Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
Overview
ITG is a global financial technology company that helps leading brokers and asset managers improve returns for investors around the world. ITG empowers traders to reduce the end-to-end cost of implementing investments via liquidity, execution, analytics and workflow technology solutions. ITG has offices in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America and offers execution services in more than 50 countries.
Our business is organized into four reportable operating segments: U.S. Operations, Canadian Operations, European Operations and Asia Pacific Operations (see Note 16,
Segment Reporting
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements). These four operating segments provide the following categories of products and services:
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·
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|
Execution Services — includes (a) liquidity matching through POSIT, (b) self-directed trading using algorithms (including single stocks and portfolio lists) and smart routing, (c) portfolio trading and single stock sales trading desks providing execution expertise and (d) futures and options trading
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|
·
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|
Workflow Technology — includes trade order and execution management software applications in addition to network connectivity
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|
·
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|
Analytics — includes (a) tools enabling portfolio managers and traders to improve pre-trade, real-time and post-trade execution performance, (b) portfolio construction and optimization decisions and (c) securities valuation
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Regional segment results exclude the impact of Corporate activity, which is presented separately and includes investment income from treasury activity, certain non-operating revenues and other gains as well as costs not associated with operating the businesses within the Company’s regional segments. These costs include, among others, (a) the costs of being a public company, such as certain staff costs, a portion of external audit fees, and reporting, filing and listing costs, (b) intangible asset amortization, (c) interest expense, (d) professional fees associated with our global transfer pricing structure, (e) foreign exchange gains or losses and (f) certain non-operating expenses.
In 2018, we changed the way we measure the profitability of our regional segments to reflect the global nature of our business operations. Certain costs for senior management, product management, marketing, management information systems and infrastructure that are incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the entire Company are now being allocated to the international segments. For comparability purposes, we have restated previously reported segment results for the prior-year periods to reflect these changes.
Pending Merger with Virtu
On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Virtu Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Virtu”) and Impala Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu (“Merger Sub”). The Merger Agreement provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu. The Merger is expected to close during the first half of 2019 and is subject to the approval of our stockholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions.
For additional information related to the Merger and the Merger Agreement, please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 8, 2018 and Note 20,
Subsequent Event,
to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Sources of Revenues
Revenues from our products and services are generated from commissions and fees, recurring (subscriptions) and other sources.
Commissions and fees are derived primarily from (i) commissions charged for trade execution services, (ii) income generated on net executions, whereby equity orders are filled at different prices within or at the National Best Bid and Offer (“NBBO”) and (iii) commission sharing arrangements between ITG Net (our private value‑added FIX‑based financial electronic communications network) and third‑party brokers and alternative trading systems whose trading products are made available to our clients on our order management system (“OMS”), and our execution management system (“EMS”), including the new Algo Wheel functionality we have embedded within Triton. The Algo Wheel is a broker-neutral tool for allocating trades to broker algorithms in an unbiased systematic fashion using a quantifiable method for evaluating and rewarding brokers for execution performance. We also have commission sharing arrangements for our Single Ticket Clearing service and our RFQ‑hub request‑for‑quote service. Because commissions are earned on a per‑transaction basis, such revenues fluctuate from period-to-period depending on (a) the volume of securities traded through our services in the U.S. and Canada, (b) the contract value of securities traded in Europe and the Asia Pacific region and (c) our commission rates. Certain factors that affect our volumes and contract values traded include: (i) macro trends in the global equities markets that affect overall institutional equity trading activity, (ii) competitive pressure, including pricing, created by the existence of electronic execution competitors and (iii) potential changes in market structure in the U.S. and other regions. In addition to share volume, revenues from net executions are also impacted by the width of spreads within the NBBO. Trade orders are delivered to us from our OMS and EMS products and other vendors’ products, direct computer‑to‑computer links to customers through ITG Net and third‑party networks and phone orders from our customers.
Recurring revenues are derived from the following primary sources: (i) connectivity fees generated for providing the sell-side the ability to receive orders from, and send indications of interest to, the buy‑side and for the sell‑side to receive requests‑for‑quotes through RFQ‑hub, (ii) software and analytical products and services and (iii) maintenance and customer technical support for our OMS.
Other revenues primarily include: (1) the net spread on foreign exchange transactions executed on a principal basis to facilitate equity trades by clients in different currencies, as well as on other foreign exchange transactions unrelated to equity trades, (2) non-recurring consulting services, such as one-time implementation and customer training related activities, (3) investment income from treasury activity, (4) interest income on securities borrowed in connection with customers’ settlement activities, (5) market gains/losses resulting from temporary positions in securities assumed in the normal course of agency trading (including trade errors and client trade accommodations), (6) non‑recurring gains and losses such as divestitures, (7) fees earned for clearing securities transactions on behalf of other broker-dealers and (8) fees earned for commission aggregation services.
As a result of adopting ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, we identified two key accounting changes that affect the timing of revenue recognition as it relates to bundled commission arrangements and fees for software licenses. The financial impact of these accounting changes includes (1) a deferral of revenues primarily generated in the first half of the year for commissions attributable to analytics products under bundled arrangements that will be recognized over the course of the year as the performance obligations for those analytics products are satisfied and (2) an acceleration of license fee revenues to the delivery date for software provided for a specified period. These changes only relate to the timing of when revenue is recognized and have no effect on the underlying transaction price of the products and services we perform. For more information on our evaluation of the revenue recognition standard and its impact on our financial statements, see Note 3,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Expenses
Compensation and employee benefits, our largest expense, consist of salaries and wages, incentive compensation, employee benefits and taxes. Incentive compensation fluctuates based on revenues, profitability and other measures, taking into account the competitive environment for key talent. Incentive compensation includes a combination of cash and deferred share‑based awards. Only the cash portion of incentive compensation is a variable expense in the current period. As a result, our ratio of compensation expense to revenues may fluctuate from period-to-period based on revenue levels.
Transaction processing expense consists of costs to access various third‑party execution destinations and to process, clear and settle transactions. These costs tend to fluctuate with share and trade volumes, the mix of trade execution services used by clients and the rates charged by third parties.
Occupancy and equipment expense consists primarily of rent and utilities related to leased premises, office equipment and depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and leasehold improvements.
