I received an email from CME group.

July 13, 2007

To Our Valued Customers:

We are very pleased to announce that today CME and CBOT have completed the merger of our two great institutions. The new entity – CME Group Inc., a CME/Chicago Board of Trade Company – is now the world’s largest and most diverse exchange.

Customers around the world will now have access to a wide array of benchmark exchange-traded derivatives products based on the entire U.S. interest rate yield curve, equity indexes, foreign exchange, agricultural commodities, energy, metals and alternative investment products such as weather and real estate. Supported by leading trading technology and world-class clearing, these products ultimately will be available for trade around the clock, around the world from a single electronic platform as well as via open outcry and privately negotiated trading. As one company, we will be able to provide more diverse and innovative products, increased operational efficiencies and a more streamlined business environment.

CME and CBOT are two of the most recognized brands in global financial markets. As we integrate our two companies, we will leverage our combined strengths to create an even more powerful brand. Our brand value will reflect our commitment to serving our customers first – through inventiveness, superior service, transparency, liquidity, industry leading technology, efficient clearing and global reach. Our new company, CME Group, is committed to these values as we continue to strive to improve the way markets work for your benefit.

Our customers are the foundation for our success, and we will work hard to keep you well-informed of our progress and will seek your feedback along the way. For more information, including a fact sheet and answers to many of your integration-specific questions, please be sure to visit our new Web site at www.cmegroup.com.

We deeply value our relationship with you and look forward to continuing to provide the innovative products, technology and customer service expected from us.

It is  nice to hear about the merger. We have a stronger exchange. But….does it mean we have less down time for electronic market?uhm…..