CME Group released an announcement on Thursday, March 16, in the United Kingdom regarding a potential offer for NEX Group plc.

CME Group Inc. (CME) notes the announcement made by NEX Group plc (NEX) yesterday and confirms that it has made a preliminary approach regarding a potential acquisition of NEX.

CME and NEX currently are working together to allow CME to complete due diligence and determine whether a firm offer can be made. As a result, there can be no certainty that any firm offer will ultimately be made for NEX, nor in relation to the terms on which such offer may be made.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, CME is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on April 12, 2018, being the 28th day following the date of NEX's announcement to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for NEX in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline may be extended with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.

Important notices

This communication is not intended to and does not constitute or form any part of an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction. The release, publication or distribution of this communication in whole or in part in, into or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Publication on Website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this announcement will be published (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions) at www.cmegroup.com/merger by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the business day following this announcement. The content of the website referred to above is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

CME Securities in Issue

In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, CME announces that, as of March 14, 2018, it has 340,406,639 shares of Class A common stock of $0.01 par value each in issue. The International Securities Identification Number for the shares of Class A common stock is US12572Q1058.