Item 1. Financial Statements.
Siebert Financial Corp. &
Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Financial Condition
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(audited)
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
5,384,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,765,000
|
|
Receivable from brokers
|
|
|
2,542,000
|
|
|
|
1,396,000
|
|
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
|
|
|
369,000
|
|
|
|
347,000
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
383,000
|
|
|
|
234,000
|
|
Receivable from related party
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
283,000
|
|
Securities owned, at fair value
|
|
|
346,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,024,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,025,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
1,124,000
|
|
|
$
|
561,000
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
538,000
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
Due to related party
|
|
|
111,000
|
|
|
|
127,000
|
|
Payable to clearing broker
|
|
|
346,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,119,000
|
|
|
|
813,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’ equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.01 par value; 49,000,000 shares authorized, 27,157,188
shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and outstanding as of December 31, 2017
|
|
|
271,000
|
|
|
|
271,000
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
7,641,000
|
|
|
|
7,641,000
|
|
(Accumulated deficit)
|
|
|
(1,007,000
|
)
|
|
|
(2,700,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,905,000
|
|
|
|
5,212,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,024,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,025,000
|
|
See notes
to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Siebert Financial Corp. &
Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal transactions
|
|
$
|
2,941,000
|
|
|
$
|
109,000
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
|
2,674,000
|
|
|
|
1,183,000
|
|
Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees
|
|
|
2,535,000
|
|
|
|
1,080,000
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
Interest and dividends
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
8,177,000
|
|
|
|
2,379,000
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee compensation and benefits
|
|
|
3,662,000
|
|
|
|
1,039,000
|
|
Clearing fees, including floor brokerage
|
|
|
902,000
|
|
|
|
263,000
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
608,000
|
|
|
|
425,000
|
|
Occupancy
|
|
|
242,000
|
|
|
|
142,000
|
|
Communications
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
Advertising and promotion
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
Other general and administrative
|
|
|
549,000
|
|
|
|
349,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
6,071,000
|
|
|
|
2,318,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before provision for income taxes
|
|
|
2,106,000
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
413,000
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
Net Income
|
|
$
|
1,693,000
|
|
|
$
|
58,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
.06
|
|
|
$
|
.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
27,157,188
|
|
|
|
22,085,126
|
|
See notes to
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Siebert Financial Corp. &
Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
1,693,000
|
|
|
$
|
58,000
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
46,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities owned, at fair value
|
|
|
(346,000
|
)
|
|
|
92,000
|
|
Receivable from clearing and other brokers
|
|
|
(1,146,000
|
)
|
|
|
(127,000
|
)
|
Payable to clearing broker
|
|
|
346,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
(149,000
|
)
|
|
|
(61,000
|
)
|
Taxes payable
|
|
|
413,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Due to related party
|
|
|
(16,000
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Receivable from related party
|
|
|
283,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
563,000
|
|
|
|
(476,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used
in) operating activities
|
|
|
1,665,000
|
|
|
|
(468,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
(46,000
|
)
|
|
|
(215,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(46,000
|
)
|
|
|
(215,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,619,000
|
|
|
|
(683,000
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
|
|
|
3,765,000
|
|
|
|
2,730,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
|
|
$
|
5,384,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,047,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Schedule Of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment by parent of expenses
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
803,000
|
|
See notes to
condensed consolidated financial statements.
Siebert Financial Corp. &
Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
|
1.
|
Business
and Basis of Presentation:
|
Siebert
Financial Corp. (“SFC”), a New York corporation, incorporated in 1934, is a holding company that conducts its retail
discount brokerage business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., (“MSCO”) a Delaware
corporation and a registered broker-dealer, and its investment advisory business through its wholly-owned subsidiary Siebert AdvisorNXT,
Inc. (“NXT”) a New York corporation which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered
Investment Advisor (“RIA”) and its insurance business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Park Wilshire Companies
Inc., (“PWC”) a Texas corporation as a licensed insurance agency. For purposes of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
the terms “Siebert,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Siebert
Financial Corp., MSCO, NXT and PWC collectively, unless the context otherwise requires.
Our
principal offices are located at 120 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, and our phone number is (212) 644-2400. Our Internet
address is www.siebertnet.com. Our SEC filings are available through our website at
www.siebertnet.com
, where you are able
to obtain copies of the Company’s public filings free of charge. Our common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common
Stock”) trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SIEB.”
The
condensed consolidated interim financial statements presented herein are unaudited and include all adjustments (consisting of
normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position
and results of operations of the interim periods pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America (“U.S.”)
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made
are adequate to make the information not misleading. The balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited
consolidated statement of financial condition at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by U.S.