Telecommunications and data processing expenses primarily consist of costs for obtaining market data, telecommunications services and systems maintenance.
Other general and administrative expenses primarily include software amortization, professional (including legal) fees, consulting, business development and intangible asset amortization.
Interest expense consists primarily of costs associated with outstanding debt and credit facilities.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”), management uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” as such term is defined in Regulation G promulgated by the SEC. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in, or excluded from, the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management believes the presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and supplemental data relating to our financial condition and results of operations, and therefore a more complete understanding of factors affecting our business than U.S. GAAP measures alone. In addition, management believes the presentation of these measures is useful to investors for period‑to‑period comparison of results as the items described below reflect certain unique and/or non‑operating items such as acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring charges, write‑offs and impairments, charges associated with litigation or regulatory matters together with related expenses or items outside of management’s control.
Adjusted expenses, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted income tax expense and adjusted net income (loss), together with related per share amounts, are non‑GAAP performance measures that we believe are useful to assist investors in gaining an understanding of the trends and operating results for our core business. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, results reported under U.S. GAAP.
Reconciliations of adjusted expenses, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted income tax expense and adjusted net income (loss) to expenses, income (loss) before income tax expense, income tax expense and net income (loss) and
related per share amounts as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 are provided below (dollars in thousands except per share amounts).
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
$
|
118,010
|
|
$
|
116,486
|
|
$
|
372,328
|
|
$
|
350,004
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC settlement accrual and related fees
(1)
|
|
|
(815)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(13,031)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Restructuring
(2)
|
|
|
(3,436)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(10,601)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Lease consolidation
(3)
|
|
|
(897)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(897)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Impairment of customer intangible asset
(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(325)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(325)
|
|
|
Legal costs related to the planned formation of the derivatives venture
(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(750)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(750)
|
|
|
Adjusted expenses
|
|
$
|
112,862
|
|
$
|
115,411
|
|
$
|
347,799
|
|
$
|
348,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income tax expense
|
|
$
|
2,759
|
|
$
|
(1,955)
|
|
$
|
8,402
|
|
$
|
6,943
|
|
|
Effect of adjustments
|
|
|
5,148
|
|
|
1,075
|
|
|
24,529
|
|
|
1,075
|
|
|
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss)
|
|
$
|
7,907
|
|
$
|
(880)
|
|
$
|
32,931
|
|
$
|
8,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
$
|
2,530
|
|
$
|
45,012
|
|
$
|
6,831
|
|
$
|
43,965
|
|
|
Reduction in tax reserves
(5)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
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|
|
1,862
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|
|
—
|
|
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Valuation allowance for historical U.S. deferred tax assets
(6)
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|
|
—
|
|
|
(42,262)
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|
|
—
|
|
|
(42,262)
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|
|
Adjusted income tax expense
|
|
$
|
2,530
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|
$
|
2,750
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|
$
|
8,693
|
|
$
|
1,703
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
229
|
|
$
|
(46,967)
|
|
$
|
1,571
|
|
$
|
(37,022)
|
|
|
Net effect of adjustments
|
|
|
5,148
|
|
|
43,337
|
|
|
22,667
|
|
|
43,337
|
|
|
Adjusted net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
5,377
|
|
$
|
(3,630)
|
|
$
|
24,238
|
|
$
|
6,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
(1.42)
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|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
(1.12)
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|
|
Net effect of adjustments
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
Adjusted diluted income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
$
|
(0.11)
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
(1)
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|
In the second quarter of 2018, we incurred a charge to establish an accrual of $12.0 million for a potential settlement with the SEC of an investigation into the operational features of U.S. POSIT and access to U.S. POSIT data, together with certain related disclosures, and incurred related legal fees of $0.2 million. Additional legal fees of $0.8 million were incurred in the third quarter of 2018. Due to non-deductibility of the settlement charge and the full valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets, there is no tax effect on this adjustment. For more information, see Note 19,
Contingencies – Legal Matters
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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(2)
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|
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred restructuring charges of $3.4 million and $10.6 million, respectively, related to the elimination of certain positions in the U.S. and the reduction of office space in Los Angeles. Due to the full valuation on U.S. deferred tax assets, there is no tax effect on this adjustment.
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|
(3)
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|
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred a charge of $0.9 million to increase the liability for vacated office space in New York.
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|
(4)
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|
In the third quarter of 2017, we deemed the remaining value of a customer intangible asset recorded in ITG Derivatives of $0.3 million fully impaired and incurred legal fees of $0.8 million related to the formation of the Matrix derivatives venture that was completed in the first quarter of 2018.
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|
(5)
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|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we resolved a multi-year tax contingency in the U.S. and reduced tax reserves by $1.9 million.
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|
(6)
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|
In the third quarter of 2017, we determined that it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance on its U.S. deferred tax assets, of which $42.3 million related to periods prior to the third quarter of 2017.
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Executive Summary for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2018
Consolidated Overview
Our overall results for the third quarter were improved from the third quarter of 2017, with solid performance from our international operations outpacing seasonally low market-wide trading, together with a narrower loss in the U.S.
Our revenues during the third quarter of 2018 were $120.8 million, up 5% from revenues of $114.5 million in the third quarter of 2017. We generated GAAP net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with a GAAP net loss of $47.0 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017. Expenses of $118.0 million were up 1% from $116.5 million in the third quarter of 2017.
Our GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2018 included (i) a restructuring charge of $3.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, including a charge of $2.3 million to reduce our Los Angeles office footprint and a charge of $1.1 million to eliminate certain positions; (ii) a charge of $0.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, to increase the liability for vacated space in our New York office; and (iii) $0.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in legal expenses related to the settlement of the U.S. POSIT matter with the SEC (see Note 19,
Contingencies – Legal Matters
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements). On an adjusted basis excluding those items, we generated net income of $5.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018.
Our GAAP loss in the third quarter of 2017 included a non-cash charge of $42.3 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, to establish the full valuation allowance on U.S deferred tax assets that arose in prior periods and charges of $1.1 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the formation of the Matrix derivatives venture. On an adjusted basis excluding those items, we generated a loss of $3.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017.
