Equity

Stock Repurchases

On December 4, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of 50 million shares, which was approximately 18% of the total shares of our outstanding common stock at that time.

In any period, share repurchase transactions could result in timing differences between the recognition of those repurchases and their settlement for cash. This could result in a difference between the cash used for financing activities related to common stock repurchased and the comparable change in equity.

Share repurchases for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:



(in millions, except average price)	2018		2017
Total number of shares purchased ¹	5.0		1.5
Average price paid per share ²	$	178.11	$	129.97
Total cash utilized	$	1,100	$	201


¹	The three months ended March 31, 2018 include shares received as part of our accelerated share repurchase agreement described in more detail below.


²	Average price paid per share information does not include the accelerated share repurchase agreement as discussed in more detail below.

Our purchased shares may be used for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of shares for stock compensation plans and to offset the dilutive effect of the exercise of employee stock options. As of March 31, 2018, approximately 14.0 million shares remained available under the current share repurchase program which has no expiration date and purchases under this program may be made from time to time on the open market and in private transactions, depending on market conditions.

Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement

We entered into an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement with a financial institution on March 6, 2018 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $1 billion. The ASR agreement was structured as an uncapped ASR agreement in which we paid $1 billion and received an initial delivery of approximately 4.5 million shares, representing 85% of the $1 billion at a price equal to the then market price of the Company. The total number of shares to be repurchased under the ASR agreement will be equal to $1 billion divided by the volume weighted-average share price, less a discount, over the term of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the transaction under the ASR agreement is expected to be completed no later than the third quarter of 2018. The repurchased shares are held in Treasury. The ASR agreement was executed under the current share repurchase program, approved on December 4, 2013.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The agreement with the minority partners that own 27% of our S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC joint venture contains redemption features whereby interests held by minority partners are redeemable either (i) at the option of the holder or (ii) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within our control. Specifically, under the terms of the operating agreement of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, after December 31, 2017, CME Group and CME Group Index Services LLC ("CGIS") has the right at any time to sell, and we are obligated to buy, at least 20% of their share in S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. In addition, in the event there is a change of control of the Company, for the 15 days following a change in control, CME Group and CGIS will have the right to put their interest to us at the then fair value of CME Group's and CGIS' minority interest.

If interests were to be redeemed under this agreement, we would generally be required to purchase the interest at fair value on the date of redemption. This interest is presented on the consolidated balance sheets outside of equity under the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” with an initial value based on fair value for the portion attributable to the net assets we acquired, and based on our historical cost for the portion attributable to our S&P Index business. We adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interest each reporting period to its estimated redemption value, but never less than its initial fair value, considering a combination of an income and market valuation approach. Our income and market valuation approaches incorporate Level 3 fair value measures for instances when observable inputs are not available, including assumptions related to expected future net cash flows, long-term growth rates, the timing and nature of tax attributes, and the redemption features. Any adjustments to the redemption value will impact retained income.

Noncontrolling interests that do not contain such redemption features are presented in equity.

Changes to redeemable noncontrolling interest during the three months ended March 31, 2018 were as follows:



(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	1,350
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	40
Distributions payable to noncontrolling interest	(28		)
Redemption value adjustment	(12		)
Balance as of March 31, 2018	$	1,350

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018:



(in millions)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Forward Exchange Contracts				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	(239	)	$	(402	)		$	2			(10		)	$	(649	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	5			—				2				10			17
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	—			3			¹	(1		)	²	—			2
Net other comprehensive income	5			3				1				10			19
Balance as of March 31, 2018	$	(234	)	$	(399	)		$	3			$	—		$	(630	)


¹	See Note 6 — Employee Benefits for additional details of items reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.


²	See Note 5 — Derivative Instruments for additional details of items reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

The net actuarial loss and prior service cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans included in other comprehensive income is net of a tax provision of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.