 2000. He is Chairman of Oak Hill Platinum Partners and Managing Partner of Oak Hill Capital Management. Mr. Scholes is the Frank E. Buck Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and a 1997 Nobel Laureate in Economics. He was formerly a limited partner and principal of Long Term Capital Management from 1993 until 1998. Currently, Mr. Scholes is also a Director of Dimensional Fund Advisors Mutual Funds, the American Century Mutual Funds and Intelligent Markets. Mr. Scholes' terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Verne O. Sedlacek has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1997. Mr. Sedlacek also has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Commonfund Group since January 2002. Mr. Sedlacek served as President and Chief Operating Officer of John W. Henry & Company, Inc., a commodity trading advisor, from 1998 through January 2002 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Harvard Management Company, Inc., a 501(c)(3) investment advisor and a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvard University from 1983 to 1998. He is currently a director of the Futures Industry Association and Common Fund Capital Inc. He is also a member of the Global Markets Advisory Committee of the CFTC. Mr. Sedlacek's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Sedlacek is not standing for reelection at that meeting.

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        William R. Shepard has served as Second Vice Chairman of CME Holdings' and CME's boards since April 2002 and as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 1997 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 28 years. Mr. Shepard is founder and President of Shepard International, Inc., a futures commission merchant. Mr. Shepard's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.

        Howard J. Siegel has served as a director of CME Holdings' board since its formation on August 2, 2001 and of CME's board since 2000 and has been a member of our exchange for more than 25 years. Mr. Siegel has been an independent trader since 1977. Mr. Siegel's terms on the CME Holdings and CME boards expire in April 2004.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

        UBS Warburg LLC, one of the lead underwriters of this offering, has provided financial advisory services to us. Prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of CME, Mr. McNulty was an executive at Warburg Dillon Read, predecessor of UBS Warburg LLC.

        Several of our directors serve as officers or directors of clearing member firms. These clearing member firms pay substantial fees to our clearing house in connection with services we provide. We believe that the services provided to these clearing firms are on terms no more favorable to those firms than terms given to unaffiliated persons.

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

        The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of CME Holdings' common stock as of February 20, 2003 by:

        Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, and generally means that person has beneficial ownership of a security if he or she possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, and includes options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Each director, officer or 5% or more shareholder, as the case may be, has furnished us with information with respect to beneficial ownership. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of common stock listed below, based on the information each of them has given to us, have sole investment and voting power with respect to their shares, except where community property laws may apply.

        The following table lists applicable percentage ownership based on 5,463,730 shares of Class A, 6,981,394 shares of Class A-1, 6,944,087 shares of Class A-2, 6,751,869 shares of Class A-3 and 6,389,292 shares of Class A-4 common stock (not including 67,200 shares of Class A common stock subject to unvested restricted stock awards as of February 20, 2003) and 3,138 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of February 20, 2003, and also lists applicable percentage ownership based on            shares of Class A,            shares of Class A-1,             shares of Class A-2,             shares of Class A-3 and            shares of Class A-4 common stock outstanding after completion of this offering. Options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of February 20, 2003, are deemed to be beneficially owned by the persons holding these options for the purpose of computing percentage ownership of that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing any other person's ownership percentage. This table does not take into account the underwriters' over-allotment option.

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After This Offering
 
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering
    
    
 
   Shares of
Class A
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
    
    
    
   Aggregate # of Class A
 
   Class A
   Class B
    
    
    
Beneficial Owner
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   % of
Class
Directors & Officers:                                                    

James J. McNulty(1)
 
1,190
487,031
487,031
487,023
486,898
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
6.52
6.55
6.73
7.08

%
%
%
%
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
 
(continued on following page)        
*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(1)
Mr. McNulty's Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 and Class A-4 shares represent the shares that Mr. McNulty could acquire if he exercised the vested portion of an option he received in February 2000. The number of shares is presented to the nearest whole number that could be received based upon the value of the option at February 20, 2003. The option was vested with respect to 80% of the shares subject thereto as of February 7, 2003. The option vests with respect to the remaining 20% of the shares subject thereto on February 7, 2004. The total number of shares is determined assuming Mr. McNulty satisfies the exercise price in cash and CME Holdings elects to settle the option entirely with shares of Class A common stock. As of April 2, 2003, Mr. McNulty had not exercised the option.

100

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After This Offering
 
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering
    
    
 
   Shares of
Class A
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
    
    
    
   Aggregate # of Class A
 
   Class A
   Class B
    
    
    
Beneficial Owner
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   % of
Class
Terrence A. Duffy(2)   1,190
4,525
4,525
4,525
4,523		   A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		   *
*
*
*
*		   1
—
—
1		   B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4		   *
*
*
*		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		           *

Timothy R. Brennan(3)
 
—
6,025
6,025
6,025
6,022
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
1
—
1
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

John W. Croghan(4)
 
1,190
4,500
4,500
4,500
4,499
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
1
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Martin J. Gepsman(5)
 
1,190
1,525
1,525
1,525
1,523
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
1
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Daniel R. Glickman(6)
 
420
—
—
—
—
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Scott Gordon(7)
 
—
21,025
21,025
21,025
21,017
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
2
2
2
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*
(continued on following page)        
*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(2)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3 and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share to which Mr. Duffy shares joint ownership and has voting power.

(3)
Includes 1,500 Class A-1, 1,500 Class A-2, 1,500 Class A-3 and 1,499 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-3 share held through Brennan Enterprises, an S Corporation of which Mr. Brennan is the owner. Also includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3, and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Brennan shares joint ownership, but over which he does not have voting power.

(4)
Includes 4,500 Class A-1, 4,500 Class A-2, 4,500 Class A-3 and 4,499 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-1 share held in a trust over which Mr. Croghan exercises voting and investment power.

(5)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3, and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Gepsman shares joint ownership and has voting power.

(6)
Includes 420 Class A shares held in an irrevocable trust over which Mr. Glickman exercises voting and investment power.

(7)
Includes 3,000 Class A-1, 3,000 Class A-2, 3,000 Class A-3, and 2,999 Class A-4 shares held in a trust over which Mr. Gordon has investment and voting power. Also includes 18,025 Class A-1, 18,025 Class A-2, 18,025 Class A-3, 18,018 Class A-4, two Class B-1, two class B-2 and two Class B-3 shares and one Class B-4 share which are owned by Tokyo-Mitsubishi Futures (USA), Inc. over which he exercises voting power. Mr. Gordon disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Tokyo-Mitsubishi Futures (USA), Inc.

101

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After This Offering
 
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering
    
    
 
   Shares of
Class A
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
    
    
    
   Aggregate # of Class A
 
   Class A
   Class B
    
    
    
Beneficial Owner
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   % of
Class
Yra G. Harris(8)   —
7,500
7,500
7,500
7,497		   A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		   *
*
*
*
*		   —
2
1
—		   B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4		   *
*
*
*		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		           *

Bruce F. Johnson
 
1,190
4,525
4,525
4,525
4,523
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
1
—
—
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Gary M. Katler(9)
 
—
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,499
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
1
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Patrick B. Lynch
 
1,190
3,000
3,000
3,000
2,999
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
1
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Leo Melamed
 
1,290
3,000
3,000
3,000
2,999
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
1
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

John D. Newhouse(10)
 
—
10,525
10,525
10,525
10,520
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
3
1
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

James E. Oliff(11)
 
1,190
3,025
3,025
3,025
3,023
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
1
—
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*
(continued on following page)        
*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(8)
Includes 3,000 Class A-1, 3,000 Class A-2, 3,000 Class A-3, and 2,999 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-2 share which are not owned by Mr. Harris, but which are held in his name and over which he exercises voting power. Mr. Harris disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(9)
Includes 1,500 Class A-1, 1,500 Class A-2, 1,500 Class A-3 and 1,499 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-3 share that are held in the name of Mary J. O'Connor but over which Mr. Katler has been granted voting power at the annual meeting of shareholders in April 2003. Mr. Katler disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(10)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3 and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Newhouse shares joint ownership and has voting power. Also includes 10,500 Class A-1, 10,500 Class A-2, 10,500 Class A-3 and 10,496 Class A-4 shares, three Class B-2 shares and one Class B-3 share owned by John F. Newhouse & Company, which is owned by Mr. Newhouse.

(11)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3, and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Oliff shares joint ownership, but over which he does not have voting power. Excludes 4,500 Class A-1, 4,500 Class A-2, 4,500 Class A-3 and 899 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-1 share and 3,000 Class A-1, 3,000 Class A-2, 3,000 Class A-3 and 599 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-2 share held through two trusts in the names of each of his parents. Mr. Oliff has no voting or ownership power over these trusts, and he disclaims beneficial ownership for the shares held in trust.

102

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After This Offering
 
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering
    
    
 
   Shares of
Class A
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
    
    
    
   Aggregate # of Class A
 
   Class A
   Class B
    
    
    
Beneficial Owner
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   % of
Class
William G. Salatich, Jr.(12)   1,190
4,525
4,525
4,525
4,523		   A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		   *
*
*
*
*		   1
—
—
1		   B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4		   *
*
*
*		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		           *

John F. Sandner
 
1,290
25,525
25,525
25,525
25,515
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
3
2
4
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Myron S. Scholes
 
—
—
—
—
—
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Verne O. Sedlacek
 
—
—
—
—
—
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

William R. Shepard(13)
 
1,190
9,025
9,025
9,025
9,021
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
1
1
1
1
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Howard J. Siegel
 
—
10,500
10,500
10,500
10,497
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
2
—
1
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*
(continued on following page)        
*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(12)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3, and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Salatich shares joint ownership, but over which he does not have voting power.

(13)
Includes 25 Class A-1, 25 Class A-2, 25 Class A-3, and 24 Class A-4 shares and one Class B-4 share as to which Mr. Shepard shares joint ownership and has voting power.

103

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After This Offering
 
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering
    
    
 
   Shares of
Class A
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
    
    
    
   Aggregate # of Class A
 
   Class A
   Class B
    
    
    
Beneficial Owner
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   # of
Shares
   Class
   % of
Class
   # of
Shares
   % of
Class
Craig S. Donohue(14)   1,190
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000		   A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		   *
*
*
*
*		   —
—
—
—		   B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4		   *
*
*
*		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		       A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4		           *

Phupinder Gill(14)
 
570
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

David G. Gomach(14)
 
1,190
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Scott L. Johnston(14)
 
1,190
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
*
*
*
*
 
—
—
—
—
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
*
*
*
*
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
*

Directors and Executive Officers as a group (28 persons)(15)
 
19,330
668,081
668,081
668,073
697,898
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
*
8.87
8.92
9.15
9.63

%
13
13
13
10
 
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
 
2.08
1.60
1.01
2.42
%
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
 
 
 
 
 
 

Selling Shareholders(16):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(14)
Messrs. Donohue's, Gill's, Gomach's and Johnston's Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 and Class A-4 shares represent shares that each of them could acquire if they exercised the vested portion of the option each of them received in May 2001.

(15)
Includes an aggregate of 547,631 Class A-1, 547,631 Class A-2, 547,623 Class A-3 and 547,498 Class A-4 shares that could be acquired upon the exercise of the vested portions of options held by members of the group and 200 restricted Class A-1, 200 restricted Class A-2, 200 restricted Class A-3 and 200 restricted Class A-4 shares held by two members of the group.

(16)
As indicated in the table, almost all of the selling shareholders own shares of Class B common stock, which are associated with trading privileges on our exchange. These shareholders may derive a substantial portion of their income from trading and clearing activities on our exchange and pay substantial fees, directly or indirectly, to us.

104


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        Our authorized capital structure consists of

        Upon the closing of this offering, there will be            shares of Class A,            shares of Class A-1,             shares of Class A-2,            shares of Class A-3,            shares of Class A-4, 625 shares of Class B-1, 813 shares of Class B-2, 1,287 shares of Class B-3 and 413 shares of Class B-4 common stock issued and outstanding. We have no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding, nor will any shares of our preferred stock be issued and outstanding upon the closing of this offering.

