CME Group to Expand CBOT Grain and Oilseed Open Out-Cry Trading Hours During USDA Crop Reports

CME Group announced it will offer expanded floor trading hours in its Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grain and oilseed futures and options during major U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Reports, pending U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) certification.

The floor trading open will be changed to 7:20 a.m. CST, from 9:30 a.m. CST, on mornings of specified reports beginning June 12, 2012.

The major USDA reports that will initiate early opening include:

• WASDE
• Crop Production
• Prospective Plantings
• Acreage

The following dates will be affected for the remainder of 2012:

• June 29 (Acreage)
• July 11 (WASDE, Crop Production)
• August 10 (WASDE)
• September 12 (WASDE, Crop Production)
• October 11 (WASDE, Crop Production)
• November 9 (WASDE, Crop Production)
• December 11 (WASDE, Crop Production)

Products included in the expanded hours are CBOT Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil, Oats and Rough Rice futures and options.

Open-outcry trading hours will continue to close at the same time, 1:15 p.m. CST Monday to Friday.