Third quarter 2018 results continued to reflect the impact of a new accounting rule, implemented in January 2018, which requires global commission revenues attributed to analytics products under bundled arrangements to be recognized over the course of the annual service period. This change resulted in the recognition of $2.1 million in previously deferred commission revenues in the third quarter of 2018. In the first and second quarters of 2018 we deferred $3.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively of commission revenues attributable to bundled arrangements. We expect substantially all of the remaining $2.8 million that was deferred in the first half of the year to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018. The accounting change also reduced the amount of software license revenue recognized during the third quarter of 2018 by $0.4 million.
We are continuing our focus on the completion of our ten-quarter Strategic Operating Plan (“SOP”), which aims to enhance global capabilities in liquidity, execution, analytics and workflow technology solutions. As of September 30, 2018, our total investment under the plan since its inception in late July 2016 is approximately $38 million. The total cost reduction measures we have implemented since launching the SOP have resulted in annual savings of more than $30 million. These savings are fully funding investments we are making under the SOP and in strategic hires.
Segment Discussions
In 2018, we changed the way we measure the profitability of our regional segments to reflect the global nature of our business operations. Certain expenses that are incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the entire Company are now being allocated to the international segments. For comparability purposes, we have restated previously reported segment results for the third quarter of 2017 resulting in a decrease in U.S. expenses of $2.7 million and increases in expenses in Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific of $0.7 million, $1.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
In the U.S., our average daily volume (“ADV”) was 4% lower than the second quarter of 2018, and 2% higher than the third quarter of 2017. Consolidated market-wide trading activity was down 8% from the second quarter of 2018 and up 5% compared to the third quarter of 2017. Overall revenues were down 4% as compared to the prior-year quarter, primarily reflecting the spin-out of the derivatives business to the Matrix venture in mid-February 2018 and decreased trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of recognizing previously deferred commissions.
Our trading activity in Canada was robust during the quarter, with daily volumes in our Canadian broker up 21% as compared to the third quarter of 2017, while daily market-wide volumes were up only 15% during the same period. Overall revenues were up 8% compared to the year-ago period.
In Europe, our executed daily value increased 6% in British pound terms compared to the third quarter of 2017 versus flat daily market-wide trading activity. Overall revenues were up 10% versus the third quarter of 2017, driven in part by a 45% increase in value traded in our POSIT Alert block crossing system.
In Asia Pacific, we achieved another quarter of strong outperformance, with the highest regional market share on record. Market-wide daily value traded in our five largest regional markets was up 2% versus the third quarter of 2017, while our daily value traded was up 29%. Overall Asia Pacific revenues rose 21% over the prior-year quarter.
Corporate activity in the third quarter of 2018 reduced GAAP pre-tax income by $9.6 million, inclusive of the non-operating charges noted above. Corporate activity in the third quarter of 2017 reduced pre-tax income by $6.2 million, inclusive of the non-operating charge noted above.
Capital Resource Allocation
During the third quarter of 2018, we repurchased 3,716 shares of stock for $0.1 million under our authorized stock repurchase program, as the program was suspended for most of the quarter pending the final settlement of the U.S. POSIT matter with the SEC. On a year-to-date basis, we have repurchased 286,696 shares for $5.8 million, or $20.28 per share. We also maintained our $0.07 quarterly dividend program, paying out $2.3 million in cash.
Our goal over the long term is to use our share repurchase program to offset dilution from the issuance of stock under employee compensation plans, although the number of shares repurchased may vary from period to period. We may repurchase additional shares opportunistically, depending on various factors including, among others, market conditions and competing needs for the use of our capital.
However, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we are unable to purchase shares of our common stock, other than net settlement of equity awards with current or former employees or in connection with the acceptance of our common stock for purposes of paying the exercise price of outstanding stock options or tax withholding, without the prior written consent of Virtu (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
U.S. Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
33,647
|
|
$
|
34,618
|
|
$
|
(971)
|
|
(3)
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
11,159
|
|
|
11,855
|
|
|
(696)
|
|
(6)
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
592
|
|
|
930
|
|
|
(338)
|
|
(36)
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
45,398
|
|
|
47,403
|
|
|
(2,005)
|
|
(4)
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
21,964
|
|
|
24,613
|
|
|
(2,649)
|
|
(11)
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
7,303
|
|
|
8,711
|
|
|
(1,408)
|
|
(16)
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
18,867
|
|
|
20,412
|
|
|
(1,545)
|
|
(8)
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
48,134
|
|
|
53,736
|
|
|
(5,602)
|
|
(10)
|
%
|
Loss before income tax
|
|
$
|
(2,736)
|
|
$
|
(6,333)
|
|
$
|
3,597
|
|
57
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in a decrease in U.S. expenses of $2.7 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
The 3% decline in commissions and fees was primarily attributable to the spin-out of our derivatives business to the Matrix venture in mid-February of this year and decreased trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in trading by quant hedge funds and the impact of $1.0 million realized in the U.S. from recognizing previously deferred commissions under bundled arrangements for analytics products. We expect to recognize an additional $1.4 million of previously deferred commissions in the U.S. during the fourth quarter. Although our market share increased sequentially to 2.00% in the third quarter of 2018 from 1.93% in the second quarter of 2018, it was still below the 2.06% share we achieved in the third quarter of 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Operations: Key Indicators*
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Total trading volume (in billions of shares)
|
|
|
8.0
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
2
|
%
|
Average trading volume per day (in millions of shares)
|
|
|
127.2
|
|
|
125.0
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
2
|
%
|
Average revenue per share
|
|
$
|
0.0035
|
|
$
|
0.0036
|
|
$
|
(0.0001)
|
|
(5)
|
%
|
U.S. market trading days
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
%
|
* Excludes activity from the trading of derivatives and Latin America equities, commission share arrangements and the deferral of commissions under bundled trading arrangements for analytics products.
Recurring revenues decreased 6% from the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard, which reduced the recognition of OMS license fees due to fewer license period lapses and corresponding renewals.
Other revenues declined from the third quarter of 2017 due to decreases in market data tape rebate revenue, clearing ticket fees and consulting revenue, offset in part by an increase in fees earned for commission aggregation services.
Compensation and employee benefits decreased 11% from the prior-year period primarily due to the impact of cost savings measures taken in the first quarter of 2018 and employee termination costs incurred in the third quarter of 2017 of $1.6 million, offset in part by increased cost for performance stock awards.