Common Stock

        With the exception of the matters reserved to holders of our Class B common stock, holders of common stock vote together on all matters for which a vote of common shareholders is required. In these votes, each holder of shares of our Class A or Class B common stock has one vote per share. Matters reserved to the holders of our Class B common stock, votes applicable to each class of Class B common stock in these matters and certain voting restrictions on holders of our Class B common stock are described below under "Additional Provisions of Class B Common Stock."

        Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately such dividends, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, preemptive or subscription rights. All outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of our Class A common stock to be sold in this offering when issued and paid for will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, and subject to the rights of any outstanding series of our preferred stock, holders of our Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to receive a distribution of the remaining assets on a pro rata basis.

Preferred Stock

        We are authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board to issue these shares in one or more series; to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series; and to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our board may increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Our board may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other

105


rights of the holders of our common stock. We currently have no plans to issue any shares of preferred stock other than pursuant to the rights plan described below.

Additional Provisions of Class B Common Stock

        Our authorized shares of Class B common stock are divided into four classes, with the following characteristics:

Class
   Maximum Number of Shares
   Associated Exchange Membership
   Number of Directors Class Can Elect
   Number of
Votes
Per Shares on
"Core Rights"
B-1   625   Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME") Division   3   6
B-2   813   International Monetary Market ("IMM") Division   2   2
B-3   1,287   Index and Option Market ("IOM") Division   1   1
B-4   413   Growth and Emerging Markets ("GEM") Division   0    1/6

        Associated Exchange Membership.    Each series of CME Class B common stock was issued in conjunction with a membership in a specific division of the exchange. CME's rules provide exchange members with access to the trading floor of the exchange and the GLOBEX platform for the contracts assigned to that membership and the ability to use or lease their trading privileges. In CME's demutualization, shares of Class B common stock were issued to members of the exchange in order to provide those members with representation on CME's board of directors and provide for an orderly transition to a for-profit company. Membership interests are maintained at CME and are not part of or evidenced by the Class B common stock of CME Holdings. The Class B common stock of CME Holdings is intended only to ensure that the former Class B shareholders of CME retain board representation rights and approval rights with respect to Core Rights described below.

        Commitment to Open Outcry.    Our certificate of incorporation includes a commitment to maintain open outcry floor trading on our exchange for a particular traded product as long as the open outcry market is "liquid." The commitment requires us to maintain a facility for conducting business, for disseminating price information, for clearing and delivery and to provide reasonable financial support for technology, marketing and research for open outcry markets. An open outcry market will be deemed liquid for these purposes if it meets any of the following tests on a quarterly basis:

        If a market is deemed illiquid as a result of a failure to meet any of the foregoing tests, our board will determine whether or not that market will be closed.

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        Voting on Core Rights.    Holders of shares of our Class B common stock have the right to approve changes to specified "rights" relating to the trading privileges associated with those shares. These "Core Rights" consist of:

        Votes on changes to Core Rights are weighted by class. Each class of Class B common stock has the following number of votes on matters relating to Core Rights: Class B-1, six votes per share; Class B-2, two votes per share; Class B-3, one vote per share, and Class B-4, 1/6th of one vote per share. The approval of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class B common stock is required in order to approve any changes to Core Rights. Holders of shares of Class A common stock do not have the right to vote on changes to Core Rights.

        Under Delaware law, changes to the number of authorized shares of a class also require the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class. Otherwise, changes may be effected upon the approval of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of our Class B common stock. This means that, because of our weighted voting mechanism, a change to Core Rights may be effected by the approval of the holders of the Class B-1 shares, even though the holders of the other classes voted against the change.

        Election of Directors.    Our certificate of incorporation provides for a board composed of 20 members. Holders of Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 common stock have the right to elect six directors to our board, of which three are elected by Class B-1 shareholders, two are elected by Class B-2 shareholders and one is elected by Class B-3 shareholders. The remaining 14 directors are elected by the holders of the Class A and Class B common stock, voting together as a class. The nominating committee, composed of members of our board of directors, nominates the slate of candidates to be elected by the holders of the Class A and Class B common stock, voting together. This committee is responsible for assessing the qualifications of candidates, as well as ensuring that any regulatory requirements for the composition of our board are met. The holders of the Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 common stock have the right to elect members of nominating committees for their respective class, which are responsible for nominating candidates for election by their class. Each committee is responsible for assessing the qualifications of candidates to serve as directors to be elected by that class. Our certificate of incorporation requires that director candidates for election by a class of Class B common stock own, or be recognized under our rules as a permitted transferee of, at least one share of that class.

        Voting Restrictions.    Our certificate of incorporation provides that, with respect to any election of directors or Core Rights, any person or group that beneficially owns 15% or more of any class of Class B common stock may, for so long as such person or group owns such percentage, vote only the number of shares of that class of Class B common stock for which it owns an equivalent percentage of Class A common stock.

Transfer Restrictions

        Currently issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock have been issued in five classes: Class A, Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 and Class A-4. Each class is identical, except that the shares of Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 common stock are subject to significant transfer restrictions contained in our certificate of incorporation and the Class A common stock are not subject to any transfer restriction. The

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timing of the expiration of the transfer restrictions is set forth below. Until these transfer restrictions lapse, shares of Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 common stock may not be sold or transferred separately from a share of Class B common stock, subject to limited exceptions specified in our certificate of incorporation. There are no restrictions on the shares of Class A common stock being sold in this offering. Transfers include sales, pledges and other transfers of ownership.

        The transfer restriction periods expire:

        Subject to our right to engage in the guided selling process and the related provisions described below, when the restriction period applicable to a class of shares expires, the class of shares will automatically convert into unrestricted Class A common stock. See the section of this prospectus entitled "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" below for limitations on sales by affiliates under the securities laws. Because, in connection with this offering, we elected to guide the sale process relating to the expiration of transfer restrictions on the Class A-1 shares, no shares of Class A-1 common stock may be transferred, other than in a guided sale or permitted transfer, until at least August 9, 2003, or later if we complete this offering. Holders of restricted Class A common stock are also able to transfer their shares prior to such expiration and conversion in connection with a "permitted transfer."

        "Permitted transfers" include:

        In conversion transfers, shares of restricted Class A common stock, regardless of whether they represent Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 or Class A-4 common stock, will be converted into shares of unrestricted Class A common stock. Conversion transfers include:

        In non-conversion transfers, shares of restricted Class A common stock, regardless of whether they represent Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3 or Class A-4 common stock, will not convert into shares of unrestricted Class A common stock, and the transferred shares will remain subject to the transfer restrictions. Non-conversion transfers include:

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        The number of shares of restricted Class A common stock that may be transferred with an associated share of Class B common stock in a permitted transfer is limited to the amounts set forth below, with respect to each class of restricted Class A common stock.

 
   Number of Class A Shares That May Be Transferred By Class
Class B Share
   Class A-1
   Class A-2
   Class A-3
   Class A-4
Class B-1   4,500   4,500   4,500   4,499
Class B-2   3,000   3,000   3,000   2,999
Class B-3   1,500   1,500   1,500   1,499
Class B-4   25   25   25   24

        Our certificate of incorporation grants us the right to guide secondary sales of each class of Class A common stock when the transfer restriction period applicable to that class is scheduled to expire. The purpose of this right is to promote a more orderly distribution of our Class A shares into the market, taking into account current market conditions and the desire of existing holders to sell. If we elect to guide the sale process, no shares of the class that is scheduled for release or of any other class that is subject to transfer restrictions may be sold during the applicable transfer restriction period, except as part of the guided sale process or in a permitted transfer. This offering is being made pursuant to our right to guide the sale of shares in connection with the release of transfer restrictions on our Class A-1 shares.

        We must provide holders of restricted shares with a written notice of our election to guide the sale of the class of stock that is scheduled for release at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the applicable transfer restriction period. A holder has 20 days following receipt of that notice to provide us with written notice of his or her intent to participate in the guided sale process. Holders of restricted shares may request that all or a portion of their shares of the class scheduled for release plus any other shares which remain subject to transfer restrictions be included in the guided sale process. The actual number of shares that holders of restricted shares may sell in a guided sale will depend on market conditions, investor demand and the requirements of any underwriters or placement agents and may be fewer than the aggregate number requested by shareholders to be included in the sale. In that event, there will be a reduction in the number of shares that individual holders may sell based on a "cut-back" formula to be adopted by our board. In the event of a "cut back," priority will be given to shares of the class then scheduled to be released. The guided selling process may take the form of an underwritten secondary offering, a private placement of shares to one or more purchasers, a repurchase of shares by us or a similar process selected by our board. If a holder of restricted shares elects not to include all of his or her shares of the class that is scheduled to expire in the related guided sale process, the shares that he or she does not elect to include will remain subject to transfer restrictions and may not be transferred, other than in a permitted transfer (as described above), until the expiration of the final transfer restriction period unless:

        We may proceed with the sale of fewer than all of the shares that had been requested to be included in a guided sale process, including less than all of the shares of the class scheduled for release at the expiration of the related transfer restriction period. Additionally, there is no obligation on us to complete the selling process.

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        However, if we sell less than all of the shares of the class scheduled to be released that a holder requested be sold in the related guided sale process, that holder will be able to sell, on the 61st day after the expiration of the related transfer restriction period (or the last day of the transfer restriction period, if it relates to the final transfer period), those shares that were not sold. In addition, on such date, any shares of any class that were scheduled for release at the expiration of an earlier transfer restriction period, but that remain subject to the transfer restrictions because a shareholder elected not to include them in the related guided sale process, will become freely transferable.

        Our certificate of incorporation requires that any guided selling process must be completed no later than 60 days after the expiration date of the related transfer restriction period. However, any guided selling process undertaken in conjunction with the final release date must be completed no later than the final expiration date (i.e., 540 days after the IPO). If the guided sale process is not completed within those time frames, any shares of the class that would have been released at the expiration of the related transfer restriction period, but for the guided sale process, will automatically convert into unrestricted Class A common stock on the 61st day after the expiration of the related transfer restriction period, except with respect to the last transfer restriction period, in which case the conversion will take place on the last day of the period. In addition, any shares of any class that remain subject to transfer restrictions because a shareholder elected not to include those shares in the guided sale process when those shares were scheduled to be released also will convert on that day.

        If we elect not to guide the sale process at the time of any scheduled release date for a class of stock, the shares of that class scheduled to be released will convert into unrestricted Class A common stock at the expiration of the applicable transfer restriction period. In addition, any shares of any class that remain subject to transfer restrictions because a shareholder elected not to include those shares in the guided sale process when those shares were scheduled to be released also will convert on that date.

        Shares of Class B common stock are also subject to transfer restrictions contained in our certificate of incorporation. These transfer restrictions prohibit the sale or transfer of any shares of our Class B common stock separate from the sale of the associated membership interest in our exchange. No membership in our exchange may be sold unless the purchaser also acquires the associated share of Class B common stock.

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation's board of directors to grant indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.

        As permitted by Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases; or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        As permitted by Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws provide that (1) we are permitted to indemnify our directors, officers and other employees to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law; (2) we are permitted to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors, officers and other employees in connection with defending a legal proceeding if we have received an undertaking by the person receiving such advance to repay all amounts advanced if it should be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us; and (3) the rights conferred in the certificate of incorporation are not exclusive.

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Other Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

        Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include a number of anti-takeover provisions that may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include:

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Delaware Takeover Statute

        We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Subject to exceptions set forth in that section, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of three years following the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, unless:

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        Section 203 defines a business combination to include generally:

        In general, Section 203 defines an interested shareholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

Transfer Agent

        The Transfer Agent and Registrar for our Class A common stock is Computershare Investor Services, LLC.

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

        Future sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options, in the public market after this offering could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.

        Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding            shares of Class A common stock, consisting of            shares of Class A common stock,             shares of Class A-1 common stock,            shares of Class A-2 common stock,             shares of Class A-3 common stock and            shares of Class A-4 common stock. The amount of shares outstanding upon completion of this offering assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options. All of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by one of our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally includes directors, officers or 10% shareholders.

