The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. reported a 24% increase in fourth quarter net revenues to US$233 million and a 34% increase in net income to US$76 million.

The company also reported record revenues and earnings for 2005. Net revenues climbed 25% to US$921 million for the year, compared with US$734 million for 2004. Net income rose 40% to US$307 million, versus US$220 million a year ago.

“One of CME’s core strengths is its product diversity, and in 2005 CME delivered impressive volume growth across the board,” said CME chairman Terry Duffy. “Total average daily volume grew 34% and total volume exceeded one billion contracts for the first time ever in a single year. Furthermore, 70% of our volume was traded electronically on our CME Globex platform, up from 57% in 2004. These results are particularly significant since market volatility measures were muted during 2005.”

“Our 2005 record revenues and earnings were driven by volume growth of more than 20% in every product category and 62% growth in electronic trading,” said CME chief executive officer Craig Donohue. “In 2006 we will continue to invest in technology to improve the speed, functionality and reliability of our CME Globex electronic trading platform. We will also continue to focus on growing our foreign exchange markets, increasing electronic trading of our financial options products and expanding our European and Asian client segments.”

CME is the largest futures exchange in the United States and also owns and operates the largest futures clearing house in the world.