Transaction processing costs decreased 16% compared to the third quarter of 2017, even with a 2% increase in traded volume, primarily due to the impact of the spin-out of our derivatives business to the Matrix venture in mid-February 2018. Transaction processing costs as a percentage of commissions and fees decreased to 21.7% in the current period from 25.2% during the prior-year period. In addition to the impact of the derivatives spin-out, this ratio was also improved by the impact of recognizing previously deferred commissions.
Other expenses decreased 8% compared to the prior-year period due to a decrease in occupancy and equipment costs related to the reduction of office space in our New York headquarters completed in the fourth quarter of 2017. We also had lower market data and travel and entertainment costs.
Canadian Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
14,042
|
|
$
|
12,902
|
|
$
|
1,140
|
|
9
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
1,261
|
|
|
1,307
|
|
|
(46)
|
|
(4)
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
887
|
|
|
846
|
|
|
41
|
|
5
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
16,190
|
|
|
15,055
|
|
|
1,135
|
|
8
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
5,334
|
|
|
5,137
|
|
|
197
|
|
4
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
3,059
|
|
|
2,915
|
|
|
144
|
|
5
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
5,964
|
|
|
6,265
|
|
|
(301)
|
|
(5)
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
14,357
|
|
|
14,317
|
|
|
40
|
|
0
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
1,833
|
|
$
|
738
|
|
$
|
1,095
|
|
148
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in Canadian expenses of $0.7 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Currency translation from a weaker Canadian Dollar decreased total Canadian revenues and expenses by $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, resulting in a decrease of $0.2 million to pre-tax income.
Overall commissions and fees increased 9% compared to the third quarter of 2017 as the ADV in our Canadian broker increased by 21%, outperforming the 15% growth in market-wide volumes. We also achieved growth in ADV of 42% in our MATCHNow marketplace as compared to the prior-year period and we realized a benefit in Canada of $0.4 million from the recognition of previously deferred commissions. These gains were offset in part by a reduction in our average commission rate attributable to client mix and a $0.5 million unfavorable currency impact.
Recurring revenues decreased 4% compared to the third quarter of 2017 due to a decrease in connectivity fees, partially offset by an increase in billed revenue for analytics products. Other revenues increased 5% due to an increase in fees earned for commission aggregation services and lower losses on client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits costs increased 4% compared to the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher incentive compensation and increased stock-based compensation.
Transaction processing costs increased 5% compared to the prior-year period due to the growth in executed volume, offset in part by a reduction from self-clearing trades in U.S. stocks by Canadian clients. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs decreased to 21.8% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 22.6% in the third quarter of 2017.
Other expenses decreased 5% compared to the third quarter of 2017 due to currency movements and lower software amortization.
European Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
35,260
|
|
$
|
32,393
|
|
$
|
2,867
|
|
9
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
4,867
|
|
|
3,946
|
|
|
921
|
|
23
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
(108)
|
|
|
(83)
|
|
|
(25)
|
|
(30)
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
40,019
|
|
|
36,256
|
|
|
3,763
|
|
10
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
11,123
|
|
|
10,480
|
|
|
643
|
|
6
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
8,999
|
|
|
8,675
|
|
|
324
|
|
4
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
10,520
|
|
|
9,439
|
|
|
1,081
|
|
11
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
30,642
|
|
|
28,594
|
|
|
2,048
|
|
7
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
9,377
|
|
$
|
7,662
|
|
$
|
1,715
|
|
22
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in European expenses of $1.3 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Overall currency rate changes in the European region decreased revenues and expenses by $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, resulting in a decrease of $0.2 million to pre-tax income.
Commissions and fees increased 9% over the third quarter of 2017 due to increased trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system, including from sell-side clients using conditional orders, as well as increases in algorithmic trading by clients and commission sharing revenues for trades executed with third-party brokers via Triton and the Algo Wheel. These increases were partially offset by currency movements and reduced levels of non-block trading in POSIT from the implementation in March of the dark pool volume caps required under the MiFID II regulations.
Recurring revenues increased 23% from the third quarter of 2017 due to higher billed analytics revenues from clients that converted from bundled arrangements, new revenues for research payment account (“RPA”) administration fees as a result of MiFID II regulations for unbundling that went into effect in January 2018, higher connectivity revenue and an increase in the recognition of OMS and EMS license fees. Other revenues decreased due to the lower impact of client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits increased 6% from the third quarter of 2017 due to increases in salaries and incentive compensation.
Transaction processing costs increased 4% from the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to an increase in value traded, offset in part by lower rebates paid to introducing firms and reduced stock borrowing. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs decreased to 25.5% in the third quarter of 2018 from 26.8% in the prior-year quarter.
Other expenses increased 11% from the third quarter of 2017 due to higher costs for facilities, data centers, software, and market data.
Asia Pacific Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
16,284
|
|
|
13,561
|
|
$
|
2,723
|
|
20
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
2,125
|
|
|
1,822
|
|
|
303
|
|
17
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
(56)
|
|
|
171
|
|
nm
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
18,524
|
|
|
15,327
|
|
|
3,197
|
|
21
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
5,027
|
|
|
4,909
|
|
|
118
|
|
2
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
3,932
|
|
|
3,126
|
|
|
806
|
|
26
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
5,713
|
|
|
5,088
|
|
|
625
|
|
12
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
14,672
|
|
|
13,123
|
|
|
1,549
|
|
12
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
3,852
|
|
$
|
2,204
|
|
$
|
1,648
|
|
75
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in Asia Pacific expenses of $0.7 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
nm – not meaningful
Currency translation decreased total Asia Pacific revenues and expenses by $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, resulting in a decrease of $0.1 million to pre-tax income.
Commissions and fees increased 20% over the third quarter of 2017 due to a fifth consecutive quarterly record for trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system, as well as strong growth in algorithmic trading and portfolio trading. Our total average daily notional value traded in the region increased by 29%, significantly outperforming the 2% increase in average daily market-wide trading for the largest markets we operate in.
Recurring revenues increased 17% from the prior-year quarter due to the increases in connectivity revenue and billed revenue from analytics products. Other revenues increased due to lower client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits increased 2% over the third quarter primarily due to higher incentive compensation and stock-based compensation, partially offset by the impact of lower headcount.