        Our currently issued and outstanding shares of Class A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 common stock are registered under the Securities Act but are subject to significant transfer restrictions. The transfer restriction periods expire:

        These transfer restrictions are subject to our right to guide the sale of shares upon the release of the transfer restrictions and do not restrict the bundled sale of shares of each series of Class A common stock together with a share of Class B common stock. Because, in connection with this offering, we elected to guide the sale process relating to the expiration of transfer restrictions on the Class A-1 shares, no shares of Class A-1 common stock may be transferred, other than in a guided sale or permitted transfer, until at least August 9, 2003, or later if we complete this offering. For a more detailed discussion of these transfer restrictions, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Description of Capital Stock."

        We and our directors and officers have agreed not to offer or sell any shares of our Class A common stock, subject to exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters. For more information relating to these restrictions, please see the section of this prospectus entitled "Underwriters."

Rule 144

        In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person, or persons whose shares are aggregated, who has beneficially owned restricted shares for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate, would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

        Sales under Rule 144 also are subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate, is entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation and notice provisions of Rule 144.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS

        The following is a general summary of some United States federal income and estate tax consequences expected to result under current law from the purchase, ownership and taxable disposition of shares of our Class A common stock by a Non-U.S. Shareholder, which for the purpose of this discussion is a person or entity who is not

        This summary does not address all of the United States federal income tax and estate tax considerations that may be relevant to a Non-U.S. Shareholder in light of its particular circumstances or to Non-U.S. Shareholders that may be subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax laws. Furthermore, this summary does not discuss any aspects of state, local or foreign taxation. This summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations, judicial opinions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service and other applicable authorities, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Each prospective purchaser of our Class A common stock is advised to consult its tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of our Class A common stock.

Dividends

        If we pay a dividend, any dividend paid to a Non-U.S. Shareholder of our Class A common stock generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) unless the dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder within the United States, in which case the dividend will be taxed at ordinary United States federal income tax rates. If the Non-U.S. Shareholder is a corporation, such effectively connected income may also be subject to an additional "branch profits tax."

Sale or Disposition of Common Stock

        Under current law, a Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder, (ii) the Non-U.S. Shareholder is an individual who holds our Class A common stock as a capital asset and who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which such sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met or (iii) the Non-U.S. Shareholder is subject to tax under the provisions of United States federal income tax law applicable to certain United States expatriates. Pending legislation may alter the United States federal income tax provisions governing United States expatriates. A prospective purchaser of our Class A common stock who may be subject to such provisions is advised to consult his or her tax adviser with respect to the consequences of such legislation if enacted. In addition, if we are or have been a "United States real property holding corporation" for United States federal income tax purposes, a Non-U.S. Shareholder who is otherwise not subject to United States federal income tax on gain realized on a sale or

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other disposition of our Class A common stock would not be subject to such taxation, but only if our common stock continues to be "regularly traded on an established securities market" for United States federal income tax purposes and such Non-U.S. Shareholder does not own, directly or indirectly, at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or such shorter period the shares were held, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock. We do not believe that we are or will become a United States real property holding corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

        Generally, dividends paid to Non-U.S. Shareholders that are subject to the 30% federal income tax withholding described above under "Dividends" are not subject to backup withholding. We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each Non-U.S. Shareholder the amount of dividends paid to such shareholder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld with respect to such dividends. This information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Shareholder's country of residence.

        The payment of the proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock to or through the United States office of a broker is subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. Shareholder properly certifies its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will provide such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. Information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will also generally apply to payments of the proceeds of a sale of our Class A common stock by foreign offices of United States brokers or foreign brokers with certain types of relationships to the United States unless the Non-U.S. Shareholder establishes an exemption.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholder's United States federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Estate Tax

        An individual Non-U.S. Shareholder who owns shares of our Class A common stock at the time of his death or who made certain lifetime transfers of an interest in our Class A common stock will be required to include the value of such Class A common stock in his gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

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UNDERWRITERS

        Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Warburg LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and the selling shareholders have agreed to sell to them severally, the number of shares of our Class A common stock indicated below:

Name
   Number of Shares
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated    
UBS Warburg LLC    
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.    
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.    
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.    

 
 
 
   
  Total    
   

        The underwriters are offering the shares of Class A common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from the selling shareholders and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of legal matters by their counsel and to some other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters' over-allotment option described below.

        The underwriters propose initially to offer part of the shares of Class A common stock directly to the public at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to securities dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $                              a share under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of our Class A common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

        The selling shareholders have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of             additional shares of our Class A common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to limited conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of our Class A common stock as the number listed opposite the underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of our Class A common stock listed opposite the names of all underwriters in the preceding table. If the underwriters' option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be $                              , the total underwriters' discounts and commissions would be $                              and the total proceeds to the selling shareholders would be $                  .

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        The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by the selling shareholders assuming no exercise and full exercise of the over-allotment option.

Underwriting discounts and
commissions to be paid by
the selling shareholders
   No Exercise
   Full Exercise
Per share   $     $  
Total            

        We and our directors and officers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, we and they will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus:

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of Class A common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

        The restrictions described in the previous paragraph do not apply to:

        Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CME."

        In order to facilitate the offering of our Class A common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our Class A common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position in our Class A common stock for their own account. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are convinced that there may be downward pressure on the price of our Class A common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. In addition, in order to cover any over-allotments or to stabilize the price of our Class A common stock, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of our Class A common stock in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling

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concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing our Class A common stock in this offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares of our Class A common stock to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of our Class A common stock above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

        From time to time, some of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may continue to provide, investment banking and general financing and banking services to us and our affiliates, including advice in connection with our demutualization and rights plan, for which they have in the past received, and may in the future receive, customary fees. In addition, in December 2002, each of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Warburg LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. acted as an underwriter for our initial public offering. Some of the underwriters or their affiliates also own memberships on our exchange and, as part of their exchange membership, own shares of our Class A and Class B common stock in amounts that do not exceed, individually, 5% of the outstanding shares of such common stock.

        We, the selling shareholders and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), Chicago, Illinois, and for the underwriters by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of CME Holdings and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, which are included and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and Registration Statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere and incorporated by reference herein, and are included and incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act for the shares of our Class A common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. For further information about us and the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. References in this prospectus to any of our contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete, and you should refer in each instance to the copy of the contract or other document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement. Prior to our reorganization, CME filed reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement, the related exhibits, reports and other information that we and CME have filed or will file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC. That site is www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information about us may also be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that we identify as part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below filed by us with the SEC:

        We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1) after the date of the filing of this registration statement and before its effectiveness and (2) until all of the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated. Our subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us as follows: Shareholder Relations and Membership Services, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., 30 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Shareholder Relations and Membership Services, (312) 930-1000.

121



INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS   F-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS   F-3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME   F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS   F-6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-7

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC.:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

        As discussed in Note 16 to the financial statements, in 2002 the Company changed its method of accounting for stock-based compensation.

/s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP      

Chicago, Illinois
January 28, 2003

F-2


CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 
   At December 31,
  
 
   2002
   2001
  
 
    
   (restated)

  
ASSETS              
Current Assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 339,260   $ 69,101  
  Proceeds from securities lending activities     985,500     882,555  
  Marketable securities     —     91,570  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,232 and $962     50,865     40,986  
  Other current assets     11,515     6,671  
  Cash performance bonds and security deposits     1,827,991     855,227  
   
 
 
Total current assets     3,215,131     1,946,110  
Property, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization     109,563     100,991  
Other assets     30,322     19,777  
   
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 3,355,016   $ 2,066,878  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY              
Current Liabilities:              
  Accounts payable   $ 27,607   $ 23,834  
  Payable under securities lending agreements     985,500     882,555  
  Other current liabilities     48,396     40,229  
  Cash performance bonds and security deposits     1,827,991     855,227  
   
 
 
Total current liabilities     2,889,494     1,801,845  
Long-term debt     2,328     6,650  
Other liabilities     17,055     10,017  
   
 
 
Total liabilities     2,908,877     1,818,512  
   
 
 

Shareholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 9,860,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding     —     —  
  Series A junior participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 140,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding     —     —  
  Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 138,000,000 shares authorized, 32,530,372 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2002 and 28,771,562 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2001     325     288  
  Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 3,138 shares authorized, issued and outstanding     —     —  
  Additional paid-in capital     179,669     59,229  
  Unearned restricted stock compensation     (665 )   (1,461 )
  Retained earnings     266,810     190,033  
  Accumulated net unrealized gains on securities     —     277  
   
 
 
Total shareholders' equity     446,139     248,366  
   
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 3,355,016   $ 2,066,878  
   
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
 
    
   (restated)

   (restated)

  
REVENUES                    
Clearing and transaction fees   $ 356,396   $ 292,459   $ 156,649  
Quotation data fees     48,717     48,250     36,285  
GLOBEX access fees     12,945     11,987     3,971  
Communication fees     9,733     9,330     9,391  
Investment income     7,740     8,956     9,736  
Securities lending interest income     18,169     10,744     —  
Other     15,379     14,904     10,520  
   
 
 
 
  TOTAL REVENUES     469,079     396,630     226,552  
  Securities lending interest expense     (15,902 )   (9,477 )   —  
   
 
 
 
  NET REVENUES     453,177     387,153     226,552  
   
 
 
 
EXPENSES                    
Salaries and benefits     114,899     105,227     94,067  
Stock-based compensation     3,811     6,238     8,211  
Occupancy     22,400     20,420     19,629  
Professional fees, outside services and licenses     32,549     27,289     23,131  
Communications and computer and software maintenance     46,569     43,598     41,920  
Depreciation and amortization     48,509     37,639     33,489  
Patent litigation settlement     6,240     —     —  
Public relations and promotion     6,514     6,326     5,219  
Other     17,457     14,650     16,148  
   
 
 
 
  TOTAL EXPENSES     298,948     261,387     241,814  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before limited partners' interest in PMT and income taxes     154,229     125,766     (15,262 )
Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT     —     —     (1,165 )
Income tax (provision) benefit     (60,162 )   (50,658 )   5,931  
   
 
 
 
  NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 94,067   $ 75,108   $ (10,496 )
   
 
 
 
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:                    
  Basic   $ 3.24   $ 2.61   $ (0.36 )
  Diluted     3.13     2.57     —  
  Weighted average number of common shares:                    
    Basic     29,066,242     28,774,700     28,774,700  
    Diluted     30,060,537     29,240,432     —  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
    
    
   Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    
    
    
    
  
 
    
    
    
    
   Accumulated
Net
Unrealized
Securities
Gains
(Losses)
    
  
 
   Class A
Common
Stock
   Class B
Common
Stock
    
    
    
  
 
   Unearned
Restricted
Stock
Compensation
    
    
  
 
   Retained
Earnings
   Total
Shareholders'
Equity
  
 
   Shares
   Shares
   Amount
  
BALANCE, DEC. 31, 1999   —   —   $ 43,605   $ —   $ 125,421   $ (363 ) $ 168,663  
Comprehensive income:                                        
  Net loss                         (10,496 )         (10,496 )
  Change in net unrealized gain on securities, net of tax of $234                               352     352  
                                   
 
  Total comprehensive income                                     (10,144 )
Stock-based compensation             7,743                       7,743  
Issuance of Class A common stock   28,771,562                                    
Issuance of Class B common stock       3,138                                
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, DEC. 31, 2000 (restated)   28,771,562   3,138   $ 51,348   $ —   $ 114,925   $ (11 ) $ 166,262  
Comprehensive income:                                        
  Net income                         75,108           75,108  
  Change in net unrealized gain on securities, net of tax of $192                               288     288  
                                   
 
  Total comprehensive income                                     75,396  
Stock-based compensation             5,734                       5,734  
Grant of 119,000 shares of restricted Class A common stock             2,435     (2,435 )               —  
Amortization of unearned restricted Class A common stock                   974                 974  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, DEC. 31, 2001 (restated)   28,771,562   3,138   $ 59,517   $ (1,461 ) $ 190,033   $ 277   $ 248,366  
Comprehensive income:                                        
  Net income                         94,067           94,067  
  Change in net unrealized gain on securities, net of tax of $184                               (277 )   (277 )
                                   
