Exact match domains previously had significant built in SEO value before you even developed the site. Google gradually lowered their weight as an increasing number of poor quality sites used exact match domains just for the SEO boost. This resulted in frustrating search results for Google users, so the exact match weight had to come down. It is now near zero.
The days of relying on keyword tool figures as a barometer of traffic are done. That ship has sailed.
While you can't look at them as being this big SEO asset anymore, many exact match domains are good domains in thier own right. It isn't a total loss.

