(Reuters) - Exchange operator CME Group ( CME ) reported a higher fourth quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by increased hedging activity as investors moved to mitigate risks amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Net profit attributable to the common shareholders of CME came in at $863.7 million, or $2.40 per share, in the three months ended December 31, compared with $804.3 million, or $2.24 per share, in the year-ago period.

(Reporting by Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)