 
  Total comprehensive income                                     93,790  
Net proceeds from initial public offering   3,712,660         117,459                       117,459  
Exercise of stock options   150         3                       3  
Cash dividend on common stock of $0.60 per share                         (17,290 )         (17,290 )
Vesting of issued restricted Class A common stock   46,000                                    
Stock-based compensation             3,015                       3,015  
Amortization of unearned restricted Class A common stock                   796                 796  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, DEC. 31, 2002   32,530,372   3,138   $ 179,994   $ (665 ) $ 266,810   $ —   $ 446,139  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5


CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
 
    
   (restated)

   (restated)

  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                    
Net income (loss)   $ 94,067   $ 75,108   $ (10,496 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                    
  Depreciation and amortization     48,509     37,639     33,489  
  Stock-based compensation     3,811     6,238     8,211  
  Deferred income tax benefit     (5,637 )   (4,283 )   (1,781 )
  Loss on investment in joint venture     2,876     281     —  
  Limited partners' interest in earnings of PMT     —     —     1,165  
  Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities     (2,658 )   (226 )   14  
  Loss on disposal of fixed assets     7     —     —  
  Write-off of internally developed software     —     262     2,739  
  Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts     270     (738 )   1,350  
  Increase in accounts receivable     (10,149 )   (11,722 )   (8,307 )
  Decrease (increase) in other current assets     (4,844 )   1,206     1,416  
  Decrease (increase) in other assets     (4,717 )   (415 )   859  
  Increase (decrease) in accounts payable     3,773     11,937     (3,821 )
  Increase in other current liabilities     8,792     8,213     7,120  
  Increase (decrease) in other liabilities     7,038     (2,931 )   1,011  
   
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES     141,138     120,569     32,969  
   
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Purchases of property, net     (56,341 )   (30,367 )   (25,171 )
  Capital contributions to joint venture     (3,071 )   (1,316 )   —  
  Purchases of marketable securities     (43,956 )   (94,008 )   (43,116 )
  Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities     137,723     47,470     59,518  
  Purchase of limited partners' interest in PMT     —     —     (4,183 )
   
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES     34,355     (78,221 )   (12,952 )
   
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Payments on long-term debt     (5,506 )   (3,902 )   (3,611 )
  Cash dividends     (17,290 )   —     —  
  Proceeds from exercised stock options     3     —     —  
  Net proceeds from initial public offering     117,459     —     —  
   
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES     94,666     (3,902 )   (3,611 )
   
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     270,159     38,446     16,406  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year     69,101     30,655     14,249  
   
 
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR   $ 339,260   $ 69,101   $ 30,655  
   
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                    
  Interest paid   $ 599   $ 627   $ 892  
   
 
 
 
  Income taxes paid (refunded)     64,728     49,062     (5,471 )
   
 
 
 
  Capital leases—asset additions and related obligations     558     6,156     1,907  
   
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6


CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Basis of Presentation and Description of Business

        Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (CME Holdings) is a Delaware stock corporation organized in August 2001 to be the holding company for Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its subsidiaries (CME or the exchange). CME became a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Holdings through a merger of a subsidiary of CME Holdings with and into CME that was completed on December 3, 2001. At that time, existing shareholders received stock in CME Holdings for stock in CME. On December 11, 2002, CME Holdings completed an initial public offering of an additional 3.7 million shares of Class A common stock, and the Class A common stock not subject to transfer restrictions is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange (note 15). The consolidated financial statements include Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries, which include P-M-T Limited Partnership (PMT) and GFX Corporation (GFX) as well as the holding company, CME Holdings (collectively, the company). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

        The merger of CME into CME Holdings was accounted for as a pooling of interests because of the common owners before and after the transaction. These financial statements have been prepared as if the current holding company structure had been in place for all periods presented. The assets of CME Holdings consist of the net proceeds of the initial public offering and its investment in CME. CME Holdings has no liabilities other than income tax liabilities arising from investment income.

        CME is a designated contract market for the trading of futures and options on futures contracts. Trades are executed through open outcry, an electronic trading platform and privately negotiated transactions. Through its in-house Clearing House Division, CME clears, settles, nets and guarantees performance of all matched transactions in its products.

        CME resulted from the completion of a demutualization process whereby Chicago Mercantile Exchange, an Illinois not-for-profit membership organization, became a Delaware for-profit stock corporation. The transaction resulted in the conversion of membership interests in the Illinois corporation into stock ownership in the Delaware corporation and was completed on November 13, 2000. When the membership of the exchange approved the demutualization process, the holders of the units of PMT also approved the cash purchase of the assets and business of PMT by the exchange (note 17).

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        Cash and Cash Equivalents.    Cash equivalents consist of money market mutual funds and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

        Marketable Securities.    Marketable securities generally have been classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices, with net unrealized gains and losses reported net of tax as a component of shareholders' equity. Interest on marketable securities is recognized as income when earned and includes accreted discount less amortized premium. Realized gains and losses are calculated using specific identification.

        Additional securities held in connection with non-qualified deferred compensation plans have been classified as trading securities. These securities are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value, and net unrealized gains and losses are reflected in investment income.

F-7


        Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments," requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying values of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are reasonable estimates of their fair values.

        Accounts Receivable.    In the ordinary course of business, a significant portion of accounts receivable and revenues are from shareholders of the company. At December 31, 2002, there were approximately 70 clearing firms that are also shareholders. One firm with a significant portion of customer revenue represented approximately 11% of our net revenues in 2002. Should a clearing firm withdraw from the exchange, management believes the customer portion of that firm's trading activity would likely transfer to another clearing firm. Therefore, management does not believe the company is exposed to significant risk from the loss of revenue received from a particular clearing firm.

        Performance Bonds and Security Deposits.    Performance bonds and security deposits held by the exchange for clearing firms may be in the form of cash or securities. Cash performance bonds and security deposits are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Cash received may be invested, and any interest received accrues to the exchange. These investments are overnight transactions in U.S. Government securities acquired through and held by a broker-dealer of a subsidiary of a bank.

        Securities deposited by clearing firms consist primarily of short-term U.S. Treasury securities and are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These securities are held in safekeeping, although a portion of the clearing firms' proprietary performance bond deposits may be utilized in securities lending transactions. Interest and gain or loss on securities deposited to satisfy performance bond and security deposit requirements accrues to the clearing firm.

        Property.    Property is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation on furniture, fixtures and equipment is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the applicable leases. Maintenance and repair items as well as certain minor purchases are charged to expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

        Software.    The company capitalizes certain costs of developing internal software in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" (SOP 98-1). Capitalized costs generally are amortized over three years, commencing with the completion of the project. The depreciable life of purchased software is four years.

        Impairment of Assets.    The company reviews its long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

        Revenue Recognition.    The company's revenue recognition policies comply with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 on revenue recognition.

F-8


        Clearing and Transaction Fees.    Clearing and transaction fees include per contract charges for trade execution, clearing and GLOBEX fees. Fees are charged at various rates based on the product traded, the method of trade and the exchange trading privileges of the customer making the trade. Clearing and transaction fees are recognized as revenue when a buy and sell order are matched and the trade is cleared. Therefore, cancelled buy and sell orders have no impact on revenue recognition. On occasion, the customer's exchange trading privileges may not be properly entered by the clearing firm, and incorrect fees are charged for the transactions in the affected accounts. When this information is corrected within the time period allowed by the exchange, a fee adjustment is provided to the clearing firm. An accrual is established for estimated fee adjustments to reflect corrections to customer exchange trading privileges. The accrual is based on the historical pattern of adjustments processed. CME believes the allowances are adequate to cover potential adjustments. Exposure to losses on receivables for clearing and transaction fees is dependent on each clearing firm's financial condition as well as the Class A and B shares that collateralize fees owed to the exchange. The exchange retains the right to liquidate shares to satisfy a clearing firm's receivable.

        Quotation Data Fees.    Quotation data fees represent revenue received for the dissemination of market information. Revenues are accrued each month based on the number of subscribers reported by vendors. CME conducts periodic audits of the information provided and assesses additional fees as necessary. An allowance is established to cover uncollectible receivables from the market data vendors.

        GLOBEX Access Fees.    GLOBEX access fees represent fees for connections to the electronic trading platform and include line charges, license fees for GLOBEX software and hardware rental charges. The fees vary depending on the type of connection provided. An additional installation fee may be charged depending on the type of service requested and a disconnection fee may also be charged if certain conditions are met. Revenue is recognized monthly as the service is provided. An allowance is established to cover uncollectible receivables relating to GLOBEX access fees.

        Communication Fees.    Communication fees consist of equipment rental and usage charges to members and firms that utilize the various telecommunications networks and services in the Chicago facility. Revenue is billed and recognized on a monthly basis.

F-9


        Stock-Based Compensation.    As part of the demutualization, the company established an Omnibus Stock Plan. In 2000, a stock option was granted to the Chief Executive Officer, and stock awards were granted to certain other employees in 2001 and 2002 (note 16). Through September 30, 2002, the company accounted for these stock grants under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations. Stock-based compensation was reflected in the financial statements as a result of restricted stock granted to certain employees and the required variable accounting treatment for the option granted to the Chief Executive Officer. At year-end 2002, the company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended. Under provisions of SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure," the company also elected to adopt the retroactive restatement method. All prior periods presented have been restated to reflect the stock-based compensation expense that would have been recognized had the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all options granted to employees. The company has elected to recognize expense relating to stock-based compensation on an accelerated basis. As a result, the expense associated with each vesting date within a stock grant is recognized over the period of time that each portion of the grant vested.

        Marketing Costs.    Marketing costs are incurred for production and communication of advertising as well as other marketing activities. These costs are expensed when incurred, except for costs related to the production of broadcast advertising, which are expensed when the first broadcast occurs.

        Income Taxes.    Deferred income taxes are determined in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," and arise from temporary differences between amounts reported for income tax and financial statement purposes. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is anticipated that some or all of a deferred tax asset may not be realized.

        Segment Reporting.    The company operates in two segments, CME and GFX. Based on materiality, GFX is not a reportable segment, and as a result there is no disclosure of segment information.

        Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period, and to disclose contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        Reclassifications.    Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements to provide consistent presentation for all periods presented.

F-10


        Recent Accounting Pronouncements.    In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN No. 45 requires certain guarantees, including indemnification arrangements, to be recorded at fair value at inception, and also requires a guarantor to make significant new disclosures. For those arrangements where the company receives an explicit fee for the guarantee, FIN No. 45 requires that the company defer the fee and recognize it over the life of the arrangement. For arrangements where no explicit fee is received, FIN No. 45 requires a liability to be recorded and amortized over the life of the arrangement, along with an offsetting asset, depending on the arrangement. The company will adopt the accounting provisions of FIN No. 45 for guarantees issued beginning January 1, 2003, and has adopted the disclosure provisions for all existing guarantees as of December 31, 2002. The company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the accounting provisions of FIN No. 45 on its consolidated financial statements.

        In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." The objective of FIN No. 46 is to improve financial reporting by achieving more consistent application of consolidation policies to variable interest entities (also referred to as special-purpose entities) and, thus, to improve comparability between enterprises engaged in similar activities even if some of those activities are conducted through variable interest entities. Prior to the issuance of FIN No. 46, a company would generally not have to include another entity in its consolidated financial statements unless it controlled the entity through voting interest. FIN No. 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. The company will adopt FIN No. 46 on July 1, 2003 and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN No. 46 on its consolidated financial statements.