Transaction processing costs increased 26% from the prior-year quarter, slightly lower than the 29% growth in daily value executed,
due to a larger proportion of our trading in markets where the settlement and clearing costs are relatively lower. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs increased to 24.1% from 23.0% in the prior-year quarter, which was partially due to the impact of a lower average commission rate.
Other expenses increased 12% over the third quarter due to costs for expanded office space in Hong Kong, higher hardware and software costs and an increase in market data fees.
Corporate
Corporate activity includes investment income from treasury activity, certain non-operating revenues and other gains as well as costs not associated with operating the businesses within our regional segments. These costs include, among others, (a) the costs of being a public company, such as certain staff costs, a portion of external audit fees, and reporting, filing and listing costs, (b) intangible asset amortization, (c) interest expense, (d) professional fees associated with our global transfer pricing structure, (e) foreign exchange gains or losses and (f) certain non-operating expenses.
In the third quarter of 2018, we incurred a pre-tax loss from Corporate activities of $9.6 million, reflecting $0.6 million of investment income and $10.2 million of costs, compared to a pre-tax loss of $6.2 million in the prior-year period, reflecting $0.5 million of investment income and $6.7 million of costs. The increase in revenue represents higher rates earned on cash investments. The increase in corporate costs in the third quarter of 2018 included a restructuring charge of $3.4 million related to a reduction of our leased space in Los Angeles and the elimination of certain staff positions, a $0.9 million charge to increase the liability for vacant space in New York and $0.8 million of additional legal fees related to the U.S. POSIT matter with the SEC. For more information, see Note 19,
Contingencies – Legal
Matters
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Corporate costs in the third quarter of 2017 included $0.3 million of asset impairment costs and $0.8 million in legal fees associated with the planned formation of the Matrix venture. Corporate costs, including legal expenses, can vary from period to period as we work through litigation, regulatory and other corporate matters.
Consolidated income tax expense
We incurred tax expense of $2.5 million on a pre-tax income of $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 due primarily to taxes incurred on pre-tax profits in Europe and Canada, together with certain state and local and foreign withholding taxes incurred in the U.S. We are not incurring tax expense on pre-tax profits in Asia Pacific and we are not recording benefits on pre-tax losses in the U.S. due to fully reserved tax loss carryforwards and credits.
In the third quarter of 2017, we reported a tax expense of $45.0 million on a pre-tax loss of $2.0 million. The significant tax expense in the prior-year period quarter reflected the impact of a full valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets, giving rise to an additional non-cash charge of $48.1 million, of which $42.3 million related to assets that arose in prior periods.
Our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period-to-period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
U.S. Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
104,313
|
|
$
|
115,268
|
|
$
|
(10,955)
|
|
(10)
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
35,238
|
|
|
35,658
|
|
|
(420)
|
|
(1)
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
2,359
|
|
|
2,633
|
|
|
(274)
|
|
(10)
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
141,910
|
|
|
153,559
|
|
|
(11,649)
|
|
(8)
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
65,850
|
|
|
73,834
|
|
|
(7,984)
|
|
(11)
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
23,512
|
|
|
29,706
|
|
|
(6,194)
|
|
(21)
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
57,638
|
|
|
62,665
|
|
|
(5,027)
|
|
(8)
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
147,000
|
|
|
166,205
|
|
|
(19,205)
|
|
(12)
|
%
|
(Loss) income before income tax
|
|
$
|
(5,090)
|
|
$
|
(12,646)
|
|
$
|
7,556
|
|
(60)
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in a decrease in U.S. expenses of $8.0 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Commission and fees revenue declined 10% from the prior-year period due to reduced trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system, the spin-out of our derivatives business to the Matrix joint venture in mid-February 2018, a reduction in lower-margin sell-side trading and the $1.4 million impact realized in the U.S. for deferring commissions attributable to bundled commission arrangements for analytics products. These decreases were offset in part by increases in commission sharing revenues for trades executed with third-party brokers via Triton and the Algo Wheel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Operations: Key Indicators*
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Total trading volume (in billions of shares)
|
|
|
24.9
|
|
|
26.5
|
|
|
(1.6)
|
|
(6)
|
%
|
Average trading volume per day (in millions of shares)
|
|
|
132.4
|
|
|
141.2
|
|
|
(8.8)
|
|
(6)
|
%
|
Average revenue per share
|
|
$
|
0.0036
|
|
$
|
0.0036
|
|
$
|
(—)
|
|
(2)
|
%
|
U.S. market trading days
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
%
|
* Excludes activity from the trading of derivatives and Latin America equities, commission share arrangements and the deferral of commissions under bundled trading arrangements for analytics products.
Recurring revenues were comparable to the first nine months of 2017 as an increase in OMS license fees from the revenue acceleration required by the new accounting standard was offset by a decrease in connectivity.
Other revenues declined 10% from the first nine months of 2017 primarily due to lower tape rebate revenue, clearing ticket fees and consulting revenue, offset in part by an increase in fees earned for commission aggregation services and lower losses from client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits decreased 11% from the prior-year period primarily due to the impact of cost savings measures taken in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 and employee termination costs incurred in 2017 of $5.1 million.
Transaction processing costs decreased 21% compared to the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to the impact of the spin-out of our derivatives business to the Matrix venture in mid-February 2018, a decline in volume traded and reduced trade execution costs from lower liquidity taking. Transaction processing costs as a percentage of commissions and fees decreased to 22.5% in the current period from 25.8% during the prior-year period due to the factors mentioned above, offset in part by the impact of deferring commissions attributable to bundled arrangements for analytics products.
Other expenses decreased 8% compared to the prior-year period due primarily to decreases in occupancy and equipment expenses related to the reduction of office space in our New York headquarters in the fourth quarter 2017 and
the reduction in office space in Boston in late March 2017. We also had lower market data and travel and entertainment costs.
