CME Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) today announced it priced an underwritten public offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2009, $300 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2010 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.40% notes due 2013. The floating rate notes due 2009 will bear interest equal to LIBOR plus 0.20% per year, adjusted quarterly. The floating rate notes due 2010 will bear interest equal to LIBOR plus 0.65% per year, adjusted quarterly. The offering is being made under CME Group's existing shelf registration statement and is expected to close on August 12, 2008, subject to customary closing conditions.
CME Group intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with other available funds, to finance its previously announced proposed acquisition of NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NMX). The offering is not conditioned upon completion of the acquisition. If the acquisition is not completed, CME Group intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the floating rate notes for general corporate purposes. The 5.40% notes have a mandatory redemption feature if the acquisition is not completed prior to December 31, 2008 or if the merger agreement is terminated on or prior to such date.
This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the notes will be made exclusively by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement.
Banc of America Securities LLC and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives of the underwriters. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting Banc of America Securities LLC, Prospectus Department, 100 West 33rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10001, 800-294-1322; or UBS Securities LLC, 677 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06901, Attn: Fixed Income Syndicate, toll-free 877-827-6444, ext. 561 3884.