3.    Securities Lending

        Securities lending transactions utilize a portion of the securities that clearing firms have deposited to satisfy their proprietary performance bond requirements. Under this securities lending program, CME lends a security to a third party and receives collateral in the form of cash. The majority of the cash is then invested on an overnight basis to generate interest income. The related interest expense represents payment to the borrower of the security for the cash collateral retained during the duration of the lending transaction. Securities on loan are marked to market daily and compared to collateral received. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the fair value of securities on loan was $985.5 million and $882.6 million, respectively. CME's policy allows lending of up to 75% of total available securities. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, securities available totaled $3.5 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. The average daily amount of securities on loan for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $924.1 million. The average daily amount of securities on loan from commencement of the program on June 18, 2001 to December 31, 2001 was $632.6 million. The securities lending activity utilized some of the securities deposited by four clearing firms, one of which is a subsidiary of the bank used for executing this securities lending program. Proceeds from securities lending at December 31, 2002 were invested in a money market mutual fund sponsored by the bank used in executing this program or held in the form of cash.

F-11


4.    Marketable Securities

        In the third quarter of 2002, CME changed its investment policy and converted its marketable securities to short-term investments, resulting in realized gains from the sale of marketable securities of $2.7 million that is included in investment income. The revised investment policy allows CME to invest in institutional money market funds with a fund balance over $1.0 billion and certain U.S. Treasury and Government agency securities, provided these securities will mature at par value within seven days of purchase. Balances in these short-term investments are included in cash and cash equivalents and, as a result, there are no investments classified as marketable securities at December 31, 2002.

        Marketable securities included in current assets at December 31, 2001 were classified as available for sale. The amortized cost and fair value of these securities at December 31, 2001, were as follows:

 
   Amortized Cost
   Fair Value
 
   (in thousands)
U.S. Government agency   $ 26,507   $ 26,818
State and municipal     57,231     57,390
Corporate debt     7,371     7,362
   
 
  TOTAL   $ 91,109   $ 91,570
   
 

        Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities classified as available for sale were reported as a component of comprehensive income and included in the accompanying consolidated statements of shareholders' equity.

5.    Other Current Assets

        Other current assets consisted of the following at December 31:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   (in thousands)
             
Refundable income taxes   $ 1,214   $ 1,215
Prepaid pension     2,518     —
Prepaid insurance     2,656     549
Other prepaid expenses     4,572     2,609
Accrued interest receivable     264     1,637
Other     291     661
   
 
  TOTAL   $ 11,515   $ 6,671
   
 

F-12

6.    Performance Bonds and Security Deposits

        The exchange is a designated contract market for futures and options on futures, and clears and guarantees the settlement of all contracts traded in its markets. In its guarantor role, the exchange has precisely equal and offsetting claims to and from clearing firms on opposite sides of each contract. CME bears counterparty credit risk in the event that future market movements create conditions that could lead to clearing firms failing to meet their obligations to the exchange. CME reduces its exposure through a risk management program that includes rigorous initial and ongoing financial standards for designation as a clearing firm, initial and maintenance performance bond requirements and mandatory security deposits. Each clearing firm is required to deposit and maintain specified margin in the form of cash, U.S. Government securities, bank letters of credit or other approved investments. All obligations and non-cash margin deposits are marked to market on a daily basis, and haircuts are applied for margin and risk management purposes. Cash performance bonds and security deposits are included in the consolidated balance sheets, and balances may fluctuate significantly over time due to the investment choices available to clearing firms and the change in the amount of deposits required.

        Clearing firms, at their option, may instruct CME to invest cash on deposit for performance bond purposes in a portfolio of securities that is part of the Interest Earning Facility (IEF) program. The first IEF was organized in 1997 as two limited liability companies. Interest earned, net of expenses, is passed on to participating clearing firms. The principal of the first IEF totaled $350.0 million at December 31, 2002 and is guaranteed by the exchange. The investment portfolio of these facilities is managed by two of the exchange's approved settlement banks, and eligible investments include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, U.S. Treasury strips and reverse repurchase agreements. The maximum average portfolio maturity is 90 days, and the maximum maturity for an individual security is 13 months. Management believes that the market risk exposure relating to its guarantee is not material to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. In 2001, IEF2 was organized. IEF2 offers clearing firms the opportunity to invest cash performance bonds in shares of CME-approved money market mutual funds. Dividends earned on these shares, net of fees, are solely for the account of the clearing firm on whose behalf the shares were purchased. The principal of IEF2 funds is not guaranteed by the exchange. The total principal in all IEF programs was approximately $12.2 billion at December 31, 2002 and $8.3 billion at December 31, 2001. The exchange earned fees under the IEF program in the amount of $5.6 million, $3.3 million and $1.0 million during 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These fees are included as other revenue.

        CME, Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) and New York Clearing Corporation (NYCC) have a cross-margin arrangement, whereby a common clearing firm may maintain a cross-margin account in which the clearing firm's positions in certain CME futures and options on futures are combined with certain positions cleared by OCC and NYCC for purposes of calculating performance bond requirements. The performance bond deposits are held jointly by CME, OCC and NYCC. In addition, CME has a cross-margin agreement with the London Clearing House (LCH), whereby clearing firms' offsetting positions with CME and LCH are subject to reduced margin requirements. Clearing firms maintain separate performance bond deposits with each clearing house, but depending on the net offsetting positions between CME and LCH, each clearing house may reduce the firm's performance bond requirements. In April 2002, a cross-margin agreement with the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (GSCC) became effective, whereby clearing firms' offsetting positions with CME and GSCC are subject to reduced margin requirements. Clearing firms maintain separate performance bond deposits with each clearing house, but depending on the net offsetting positions between CME and GSCC, each clearing house may reduce the firm's performance bond requirements.

F-13


        Each clearing firm also is required to deposit and maintain specified security deposits in the form of cash or approved securities. In the event that performance bonds and security deposits of a defaulting clearing firm are inadequate to fulfill that clearing firm's outstanding financial obligation, the entire security deposit fund is available to cover potential losses after first utilizing operating funds of the exchange in excess of amounts needed for normal operations (surplus funds). The exchange maintains a $500.0 million secured line of credit with a consortium of banks to provide liquidity and capacity to pay settlement variation to all clearing firms, even if a clearing firm may have failed to meet its financial obligations to CME, or in the event of a temporary disruption with the domestic payments system that would delay payment of settlement variation between the exchange and its clearing firms (note 18). Clearing firm security deposits received in the form of U.S. Treasury or agency securities, or in money market funds purchased through IEF2, are used to collateralize the secured line of credit.

        The exchange is required under the Commodity Exchange Act to segregate cash and securities deposited by clearing firms on behalf of their customers. In addition, exchange rules require a segregation of all funds deposited by clearing firms from exchange operating funds.

        Cash and securities held as performance bonds and security deposits at fair market value at December 31 were as follows:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   Cash
   Securities and
IEF Funds
   Cash
   Securities and
IEF Funds
 
   (in thousands)
Performance bonds   $ 1,805,052   $ 25,278,903   $ 848,391   $ 27,208,994
Security deposits     22,939     896,192     6,836     694,323
Cross-margin securities, held jointly with OCC     —     636,848     —     422,996
   
 
 
 
  TOTAL   $ 1,827,991   $ 26,811,943   $ 855,227   $ 28,326,313
   
 
 
 

        With the exception of amounts jointly held with OCC under cross-margin agreements, these performance bonds are available to meet only the financial obligations of that clearing firm to the exchange.

        In addition to cash and securities, irrevocable letters of credit may be used as performance bond deposits. At December 31, these letters of credit, which are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   (in thousands)
Performance bonds   $ 495,750   $ 908,250
Cross-margin accounts     208,900     144,000
   
 
  TOTAL LETTERS OF CREDIT   $ 704,650   $ 1,052,250
   
 

F-14

7.    Property

        A summary of the property accounts at December 31 is presented below:

 
   2002
   2001
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment   $ 169,558   $ 157,997  
Leasehold improvements     95,629     90,174  
Software and software development costs     68,577     49,691  
   
 
 
Total property     333,764     297,862  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     (224,201 )   (196,871 )
   
 
 
  PROPERTY, net   $ 109,563   $ 100,991  
   
 
 

        Included in property are assets that were acquired through capital leases with a cost of $22.7 million and $22.1 million (and accumulated amortization of $13.6 million and $8.9 million) at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Depreciation for these assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

8.    Other Assets

        Other assets consisted of the following at December 31:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   (in thousands)
Deferred compensation assets   $ 7,481   $ 6,574
Net deferred tax asset     17,327     11,506
Investment in OneChicago, LLC     4,644     1,035
Other     870     662
   
 
  TOTAL   $ 30,322   $ 19,777
   
 

        On August 28, 2001, CME entered into a joint venture, OneChicago, LLC, with the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade to trade single stock futures and futures on narrow-based stock indexes. As of December 31, 2002, CME owns approximately a 40% interest in the joint venture, and the investment is reflected in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. The investment balance at December 31, 2002 represents CME's total capital contribution of $7.8 million, including a $3.4 million capital contribution approved in 2002 but remitted in January 2003. Total capital contributed has been reduced by CME's proportionate share of the joint venture's net loss. The net loss is included in other revenue and totaled $2.9 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

        Deferred compensation assets consist primarily of trading securities held in connection with a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The net unrealized losses relating to the non-qualified deferred compensation plans' trading securities are included in investment income and totaled $0.8 million, $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

F-15


9.    Income Taxes

        The provision (benefit) for income taxes is composed of the following:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Current:                    
  Federal   $ 53,811   $ 45,031   $ (3,544 )
  State     11,988     9,910     (606 )
   
 
 
 
    Total     65,799     54,941     (4,150 )
   
 
 
 
Deferred:                    
  Federal     (4,617 )   (3,263 )   (1,502 )
  State     (1,020 )   (1,020 )   (279 )
   
 
 
 
    Total     (5,637 )   (4,283 )   (1,781 )
   
 
 
 
TOTAL PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES   $ 60,162   $ 50,658   $ (5,931 )
   
 
 
 

        Reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate   35.0 % 35.0 % (35.0 )%
State taxes, net of federal benefit   4.6   4.6   (3.5 )
Tax-exempt interest income   (0.3 ) (0.5 ) (3.0 )
Nondeductible expenses   0.2   0.6   6.8  
Other, net   (0.5 ) 0.6   (1.4 )
   
 
 
 
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE—PROVISION (BENEFIT)   39.0 % 40.3 % (36.1 )%
   
 
 
 

F-16

        At December 31, the components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:

 
   2002
   2001
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Deferred Tax Assets:              
  Depreciation and amortization   $ 7,685   $ 7,730  
  Deferred compensation     3,369     2,678  
  Accrued expenses     6,525     1,755  
  Stock-based compensation     5,732     5,404  
  Other     887     218  
   
 
 
    Subtotal     24,198     17,785  
    Valuation allowance     —     —  
   
 
 
    Deferred Tax Assets     24,198     17,785  
   
 
 
Deferred Tax Liabilities:              
  Software development costs     (6,440 )   (5,664 )
  Net unrealized gains on securities     —     (184 )
  Other     (431 )   (431 )
   
 
 
  Deferred Tax Liabilities     (6,871 )   (6,279 )
   
 
 
NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET   $ 17,327   $ 11,506  
   
 
 

        The company expects to realize the benefit of all deferred tax assets based on the expectation of future taxable income and, therefore, no valuation allowance has been established at December 31, 2002 or 2001.

10.    Other Current Liabilities

        Other current liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   (in thousands)
Accrued salaries and benefits   $ 24,143   $ 23,331
Accrued fee adjustments     3,137     2,241
Current portion of long-term debt     4,669     5,294
Accrued operating expenses     9,844     4,413
Accrued federal and state income taxes     6,312     4,943
Other     291     7
   
 
  TOTAL   $ 48,396   $ 40,229
   
 

F-17

11.    Commitments

        Leases.    The exchange has commitments under operating and capital leases for certain facilities and equipment that are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 13, "Accounting for Leases." Lease commitments for office space at the main location in Chicago expire in the year 2008, with annual minimum rentals ranging from $8.8 million to $9.4 million. The exchange leases trading facilities from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Trust through October 2005, with annual minimum rentals of approximately $1.3 million, and has an option to extend the term of the lease through October 2026 with three successive seven-year extensions. Minimum annual rent for these extensions begins at $0.7 million for the period from November 2005 through October 2012 and declines to $0.2 million for the last extension from November 2019 through October 2026. Additional rental expense is incurred in connection with the trading facilities based on annual trading volume. This expense totaled $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The CME Trust is an entity that was established to provide financial assistance, on a discretionary basis, to customers of any clearing firm that becomes insolvent. No outside parties have any residual interest in the assets of the CME Trust. Leases for other locations where the exchange maintains offices expire at various times through the year 2012 with annual minimum rentals that will not exceed $0.8 million in any year. Total rental expense was approximately $19.9 million in 2002, $18.5 million in 2001 and $17.4 million in 2000.

