The Chicago Board of Trade is the latest financial market planning to go public.

CBOT Holdings Inc., the holding company that operates the Chicago derivatives exchange, announced Thursday it intends to pursue an initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. It aims to complete the deal in the second half of 2005.

The aggregate value of the offering is currently expected to be approximately US$150 million, it says, but would ultimately be determined by the company and the underwriters based on market conditions and other relevant factors. It notes the offering may include shares offered by the CBOT members as selling stockholders.

Any such offering would be subject to the receipt of stockholder approval to permit the issuance of more shares of Class A common stock, SEC clearance and the receipt of any other necessary approvals. As such, the firm cautions that there can be no assurance as to whether any offering would be completed or as to the size or terms of any such offering.