CME Group and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) announced today that Dr. Lars Peter Hansen, Homer J. Livingston Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Economics and Statistics at the University of Chicago, is the 2008 recipient of the CME Group-MSRI Prize in Innovative Quantitative Applications.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today announced that September 2008 volume averaged 15.7 million contracts per day, up 18 percent from September 2007 and up 44 percent compared with August 2008, assuming combined CME Group/NYMEX volumes. Total monthly volume exceeded 328 million contracts, a record 81 percent of which were traded electronically.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, announced today that Random Length Lumber futures and options on futures contracts will be expanded and offered on CME Globex beginning October 20. The electronically traded contracts will be listed alongside and be fungible with the lumber contracts that have traded in open auction since 1969.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today announced that it will launch US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil (HRC) steel futures contracts for trading and clearing on CME Globex and ClearPort, beginning on October 19 for the October 20 trade date.

In consideration of the impact of Hurricane Ike, a Delivery Committee panel convened to review deliveries in progress related to the NYMEX Natural Gas (NG) Futures Contract for the September 2008 contract month.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today announced that it has expanded its international team by creating two new positions designed to support the company's global business development:

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse exchange, and the Korea Exchange (KRX), a premier capital market place for Northeast Asia, announced today that they have signed an agreement for the KOSPI 200 futures contract to be listed on CME Globex, the electronic trading platform of CME Group. The terms of the five-year agreement will include the creation of a telecommunications hub in Seoul and will mark the first time the KRX has embarked on a third-party agreement for its KOSPI 200 product.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today submitted changes to its regulator for the benchmark wheat futures contract. The changes, which call for seasonally increased storage fees and additional delivery points, have been recommended to improve convergence between futures and cash prices at contract expiration.

CME Group (NASDAQ: CME), the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, and Osaka Securities Exchange Co., Ltd. (OSE), the premier Japanese derivatives and securities exchange, today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue opportunities to jointly develop products and services that will benefit market users globally.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today announced that August 2008 volume averaged 11.0 million contracts per day, assuming combined CME Group and NYMEX volumes for the entire month. On this basis, total monthly volume totaled 231 million contracts, 80 percent of which were traded electronically.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, announced today at the Burgenstock Derivatives conference that it will launch its popular E-mini S&P 500 futures denominated in euros beginning October 27. The contract will enable market participants to gain access to the widely watched U.S. large cap stock index combined with the exposure to the euro currency in a single trading vehicle.

CME Group, the world's largest and most diverse derivatives exchange, today announced that is has hired Chris LaRosa as Director, Association Relations. LaRosa will be responsible for the implementation of CME Group's global association strategy and ensuring that the company's relationships with professional and industry associations are aligned with its corporate initiatives in order to deliver customer value.