        Commitments.    Commitments includes long-term liabilities (note 13) as well as contractual obligations that are non-cancelable. These contractual obligations relate to software licenses and maintenance, and telecommunication services. These amounts are expensed as the related services are used.

        Future obligations under commitments in effect at December 31, 2002, including the minimum for operating leases, were as follows:

 
   Capitalized
Leases
   Operating
Leases
   Commitments
  
2003   $ 4,992   $ 10,765   $ 10,046  
2004     2,361     10,277     6,949  
2005     —     10,079     3,714  
2006     —     9,178     3,253  
2007     —     9,401     2,496  
Thereafter     —     11,557     —  
   
 
 
 
Total minimum payments     7,353     61,257     26,458  
Less sublease commitments     —     (223 )   —  
Less amount representing interest     (356 )   —     (1,272 )
   
 
 
 
  TOTAL   $ 6,997   $ 61,034   $ 25,186  
   
 
 
 

        Licensing Agreements.    The exchange has licensing agreements relating to certain stock index products. The license agreement with NASDAQ, relating to the NASDAQ-100 product that is traded on the exchange, expires in 2006, with a five-year extension unless either party gives notice of termination. The licensing agreement with Standard & Poor's Corporation terminates in 2013 and includes a clause to renegotiate potential extensions.

F-18


12.    Long-Term Debt

        Long-term debt consists of the long-term portion of capitalized lease obligations.

13.    Other Liabilities

        Other liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:

 
   2002
   2001
 
   (in thousands)
Deferred compensation liabilities   $ 7,481   $ 6,574
Litigation settlement payable     6,803     —
Software maintenance contract     744     380
Accrued pension liability     —     715
Deferred rent     370     586
Other     1,657     1,762
   
 
  TOTAL   $ 17,055   $ 10,017
   
 

14.    Employee Benefit Plans

        Pension Plan.    The exchange maintains a noncontributory defined benefit cash balance pension plan for eligible employees. Employees who have completed a continuous twelve-month period of employment and have reached the age of 21 are eligible to participate. The plan provides for an age-based contribution to the cash balance account and includes salary and cash bonuses in the definition of earnings. Participant cash balance accounts receive an interest credit equal to the greater of the one-year U.S. Treasury bill rate or 4%. Participants become vested in their accounts after five years. The exchange's policy is to currently fund required pension costs by the due dates specified under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

F-19

        A reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets, the funded status of the plan, certain actuarial assumptions and the components of pension cost are indicated below:

 
    
   2002
   2001
  
 
    
   (in thousands)

  
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION:                  
  Benefit obligation at beginning of year   $ 19,566   $ 16,101  
  Service cost     2,963     2,483  
  Interest cost     1,661     1,393  
  Actuarial loss     2,295     1,080  
  Benefits paid     (1,218 )   (1,491 )
       
 
 
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF THE YEAR   $ 25,267   $ 19,566  
       
 
 
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:                  
  Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year   $ 17,898   $ 13,968  
  Actual return on plan assets     (934 )   (708 )
  Employer contribution     6,402     6,129  
  Benefits paid     (1,218 )   (1,491 )
       
 
 
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF THE YEAR   $ 22,148   $ 17,898  

FUNDED STATUS AT DECEMBER 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Plan assets less than benefit obligation   $ (3,119 ) $ (1,668 )
  Unrecognized transition asset     (112 )   (187 )
  Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)     1     (125 )
  Unrecognized net actuarial loss     5,748     1,265  
       
 
 
PREPAID (ACCRUED) BENEFIT COST   $ 2,518   $ (715 )
       
 
 
 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31:                    
  Discount rate     6.75 %   7.25 %   7.50 %
  Rate of compensation increase     5.00 %   5.00 %   5.00 %
  Expected return on plan assets     9.00 %   9.00 %   8.00 %
COMPONENTS OF PENSION COST:                    
  Service cost   $ 2,963   $ 2,483   $ 2,235  
  Interest cost     1,661     1,393     1,207  
  Expected return on plan assets     (1,443 )   (1,145 )   (1,017 )
  Amortization of prior service cost     (44 )   (51 )   (51 )
  Amortization of transition asset     (74 )   (74 )   (74 )
  Recognized net actuarial gain     106     —     —  
   
 
 
 
NET PENSION COST   $ 3,169   $ 2,606   $ 2,300  
   
 
 
 

F-20

        Savings Plan.    The exchange maintains a savings plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, whereby all employees are participants and have the option to contribute to this plan. The exchange matches employee contributions up to 3% of the employee's base salary and makes an additional discretionary contribution of up to 2% of salary. Prior to 2001, this additional contribution was based on increases in annual trading volume. Total expense for the savings plan amounted to $3.1 million, $2.5 million and $2.1 million in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

        Non-Qualified Plans.    The following non-qualified plans, under which participants may make assumed investment choices with respect to amounts contributed on their behalf, are maintained by the exchange. Although not required to do so, the exchange invests such contributions in assets which mirror the assumed investment choices. The balances in these plans are subject to the claims of general creditors of the exchange, and totaled approximately $7.5 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

15.    Capital Stock

        On December 11, 2002, CME Holdings completed the initial public offering of Class A common stock. All 5,463,730 shares of Class A common stock, including an aggregate of 712,660 shares of Class A common stock covered by an over-allotment option granted by CME Holdings to the underwriters, were sold at a price to the public of $35.00 per share. Of the 5,463,730 shares sold in the offering, 3,712,660 shares were sold by CME Holdings and 1,751,070 shares were sold by selling shareholders. The aggregate proceeds to CME Holdings from the offering were approximately $129.9 million, before deducting approximately $9.1 million in underwriting discounts and commissions and an estimated $3.3 million in other expenses incurred in connection with the offering. CME Holdings did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.

F-21


        Shares Outstanding.    As of December 31, 2002, 5,463,730 shares of Class A common stock, 6,981,394 shares of Class A-1 common stock, 6,944,087 shares of Class A-2 common stock, 6,751,869 shares of Class A-3 common stock, 6,389,292 shares of Class A-4 common stock, 625 shares of Class B-1 common stock, 813 shares of Class B-2 common stock, 1,287 shares of Class B-3 common stock and 413 shares of Class B-4 common stock were issued and outstanding. CME Holdings has no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.

        Associated Trading Rights.    Each class of CME Holdings Class B common stock is associated with a membership in a specific division of the exchange. CME's rules provide exchange members with trading rights and the ability to use or lease these trading rights. Trading rights are maintained at CME and are not part of or evidenced by the Class B common stock of CME Holdings. The Class B common stock of CME Holdings is intended only to ensure that the former Class B shareholders of CME retain Board representation rights and approval rights with respect to the core rights described below.

        Voting Rights.    With the exception of the matters reserved to holders of CME Holdings Class B common stock, holders of common stock vote together on all matters for which a vote of common shareholders is required. In these votes, each holder of shares of Class A or Class B common stock of CME Holdings has one vote per share.

        Election of Directors.    The CME Holdings Board of Directors is composed of 20 members. Holders of Class A and Class B common stock have the right to vote together in the election of 14 directors. Holders of Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 common stock have the right to elect the remaining six directors, of which three are elected by Class B-1 shareholders, two are elected by Class B-2 shareholders and one is elected by Class B-3 shareholders.

        Core Rights.    Holders of Class B shares have the right to approve changes in specified rights relating to the trading privileges associated with those shares. These core rights include allocation of products that a holder of trading rights is permitted to trade through the exchange; the trading floor access rights and privileges that a member has; the number of memberships in each membership class and the number of authorized and issued shares of Class B common stock associated with that class; and eligibility requirements to exercise trading rights associated with Class B shares. Votes on changes to these core rights are weighted by class. Each class of Class B common stock has the following number of votes on matters relating to core rights: Class B-1, six votes per share; Class B-2, two votes per share; Class B-3, one vote per share, and Class B-4, 1/6th of one vote per share. The approval of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class B common stock is required in order to approve any changes to core rights. Holders of shares of Class A common stock do not have the right to vote on changes to core rights.

        Dividends.    Holders of Class A and Class B common stock of CME Holdings are entitled to receive proportionately such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the CME Holdings Board of Directors.

F-22


 
    
   Shares Outstanding
   Transfer Restrictions Expire
    Class A   5,463,730   Not restricted
    Class A-1   6,981,394   June 10, 2003
    Class A-2   6,944,087   December 7, 2003
    Class A-3   6,751,869   June 4, 2004
    Class A-4   6,389,292   June 4, 2004
       
   
        Total Class A Shares Outstanding   32,530,372    
       
   

        Shareholder Rights Provisions.    The Board of Directors of CME Holdings has adopted a plan creating rights that entitle CME Holdings' shareholders to purchase shares of CME Holdings stock in the event that a third party initiates a transaction designed to take over the company. This rights plan is intended to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of CME Holdings to engage in arms-length negotiations with the Board of Directors and management. The rights are attached to all outstanding shares of CME Holdings common stock, and each right entitles the shareholder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $105 per unit. The rights will separate from the common stock of the company; (1) 10 days after a person or group seeks to acquire CME Holdings through a public announcement by such person or group that they have acquired 15% or more of the outstanding shares of CME Holdings; or (2) 10 business days after the commencement of a tender offer by such person or group. If either of these two events occur, each holder of a right shall receive, upon exercise, Class A common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.

F-23

        Omnibus Stock Plan.    CME Holdings has adopted an Omnibus Stock Plan under which stock-based awards may be made to employees. A total of 2.7 million Class A shares have been reserved for awards under the plan. Awards totaling 2.6 million shares are outstanding under this plan at December 31, 2002 (note 16).

16.    Stock Options

        At year-end 2002, the company elected to account for stock options under SFAS Statement No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure," the company elected to adopt the retroactive restatement method, and operating results for 2000, 2001 and the first nine months of 2002 have been restated to reflect this change. From the grant date until the date of demutualization, or November 13, 2000, the company accounted for the option to the CEO in a manner similar to a stock appreciation right in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 28, "Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans (An Interpretation of APB Opinions No. 15 and 25)." Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123, or from the date of demutualization through September 30, 2002, the company accounted for its stock options using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."

        For 2002, total stock-based compensation expense using the fair value method totaled $3.8 million. If the provisions of SFAS No. 123 had not been adopted at year-end 2002, stock-based compensation expense for the year 2002 would have totaled $36.9 million, resulting in a reduction in net income of $20.2 million from the net income reflected in our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the restatement and retroactive application of SFAS No. 123, the impact on net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share is as follows for the periods presented:

 
   Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2001
   2000
  
 
   (in thousands)

  
Net income (loss), as previously reported   $ 68,302   $ (5,909 )
Decrease (increase) in stock-based compensation expense     11,401     (7,179 )
Tax effect     (4,595 )   2,592  
   
 
 
  Net income (loss), as restated   $ 75,108   $ (10,496 )
   
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share, as previously reported:              
  Basic   $ 2.37   $ (0.21 )
  Diluted     2.33     —  
Earnings (loss) per share, as restated              
  Basic   $ 2.61   $ (0.36 )
  Diluted     2.57     —  

F-24

        On February 7, 2000, an option was granted to the President and Chief Executive Officer, James J. McNulty, to purchase 5% of the common stock of the company, as represented by an equivalent percentage of all Class A and Class B common stock issued at the date of demutualization. One-half of the option (Tranche A), or 2.5% of all common stock at the date of demutualization, has an aggregate exercise price of $21.8 million, which was estimated to be 2.5% of the fair value of the exchange at the grant date. Since demutualization had not been completed at the grant date, the fair value of CME was calculated based on the average value of all exchange memberships. The option for the remaining 2.5% of all common stock at the date of demutualization (Tranche B) has an aggregate exercise price of $32.8 million, or 3.75% of the fair value of the exchange at the grant date. As a result of the reorganization into a holding company structure, the Class A share equivalents previously embedded in the Class B shares of CME were converted into Class A shares of CME Holdings. Since the stock option for the CEO is for 5% of all classes of stock outstanding at the date of demutualization, and additional Class A shares were issued in the reorganization, the total number of Class A shares in the CEO option increased by 145,543 shares. At December 31, 2002, the CEO's option included 1,438,578 Class A and 156 Class B shares with a total exercise price of $54.6 million. Under the option agreement, the exercise of the option can be settled with any combination of shares of Class A common stock or cash, at the discretion of the company.

