CME vs TDG Comparison

Based in Chicago, CME Group operates exchanges giving investors, suppliers, and businesses the ability to trade futures and derivatives based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign currencies, energy, metals, and commodities. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange was founded in 1898 and in 2002 completed its IPO. Since then, CME Group has consolidated parts of the industry by merging with crosstown rival CBOT Holdings in 2007 before acquiring Nymex Holdings in 2008 and NEX in 2018. In addition, the company has a 27% stake in S&P Dow Jones Indexes, making the Chicago Mercantile Exchange the exclusive venue to trade and clear S&P futures contracts. Through CME's acquisition of NEX, it also expanded into cash foreign exchange, fixed-income trading, and collateral optimization.

TransDigm manufactures and services a broad set of specialized parts for commercial and military aircraft. The firm has three segments: power and control, airframes, and a small nonaviation segment, which serves mostly off-road vehicles and mining equipment. It is an acquisitive holding company focused on buying up smaller firms that make proprietary aerospace products with substantial aftermarket revenue. TransDigm regularly employs financial leverage to amplify its operating results.