Canadian Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
45,257
|
|
$
|
40,738
|
|
$
|
4,519
|
|
11
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
3,828
|
|
|
3,894
|
|
|
(66)
|
|
(2)
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
2,882
|
|
|
2,889
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
(0)
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
51,967
|
|
|
47,521
|
|
|
4,446
|
|
9
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
15,830
|
|
|
14,906
|
|
|
924
|
|
6
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
9,211
|
|
|
8,626
|
|
|
585
|
|
7
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
18,214
|
|
|
17,955
|
|
|
259
|
|
1
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
43,255
|
|
|
41,487
|
|
|
1,768
|
|
4
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
8,712
|
|
$
|
6,034
|
|
$
|
2,678
|
|
44
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in Canadian expenses of $2.0 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Currency translation from a stronger Canadian Dollar increased total Canadian revenues and expenses by $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, resulting in an increase of $0.2 million to pre-tax income.
Overall commissions and fees increased 11% compared to the first nine months of 2017, including $0.5 million from favorable currency movements. The ADV in our Canadian broker grew by 16% compared to the prior-year period while market-wide trading increased by 1% due to growth from both buy-side and sell-side clients. We also achieved growth in ADV of 32% in our MATCHNow marketplace as compared to the first nine months of 2017. These gains were partially offset by $0.5 million for the impact of the commission deferral realized in Canada.
Recurring revenues were comparable to the prior-year period as an increase in billed revenue for analytics products was offset by a decrease in connectivity fees. Other revenues were comparable to the prior year period, as a decline in foreign exchange trading was offset by an increase in fees earned for commission aggregation services.
Compensation and employee benefits costs increased 6% compared to the first nine months of 2017 due to the impact of favorable currency movements and higher incentive compensation and stock-based compensation.
Transaction processing costs increased 7% compared to the prior-year period as the impact of a 16% growth in executed daily volume was offset by a higher crossing rate in MATCHNow, and a reduction in costs from self-clearing trades in U.S. stocks by Canadian clients. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs decreased to 20.4% compared to 21.2% in the prior-year period.
Other expenses increased 1% from the first nine months of 2017 due primarily to higher connectivity and consulting expenses.
European Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
114,146
|
|
$
|
100,033
|
|
$
|
14,113
|
|
14
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
13,929
|
|
|
11,976
|
|
|
1,953
|
|
16
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
(315)
|
|
|
(302)
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
(4)
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
127,760
|
|
|
111,707
|
|
|
16,053
|
|
14
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
33,444
|
|
|
30,380
|
|
|
3,064
|
|
10
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
30,893
|
|
|
26,642
|
|
|
4,251
|
|
16
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
31,697
|
|
|
27,515
|
|
|
4,182
|
|
15
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
96,034
|
|
|
84,537
|
|
|
11,497
|
|
14
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
31,726
|
|
$
|
27,170
|
|
$
|
4,556
|
|
17
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in European expenses of $3.8 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Overall currency rate changes in the European region increased revenues and expenses by $6.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, resulting in an increase of $2.0 million to pre-tax income. This increase in pre-tax income was largely attributable to the strengthening of the Euro as revenues and expenses originated in British pounds largely offset.
Commissions and fees increased 14% compared to the first nine months of 2017, including $5.7 million in growth from favorable currency movements. The remaining growth was attributable to record trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system, growth in algorithmic trading and an increase in commission sharing revenues for trades executed with third-party brokers via Triton and the Algo Wheel. These increases were partially offset by reduced levels of non-block trading in POSIT from the implementation in March of the dark pool volume caps required under the MiFID II regulations.
Recurring revenues increased 16% from the prior-year period due to higher billed analytics revenues from clients that converted from bundled arrangements and delivery timing, new revenues for RPA administration fees as a result of MiFID II regulations for unbundling that went into effect in January 2018 and higher connectivity fees. Other revenues decreased due to the lower impact of client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits increased 10% from the prior-year period due to increased salaries and incentive compensation, as well as the $1.6 million unfavorable impact of currency movements.
Transaction processing costs increased 16% from the first nine months of 2017, which included a $1.6 million increase from unfavorable currency movements. The remaining increase was attributable to an increase in rebates paid to introducing firms, higher costs to execute ETF trades, increase in activity in emerging markets where clearing and settlement costs are more costly, increased settlement financing and the impact of a lower crossing rate in POSIT. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs increased to 27.1% compared to 26.6% in the prior-year period.
Other expenses increased 15% from the prior-year period due to higher costs for facilities, data centers, hardware and software maintenance and market data costs. In addition, other expenses increased by $1.0 million from the unfavorable impact of currency movements.
Asia Pacific Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in thousands
|
|
2018
|
|
2017*
|
|
Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
51,537
|
|
$
|
37,879
|
|
$
|
13,658
|
|
36
|
%
|
Recurring
|
|
|
6,061
|
|
|
5,285
|
|
|
776
|
|
15
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
(37)
|
|
|
(174)
|
|
|
137
|
|
79
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
57,561
|
|
|
42,990
|
|
|
14,571
|
|
34
|
%
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and employee benefits
|
|
|
15,667
|
|
|
15,237
|
|
|
430
|
|
3
|
%
|
Transaction processing
|
|
|
12,726
|
|
|
8,791
|
|
|
3,935
|
|
45
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
16,636
|
|
|
14,845
|
|
|
1,791
|
|
12
|
%
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
45,029
|
|
|
38,873
|
|
|
6,156
|
|
16
|
%
|
Income before income tax
|
|
$
|
12,532
|
|
$
|
4,117
|
|
$
|
8,415
|
|
204
|
%
|
* Restated for comparability purposes, resulting in an increase in Asia Pacific expenses of $2.2 million for costs incurred in the U.S. on behalf of the global business that are now being allocated to the international segments.
Currency translation increased total Asia Pacific revenues and expenses by $1.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, resulting in an increase of $1.3 million to pre-tax income.
Commissions and fees increased 36% over the prior-year period due to record trading in our POSIT Alert block crossing system and strong growth in algorithmic trading and portfolio trading. We also benefitted from higher commission sharing revenues from trades executed via our Triton EMS and the Algo Wheel and for trading technology licensed to regional broker-dealers. Our average daily notional value traded in the region increased by 49%, outperforming the 22% increase in average daily notional value traded in the major markets we operate in.
Recurring revenues increased 15% over the first nine months of 2017 due primarily to an increase in connectivity revenue and higher billed revenue from analytics products. Other revenues increased due to a lower impact from client trade accommodations.
Compensation and employee benefits increased 3% over the prior-year period primarily due to employee termination costs and higher incentive compensation and stock-based compensation, partially offset by an increase in capitalized compensation for software development.