        The CEO option vests over a four-year period, with 40% vesting one year after the grant date and 20% vesting on that same date in each of the following three years. The term of the option is 10 years. As of December 31, 2002, all of the option remained outstanding. Although the option is for all classes of common stock outstanding, any exercise of the option must be for all or a portion of the option that is vested at the date of exercise. The CEO cannot elect to exercise the option for only certain classes of stock included in the option. The CEO option represented $1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense in 2002.

        In 2001 and in December 2002, concurrent with the company's initial public offering, CME granted stock options to various employees under the Omnibus Stock Plan. The options vest over a four-year period, with 40% vesting one year after the grant date and 20% vesting on that same date in each of the following three years. The options have a 10-year term. Compensation expense of $4.6 million relating to employee stock options will be recognized over the vesting period. Restricted stock grants of 119,000 shares were also awarded to certain executives in 2001 that have the same vesting provisions as the stock options. Compensation expense of $2.4 million relating to restricted stock will be recognized over the vesting period. The employee options and restricted stock grants represented $1.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense in 2002.

        The fair value of the Chief Executive Officer's option was $14.4 million, measured at the demutualization date under the minimum value method. This method was used since, at the date of demutualization, there was not an independent established public trading market for Class A shares. Significant assumptions used to calculate fair value included: risk-free interest rate of 5.11%, expected life equal to the maximum term of the option and no expected dividends. The fair value of the option granted to employees in 2001 was $4.2 million, measured at the grant date under the minimum value method. A risk-free interest rate of 5.40% was used over a period of five years with no expected dividends. The fair value of the options granted to employees in 2002 was $0.4 million, measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes method of valuation, as a public market for the Class A shares had been established as a result of the completion of the initial public offering. A risk-free rate of 3.50% was used over a period of six years with a 41% volatility factor and a 1.43% dividend yield.

F-25


        The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three-year period ended December 31, 2002:

 
   Number of Shares
 
   Class A
   Class B
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1999   —   —
  Granted   1,293,035   156
  Exercised   —   —
  Cancelled   —   —
   
 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2000   1,293,035   156
  Granted   1,176,500   —
  Adjustment for reorganization   145,543   —
  Exercised   —   —
  Cancelled   (3,750 ) —
   
 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2001   2,611,328   156
  Granted   27,000   —
  Exercised   (150 ) —
  Cancelled   (115,200 ) —
   
 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2002   2,522,978   156
   
 

        Total stock options outstanding and the portion of each option that can be exercised at December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 
    
   Total Options
Outstanding
   Exercisable
Shares
CEO Option:            
  Tranche A:   Class A shares   719,289   431,573
    Class B shares   78   47
  Tranche B:   Class A shares   719,289   431,573
    Class B shares   78   47
Employee Options:            
  Class A shares       1,084,400   422,960
       
 
  TOTAL STOCK OPTIONS       2,523,134   1,286,200
       
 

F-26

        Employee options granted in 2001 all have an exercise price of $22.00 per share, and options granted in 2002 have an exercise price of $35.00 per share, the offering price of the initial public offering. The employee options granted in 2001 are 40% vested at December 31, 2002. No portion of the 2002 options are vested at December 31, 2002. If the CEO exercised his option at December 31, 2002 for the 60% that was vested at that date, the vested exercise price of $32.8 million was paid in cash and only Class A shares were issued to satisfy the option, the CEO would have received 768,273 Class A shares for each Tranche, or a total of 1,536,546 Class A shares, based on the value of the option and the closing price of our publicly traded Class A shares on that date. The CEO option has a total exercise price of $54.6 million. A total of 2,560,912 Class A shares would be required at December 31, 2002 to satisfy the total CEO option outstanding with Class A shares, based on the value of the option and closing price of our publicly traded shares at that date. This total also assumes that cash is received for the entire exercise price of the option.

17.    P-M-T Limited Partnership

        CME was the general partner, and members and clearing firms of CME were limited partners, in P-M-T Limited Partnership (PMT), an Illinois limited partnership. PMT was formed in 1987 to initiate the development of the GLOBEX global electronic trading platform. Since December 1998, the current version of this system has been operated by the exchange using electronic trading software licensed from ParisBourseSBFSA (now Euronext-Paris). CME charged PMT for services provided.

        The limited partners of PMT approved the sale of all of the assets and business of PMT to the exchange as part of the demutualization process. The sale was effective November 13, 2000. The purchase price was $5.1 million and was based on an independent appraisal of PMT. Total distribution to the partners of PMT was the purchase price plus interest of 1% over prime from the date of sale to the date of distribution, and included a payment to CME as general partner of $1.1 million. The transaction was recorded using the purchase method of accounting and was effected at an amount approximately equal to the net assets of PMT. As a result, no goodwill or adjustment to the carrying value of assets was required.

        PMT reported net income of $1.4 million for the period from January 1, 2000 to November 13, 2000. If the assets and business of PMT had been purchased by the exchange as of January 1, 2000, the net operating loss of CME for 2000 would have been reduced by approximately $0.6 million, or a reduction of the basic loss per share of $0.02.

18.    Credit Facility

        On October 18, 2002, the exchange renewed its $500.0 million secured committed line of credit with a consortium of banks. The secured credit agreement, which expires on October 18, 2003, is collateralized by clearing firm security deposits held by the exchange in the form of U.S. Treasury or agency securities, as well as security deposit funds in IEF2. The amount held as collateral at December 31, 2002 was $882.4 million. The facility, which has never been used, may be utilized in certain situations, such as a temporary disruption of the domestic payments system that would delay settlement between the exchange and its clearing firms, or in the event of a clearing firm default. Under the terms of the credit agreement, there are a number of covenants with which the exchange must comply. Among these covenants, the exchange is required to submit quarterly reports to the participating banks and maintain at all times a consolidated tangible net worth of not less than $90.0 million. Interest on amounts borrowed is calculated at the Fed Funds Rate plus 45/100 of 1% per annum. Commitment fees for the line of credit were $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

F-27


19.    Contingencies and Guarantees

        Legal Matters.    In November 2002, a former employee filed a charge of discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming that CME terminated his employment because of his race. On or about November 25, 2002, this individual also filed a three-count complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois alleging common law claims of retaliatory discharge, promissory estoppel, and unjust enrichment relating to termination of his employment by CME and is seeking damages in excess of $3 million. Based on its investigation to date and advice from legal counsel, management believes these claims are without merit and will defend them vigorously.

        In addition, the exchange is a defendant in, and has potential for, various other legal proceedings arising from its regular business activities. While the ultimate results of such proceedings against the exchange cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.

        Employment-Related Agreements.    The exchange has an employment agreement with James J. McNulty, as its President and Chief Executive Officer, through December 31, 2003, subject to renewal by mutual agreement of the parties. Mr. McNulty's base salary for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $1.0 million. His employment agreement provides that during the agreement term his annual base salary shall be no less than $1.0 million and his annual bonus may not exceed the lesser of $1.5 million or 10% of CME's net income. Mr. McNulty is entitled to participate in CME's benefits programs and is eligible for other perquisites as approved by the Board in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for each calendar year. He was granted a Non-Qualified Stock Option and Long-Term Incentive Award in the employment agreement, which has been defined and modified through a supplement and amendments to the agreement (note 16).

        In the event of a termination without cause by the exchange, Mr. McNulty shall be entitled to receive his base salary plus one-third of the maximum annual incentive bonus for the remainder of the agreement term. In addition, in the event of termination without cause by the exchange, the unvested portion of the stock option granted to Mr. McNulty would become fully vested.

        Under the contract, if within two years of a "change in control" of the exchange, Mr. McNulty is terminated by the exchange or he terminates the agreement as a result of the occurrence of one of the matters defined in the agreement as "good reason," he shall be entitled to two times his base salary plus one and one-third times the maximum annual incentive bonus for which he would have been eligible, provided that the severance payments do not exceed $8.0 million. The payment would be subject to reduction to the extent that it would otherwise result in the payment of tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Also, the unvested portion of Mr. McNulty's stock option would become fully vested.

        The contract also provides that in the event of termination due to death or permanent disability, the exchange shall for a period of six months following such termination, continue to pay Mr. McNulty's annual base salary, as then in effect. Any unvested portion of the stock option granted to Mr. McNulty would become fully vested upon termination due to death or permanent disability, and his estate or designated beneficiary has the continued right to exercise the stock option through the end of the term of the option.

F-28


        The exchange also has an employment agreement with Craig S. Donohue, as its Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, through December 31, 2004, subject to renewal by mutual agreement of the parties. Effective October 9, 2002, Mr. Donohue's annual base salary was increased to $550,000. His employment agreement provides that during the term of the agreement, his base salary shall be no less than $550,000 per year. He is entitled to participate in CME's benefits programs.

        In the event of a termination without cause by the exchange, Mr. Donohue shall be entitled to receive a one-time lump sum severance payment equal to 24 months of his base salary as of the date of his termination.

        Mutual Offset System.    At December 31, 2002, CME was contingently liable on irrevocable letters of credit totaling $55.0 million that relate to the mutual offset agreement between CME and Singapore Exchange Derivatives Trading Ltd. (SGX). This mutual offset agreement allows a clearing firm of either exchange to execute after-hours trades at the other exchange. When a clearing firm of CME executes an after-hours trade at SGX, the resulting trade is transferred from SGX to CME, and CME assumes the financial obligation to SGX for the transferred trade. A similar obligation occurs when a clearing firm of SGX executes a trade at CME. The net position of each exchange to the other is marked-to-market daily based on the settlement prices of the applicable exchange, and settlement is made between the exchanges in cash. Since settlement prices at each exchange may differ at the end of any given trading day and Singapore is 13 to 14 hours ahead of Chicago, there may be a difference between the two settlement amounts, and there will be a difference in the timing of the settlement. To allow for adequate and timely funding of the settlement and in the unlikely event of a payment default by a clearing firm, CME and SGX each maintain irrevocable standby letters of credit payable to the other exchange. Regardless of the irrevocable letter of credit, CME guarantees all cleared transactions submitted by its members through SGX and would initiate procedures designed to satisfy these financial obligations in the event of a default, such as the use of security deposits and performance bonds of the defaulting clearing firm.

        GFX Letter of Credit.    CME guarantees a $2.5 million standby letter of credit for GFX. The beneficiary of the letter of credit is the clearing firm that is used by GFX to execute and maintain its foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures position. The letter of credit will be utilized in the event that GFX defaults in meeting requirements to its clearing firm. Per exchange requirements, GFX is required to place a performance bond on deposit with its clearing firm. In the unlikely event of a payment default by GFX, GFX's performance bond would first be used to cover the deficit. If this amount is not sufficient, the letter of credit would be used, and finally CME would guarantee the remaining deficit, if any.

        Cross-Margin Agreements.    CME, Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) and New York Clearing Corporation (NYCC) have a cross-margin arrangement, whereby a common clearing firm may maintain a cross-margin account in which the clearing firm's positions in certain CME futures and options on futures are combined with certain positions cleared by OCC and NYCC for purposes of calculating performance bond requirements. The performance bond deposits are held jointly by CME, OCC and NYCC. If a participating firm defaults, the gain or loss on the liquidation of the firm's open position and the proceeds from the liquidation of the cross-margin account are split 47.5% each to OCC and CME and 5% to NYCC.