GAAP for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Due to the
nature of our business, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of
operating results for the full year.
As
further disclosed in our Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company acquired certain retail broker-dealer assets
of StockCross Financial Services, Inc. (“StockCross”), an affiliate of the Company. The impact of this acquisition
has resulted in a significant improvement in operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the quarter ended
March 31, 2017.
As
further disclosed on our Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2017, on March 1, 2018, SFC acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Park Wilshire Companies, Inc. from certain affiliates of SFC for $111,000. Beginning on March 1, 2018, Park Wilshire
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The board’s Audit Committee reviewed the transaction and determined that the Company’s
purchase of Park Wilshire was not material and that obtaining valuations under the circumstances where the purchase price equaled
the net book value in Park Wilshire did not necessitate a valuation, as same was not material.
Basic
earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average of outstanding common shares during
the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the number of shares outstanding under the basic
calculation and adding all dilutive securities, which consist of options. The Company had net income of $1,693,000 for
the three months ended March 31, 2018 and had a net income of $58,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
MSCO
is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Siebert
has elected to use the alternative method, permitted by the Rule, which requires that MSCO maintain minimum net capital, as defined,
equal to the greater of $250,000 or two percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, as defined. The
Net Capital Rule of the New Stock Exchange also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting
net capital would be less than 5% of aggregate debits. As of March 31, 2018, Siebert had net capital of approximately $6,100,000
as compared with net capital requirements of $250,000. Siebert claims exemption from the reserve requirement under section 15c3-3(k)(2)(ii).
On
January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC Topic 606 by applying the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning
after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under
the accounting standards in effect for the prior period.
The
adoption of ASC Topic 606 did not have an impact on the recognition of our primary sources of revenue, Principal transactions,
Commissions and fees and Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees. Timing of recognition of substantially all of our remaining
revenue was also not impacted, and we therefore did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to opening equity.
Disaggregation
of Revenue
Our
revenue consists of:
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Revenue
Stream
|
|
Income Statement Classification
|
|
|
Total Revenue
|
|
Revenue from Principal
transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Principal transactions
|
|
|
Principal transactions
|
|
|
$
|
572
|
|
|
$
|
109
|
|
Principal transactions attributed
to assets acquired from StockCross
|
|
|
Principal transactions
|
|
|
|
2,369
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total revenue from Principal transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,941
|
|
|
$
|
109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from Commissions and
fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
|
$
|
1,955
|
|
|
$
|
1,183
|
|
Commissions and fees attributed
to assets acquired from StockCross
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
|
|
719
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total revenue from Commissions and fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,674
|
|
|
$
|
1,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from Margin interest,
marketing and distribution fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees
|
|
|
Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees
|
|
|
$
|
2,328
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
Margin interest, marketing
and distribution fees attributed to assets acquired from StockCross
|
|
|
Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees
|
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total revenue from Margin interest, marketing
and distribution fees
|
|
|
Margin interest, marketing and distribution fees
|
|
|
$
|
2,535
|
|
|
$
|
1,080
|
|
Total revenue from contracts with customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
$
|
16
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
Interest and dividends
|
|
|
Interest and dividends
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
$
|
8,177
|
|
|
$
|
2,379
|
|
Principal
transactions are also recorded on a trade-date basis and principally represent riskless principal transactions in which the Company,
after receiving an order, buys or sells securities as principal and at the same time sells or buys the securities with a markup
or markdown to complete the order.
Commission
and fees, margin interest, marketing and distribution fees and related clearing expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Fees,
consisting principally of revenue participation with the Company’s clearing brokers in distribution fees, and interest are
recorded as earned.
Advisory
fees are earned typically on a quarterly basis in accordance with the terms of the client agreements.
Interest
is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded as of the ex-dividend date.
|
5.
|
Fair
Value Measurements:
|
FASB
ASC 820 defines fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and established a hierarchy of fair value inputs.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer
the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous
market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market income or cost approach, as specified by FASB ASC 820, are used
to measure fair value.
The
fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
Level
1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can assess at the measurement
date.
Level
2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or
indirectly.
Level
3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The
availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including,
for example, the type of security, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent
that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair
value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments
categorized in Level 3.
The
inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes,
the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair
value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure.
Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available; the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those
that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
A
description of the valuation techniques applied to the Company’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at
fair value on a recurring basis follows:
U.S.
Government Securities
. U.S. government securities are valued using quoted market prices. Valuation adjustments are not applied.
Accordingly, U.S. government securities are generally categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Municipal
Securities
. The fair value of municipal securities are determined using recently executed transactions, market price quotations
(when observable), bond spreads from independent external parties, such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference
between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. Municipal Securities are generally
categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Corporate
Bonds and Convertible Preferred Stock
. The fair value of corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock are determined using
recently executed transactions, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads or credit default swap spreads obtained
from independent external parties, such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative
instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. If the spread data does not reference the issuer, then
data that reference a comparable issuer are used. When position-specific external price data is not observable, fair value is
determined based on either benchmarking to similar instruments or cash flow models with yield curves, bond, or single-name credit
default swap spreads and recovery rates as significant inputs. Corporate bonds and convertible preferred stocks are generally
categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Exchange-Traded
Equity Securities
. Exchange-traded equity securities are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the
extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in level 1 of the
fair value hierarchy; otherwise, they are in level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Certificate
of Deposit
. Certificates of deposit included in investments are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. These are included
within segregated investments in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Unit
Investment Trusts
. Units of unit investment trusts are carried at redemption value, which represents fair value. Units
of unit investment trusts are classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
The
following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a
recurring basis as of March 31, 2018:
|
|
Level
1
|
|
|
Level
2
|
|
|
Level
3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal
obligations
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
115,543
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
115,543
|
|
Corporate
obligations
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
230,659
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
230,659
|
|
Total
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
346,202
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
346,202
|
|
|
6.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies:
|
Retail
customer transactions are cleared through two (2) clearing brokers, one of which is a related party, on a fully disclosed
basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, either of our clearing brokers may charge MSCO for any loss
incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customer obligations.
MSCO regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. MSCO is exposed to
the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no
material losses for unsettled customer transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.
|
7.
|
Provision
for Income Taxes:
|
For
interim financial reporting, we estimate the effective tax rate for tax jurisdictions which is applied to the year-to-date income.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, our effective tax rate was 20%. We recognized approximately a $224,000 reduction
in taxable income during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 from net operating loss carry forwards expected to be realized
during 2018 which resulted in $40,000 of tax benefits.
As
of March 31, 2018, the Company has federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards of $23,104,733 and $16,281,250, which expire
between 2029 and 2036. Utilization of the Company’s net operating loss carry-forwards are subject to annual limitations of approximately
$900,000 per year under Internal Revenue Code section 382 due to a previous change in ownership.
Due
to the cumulative previous losses incurred by the Company, the Company is unable to conclude that it is more likely than not that
it will realize its deferred tax assets in excess of the deferred tax liability and, accordingly, has recorded a valuation allowance
to fully offset such amounts at December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
|
8.
|
Non
Recurring Charges:
|
Included
in the March 31, 2017 condensed and consolidated statement of income is approximately $233,000 of non-recurring charges primarily
due to relocating the firm’s call center and costs affiliated with staff reductions.
|
9.
|
Related
Party Transactions:
|
The
Company earned revenue and incurred expenses of $3,295,000 and $582,000, respectively, from StockCross during the quarter ended
March 31, 2018.
As
of March 31, 2018, the Company is owed a receivable from StockCross of $811,000 and owes StockCross $346,000 for the financing
of securities.
As
of March 31, 2018, the Company owes $111,000 to the principal owners of StockCross related to the sale of Park Wilshire Companies
to the Company.
Included
in the March 31, 2018 condensed and consolidated statements of financial condition is approximately $448,000 of commissions payable
as part of accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This
discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December
31, 2017, and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly
Report.
Business Environment
Our
cash is invested primarily in bank accounts with large financial institutions. Our cash and working capital
is sufficient to service
the firm’s operations.
The
following table sets forth certain metrics as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which we
use in evaluating our business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
ended March 31,
|
|
Retail Customer Activity:
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Total retail trades:
|
|
|
96,219
|
|
|
|
59,370
|
|
Average commission per retail trade:
|
|
$
|
23.14
|
|
|
$
|
20.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail customer balances:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail customer net worth (in billions):
|
|
|
11.0
|
|
|
$
|
7.3
|
|
Retail customer money market fund value (in billions):
|
|
|
.7
|
|
|
$
|
.9
|
|
Retail customer margin debit balances (in millions):
|
|
|
343.7
|
|
|
$
|
205.0
|
|
Retail credit balances (in millions):
|
|
|
461.0
|
|
|
$
|
53.6
|
|
Retail customer accounts with positions:
|
|
|
42,899
|
|
|
|
29,739
|
|
Description
:
|
·
|
Total
retail trades represent retail trades that generate commissions.
|
|
·
|
Average
commission per retail trade represents the average commission generated for all types of retail customer trades.
|
|
·
|
Retail
customer net worth represents the total value of securities and cash in the retail customer accounts before deducting margin
debits.
|
|
·
|
Retail
customer money market fund value represents all retail customers accounts invested in money market funds.
|
|
·
|
Retail
customer margin debit balances represent credit extended to our customers to finance their purchases against current positions.
|
|
·
|
Retail
customer accounts with positions represent retail customers with cash and/or securities in their accounts. We, like other
securities firms, are directly affected by general economic and market conditions including fluctuations in volume and prices
of securities, changes and prospects for changes in interest rates and demand for brokerage and investment banking services,
all of which can affect our relative profitability. In periods of reduced financial market activity, profitability is likely
to be adversely affected because certain expenses remain relatively fixed, including salaries and related costs, portions
of communications costs and occupancy expenses. Accordingly, earnings or loss for any period should not be considered representative
of any other period.
|
Critical Accounting Policies
We
generally follow accounting policies standard in the brokerage industry and believe that our policies appropriately reflect our
financial position and results of operations. Our management makes significant estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities included in the financial statements.
The estimates relate primarily to revenue and expense items in the normal course of business as to which we receive no confirmations,
invoices, or other documentation at the time the books are closed for a period. We use our best judgment, based on our knowledge
of these revenue transactions and expenses incurred, to estimate the amount of such revenue and expense. We are not aware of any
material differences between the estimates used in closing our books for the last five years and the actual amounts of revenue
and expenses incurred when we subsequently receive the actual confirmations, invoices or other documentation. Our management believes
that its estimates are reasonable.
Results of Operations
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
We
had a net income of $1,693,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $58,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This increase was primarily a result of the revenue and expenses from the retail assets
purchased from StockCross and an increase in interest bearing earnings. Included in the March 31, 2017 net income is approximately
$233,000 of non-recurring costs primarily due to relocating the firm’s call center and costs associated with staff reductions.
Total
revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $8.2 million, a $5.8 million increase or 244% from the same corresponding
period in 2017 primarily due to the retail assets acquired from StockCross.
Principal
transactions arising primarily from riskless principal transactions were $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018,
an increase of $2.8 million from the same corresponding period in 2017 due to the retail assets purchased from StockCross.
Commission
and fee income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $2.7 million, an increase of $1.5 million or 126% from the
same corresponding period in 2017 primarily due to the retail assets acquired from StockCross.
Margin
interest, marketing and distribution fees for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were $2.5 million, an increase of $1.4 million
or 135% from the same corresponding period in 2017 primarily due to the retail assets acquired from StockCross and rising
interest rates.
Advisory
fees for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $16,000, an $11,000 increase or 220% from the same corresponding period in
2017.
Income
from interest and dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $11,000, an increase of $9,000 or 450% from the same
corresponding period in 2017.
Total
expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $6.1million, an increase of $3.8 million or 162% from the same corresponding
period in 2017 due to additional offices and increased personnel that became associated with the firm after the acquisition of
the StockCross retail assets.
Employee
compensation and benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $3.7 million, an increase of $2.6 million or 252%
from the same corresponding period in 2017 due to increased personnel associated with the retail assets purchased from StockCross.
Clearing
and floor brokerage costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $902,000, an increase of $639,000 or 243% from the same
corresponding period in 2017 primarily due to increased retail customer trading volume and the increased activity associated with
the retail assets purchased from StockCross.
Professional
fees were $608,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $183,000, or 43% from the same corresponding period
in 2017 primarily due to an increase in business activities and development.
Occupancy
costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $242,000, an increase of $100,000 or 70% from the same corresponding period
in 2017 due to an increase in the number of offices as a result of the retail assets purchased from StockCross.
Communications
expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $95,000, an increase of $15,000 or 19% from the same corresponding period
in 2017 primarily due to increased activity relating to the retail assets purchased from StockCross.
Advertising
and promotion expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $13,000, a decrease of $7,000 or 35% from the same corresponding
period in 2017 due to a reduction in print media.
Other
general and administrative expenses were $549,000, an increase of $200,000 or 57% from the corresponding period in 2017 primarily
due to expenses attributed to the increased activity relating to the purchase of the StockCross retail assets.
Provision
for income taxes was $239,000, an increase of $236,000 which was due to the increase in net income for the quarter ended March
31, 2018 compared to the corresponding period in 2017.
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
Our
working capital is invested in cash and money market funds. Our total assets at March 31, 2018 was $9 million, of which $5.4 million,
or 60% is highly liquid.
MSCO
is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC, the NYSE and other regulatory authorities. At March 31, 2018, MSCO’s
regulatory net capital was $6.1 million, which was approximately $5.9 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement of
$250,000.