Transaction processing costs increased 45% from the prior-year period, lower than the 49% growth in daily value executed, due primarily to the impact of a larger proportion of our trading in established markets where costs are lower. As a percentage of commissions and fees, transaction processing costs increased to 24.7% from 23.2% in the prior-year period due largely to the impact of a lower average commission rate.
Other expenses increased 12% over the first nine months of 2017 due to increased costs for expanded office space in Hong Kong, higher hardware and software costs and an increase in market data fees.
Corporate
Corporate activity includes investment income from treasury activity, certain non-operating revenues and other gains as well as costs not associated with operating the businesses within our regional segments. These costs include, among others, (a) the costs of being a public company, such as certain staff costs, a portion of external audit fees, and reporting, filing and listing costs, (b) intangible asset amortization, (c) interest expense, (d) professional fees associated with our global transfer pricing structure, (e) foreign exchange gains or losses and (f) certain non-operating expenses.
In the first nine months of 2018, we incurred a pre-tax loss from Corporate activities of $39.5 million, reflecting $1.5 million of investment income and $41.0 million of costs, compared to a pre-tax loss of $17.7 million in the prior-year period, reflecting $1.2 million of investment income and $18.9 million of costs. Corporate costs in the first nine months of 2018 included a charge of $12.0 million to establish an accrual for a potential settlement of the U.S. POSIT matter along with related legal fees of $1.1 million, restructuring charges of $10.6 million to eliminate certain positions in the U.S. and to reduce office space in Los Angeles, and a charge of $0.9 million to increase the liability for vacant
office space in New York. Corporate costs in the first nine months of 2017 included $0.3 million of asset impairment costs and $0.8 million in legal fees associated with the planned formation of the Matrix venture. On an adjusted basis excluding these charges, corporate costs declined by $1.7 million as compared to the prior-year period due primarily to lower legal fees, offset in part by higher general taxes, corporate insurance premiums and tax consulting fees. Corporate costs, including legal fees, can vary from period-to-period as we work through litigation, regulatory and other corporate matters.
Consolidated income tax expense
We incurred tax of $6.8 million on pre-tax income of $8.4 million in the first nine months of 2018, resulting in an effective tax rate of 81.3%. Our high effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects taxes incurred on pre-tax profits in Europe and Canada, together with certain state and local and foreign withholding taxes in the U.S. We are not incurring tax expense on pre-tax profits in Asia Pacific and we are not recording benefits on pre-tax losses in the U.S. due to fully reserved tax loss carryforwards and credits. In the first nine months of 2017, we reported a tax expense of $44.0 million on pre-tax income of $6.9 million. The significant tax expense in the first nine months of 2017 reflected the impact of recording a full valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets, giving rise to a non-cash charge of $48.1 million, of which $42.3 million related to assets that arose in periods prior to the third quarter of 2017.
Our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operations. Our liquidity requirements result from our working capital needs, which include clearing and settlement activities, as well as our regulatory capital needs. A substantial portion of our assets is liquid, consisting of cash and cash equivalents or assets readily convertible into cash. Cash is principally invested in money market mutual funds. At September 30, 2018, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaled $240.2 million. Included in this amount is $104.2 million of cash and cash equivalents held by subsidiaries outside the United States. Due to the internal capital structure of our foreign subsidiaries and the inclusion of foreign earnings and profits in U.S. taxable income pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we do not anticipate a need to repatriate funds from certain foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. by way of taxable dividends in the foreseeable future.
As a self‑clearing broker‑dealer in the U.S., we are subject to cash deposit requirements with clearing organizations that may be large in relation to total liquid assets and may fluctuate significantly based upon the nature and size of customers’ trading activity and market volatility. At September 30, 2018, we had interest‑bearing security deposits totaling $40.0 million with clearing organizations in the U.S. for the settlement of equity trades. In the normal course of our U.S. settlement activities, we may also need to temporarily finance customer securities positions from non-standard settlements or delivery failures. These financings may be funded from existing cash resources, borrowings under stock loan transactions or short‑term bank loans under our committed facility. On January 26, 2018, we entered into a new $150 million 364‑day revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) in the U.S. with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (see Note 12,
Borrowings
, to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
We also self‑clear equity trades in Australia, maintaining a deposit with clearing organizations of $3.5 million at September 30, 2018. In Europe, we maintained $3.5 million in restricted cash related to protected client funds and we had deposits with our clearing and settlement agents of $37.4 million at September 30, 2018. As part of our European settlement activities, we may need to temporarily finance customer securities positions from non-standard settlements or delivery failures. These financings may be funded from existing cash resources or short-term bank loans under uncommitted overdraft facilities with our clearing agent and a commercial bank.
Capital Resources
Capital resource requirements relate to capital purchases, as well as business investments, and are generally funded from operations.
Operating Activities
The table below summarizes the effect of the major components of operating cash flow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
1,571
|
|
$
|
(37,022)
|
|
Non-cash items included in net income (loss)
|
|
|
56,001
|
|
|
85,375
|
|
Effect of changes in receivables/payables from/to customers and brokers
|
|
|
(17,909)
|
|
|
(46,594)
|
|
Effect of changes in other working capital and operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
14,099
|
|
|
(36,675)
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
$
|
53,762
|
|
$
|
(34,916)
|
|
Our operating activities resulted in net cash provided during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to a net use of cash in the prior-year period. This was due to an increase to net income, partially reduced by adjustments for non-cash items as the prior-year period included a significant non-cash item for deferred taxes in the U.S. We also had a larger decrease in the prior-year period from cash tied up in receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations and customers that was offset by a reduction in short-term bank borrowings in our financing activities. In addition, we had a decrease in cash used for other working capital items due in part to the impact of the settlement accrual for the U.S. POSIT matter and an increase in accrued research payables under client commission arrangements.
In the normal course of our clearing and settlement activities worldwide, cash is typically used to fund restricted or segregated cash accounts (under regulations and otherwise), broker and customer fails to deliver/receive, securities borrowed, deposits with clearing organizations and net activity related to receivables/payables from/to customers and brokers. The cash requirements vary from day to day depending on value transacted and customer trading patterns.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities of $31.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily includes investments in software development and asset purchases of computer hardware, software and office equipment, as well as $0.6 million of cash included in our investment in the Matrix derivatives venture.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities of $69.6 million primarily reflects repayment of short‑term bank borrowings that are used to support our settlement activities, shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards and capital returns through repurchases of our stock and our dividend program.
During the first nine months of 2018, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $14.6 million, which was funded from our available cash resources. Nearly 0.3 million of these shares were purchased under our Board of Directors’ authorization for a total cost of $5.8 million (average cost of $20.28 per share) and 0.4 million of these shares were repurchased for $8.8 million pertaining solely to the satisfaction of minimum statutory withholding tax upon the net settlement of equity awards. In February 2018, the Board of Directors increased our share repurchase authorization by an additional 4.0 million shares. As of September 30, 2018, the total remaining number of shares currently available for repurchase under ITG’s stock repurchase program was 4.3 million. The specific timing and amount of repurchases will vary depending on various factors, including, among others, market conditions and competing needs for the use of our capital. We may elect to conduct future share repurchases through open market purchases, private transactions or automatic share repurchase programs under SEC Rule 10b5-1.
However, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we are unable to purchase shares of our common stock, other than net settlement of equity awards with current or former employees or in connection with the acceptance of our common stock for purposes of paying the exercise price of outstanding stock options or tax withholding, without the prior written consent of Virtu (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
Regulatory Capital
ITG Inc. and AlterNet are subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3‑1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. ITG Inc. has elected to use the alternative method permitted by Rule 15c3‑1, which requires that ITG Inc. maintain minimum net capital equal to the greater of $1.0 million or 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as defined. AlterNet has elected to use the basic method permitted by Rule 15c3‑1, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital equal to the greater of 6
2
/
3
% of aggregate indebtedness or $100,000. Dividends or withdrawals of capital cannot be made if capital is needed to comply with regulatory requirements.
Net capital balances and the amounts in excess of required net capital at September 30, 2018 for the U.S. Operations are as follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Operations
|
|
Net Capital
|
|
Excess
|
|
ITG Inc.
|
|
$
|
81,073
|
|
$
|
80,073
|
|
AlterNet
|
|
|
5,817
|
|
|
5,717
|
|
As of September 30, 2018, ITG Inc. had $9.2 million of cash in a special reserve bank account for the benefit of customers under the Customer Protection Rule pursuant to SEC Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and $3.5 million under proprietary accounts of broker dealers.
In addition, our Canadian, European and Asia Pacific Operations have subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements. The regulatory net capital balances and amount of regulatory capital in excess of the minimum requirements applicable to each business at September 30, 2018, is summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Capital
|
|
Excess
|
|
Canadian Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
$
|
22,002
|
|
$
|
21,616
|
|
European Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ireland
|
|
|
43,308
|
|
|
12,607
|
|
U.K.
|
|
|
1,430
|
|
|
455
|
|
Asia Pacific Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
30,122
|
|
|
15,045
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
|
2,933
|
|
|
2,485
|
|
Singapore
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
1,057
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resource Outlook
Historically, our working capital, stock repurchase, dividend program and investment activity requirements have been funded from cash from operations and short‑term loans, with the exception of strategic acquisitions, which at times have required long‑term financing. We believe that our cash flow from operations, existing cash balances and our available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our ongoing operating cash and regulatory capital needs, while also complying with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Our ability to borrow additional funds may be impacted by financial lending institutions’ ability or willingness to lend to us on commercially acceptable terms.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
We are a member of various U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges and clearing houses that trade and clear, respectively, equities and/or derivative contracts. Associated with our membership, we may be required to pay a proportionate share of financial obligations of another member who may default on its obligations to the exchanges or the clearing house. While the rules governing different exchange or clearinghouse memberships vary, in general, our guarantee obligations would arise only if the exchange had previously exhausted its resources. The maximum potential payout under these memberships cannot be estimated. We have not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these agreements and believe that any potential requirement to make payments under these agreements is remote.
As of September 30, 2018, our other contractual obligations and commercial commitments consisted principally of fixed charges, including minimum future rentals under non-cancelable operating leases, minimum future purchases under non-cancelable purchase agreements and compensation under employment agreements.
There has been no significant change to such arrangements and obligations since December 31, 2017.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07,
Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.
The amendments in this ASU expand the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment awards to nonemployees, which were previously covered under Subtopic 505-50:
Equity – Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees
. ASU 2018-07 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The new guidance is not expected to have any effect on our financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017‑04,
Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment.
The amendments in this ASU
address concerns over the cost and complexity of the two-step goodwill impairment test and removes the second step of the test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment.
ASU 2017‑04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the new guidance and have not yet determined the impact of adoption on our financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,
Leases (Topic 842)
, which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard requires a lessee to recognize an asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but more significant management judgment will be required. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11,
Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements
, which provides entities with an alternative transition method of adoption in addition to the previously required modified retrospective transition approach. Under the new transition method, comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption will not need to be restated, whereas under the modified retrospective transition approach, leases are to be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. This additional transition method changes only when an entity is required to initially apply the transition requirements of the new leases standard; it does not change how those requirements apply. We will adopt this new standard on January 1, 2019 using the additional (and optional) transition method of adoption.
We have completed the assessment, diagnostic and solution development phases of our evaluation of this guidance and have determined:
|
·
|
|
Real estate leases pertaining to office space and data centers make up the majority of our lease arrangements;
|
|
·
|
|
Equipment leases and embedded leases within service contracts are immaterial;
|
|
·
|
|
Two optional practical expedients regarding the separation of lease and non-lease components and the use of hindsight upon transition will be elected;
|
|
·
|
|
The optional package of practical expedients upon transition will not be elected.
|
We are currently in the implementation phase of our assessment, which includes:
|
·
|
|
Finalizing the key data inputs required to calculate the financial statement impact of the new guidance (the impact is not finalized but is expected to be material);
|
|
·
|
|
Developing a formal accounting policy, including updates to processes and internal controls.
|
Critical Accounting Estimates
There has been no significant change to our critical accounting estimates, which are more fully described in Item 7,
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K (Item 7A) for the year ended December 31, 2017. There has been no material change in this information.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
|
a)
|
|
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
|
|
b)
|
|
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
|