F-29


        A cross-margin agreement with the London Clearing House (LCH) became effective in March 2000, whereby clearing firms' offsetting positions with CME and LCH are subject to reduced margin requirements. Clearing firms maintain separate performance bond deposits with each clearing house, but depending on the net offsetting positions between CME and LCH, each clearing house may reduce the firm's performance bond requirement. In the event of a firm default, the total liquidation net gain or loss on the firm's offsetting open positions and the proceeds from the liquidation of the performance bond collateral held by each clearing house's supporting offsetting positions are split evenly between CME and LCH.

        A cross-margin agreement with the Government Securities Clearing Corporation (GSCC) became effective in April 2002, whereby clearing firms' offsetting positions with CME and GSCC are subject to reduced margin requirements. Clearing firms maintain separate performance bond deposits with each clearing house, but depending on the net offsetting positions between CME and GSCC, each clearing house may reduce the firm's performance bond requirement. In the event of a firm default, the total liquidation net gain or loss on the firm's offsetting open position is split evenly between CME and GSCC.

        Additionally, for both the LCH and the GSCC cross-margining agreements, if, after liquidation of all the positions and collateral of the defaulting firm at each respective clearing organization, and taking into account any cross-margining loss sharing payments, if any of the participating clearing organizations has a remaining liquidating surplus, and any other participating clearing organization has a remaining liquidating deficit, any additional surplus from the liquidation will be shared with the other clearing houses to the extent that they have a remaining liquidating deficit. Any remaining surplus funds will be passed to the bankruptcy trustee.

        Interest Earning Facility Program.    Clearing firms, at their option, may instruct CME to invest cash on deposit for performance bond and security deposit purposes in a portfolio of securities that is part of the Interest Earning Facility (IEF) program. The first IEF was organized in 1997 as two limited liability companies. Interest earned, net of expenses, is passed on to participating clearing firms. The principal of the first IEF totaled $350.0 million at December 31, 2002 and is guaranteed by the exchange as long as clearing firms maintain investment balances in this portfolio. The investment portfolio of these facilities is managed by two of the exchange's approved settlement banks, and eligible investments include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, U.S. Treasury strips and reverse repurchase agreements. The maximum average portfolio maturity is 90 days, and the maximum maturity for an individual security is 13 months. If funds invested in the IEF are unavailable due to lack of liquidity in the investment portfolio, default of a repurchase counterparty, or loss in market value, CME guarantees the amount deposited by the clearing firm. Management believes that the market risk exposure relating to its guarantee is not material to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

F-30


20.    GFX Derivatives Transactions

        GFX Corporation engages in the purchase and sale of CME foreign exchange and Eurodollar futures contracts. GFX posts bids and offers in these products on the GLOBEX electronic trading platform to maintain a market and promote liquidity in these futures products. GFX limits risk from these transactions through offsetting transactions using futures contracts or spot foreign exchange transactions with approved counterparties in the interbank market. Formal trading limits have been established. Futures transactions are cleared by an independent clearing firm. Any residual open positions are marked to market on a daily basis, and all net realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in other revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Net trading gains amounted to $3.2 million in 2002, $3.8 million in 2001 and $4.4 million in 2000. At December 31, 2002, futures positions held by GFX had a notional value of $51.9 million, offset by a similar amount of spot foreign exchange positions, resulting in a zero net position.

21.    Earnings per Share

        Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of all classes of common stock outstanding for each reporting period. Shares outstanding are calculated as if the current holding company structure was in place for all periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a manner similar to basic earnings per share, except that the weighted average shares outstanding is increased to include additional shares from restricted stock grants and the assumed exercise of stock options, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated assuming that outstanding stock options with an exercise price less than the current market price of that class of stock would be exercised, and that proceeds from such exercises would be used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. The dilutive effect of the option granted to the CEO is calculated as if the entire option, including the Class A share and Class B share portions of the option, would be satisfied through the issuance of Class A shares.

 
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
 
    
   (restated)

   (restated)

  
 
   (in thousands, except share and per share data)

  
Net Income (Loss)   $ 94,067   $ 75,108   $ (10,496 )
   
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares:                    
  Basic     29,066,242     28,774,700     28,774,700  
  Effect of stock options     959,253     443,028     —  
  Effect of restricted stock grants     35,042     22,704     —  
   
 
 
 
  Diluted     30,060,537     29,240,432     —  
   
 
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per Share:                    
  Basic   $ 3.24   $ 2.61   $ (0.36 )
  Diluted     3.13     2.57     —  

22.    Wagner Patent Litigation

        On August 26, 2002, the lawsuit with eSpeed relating to the Wagner patent was settled for $15.0 million. The settlement required CME to make an initial $5.0 million payment in September 2002 and five subsequent annual payments of $2.0 million each beginning in August 2003. The present value of the settlement, or $13.7 million, was recognized as an expense in the third quarter of 2002.

F-31


        On December 23, 2002, CME signed an agreement to resolve an indemnification dispute with Euronext-Paris related to CME's settlement of the Wagner patent litigation. Under the agreement, Euronext-Paris will pay CME $7.5 million, one-half of CME's settlement with eSpeed. CME recognized the present value of the entire $7.5 million settlement in the fourth quarter of 2002 as a reduction of the expense recognized in the third quarter of 2002. Half of the total payment due was received by CME in January 2003, and the remainder is due by year-end 2003.

23.    Quarterly Information (unaudited)

As Restated:

   First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
   Total
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002:                              
  Net revenues   $ 101,092   $ 107,532   $ 125,165   $ 119,388   $ 453,177
  Income before income taxes     31,163     34,489     38,133     50,444     154,229
  Net income     18,659     20,991     22,898     31,519     94,067
  Earnings per share:                              
    Basic   $ 0.65   $ 0.73   $ 0.79   $ 1.06   $ 3.24
    Diluted     0.63     0.71     0.77     1.02     3.13
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001:                              
  Net revenues   $ 92,170   $ 94,698   $ 95,329   $ 104,956   $ 387,153
  Income before income taxes     32,137     34,087     26,939     32,603     125,766
  Net income     19,267     20,537     15,983     19,321     75,108
  Earnings per share:                              
    Basic   $ 0.67   $ 0.71   $ 0.56   $ 0.67   $ 2.61
    Diluted     0.67     0.70     0.54     0.66     2.57
As Previously Reported:

   First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter(1)
   Total
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002:                              
  Net income   $ 22,722   $ 18,942   $ 19,354     —     —
  Earnings per share:                              
    Basic   $ 0.79   $ 0.66   $ 0.67     —     —
    Diluted     0.76     0.64     0.65     —     —
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001:                              
  Net income   $ 17,941   $ 18,764   $ 17,776   $ 13,821   $ 68,302
  Earnings per share:                              
    Basic   $ 0.62   $ 0.65   $ 0.62   $ 0.48   $ 2.37
    Diluted     0.62     0.64     0.60     0.46     2.33
(1)
Fourth quarter and year-end 2002 data was not previously reported.

F-32

LOGO


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

        The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable in connection with the sale of Class A common stock being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions payable by the selling shareholders. All amounts, other than the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee, are estimates.

SEC registration fee   $ 26,976
NASD filing fee     30,500
Printing and engraving expenses     *
Legal fees and expenses     *
Accounting fees and expenses     *
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses     *
Miscellaneous fees and expenses     *
   
Total   $ *
   
*
To be completed by amendment.


ITEM 15.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        Section 145 of Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award or a corporation's board of directors to grant indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under some circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act and to provide for the reimbursement of expenses incurred.

        As permitted by the Delaware law, Article XI of our certificate of incorporation and Article IX of our bylaws provide that (1) we are permitted to indemnify our directors, officers and other employees to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law; (2) we are permitted to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors, officers and other employees in connection with defending a legal proceeding if we have received in advance an undertaking by the person receiving such advance to repay all amounts advanced if it should be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us; and (3) the rights conferred in the bylaws are not exclusive. As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders; (2) for acts of omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (regarding payments of dividends; stock purchases or redemptions which are unlawful); or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. This provision in the certificate of incorporation does not eliminate the directors' fiduciary duty, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing violations of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the director and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law. The provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

        The Underwriting Agreement, contained in Exhibit 1.1 hereto, contains provisions indemnifying our officers and directors against some types of liabilities.

II-1



ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS.

        The following documents are exhibits to the registration statement.

 
 Exhibit
Number
   Description of Exhibit
  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 1, 2001, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and CME Merger Subsidiary Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Form S-4, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2001, File No. 33-66988).

 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 4, 2001, File No. 0-33379).

 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002, File No. 0-33379).

 
3.3
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., as amended November 7, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2002, File No. 33-90106).

 
4.1
 
Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2001, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holding's Inc.'s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 4, 2001).

 
4.2
 
First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2002, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., Mellon Investor Services, LLC and Computershare Investor Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2002).

 
5.1*
 
Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).

 
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 
23.2*
 
Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois) (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
*
To be filed by amendment.


ITEM 17.    UNDERTAKINGS.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-2


        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

II-3


SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on April 7, 2003.

    CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE HOLDINGS INC.

 
 
By:
 
/s/  JAMES J. MCNULTY      
James J. McNulty
 President and Chief Executive Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        We, the undersigned directors and officers of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., do hereby constitute and appoint each of James J. McNulty, Craig S. Donohue or David G. Gomach as our true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, to do any and all acts and things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or advisable to enable said Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration statements, or any registration statement for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, including specifically, but without limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) hereof; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on April 7, 2003.

Signature
   Title

 
 
 
/s/  JAMES J. MCNULTY      
James J. McNulty		   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/  TERRENCE A. DUFFY      
Terrence A. Duffy
 
Chairman of the Board and Director

/s/  DAVID G. GOMACH      
David G. Gomach
 
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer

/s/  NANCY W. GOBLE      
Nancy W. Goble
 
Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer

/s/  TIMOTHY R. BRENNAN      
Timothy R. Brennan
 
Director

John W. Croghan
 
Director

 
 
 

II-4


/s/  MARTIN J. GEPSMAN      
Martin J. Gepsman
 
Director

Daniel R. Glickman
 
Director

/s/  SCOTT GORDON      
Scott Gordon
 
Director

/s/  YRA G. HARRIS      
Yra G. Harris
 
Director

/s/  BRUCE F. JOHNSON      
Bruce F. Johnson
 
Director

/s/  GARY M. KATLER      
Gary M. Katler
 
Director

/s/  PATRICK B. LYNCH      
Patrick B. Lynch
 
Director

/s/  LEO MELAMED      
Leo Melamed
 
Director

John D. Newhouse
 
Director

/s/  JAMES E. OLIFF      
James E. Oliff
 
Director

/s/  WILLIAM G. SALATICH, JR.      
William G. Salatich, Jr.
 
Director

/s/  JOHN F. SANDNER      
John F. Sandner
 
Director

Myron S. Scholes
 
Director

Verne O. Sedlacek
 
Director

/s/  WILLIAM R. SHEPARD      
William R. Shepard
 
Director

/s/  HOWARD J. SIEGEL      
Howard J. Siegel
 
Director

II-5


EXHIBIT INDEX

 
 Exhibit
Number
   Description of Exhibit
  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 1, 2001, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and CME Merger Subsidiary Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Form S-4, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2001, File No. 33-66988).

 
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 4, 2001, File No. 0-33379).

 
3.2
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002, File No. 0-33379).

 
3.3
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., as amended November 7, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on December 5, 2002, File No. 33-90106).

 
4.1
 
Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2001, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holding's Inc.'s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 4, 2001).

 
4.2
 
First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2002, between Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., Mellon Investor Services, LLC and Computershare Investor Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.'s Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 29, 2002).

 
5.1*
 
Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).

 
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 
23.2*
 
Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois) (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
*
To be filed by amendment.


QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE OFFERING
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
RISK FACTORS
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
USE OF PROCEEDS
DIVIDEND POLICY
PRICE RANGE OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK
CAPITALIZATION
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
UNDERWRITERS
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX