Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization of Business
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (“IBG, Inc.”) is a Delaware holding company whose primary asset is its ownership of approximately 15.7% of the membership interests of IBG LLC, which, in turn, owns operating subsidiaries (collectively, “IBG LLC”). IBG, Inc. together with IBG LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “the Company”), is an automated global electronic broker and market maker specializing in executing and clearing trades in securities, futures, foreign exchange instruments, bonds and mutual funds on more than 100 electronic exchanges and market centers around the world and offering custody, prime brokerage, securities and margin lending services to customers. In the United States of America (“U.S.”), the Company conducts its business primarily from its headquarters in Greenwich, Connecticut and from Chicago, Illinois. Abroad, the Company conducts its business through offices located in Canada, England, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, India, China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), Japan, and Australia. As of
March 31, 2016
, the Company had
1,114
employees worldwide.
IBG LLC is a Connecticut limited liability company that conducts its business through its operating subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Companies”): Interactive Brokers LLC (“IB LLC”); Interactive Brokers Canada Inc. (“IBC”); Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited and its subsidiary, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Nominee Limited (collectively, “IBUK”); Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. (“IBSJ”); Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Limited (“IBHK”); Interactive Brokers (India) Private Limited (“IBI”); Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Limited and its subsidiary, Interactive Brokers Australia Nominees Pty Limited (collectively, “IBA”);
IB Business Services (Shanghai) Company Limited (“IBBSS”);
Timber Hill LLC (“TH LLC”); Timber Hill Europe AG and its subsidiary, Timber Hill (Liechtenstein) AG (collectively, “THE”); Timber Hill Australia Pty Limited (“THA”); Timber Hill Canada Company (“THC”); Interactive Brokers Financial Products S.A. (“IBFP”); Interactive Brokers Hungary KFT (“IBH”); Interactive Brokers Software Services Estonia OU (“IBEST”); Interactive Brokers Software Services Russia (“IBRUS”);
Interactive Brokers Software Services (India) Private Limited (“IBSSI”);
and IB Exchange Corp. (“IBEC”) and its subsidiaries, Interactive Brokers Corp. (“IB Corp”), and Covestor, Inc. and its subsidiary, Covestor Limited (collectively, “Covestor”).
The Company operates in two business segments: electronic brokerage and market making, both supported by corporate. The Company conducts its electronic brokerage business through certain Interactive Brokers subsidiaries, which provide electronic execution and clearing services to customers worldwide. The Company conducts its market making business principally through its Timber Hill subsidiaries on the world’s leading exchanges and market centers, primarily in exchange
‑traded equities, equity options and equity
‑index options and futures. Corporate enables the Company to operate cohesively and effectively by providing support via control functions to the business segments and also by executing the Company’s currency diversification strategy.
Certain of the Operating Companies are members of various securities and commodities exchanges in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region and are subject to regulatory capital and other requirements (see Note
13
). IB LLC,
IBC,
IBUK,
IBSJ, IBHK, and
IBI carry securities accounts for customers or perform custodial functions relating to
customer securities.
2.
Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
These
condensed
consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) and
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding financial reporting with respect to Form 10
‑Q.
These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016. The condensed consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.
These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year.
Principles of Consolidation, including Noncontrolling Interests
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IBG, Inc. and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries. As sole managing member of IBG LLC, IBG, Inc. exerts control over IBG LLC’s operations. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “
Consolidation,
” the Company consolidates IBG LLC’s financial statements and records the interests in IBG LLC that it does not own as noncontrolling interests.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s policy is to consolidate all other entities in which it owns more than 50% unless it does not have control. All inter
‑company balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in these condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on judgment and the best available information at the time. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Such estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of certain investments, compensation accruals, current and deferred income taxes, and contingency reserves.
Fair Value
Substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities, including financial instruments are carried at fair value based on published market prices and are marked to market, or are assets and liabilities which are short
‑term in nature and are carried at amounts that approximate fair value.
The Company applies the fair value hierarchy in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “
Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC Topic 820”)
, to prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
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Level 1
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Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
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Level 2
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Quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
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Level 3
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Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to fair value measurement and unobservable.
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Financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s Level 1 financial instruments, which are valued using quoted market prices as published by exchanges and clearing houses or otherwise broadly distributed in active markets, include active listed stocks, options, warrants and discount certificates, and U.S. and foreign government securities. The Company does not adjust quoted prices for financial instruments classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, even in the event that the Company may hold a large position whereby a purchase or sale could reasonably impact quoted prices.
Currency forward contracts are valued using broadly distributed bank and broker prices, and are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as such instruments are not exchange
‑traded. Other securities that are not traded in active markets are also classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 financial instruments are comprised of securities that have been delisted or otherwise are no longer tradable and have been valued by the Company based on internal estimates.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “
Earnings per Share
.” Basic EPS is computed by dividing the net income available for common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for that period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing the net income available for common stockholders by the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for that period. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of the basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the dilutive effect of shares of common stock estimated to be distributed in the future under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, with no adjustments to net income available for common stockholders for dilutive potential common shares.
Stock
‑Based Compensation
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 718, “
Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”)
, to account for its stock
‑based compensation plans. ASC Topic 718 requires all share
‑based payments to employees to be recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements using a fair value
‑based method. Grants, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are communicated to employees in the year of grant, thereby establishing the fair value of each grant. The fair value of awards granted to employees are
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
generally expensed as follows: 50% in the year of grant in recognition of plan forfeiture provisions (as described below) and the remaining 50% over the related vesting period utilizing the “graded vesting” method permitted under ASC Topic 718. In the case of “retirement eligible” employees (those employees older than 59), 100% of awards are expensed when granted.
Awards granted under stock
‑based compensation plans are subject to forfeiture in the event an employee ceases employment with the Company. The plans provide that employees who discontinue employment with the Company without cause and continue to meet the terms of the plans’ post
‑employment provisions will forfeit 50% of unvested previously granted awards unless the employee is over the age of 59, in which case the employee would be eligible to receive 100% of unvested awards previously granted.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments, with maturities of three months or less, that are not segregated and deposited for regulatory purposes or to meet margin requirements at clearing houses.
Cash and Securities - Segregated for Regulatory Purposes
As a result of customer activities, certain Operating Companies are obligated by rules mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or qualified securities to satisfy such regulations, which have been promulgated to protect customer assets. Securities segregated for regulatory purposes consisted of U.S. government securities of
$16.5 billion and $15.2 billion as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively,
and securities purchased under agreements to resell in the amount of
$1.4 billion and $0.6 billion as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which amounts approximate fair value.
Securities Borrowed and Securities Loaned
Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded at the amount of the cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to provide counterparties with collateral, which may be in the form of cash, letters of credit or other securities. With respect to securities loaned, the Company receives collateral, which may be in the form of cash or other securities in an amount generally in excess of the fair value of the securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as permitted contractually. It is the Company’s policy to net, in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, securities borrowed and securities loaned entered into with the same counterparty that meet the offsetting requirements prescribed in FASB ASC Topic 210-20, “Balance Sheet – Offsetting” (“ASC Topic 210-20”).
Securities lending fees received and paid by the Company are included in interest income and interest expense, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities purchased under agreements to resell, which are reported as collateralized financing transactions, are recorded at contract value, which approximates fair value. To ensure that the fair value of the underlying collateral remains sufficient, the collateral is valued daily with additional collateral obtained or excess collateral returned, as permitted under contractual provisions. It is the Company’s policy to net, in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, securities purchased under agreements to resell transactions and securities sold under agreements to repurchase transactions entered into with the same counterparty that meet the offsetting requirements prescribed in ASC Topic 210-20.
Financial Instruments Owned and Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased, at Fair Value
Financial instrument transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices. The Company’s financial instruments pledged to counterparties where the counterparty has the right, by contract or custom, to sell or repledge the financial instruments are reported as financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
The Company also enters into currency forward contracts. These transactions, which are also accounted for on a trade date basis, are agreements to exchange a fixed amount of one currency for a specified amount of a second currency at completion of the currency forward contract term. Unrealized mark
‑to
‑market gains and losses on currency forward contracts are included in financial instruments owned, at fair value or financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Customer Receivables and Payables
Customer securities transactions are recorded on a settlement date basis and customer commodities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Receivables from and payables to customers include amounts due on cash and margin transactions, including futures contracts transacted on behalf of customers. Securities owned by customers, including those that collateralize margin loans or other similar transactions, are not reported in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Amounts receivable from customers that are determined by management to be uncollectible are recorded as customer bad debt expense in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations
Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations include net receivables and payables from unsettled trades, including amounts related to futures and options on futures contracts executed on behalf of customers, amounts receivable for securities not delivered by the Company to the purchaser by the settlement date (“fails to deliver”) and cash deposits. Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations also include amounts payable for securities not received by the Company from a seller by the settlement date (“fails to receive”).
Investments
The Company makes certain strategic investments related to its business and accounts for these investments under the cost method of accounting or under the equity method of accounting as required under FASB ASC Topic 323, “
Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures
.” Investments accounted for under the equity method, including where the investee is a limited partnership or limited liability company, are recorded at the fair value amount of the Company’s initial investment and are adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss. The Company’s share of the income or losses from equity method investments is included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The recorded amounts of the Company’s equity method investments,
$21
million as of March 31, 2016 (
$32
million as of December 31, 2015),
which are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, increase or decrease accordingly. Contributions paid to and distributions received from equity method investees are recorded as additions or reductions, respectively, to the respective investment balance.
The Company also holds exchange memberships and investments in equity securities of certain exchanges, as required to qualify as a clearing member, and strategic investments in corporate stock that do not qualify for equity method accounting. Such investments,
$34
million as of March 31, 2016
($34
million as of December 31, 2015),
are recorded at cost or, if an other
‑than
‑temporary impairment in value has occurred, at a value that reflects management’s estimate of the impairment, and are also included in other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Dividends received from cost basis investments are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income when such dividends are received.
A judgmental aspect of accounting for investments is evaluating whether an other
‑than
‑temporary decline in the value of an investment has occurred. The evaluation of an other
‑than
‑temporary impairment is dependent on specific quantitative and qualitative factors and circumstances surrounding an investment, including recurring operating losses, credit defaults and subsequent rounds of financing. The Company’s equity investments do not have readily determinable market values. All investments are reviewed for changes in circumstances or occurrence of events that suggest the Company’s investment may not be recoverable. If an unrealized loss on any investment is considered to be other
‑than
‑temporary, the loss is recognized in the period the determination is made
.
Property, Equipment and Intangible Assets
Property, equipment and intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, consist of
leasehold improvements, computer equipment, software developed for the Company’s internal use, office furniture, equipment and acquired technology
.
Property and equipment are recorded at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions and improvements that extend the lives of assets are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight
‑line method. Equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, while leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated economic useful life of the asset or the term of the lease. Computer equipment is depreciated over three to five years and office furniture and equipment are depreciated over five to seven years. Qualifying costs for internally developed software are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the developed software, not to exceed three years. Intangible assets with a finite life are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of three years, and tested for recoverability whenever events indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income and Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s operating results are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 220, “
Comprehensive Income.
”
Comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The Company’s OCI is comprised
of gains and losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements of non-U.S. subsidiaries
, net of related income taxes, where applicable. In general, the practice and intention of the Company is to reinvest the earnings of its non
‑U.S. subsidiaries in those operations, therefore tax is usually not accrued.
The Company’s non
‑U.S. domiciled subsidiaries have a functional currency that is other than the U.S. dollar. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at period
‑end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency to the U.S. dollar (as described above) are reported net of tax, where applicable, in accumulated OCI in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Revenue Recognition
Trading Gains
Trading gains and losses are recorded on trade date and are reported on a net basis. Trading gains and losses are comprised of changes in the fair value of financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value (i.e., unrealized gains and losses) and realized gains and losses related to the Company’s market making business segment. Included in trading gains are net gains and losses on stocks, U.S. and foreign government securities, options, futures, foreign exchange and other derivative instruments. Dividends are integral to the valuation of stocks and interest is integral to the valuation of fixed income instruments. Accordingly, both dividends and interest income and expense attributable to financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value are reported on a net basis in trading gains in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Commissions and Execution Fees
Commissions earned for executing and clearing transactions are accrued on a trade date basis and are reported as commissions and execution fees in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Interest Income and Expense
The Company earns interest income and incurs interest expense primarily in connection with its electronic brokerage customer business and its securities lending activities, which are recorded on the accrual basis and are included in interest income and interest expense, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
Currency translation refers to the gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency translation gains and losses related to the Company’s
currency diversification strategy
are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Foreign currency translation gains and losses related to the market making core-business activities are included in trading gains in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Electronic brokerage foreign currency translation gains and losses, arising from currency swap transactions, are included in interest income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Rebates
Rebates consist of volume discounts, credits or payments received from exchanges or other market centers related to the placement and/or removal of liquidity from the order flow in the marketplace. Rebates are recorded on an accrual basis and included net within execution and clearing expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Rebates received for trades executed on behalf of customers that elect tiered pricing are passed, in whole or part, to these customers; and such pass-through amounts are recorded net within commissions and execution fees in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “
Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”)
.
The Company’s income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits are based on enacted tax laws (see Note 10) and reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Determining income tax expense requires significant judgments and estimates.
The Company recognizes interest related to income tax matters as interest income or interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statements recognition of the underlying assets and liabilities. In evaluating the ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdictions from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax
‑planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, historical results are adjusted for changes in accounting policies and incorporate assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax
‑planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company is using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, three years of cumulative operating income (loss) are considered. Deferred income taxes have not been provided for U.S. tax liabilities or for additional foreign taxes on the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been indefinitely reinvested.
The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across the Company’s global operations. Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. The Company is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
The Company recognizes that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits. A tax position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized on settlement.
The Company records tax liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 740 and adjusts these liabilities when management’s judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in payments that are different from the current estimates of these tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information becomes available.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Following is a summary of recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) that have affected or may affect the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements
:
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Affects
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Status
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ASU 2014-15
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Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40):
Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.
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Effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016.
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ASU 2015-14
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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Deferral of the Effective Date.
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Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
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ASU 2016-01
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Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
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Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.
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ASU 2016-02
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Leases (Topic 842):
Section A – Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
Section B – Conforming Amendments Related to Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
Section C – Background Information and Basis for Conclusions.
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Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.
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ASU 2016-07
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Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323):
Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting.
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Effective beginning after December 15, 2016.
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ASU 2016-08
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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net).
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Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
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ASU 2016-09
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Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718):
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.
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Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.
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ASU 2016-10
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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.
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Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
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Adoption of those ASUs that became effective during 2015 and 2016, prior to the issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, did not have a material effect on these financial statements.
3.
Trading Activities and Related Risks
The Company’s trading activities include providing securities market making and brokerage services. Trading activities expose the Company to market and credit risks. These risks are managed in accordance with established risk management policies and procedures. To accomplish this, management has established a risk management process that includes:
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a regular review of the risk management process by executive management as part of its oversight role;
•
defined risk management policies and procedures supported by a rigorous analytic framework; and
•
articulated risk tolerance levels as defined by executive management that are regularly reviewed to ensure that the Company’s risk
‑taking is consistent with its business strategy, capital structure, and current and anticipated market conditions.
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to various market risks. Exposures to market risks arise from equity price risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and changes in interest rates. The Company seeks to mitigate market risk associated with trading inventories by employing hedging strategies that correlate rate, price and spread movements of trading inventories and related financing and hedging activities. The Company uses a combination of cash instruments and exchange traded derivatives to hedge its market exposures. The
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Company does not apply hedge accounting. The following discussion describes the types of market risk faced:
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk arises from the possibility that equity security prices will fluctuate, affecting the value of equity securities and other instruments that derive their value from a particular stock, a defined basket of stocks, or a stock index. The Company is subject to equity price risk primarily in financial instruments held. The Company attempts to limit such risks by continuously reevaluating prices and by diversifying its portfolio across many different options, futures and underlying securities and avoiding concentrations of positions based on the same underlying security.
Currency Risk
Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. The Company manages this risk using spot (i.e., cash) currency transactions, currency futures contracts and currency forward contracts. As a global market maker trading on exchanges around the world in multiple currencies, the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk. The Company actively manages its currency exposure using hedging strategies that are based on a defined basket of 16 currencies internally referred to as the “GLOBAL.” These strategies minimize the fluctuation of the Company’s net worth as expressed in GLOBALs, thereby diversifying its risk in alignment with these global currencies, weighted by the Company’s view of their importance. As the Company’s financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, the change in the value of the GLOBAL as expressed in U.S. dollars affects the Company’s earnings. The impact of this currency diversification strategy in the Company’s earnings is included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect the value of financial instruments. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on cash and margin balances, positions carried in equity and fixed income securities, options, and futures and on its borrowings. These risks are managed through investment policies and by entering into interest rate futures contracts.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to risk of loss if an individual, counterparty or issuer fails to perform its obligations under contractual terms (“default risk”). Both cash instruments and derivatives expose the Company to default risk. The Company has established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk on principal transactions, including reviewing and establishing limits for credit exposure, maintaining collateral, and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.
The Company’s credit risk is limited in that substantially all of the contracts entered into are settled directly at securities and commodities clearing houses and a small portion is settled through member firms and banks with substantial financial and operational resources. The Company seeks to control the risks associated with its customer margin activities by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines.
In the normal course of business, the Company executes, settles, and finances various customer securities transactions. Execution of these transactions includes the purchase and sale of securities which exposes the Company to default risk arising from the potential that customers or counterparties may fail to satisfy their obligations. In these situations, the Company may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at unfavorable market prices to satisfy obligations to customers or counterparties. Liabilities to other brokers and dealers related to unsettled transactions (i.e., securities fails to receive) are recorded at the amount for which the securities were purchased, and are paid upon receipt of the securities from other brokers or dealers. In the case of aged securities fails to receive, the Company may purchase the underlying security in the market and seek reimbursement for any losses from the counterparty.
For cash management purposes, the Company enters into short
‑term securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase transactions (“repos”) in addition to securities borrowing and lending arrangements, all of which may result in credit exposure in the event the counterparty to a transaction is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. Repos are collateralized by securities with a market value in excess of the obligation under the contract. Similarly, securities lending agreements are collateralized by deposits of cash or securities. The Company attempts to minimize credit risk associated with these activities by monitoring collateral values on a daily basis and requiring additional collateral to be deposited with or returned to the Company as permitted under contractual provisions.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with its trading and other activities is measured on an individual counterparty basis, as well as by groups of counterparties that share similar attributes. Concentrations of credit risk can be affected by changes in political, industry, or economic factors. To reduce the potential for risk concentration, credit limits are established and exposure is monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions. As of March 31, 2016, the Company did not have any material concentrations of credit risk outside the ordinary course of business.
Off
‑Balance Sheet Risks
The Company may be exposed to a risk of loss not reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements to settle futures and certain over
‑the
‑counter contracts at contracted prices, which may require repurchase or sale of the underlying products in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off
‑balance sheet risk as the Company’s cost to liquidate such contracts may exceed the amounts reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
4.
Equity and Earnings Per Share
In connection with IBG, Inc.’s initial public offering of Class A common stock (“IPO”) in May 2007, it purchased
10.0%
of the membership interests in IBG LLC from IBG Holdings LLC (“Holdings”), became the sole managing member of IBG LLC and began to consolidate IBG LLC’s financial results into its financial statements. Holdings owns all of IBG, Inc.’s Class B common stock, which has voting rights in proportion to its ownership interests in IBG LLC, approximately
84.3%
as of
March 31, 2016
.
The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations and financial position of IBG, Inc., including consolidation of its investment in IBG LLC and its subsidiaries. The noncontrolling interests in IBG LLC attributable to Holdings are reported as a component of total equity in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as described below.
Recapitalization and Post
‑IPO Capital Structure
Immediately prior to and immediately following the consummation of the IPO, IBG, Inc., Holdings, IBG LLC and the members of IBG LLC consummated a series of transactions collectively referred to herein as the “Recapitalization.” In connection with the Recapitalization, IBG, Inc., Holdings and the historical members of IBG LLC entered into an exchange agreement, dated as of May 3, 2007 (the “Exchange Agreement”), pursuant to which the historical members of IBG LLC received membership interests in Holdings in exchange for their membership interests in IBG LLC. Additionally, IBG, Inc. became the sole managing member of IBG LLC.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO, Holdings used the net proceeds to redeem
10.0%
of members’ interests in Holdings in proportion to their interests. Immediately following the Recapitalization and IPO, Holdings owned approximately
90%
of IBG LLC and
100%
of IBG, Inc.’s Class B common stock, which has voting power in IBG, Inc. in proportion to Holdings’ ownership of IBG LLC.
Since consummation of the IPO and Recapitalization, IBG, Inc.’s equity capital structure has been comprised of Class A and Class B common stock. All shares of common stock have a par value of
$0.01
per share and have identical rights to earnings and dividends and in liquidation.
As of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
,
1,000,000,000
shares of Class A common stock were authorized, of which
64,123,982
and
64,121,150
shares have been issued; and
63,989,156
and
63,985,335
shares were outstanding, respectively. Class B common stock is comprised of
100
authorized shares, of which
100
shares were
issued
and
outstanding
as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, respectively. In addition,
10,000
shares of preferred stock have been authorized, of which no shares are
issued
or
outstanding
as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, respectively.
As a result of a federal income tax election made by IBG LLC applicable to the acquisition of IBG LLC member interests by IBG, Inc., the income tax basis of the assets of IBG LLC acquired by IBG, Inc. have been adjusted based on the amount paid for such interests. Deferred tax assets were recorded as of the IPO date and in connection with subsequent redemptions of Holdings member interests in exchange for common stock. These deferred tax assets are included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and are being amortized as additional deferred income tax expense over
15
years from the IPO date and from the additional redemption dates, respectively, as allowable under current tax law.
As of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, the unamortized balance of these deferred tax assets
was
$282
million
and
$288
million, respectively.
IBG, Inc. also entered into an agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) with Holdings to pay Holdings (for the benefit of the former members of IBG LLC)
85%
of the tax savings that IBG, Inc. actually realizes as the result of tax basis increases. These payables to Holdings are reported as payable to affiliate in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The remaining
15%
is accounted for as a permanent increase to additional paid
‑in capital in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The cumulative amounts of deferred tax assets, payables to Holdings and additional paid
‑in capital arising from stock offerings from the date of the IPO through
March 31, 2016
were
$460
million,
$391
million and
$69
million, respectively.
Amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement are payable to Holdings annually following the filing of IBG, Inc.’s federal income tax return. The Company has paid Holdings a cumulative total of
$99
million through
March 31, 2016
pursuant to the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
The Exchange Agreement, as amended, provides for future redemptions of member interests and for the purchase of member interests in IBG LLC by IBG, Inc. from Holdings, which could result in IBG, Inc. acquiring the remaining member interests in IBG LLC that it does not own. On an annual basis, members of Holdings are able to request redemption of their interests.
At the time of IBG, Inc.’s IPO in 2007, three hundred sixty
(360)
million shares of authorized common stock were reserved for future sales and redemptions. From 2008 through 2010, Holdings redeemed
5,013,259
IBG LLC interests with a total value of
$114
million, which redemptions were funded using cash on hand at IBG LLC. Upon cash redemption these IBG LLC interests were retired. From 2011 through 2015, IBG, Inc.
issued
11,047,295
shares of common stock (with a fair value of
$
306
million) directly to Holdings in exchange for an equivalent number of member interests in IBG LLC
.
As a consequence of these redemption transactions, and distribution of shares to employees (see
Note
9
), IBG, Inc.
’
s interest in IBG LLC has increased to approximately
15.7%
, with Holdings owning the remaining
84.3%
as of
March 31, 2016
.
The redemptions also resulted in an increase in the Holdings interest held by Mr. Thomas Peterffy and his affiliates from approximately
84.6%
at the IPO to approximately
88.7%
as of
March 31, 2016
.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated utilizing net income available for common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding for that period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except for shares or per share amounts)
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
$
|
(13)
|
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
63,985,377
|
|
|
58,473,248
|
Class B
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
63,985,477
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
$
|
(0.22)
|
Diluted earnings per share are calculated utilizing the Company’s basic net income available for common stockholders divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding with no adjustments to net income available to common stockholders for potentially dilutive common shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except for shares or per share amounts)
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
$
|
(13)
|
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding
|
|
|
63,985,377
|
|
|
58,473,248
|
Potentially dilutive common shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuable pursuant to employee stock incentive plans
|
|
|
1,270,426
|
|
|
—
|
Class B
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
65,255,903
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.51
|
|
$
|
(0.22)
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Member
Distributions
and Stockholder Dividends
During the
three months
ended
March 31, 2016
,
IBG LLC made distributions totaling
$42
million, to its members, of which IBG, Inc.
’
s proportionate share was
$7
million.
In March 2016, t
he Company paid cash dividends of
$0.10
per share of
c
ommon
s
tock, totaling
$7
million.
On
April 19, 2016
, the Company declared a cash dividend
of
$0.10
per common share,
payable on
June 14, 2016
to stockholders of record as of
June 1, 2016
.
5.
Comprehensive Income
The following table presents comprehensive income and earnings per share on comprehensive income
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except for shares or per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
39
|
|
$
|
(14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share on comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.61
|
|
$
|
(0.24)
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.60
|
|
$
|
(0.24)
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
63,985,477
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
Diluted
|
|
|
65,255,903
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy (see Note 2), financial assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
. As required by ASC Topic 820, financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the respective fair value measurement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Assets At Fair Value as of March 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes
|
|
$
|
16,529
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
16,529
|
Financial instruments owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
|
2,076
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,076
|
Options
|
|
|
1,131
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,131
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
93
|
U.S. and foreign government securities
|
|
|
322
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
322
|
Corporate and municipal bonds
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
21
|
Total financial instruments owned, at fair value
|
|
|
3,622
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,646
|
Total financial assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
20,151
|
|
$
|
24
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
20,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities At Fair Value as of March 31, 2016
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
$
|
1,851
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
1,852
|
Options
|
|
|
1,102
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,102
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5
|
Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
2,954
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2,960
|
Total financial liabilities at fair value
|
|
$
|
2,954
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
2,960
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Assets At Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes
|
|
$
|
15,214
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
15,214
|
Financial instruments owned, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
|
1,650
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,650
|
Options
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,156
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
81
|
U.S. and foreign government securities
|
|
|
527
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
527
|
Corporate and municipal bonds
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
Total financial instruments owned, at fair value
|
|
|
3,414
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,420
|
Total financial assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
18,628
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
18,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities At Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
$
|
1,565
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1,565
|
Options
|
|
|
1,042
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,042
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
2,608
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,617
|
Total financial liabilities at fair value
|
|
$
|
2,608
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,617
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2
Transfers of financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value to or from Levels 1 and 2 arise where the market for a specific financial instrument has become active or inactive during the period. The fair values transferred are ascribed as if the financial assets or financial liabilities had been transferred as of the end of the period.
During the
quarters
ended
March 31, 2016 and 2015
, there were no transfers between levels for financial assets and liabilities, at fair value.
Level 3 Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The Company’s Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities were comprised of delisted securities reported within financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value in the
condensed consolidated
statements of financial condition. As of
March
31,
2016
financial liabilities included $1 million of Level 3 securities which were transferred
from
Level 1 during
2016
as a result of a corporate action.
Trading Gains from Market Making Transactions
Trading gains and losses from market making transactions reported in the statements of comprehensive income, by major product type, are comprised of
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
$
|
51
|
Foreign exchange
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
11
|
Total trading gains, net
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
$
|
62
|
These transactions are related to the Company’s financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value and include both derivative and non
‑derivative financial instruments, including exchange traded options and futures. These gains and losses also include market making related dividend and fixed income trading related interest income and expense.
The gains in the above table are not representative of the integrated trading strategies applied by the Company, which utilizes financial instruments across various product types. Gains and losses in one product type frequently offset gains and losses in other product types.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The following table represents the carrying value, fair value, and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial assets and liabilities that are not recorded at fair value in the Company's
condensed consolidated
statements of financial condition. The following table excludes certain financial instruments such as equity investments and all non-financial assets and liabilities.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Financial assets, not measured at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
1,747
|
|
$
|
1,747
|
|
$
|
1,747
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes
|
|
|
6,979
|
|
|
6,979
|
|
|
5,532
|
|
|
1,447
|
|
|
-
|
Securities borrowed
|
|
|
4,011
|
|
|
4,011
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,011
|
|
|
-
|
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
|
805
|
|
|
805
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
805
|
|
|
-
|
Receivables from customer
|
|
|
15,222
|
|
|
15,222
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
15,222
|
|
|
-
|
Receivables from broker, dealers, and clearing organizations
|
|
|
704
|
|
|
704
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
704
|
|
|
-
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
-
|
Other assets
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
-
|
Total financial assets, not measured at fair value
|
|
$
|
29,570
|
|
$
|
29,571
|
|
$
|
7,279
|
|
$
|
22,292
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities, not measured at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowings
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
-
|
Securities loaned
|
|
|
2,401
|
|
|
2,401
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,401
|
|
|
-
|
Payables to customer
|
|
|
38,390
|
|
|
38,390
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
38,390
|
|
|
-
|
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
|
|
|
381
|
|
|
381
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
381
|
|
|
-
|
Interest payable
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
Total financial liabilities, not measured at fair value
|
|
$
|
41,179
|
|
$
|
41,179
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
41,179
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Financial assets, not measured at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
1,601
|
|
$
|
1,601
|
|
$
|
1,601
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
6,095
|
|
|
5,533
|
|
|
562
|
|
|
-
|
Securities borrowed
|
|
|
3,924
|
|
|
3,924
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,924
|
|
|
-
|
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
-
|
Receivables from customer
|
|
|
17,050
|
|
|
17,050
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
17,050
|
|
|
|
Receivables from broker, dealers, and clearing organizations
|
|
|
692
|
|
|
692
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
692
|
|
|
-
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
-
|
Other assets
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
-
|
Total financial assets, not measured at fair value
|
|
$
|
29,648
|
|
$
|
29,651
|
|
$
|
7,134
|
|
$
|
22,517
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities, not measured at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities loaned
|
|
$
|
2,894
|
|
|
2,894
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,894
|
|
|
-
|
Payables to customer
|
|
|
37,084
|
|
|
37,084
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
37,084
|
|
|
-
|
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
-
|
Interest payable
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
Total financial liabilities, not measured at fair value
|
|
$
|
40,404
|
|
$
|
40,404
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
40,404
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Netting of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
It is the Company’s policy to
net securities borrowed and securities loaned, and securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase that meet the offsetting requirements prescribed in ASC Topic 210-20. In the tables below, the amounts of financial instruments that are not offset in the
condensed consolidated
statements of financial condition, but could be netted against cash or financial instruments with specific counterparties under master netting agreements, according to the terms of the agreements, including clearing houses (exchange traded options, warrants and discount certificates) or over the counter currency forward contract counterparties, are presented to provide financial statement readers with the Company’s net payable or receivable with counterparties for these financial instruments.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The following tables sets forth the netting of financial assets and of financial liabilities as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
Amounts
|
|
Net Amounts
|
|
Amounts Not Offset
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
Offset in the
|
|
Presented in
|
|
in the Condensed
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Financial
|
|
Condensed
|
|
Condensed
|
|
Consolidated Statement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets and
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
of Financial Condition
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Statement of
|
|
Statement of
|
|
Cash or Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognized
|
|
Financial Condition
|
|
Financial Condition
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Net Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Offsetting of Financial Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes - purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
$
|
1,447
|
1
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1,447
|
|
$
|
(1,447)
|
|
$
|
—
|
Securities borrowed
|
|
|
4,011
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,011
|
|
|
(3,863)
|
|
|
148
|
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
|
805
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
805
|
|
|
(805)
|
|
|
—
|
Financial Instruments owned, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
1,131
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,131
|
|
|
(1,093)
|
|
|
38
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
92
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
21
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,508
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
7,508
|
|
$
|
(7,209)
|
|
$
|
299
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities loaned
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
|
$
|
(2,307)
|
|
$
|
94
|
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
1,102
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,102
|
|
|
(1,093)
|
|
|
9
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,509
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
3,509
|
|
$
|
(3,401)
|
|
$
|
108
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
Amounts
|
|
Net Amounts
|
|
Amounts Not Offset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
|
Offset in the
|
|
Presented in
|
|
in the Condensed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Financial
|
Condensed
|
|
Condensed
|
|
Consolidated Statement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets and
|
Consolidated
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
of Financial Condition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
Statement of
|
|
Statement of
|
|
Cash or Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognized
|
Financial Condition
|
|
Financial Condition
|
|
Instruments
|
|
Net Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Offsetting of Financial Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes - purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
$
|
562
|
1
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
562
|
|
$
|
(562)
|
|
$
|
—
|
Securities borrowed
|
|
|
3,924
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,924
|
|
|
(3,816)
|
|
|
108
|
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
(195)
|
|
|
—
|
Financial Instruments owned, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
|
(1,032)
|
|
|
124
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
80
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,921
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
5,921
|
|
$
|
(5,606)
|
|
$
|
315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities loaned
|
|
$
|
2,894
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,894
|
|
$
|
(2,773)
|
|
$
|
121
|
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
1,042
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,042
|
|
|
(1,032)
|
|
|
10
|
Warrants and discount certificates
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
Currency forward contracts
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,946
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
3,946
|
|
$
|
(3,806)
|
|
$
|
140
|
|
(1)
|
|
As of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, the Company had
$1.4
billion and
$0.6
billion,
respectively, of securities purchased under agreements to resell that were segregated to satisfy regulatory requirements. These securities are included in “Cash and securities
-
segregated for regulatory purposes” in the
condensed consolidated
statements of financial condition.
|
Secured Financing Transactions – Maturities and Collateral Pledged
The following table presents gross obligations for securities loaned transactions by remaining contractual maturity and class of collateral pledged.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
|
Remaining Contractual Maturity
|
|
|
Overnight
|
|
Less than
|
|
30 – 90
|
|
Over 90
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Open
|
|
30 days
|
|
days
|
|
days
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Securities Loaned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
$
|
2,379
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,379
|
Corporate bonds
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
22
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,401
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
Remaining Contractual Maturity
|
|
|
Overnight
|
|
Less than
|
|
30 – 90
|
|
Over 90
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Open
|
|
30 days
|
|
days
|
|
days
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Securities Loaned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
$
|
2,873
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,873
|
Corporate bonds
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
21
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,894
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,894
|
7.
Collateralized Transactions
The Company enters into securities borrowing and lending transactions and agreements to repurchase and resell securities to finance trading inventory, to obtain securities for settlement and to earn residual interest rate spreads. In addition, the Company’s customers pledge their securities owned to collateralize margin loans. Under these transactions, the Company either receives or provides collateral, including equity, corporate debt and U.S. government securities. Under many agreements, the Company is permitted to sell or repledge securities received as collateral and use these securities to secure securities purchased under agreements to resell, enter into securities lending transactions or deliver these securities to counterparties to cover short positions.
The Company also engages in securities financing transactions with and for customers through margin lending. Customer receivables generated from margin lending activity are collateralized by customer
‑owned securities held by the Company. Customers’ required margin levels and established credit limits are monitored continuously by risk management staff using automated systems. Pursuant to the Company’s policy and as enforced by such systems, customers are required to deposit additional collateral or reduce positions, when necessary to avoid automatic liquidation of their positions.
Margin loans are extended to customers on a demand basis and are not committed facilities. Factors considered in the acceptance or rejection of margin loans are the amount of the loan, the degree of leverage being employed in the customer account and an overall evaluation of the customer’s portfolio to ensure proper diversification or, in the case of concentrated positions, appropriate liquidity of the underlying collateral. Additionally, transactions relating to concentrated or restricted positions are limited or prohibited by raising the level of required margin collateral (to 100% in the extreme case). Underlying collateral for margin loans is evaluated with respect to the liquidity of the collateral positions, valuation of securities, volatility analysis and an evaluation of industry concentrations. Adherence to the Company’s collateral policies significantly limits the Company’s credit exposure to margin loans in the event of a customer’s default. Under margin lending agreements, the Company may request additional margin collateral from customers and may sell securities that have not been paid for or purchase securities sold but not delivered from customers, if necessary.
As of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, approximately
$15.2
billion and
$17.0
billion, respectively, of customer margin loans were outstanding.
The following table summarizes the amounts related to collateralized transactions as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2016
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
Permitted
|
|
Sold or
|
|
Permitted
|
|
Sold or
|
|
|
to Repledge
|
|
Repledged
|
|
to Repledge
|
|
Repledged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Securities lending transactions
|
|
$
|
10,094
|
|
$
|
2,208
|
|
$
|
12,131
|
|
$
|
2,229
|
Securities purchased under agreements to resell transactions
(1)
|
|
|
2,256
|
|
|
2,249
|
|
|
757
|
|
|
743
|
Customer margin assets
|
|
|
18,991
|
|
|
6,714
|
|
|
14,905
|
|
|
6,279
|
|
|
$
|
31,341
|
|
$
|
11,171
|
|
$
|
27,793
|
|
$
|
9,251
|
|
(1)
|
|
As of
March 31, 2016
,
$1.4
billion or
64%
(
as of
December 31, 2015
,
$0.6
billion or
76%
)
of securities acquired through agreements to resell that are shown as repledged have been deposited in a separate bank account for the exclusive benefit of customer
s in accordance with SEC Rule 15c3-3.
|
In the normal course of business, the Company pledges qualified securities with clearing organizations to satisfy daily margin and clearing fund requirements. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the majority of the Company’s U.S. and foreign government securities owned were pledged to clearing organizations.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral, including amounts pledged to affiliates, where the counterparty has the right to repledge, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are presented in the following table
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Stocks
|
|
$
|
1,262
|
|
$
|
915
|
U.S. and foreign government securities
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
518
|
|
|
$
|
1,579
|
|
$
|
1,433
|
8
.
Other Income
The components of other income for the
three months
ended
March 31, 2016 and 2015
were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Payments for order flow
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
4
|
Market data fees
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
7
|
Account activity fees
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
Risk exposure fees
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
4
|
Gains on financial instruments, at fair value and other investments, net
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
32
|
Gains (losses) from currency diversification strategy, net
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
(187)
|
Other, net
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
144
|
|
$
|
(132)
|
Payments for order flow are earned from various options exchanges based upon options trading volume originated by the Operating Companies. Market data fees are charged to customers based upon market data services provided
and are
largely offset by the related cost to obtain the underlying market data from third party vendors.
Risk exposure fees are earned from a small minority of customers’ accounts with positions on which
market
risk exceeds certain thresholds
. Gains and losses on
financial instruments, at fair value and
other investments
include realized and unrealized gains and losses on financial instruments
that are not held for the
Company’s
market making operations or from securities that are subject to restrictions, and the Company’s interests in the earnings of equity method investees and dividends received on cost
‑basis investments.
9
. Employee Incentive Plans
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company offers substantially all employees of U.S.-based Operating Companies who have met minimum service requirements the opportunity to participate in defined contribution retirement plans qualifying under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The general purpose of this plan is to provide employees with an incentive to make regular savings in order to provide additional financial security during retirement. This plan provides for the Company to match 50% of the employees’ pre-tax contribution, up to a maximum of 10% of eligible earnings. The employee is vested in the matching contribution incrementally over six years. Included in employee compensation and benefits expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income were
$1
million of plan contributions for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
2007 ROI Unit Stock Plan
In connection with the IPO, the Company adopted the
IBG
, Inc.
2007 ROI Unit Stock Plan (“
ROI Unit Stock Plan”).
An aggregate of
1,271,009
shares of
restricted
common stock (consisting of
1,250,000
shares issued under the ROI Unit Stock Plan and
21,009
shares under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as described below), with a fair value at the date of grant of
$38
million were issued to IBG LLC and held as treasury stock
.
As of
March 31, 2016
, the Company has
5,381
shares of common stock
remaining
to be distributed to former employees under the ROI Unit Stock Plan.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
2007 Stock Incentive Plan
Under the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”), up to
30
million shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted and issued to directors, officers, employees, contractors and consultants of the Company. The purpose of the Stock Incentive Plan is to promote
the Company’s long
‑term financial success by attracting, retaining and rewarding eligible participants.
As a result of the Company’s organizational structure, a description of which can be found
on page 4 of the Company’s A
nnual Report Form 10
-
K, in Part I Item 1
,
there is no dilutive effect upon ownership of
common
stockholders of issuing shares under the Stock Incentive Plan. The issuances do not dilute the book value of the ownership of
common
stockholders
since
the restricted stock units are granted at market value
,
and upon their vesting and the related issuance of shares of
c
ommon stock, the ownership of
IBG, Inc.
in IBG LLC, increases proportionately to the shares issued. As a result of such proportionate increase in share ownership, the dilution upon issuance of common stock is borne by IBG LLC’s majority member (i.e., noncontrolling interest), Holdings, and not by
IBG, Inc.
or its
common
stockholders
.
Additionally, dilution of earnings that may take place after issuance of common stock is reflected in EPS reported in the Company’s financial statements. The EPS dilution can be neither estimated nor projected, but historically it has not been material.
The Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has discretionary authority to determine
the eligibility
to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan and establishes the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the number of awards granted to each
participant
and all other terms and conditions applicable to such awards in individual grant agreements. Awards are expected to be made primarily through grants of restricted common stock. Stock Incentive Plan awards are subject to issuance over time and may be forfeited upon
the
participant
’s termination of employment or violation of certain applicable covenants prior to issuance, unless determined otherwise by the Compensation Committee.
The Stock Incentive Plan provides that, upon a change in control, the Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, fully vest any granted but not yet earned awards under the Stock Incentive Plan, or provide that any such granted but not yet earned awards will be honored or assumed, or new rights substituted by the new employer on a substantially similar basis and on terms and conditions substantially comparable to those of the Stock Incentive Plan.
The Company expect
s
to continue to grant awards on or about December 31 of each year to eligible
participants
as part of an overall plan of equity compensation. Shares of common stock vest, and become distributable to
participants
in accordance with the following schedule:
•
10% on the first vesting date, which is on or about May 9 of each year; and
•
an additional 15% on each of the following six anniversaries of the first vesting, assuming continued employment with the Company and compliance with non-competition and other applicable covenants.
Awards granted to external directors vest, and are distributed, over a five
‑year period (20% per year) commencing one year after the date of grant. A total of
22,996
shares have
been granted to the external directors cumulatively since the
plan inception
.
Stock Incentive Plan share grants (excluding 21,009 shares issued pursuant to the ROI Unit Stock Plan described above) and the related fair values
since the plan inception
are presented in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at
|
|
|
|
|
Date of Grant
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
($ millions)
|
Prior periods (since inception)
|
|
17,284,454
|
|
$
|
302
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
1,894,046
|
|
|
46
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
1,709,968
|
|
|
49
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
1,208,630
|
1
|
|
53
|
|
|
22,097,098
|
|
$
|
450
|
|
(1)
|
|
Stock Incentive Plan number of granted shares related to 2015 was adjusted by
9,551
additional
shares during the current period.
|
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Estimated future grants under the Stock Incentive Plan are accrued for ratably during each year (see Note 2). In accordance with the vesting schedule, outstanding awards vest and are distributed to participants
yearly
on or about
May 9 of each year
. At the end of each year, there are no vested awards that remain undistributed.
Compensation expense related to the Stock Incentive Plan recognized in the
condensed consolidated
statements of comprehensive income was
$12
million
and
$13
million for the three
months
ended
March 31, 2016 and
2015
, respectively.
Estimated future compensation costs for unvested awards, net of forfeiture credits,
as of
March 31, 2016
are
$33
million.
The following summarizes the Stock Incentive Plan and ROI Unit Stock Plan activities for the three year period from
December 31, 2015
through
March 31, 2016
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
ROI Unit
|
|
|
|
("SIP")
|
|
Stock Plan
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
(Shares)
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2015
|
|
8,935,082
|
1
|
6,370
|
|
Granted
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
(23,389)
|
|
—
|
|
Distributed
|
|
(2,832)
|
|
(989)
|
|
Balance, March 31, 2016
|
|
8,908,861
|
|
5,381
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Stock Incentive Plan number of granted shares related to 2015 was adjusted by
9,551
additional
shares during the current period.
|
Awards granted under the stock plans are subject to forfeiture in the event a
participant
ceases employment with the Company. The stock plans provide that
participants
who discontinue employment with the Company without cause and continue to meet the terms of the plans’ post
‑employment provisions will
forfeit
50%
of unvested previously granted awards unless the participant is over the age of 59, in which case the participant would be eligible to receive
100%
of unvested awards previously granted. Distributions of remaining awards granted on or before January 1, 2009 to former participants will occur within 90 days of the anniversary of the termination of employment date over a
five
(5) year vesting schedule,
12.5%
in each of the first four years and
50%
in the fifth year. Distributions of remaining awards granted on or after January 1, 2010 to former participants will occur over the remaining vesting schedule applicable to each grant.
Through
March 31, 2016
, a total of
310,489
shares have been distributed under these post
‑employment provisions.
These distributions are included in the table above.
10
.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three
months
ended
March 31, 2016 and
2015
differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the taxation treatment of income attributable to noncontrolling interests in IBG LLC. These noncontrolling interests are subject to U.S. taxation as partnerships. Accordingly, the income attributable to these noncontrolling interests is reported in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, but the related U.S. income tax expense attributable to these noncontrolling interests is not reported by the Company as it is the obligation of the individual partners. Income tax expense is also affected by the differing effective tax rates in foreign, state and local jurisdictions where certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to corporate taxation.
Deferred income taxes arise primarily due to the amortization of the deferred tax assets recognized in connection with the common stock offerings (see Note 4), differences in the valuation of financial assets and liabilities, and for other temporary differences arising from the deductibility of compensation and depreciation expenses in different time periods for book and income tax return purposes.
As of and for the
three months
ended
March 31, 2016
and
2015
,
the Company had no unrecognized tax and no valuation allowances on deferred tax assets were required. The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2016, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal and State income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2010, and to non-U.S. income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2006.
As of
March 31, 2016
, accumulated earnings held by non
‑U.S. subsidiaries totaled
$1.0
billion
(
as of
December 31, 2015
$1.0
billion
). Of this amount, approximately
$0.4
billion
(
as of
December 31, 2015
$0.4
billion
) is attributable to earnings of the Company
’
s foreign subsidiaries that are considered
“
pass
‑through
”
entities for U.S. income tax purposes. Since the Company accounts for U.S. income taxes on these earnings on a current basis, no additional U.S. tax consequences would result from the repatriation of these earnings other than that which would be due arising from currency fluctuations between the time the earnings are reported for U.S. tax purposes
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
and when they are remitted. With respect to certain of these subsidiaries
’
accumulated earnings (approximately
$0.2
billion
and
$0.3
billion
as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, respectively), repatriation would result in additional foreign taxes in the form of dividend withholding tax imposed on the recipient of the distribution or dividend distribution tax imposed on the payor of the distribution. The Company has not provided for its proportionate share of these additional foreign taxes as it does not intend to repatriate these earnings in the foreseeable future. For the same reason, the Company has not provided deferred U.S. tax on cumulative translation adjustments associated with these earnings.
The remainder of the accumulated earnings are attributable to non
‑U.S. subsidiaries that are not considered “pass
‑through” entities for U.S. tax purposes. The Company’s U.S. tax basis in the stock of most of these entities exceeds its book basis. Establishing a deferred tax asset pursuant to ASC Topic 740 is not permitted as this difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In the instances in which the Company’s book basis were to exceed its U.S. tax basis, no deferred tax liability would be established as the Company would consider the earnings of those entities to be indefinitely reinvested.
11
.
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Claims Against Customers
On January 15, 2015, due to the sudden move in the value of the Swiss franc that followed an unprecedented action by the Swiss National Bank, which removed a previously instituted and repeatedly reconfirmed cap of the currency relative to the Euro, several of the Company’s customers who held currency futures and spot positions suffered losses in excess of their deposits with the Company. The Company took immediate action to hedge its exposure to the foreign currency receivables from these customers. The Company estimates the cumulative losses related to this event, net of hedging activity and debt collection efforts, to be approximately $119 million. The Company is actively pursuing collection of the debts. The ultimate effect of this incident on the Company’s results will depend upon the outcome of the Company’s debt collection efforts.
Litigation
The Company is subject to certain pending and threatened legal actions which arise out of the normal course of business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in proceedings where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or which are in their early stages. The Company has not been able to quantify the actual loss or range of loss related to such legal proceedings, the manner in which they will be resolved, the timing of final resolution or the ultimate settlement. Management believes that the resolution of these actions will not have a material effect, if any, on the Company’s business or financial condition, but may have a material impact on the results of operations for a given period.
The Company accounts for potential losses related to litigation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, reserves provided for potential losses related to litigation matters were not material.
Trading Technologies Matter
On February 3, 2010, Trading Technologies International, Inc. (“Trading Technologies”) commenced an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, against IBG LLC and IB LLC (“Defendants”) alleging infringement of twelve U.S. patents and seeking, among other things, unspecified damages and injunctive relief.
The Defendants filed an answer denying the claims and asserted counterclaims seeking a declaration that the patents have not been infringed and are invalid. The
Defendants and/or certain codefendants f
iled petitions with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for Covered Business Method (“CBM”) Review on eight of the asserted patents, and will likely file petitions with respect to the others. Thus far the USPTO issued decisions instituting CBM Review on six of the asserted patents and has made a finding that it is more likely than not that the patents are invalid. On February 19, 2016, the Defendants filed a
motion requesting to stay the litigation in light of the CBM Review petitions. While it is too early to predict the outcome of the matter, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the allegations made in the complaint and intend to defend itself vigorously against them.
Class Action Matter
On December 18, 2015, a former individual customer filed a purported class action complaint against IB LLC, IBG, Inc., and Thomas Frank, PhD, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The complaint alleges that the former customer and members of the purported class of IB LLC’s customers were harmed by alleged “flaws” in the computerized system used by the Company to close out (i.e., liquidate) positions in customer brokerage accounts that have margin deficiencies. The complaint seeks, among other things, undefined compensatory damages and declaratory and injunctive relief.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company believes that the complaint is without merit and the Company has filed a motion to dismiss it. Among other things, the Company’s customer agreement, federal law and associated industry rules grant broker-dealers broad discretion to close out margin-deficient customer accounts for the broker’s protection. Further, the Company does not
believe that a purported class action is appropriate given the great differences in portfolios, markets and many other circumstances surrounding the liquidation of any particular customer’s margin-deficient account.
IB LLC and
the related defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously against the case and, consistent with past practice in connection with this type of unwarranted action, any potential claims for counsel fees and expenses incurred in defending the case shall be fully pursued against the plaintiff.
Guarantees
Certain of the Operating Companies provide guarantees to securities clearing houses and exchanges which meet the accounting definition of a guarantee under FASB ASC Topic 460, “
Guarantees
.” Under standard membership agreements, clearing house and exchange members are required to guarantee collectively the performance of other members. Under the agreements, if a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. In the opinion of management, the Operating Companies’ liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities they have posted as collateral. However, the potential for these Operating Companies to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is carried in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.
In connection with its retail brokerage business, IB LLC or other electronic brokerage Operating Companies perform securities and commodities execution, clearance and settlement on behalf of their customers for whom they commit to settle trades submitted by such customers with the respective clearing houses. If a customer fails to fulfill its settlement obligations, the respective Operating Company must fulfill those settlement obligations. No contingent liability is carried on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for such customer obligations.
Other Commitments
Certain clearing houses, clearing banks and firms used by certain Operating Companies are given a security interest in certain assets of those Operating Companies held by those clearing organizations. These assets may be applied to satisfy the obligations of those Operating Companies to the respective clearing organizations.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
12.
Segment and Geographic Information
The Company has two operating business segments: electronic brokerage and market making. These segments are supported by the corporate segment which provides centralized services and executes the Company’s currency diversification strategy.
The Company conducts its electronic brokerage business through certain Interactive Brokers subsidiaries, which provide electronic execution and clearing services to customers worldwide. The Company conducts its market making business principally through its Timber Hill subsidiaries on the world’s leading exchanges and market centers, primarily in exchange
‑traded equities, equity options and equity
‑index options and futures.
Significant transactions and balances between the Operating Companies occur, primarily as a result of certain Operating Companies holding exchange or clearing organization memberships, which are utilized to provide execution and clearing services to affiliates. Charges for transactions between segments are designed to approximate full costs. Intra
‑segment and intra
‑region income and expenses and related balances have been eliminated in this segment and geographic information to reflect the external business conducted in each segment or geographic region. Corporate items include non
‑allocated corporate income and expenses that are not attributed to segments for performance measurement, net gains and losses on positions held as part of our overall currency diversification strategy, corporate assets and eliminations.
Management believes that the following information by business segment provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution to total net revenues and income before income taxes for
the three
months
ended
March 31, 2016 and
2015
, and to total assets as of
March 31, 2016 and December 31,
2015
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic brokerage
|
|
$
|
347
|
|
$
|
290
|
Market making
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
67
|
Corporate
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
(185)
|
Total net revenues
|
|
$
|
489
|
|
$
|
172
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic brokerage
|
|
$
|
235
|
|
$
|
51
|
Market making
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
27
|
Corporate
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
(189)
|
Total income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
$
|
337
|
|
$
|
(111)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Segment Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronic brokerage
|
|
$
|
45,784
|
|
$
|
44,421
|
Market making
|
|
|
11,170
|
|
|
10,825
|
Corporate
|
|
|
(6,768)
|
|
|
(6,512)
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
50,186
|
|
$
|
48,734
|
The Company operates its automated global business in the U.S. and international markets on more than 100 electronic exchanges and market centers. A significant portion of the Company’s net revenues are generated by subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. International operations are comprised of electronic brokerage and market making activities in 25 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas (outside the U.S.). The following table presents total net revenues and income before income taxes by geographic area for
the three
months
ended
March 31, 2016 and
2015
.
The geographic analysis presented below is based on the location of the subsidiaries in which the transactions are recorded. This geographic information does not reflect the way the Company’s business is managed.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
404
|
|
$
|
72
|
International
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
100
|
Total net revenues
|
|
$
|
489
|
|
$
|
172
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
308
|
|
$
|
(164)
|
International
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
53
|
Total income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
$
|
337
|
|
$
|
(111)
|
13
.
Regulatory Requirements
As of
March 31, 2016
, aggregate excess regulatory capital for all of the Operating Companies was
$3.8
billion.
IB LLC and TH LLC are subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3
‑1) under the Exchange Act and the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission’s minimum financial requirements (Regulation 1.17), and THE is subject to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority eligible equity requirement. Additionally, IBHK is subject to the Hong Kong Securities Futures Commission liquid capital requirement, THA is subject to the Australian Stock Exchange liquid capital requirement, THLI is subject to the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein eligible capital requirements, THC and IBC are subject to the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada risk adjusted capital requirement, IBUK is subject to the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority Capital Requirements Directive, IBI is subject to the National Stock Exchange of India net capital requirements and IBSJ is subject to the Japanese Financial Supervisory Agency capital requirements. The following table summarizes capital, capital requirements and excess regulatory capital.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Capital/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eligible Equity
|
|
Requirement
|
|
Excess
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
IB LLC
|
|
$
|
2,618
|
|
$
|
251
|
|
$
|
2,367
|
TH LLC
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
341
|
THE
|
|
|
637
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
435
|
Other regulated Operating Companies
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
629
|
|
|
$
|
4,285
|
|
$
|
513
|
|
$
|
3,772
|
Regulatory capital requirements could restrict the Operating Companies from expanding their business and declaring dividends if their net capital does not meet regulatory requirements. Also, certain Operating Companies are subject to other regulatory restrictions and requirements.
As of
March 31, 2016
,
all of the regulated Operating Companies were in compliance with their respective regulatory capital requirements.
14
.
Related Party Transactions
Receivable from affiliate, reported in other assets in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition, represents amounts advanced to Holdings and payable to affiliate represents amounts payable to Holdings under the Tax Receivable Agreement (see Note 4).
Included in receivables from and payables to customers in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of
March 31, 2016
and December 31,
2015
were accounts receivable from directors, officers and their affiliates of
$42
million and
$
85
million and payables of
$789
million and
$
698
million, respectively.
The Company may extend credit to these related parties in connection with margin loans. Such loans are (i) made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the company, and (iii) do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
Table of Contents
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
15
.
Subsequent Events
As required by FASB ASC Topic 855, “
Subsequent Events,”
the Company has evaluated subsequent events for adjustment to or disclosure in its condensed consolidated financial statements through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.
Except as disclosed in Note 4, no other recordable or disclosable events occurred.
*****
ITEM
2
. MANAGEMENT
’
S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
un
audited
condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related notes in Item
1
, included elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion also contains forward
‑looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward
‑looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the heading
“
Risk Factors
”
in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 29, 2016 and elsewhere in this report.
Introduction
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (the “Company”
or “IBG, Inc.”
) is a holding company whose primary asset is its ownership of approximately
15.7%
of the membership interests of IBG LLC
.
The remaining approximately
84.3%
of IBG LLC membership interests are held by
IBG
Holdings
LLC (“Holdings”)
, a holding company that is owned by our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Mr.
Thomas Peterffy and his affiliates, management and other employees of IBG LLC, and certain other members.
The below table shows the amount of IBG LLC membership interests held by IBG, Inc. and Holdings as of March 31, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public
|
|
Holdings
|
|
Total
|
|
Ownership %
|
15.7%
|
|
84.3%
|
|
100.0%
|
|
Membership interests
|
63,994,537
|
|
343,040,504
|
|
407,035,041
|
We are an automated global electronic
broker and
market maker
. We custody and service accounts for hedge and mutual funds, registered investment advisers, proprietary trading groups, introducing brokers and individual investors. We
specializ
e
in routing orders
and executing
and processing trades in securities, futures
, and
foreign exchange instruments on more than 100 electronic exchanges and
market centers
around the world. Since our inception in 1977, we have focused on developing proprietary software to automate broker
‑dealer functions. The
proliferation
of electronic exchanges in the last
25
years has provided us with the opportunity to integrate our software with an increasing number of exchanges and
market centers
into one automatically functioning, computerized platform that requires minimal human intervention.
When we use the terms “we,” “us,” and “our,” we mean IBG, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods presented.
Business Segments
We
report
our
results in two
operating
business segments, electronic brokerage and market making. These segments are analyzed separately as these
are the
two principal business activities
from which we derive our revenues and to which we
allocate resources.
|
·
|
|
Electronic Brokerage.
We conduct our electronic brokerage business through
certain
Interactive Brokers (“
IB
”)
subsidiaries. As an electronic broker, we execute, clear and settle trades globally for both institutional and individual customers. Capitalizing on the technology originally developed for our market making business, IB
’
s systems provide our customers with the capability to monitor multiple markets around the world simultaneously and to execute trades electronically in these markets at a low cost, in multiple products and currencies from a single trading account. We offer our customers access to all classes of tradable, primarily exchange
‑listed products, including stocks, bonds, options, futures, forex and mutual funds traded on more than
100
exchanges and market centers in
24
countries
and in 23 currencies
around the world seamlessly.
The emerging complexity of multiple market centers has provided us with the opportunity of building and continuously adapting our order routing software to secure excellent execution prices.
|
Our customer base is diverse with respect to geography and segments. Currently, more than half of our customers reside outside the U.S. in over 190 countries. Approximately
64
% of our customers’ equity is in institutional accounts such as hedge funds, financial advisors, proprietary trading desks, and introducing brokers. Specialized products and services that we have developed are successfully attracting these accounts. For example, we offer prime brokerage services, including capital introduction and securities lending to hedge funds; and our model portfolio technology and automated share allocation and rebalancing tools are particularly attractive to financial advisors. We provide a host of analytical tools such as the Probability Lab
SM
, which allows our customers to analyze option strategies under various market assumptions. IB Investors’ Marketplace
SM
allows wealth advisors to search for money managers and assign them to client accounts based on their investment strategy. IB EmployeeTrack
SM
is widely used by compliance officers of financial institutions to streamline the process of tracking their employees’ brokerage activities. IB
Portfolio Builder allows our customers to set up an investment strategy based on research and rankings from top research providers and fundamental data. In addition, our RIA Compliance Center provides information to assist advisors with registration and compliance obligations.
|
·
|
|
Market Making
.
We conduct our market making business primarily through our T
imber
H
ill
subsidiaries. As one of the largest market makers on many of the world’s leading exchanges, we provide liquidity by offering competitively tight bid/offer spreads over a broad base of over one million tradable, exchange
‑listed products. As principal, we commit our own capital and derive revenues or incur losses from the difference between the price paid when securities are bought and the price received when those securities are sold. Because we provide continuous bid and offer quotations and we are continuously both buying and selling quoted securities, we may have either a long or a short position in a particular product at a given point in time. Our entire portfolio is evaluated each second and continuously rebalanced throughout the trading day, thus minimizing the risk of our portfolio at all times. This real
‑time rebalancing of our portfolio, together with our real
‑time proprietary risk management system, enables us to curtail risk and to be profitable in both up
‑market and down
‑market scenarios. In the past several years our market making business has suffered from competitive pressures and along with the rapid increase of our electronic brokerage business, its significance has diminished.
|
The operating business segments are supported by our corporate segment which provides centralized services and executes our currency diversification strategy.
Executive
Overview
First Quarter Results:
Diluted earnings per share were
$
0.51
for
the quarter
ended
March 31, 2016 (“current quarter”), compared to d
iluted earnings per share
of
$(0.22)
for the
quarter ended March 31, 2015 (“prior year quarter”)
.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is detailed in Note 4 to the
condensed
consolidated financial statements
elsewhere in this report
.
On a comprehensive basis, which includes
other comprehensive income (“OCI”)
, diluted earnings per share were
$0.60
for the
current quarter, compared
to diluted earnings per share of
$(0.24)
for the
prior year quarter
.
In connection with our currency diversification strategy, we determine our net worth in GLOBALs, a basket of 16 major currencies in which we hold our equity. As a result, as of March 31, 2016, approximately
58%
of our equity was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In the current quarter, our currency diversification strategy increased our comprehensive earnings by $123 million (versus a decrease of $197 million in the prior year quarter), as the U.S. dollar value of the GLOBAL increased by approximately
2.3%
. The effects of our currency diversification strategy are reported as (1) a component of other income in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income and (2) OCI in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The full effect of the GLOBAL is captured in comprehensive income.
Consolidated
:
For the
current quarter
, our net revenues were
$489
million and income before income taxes was
$337
million, compared to net revenues of
$172
million and
loss
before income taxes of
$111
million
in the prior year quarter
.
The increase in income before income taxes was mainly driven by gains from our currency diversification strategy in the current quarter and the non-recurrence of customer bad debt expenses resulting from the Swiss franc event described below in the prior year quarter; along with higher net interest income, which increased
37%
; and commission and execution fees, which increased
11%
;
partially offset in the current quarter by higher execution and clearing expenses, which increased
13%
; and employee compensation and benefits expenses, which increased
2%
.
Our pre
-
tax
profit
margin was
69%
,
compared to
-65%
for the prior year quarter
.
Electronic Brokerage
: For
the
current quarter
, income before income taxes in our electronic brokerage segment
increased
$184 million, or 361%,
compared to
the prior year quarter, mainly driven by the non-recurrence of $139 million in customer bad debt expenses in the prior year quarter due to the Swiss franc event described below
.
Net revenues increased
20%
, mainly from
an
11%
increase in c
ommissions and execution fees
from
higher customer trade volumes
; as well as, from a
35%
increase
in net interest income due to higher customer cash balances, the majority of which were invested in interest-bearing U.S. government securities during the current quarter.
Pre
-
tax
profit
margin
was
68%
for the current quarter and
18%
for
the
prior year quarter
. Customer accounts grew
17%
and customer equity increased
15%
from the prior year quarter
.
For the current quarter, t
otal Daily Average Revenue Trades (“DARTs”) for cleared and execution
‑only customers
increased
15%
to
748 thousand
, compared to
648 thousand
in
the
prior
year
quarter
.
Sudden Move in the Value of the Swiss Franc
On January 15, 2015, in an unprecedented action, the Swiss National Bank removed a previously instituted and repeatedly confirmed cap of the currency relative to the euro, causing a sudden move in the value of the Swiss franc. Several of our customers holding currency futures and spot positions suffered losses in excess of their deposits with us. We took immediate action to hedge our exposure to the foreign currency receivables from these customers. During 2015, we incurred cumulative losses, net of hedging activity and debt collection efforts, of $119 million. We continue to actively pursue collection of the debts. The ultimate effect of this incident on our results will depend upon the outcome of our debt collection efforts.
Market Making
: For
the
current quarter
, income before income taxes in our market making segment
decreased $7
million, or
26%
,
compared to the prior year quarter. While market
volatility levels
were generally favorable, trading gains were negatively impacted
by divergence in price behavior among a significant number of individual stocks during the current quarter
. Pre
-
tax
profit
margin
was
34%
for the current quarter and
40%
for the prior year quarter
.
Trading Volumes
The following tables present historical trading volumes for our business. However, volumes are not the only drivers in our business.
TRADE VOLUMES:
(in 000
’
s, except %)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokerage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
Brokerage
|
|
|
|
Non
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avg. Trades
|
|
|
Making
|
|
%
|
|
Cleared
|
|
%
|
|
Cleared
|
|
%
|
|
Total
|
|
%
|
|
per U.S.
|
Period
|
|
Trades
|
|
Change
|
|
Trades
|
|
Change
|
|
Trades
|
|
Change
|
|
Trades
|
|
Change
|
|
Trading Day
|
2013
|
|
65,320
|
|
|
|
173,849
|
|
|
|
18,489
|
|
|
|
257,658
|
|
|
|
1,029
|
2014
|
|
64,530
|
|
-1%
|
|
206,759
|
|
19%
|
|
18,055
|
|
-2%
|
|
289,344
|
|
12%
|
|
1,155
|
2015
|
|
65,937
|
|
2%
|
|
242,846
|
|
17%
|
|
18,769
|
|
4%
|
|
327,553
|
|
13%
|
|
1,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
15,404
|
|
|
|
58,208
|
|
|
|
4,581
|
|
|
|
78,193
|
|
|
|
1,282
|
1Q2016
|
|
17,255
|
|
12%
|
|
71,145
|
|
22%
|
|
4,731
|
|
3%
|
|
93,131
|
|
19%
|
|
1,527
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2015
|
|
16,985
|
|
|
|
60,848
|
|
|
|
4,863
|
|
|
|
82,696
|
|
|
|
1,313
|
1Q2016
|
|
17,255
|
|
2%
|
|
71,145
|
|
17%
|
|
4,731
|
|
-3%
|
|
93,131
|
|
13%
|
|
1,527
|
CONTRACT AND SHARE VOLUMES:
(in 000
’
s, except %)
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
%
|
|
Futures
|
|
%
|
|
Stocks
|
|
%
|
Period
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(shares)
|
|
Change
|
2013
|
|
659,673
|
|
|
|
121,776
|
|
|
|
95,479,739
|
|
|
2014
|
|
631,265
|
|
-4%
|
|
123,048
|
|
1%
|
|
153,613,174
|
|
61%
|
2015
|
|
634,388
|
|
0%
|
|
140,668
|
|
14%
|
|
172,742,520
|
|
12%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
154,289
|
|
|
|
33,612
|
|
|
|
35,336,325
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
151,912
|
|
-2%
|
|
41,238
|
|
23%
|
|
38,350,112
|
|
9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2015
|
|
156,125
|
|
|
|
33,436
|
|
|
|
35,150,818
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
151,912
|
|
-3%
|
|
41,238
|
|
23%
|
|
38,350,112
|
|
9%
|
MARKET MAKING
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
%
|
|
Futures
|
|
%
|
|
Stocks
|
|
%
|
Period
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(shares)
|
|
Change
|
2013
|
|
404,490
|
|
|
|
18,184
|
|
|
|
12,849,729
|
|
|
2014
|
|
344,741
|
|
-15%
|
|
15,668
|
|
-14%
|
|
12,025,822
|
|
-6%
|
2015
|
|
335,406
|
|
-3%
|
|
14,975
|
|
-4%
|
|
15,376,076
|
|
28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
83,013
|
|
|
|
3,408
|
|
|
|
2,969,719
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
82,345
|
|
-1%
|
|
4,344
|
|
27%
|
|
4,618,495
|
|
56%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2015
|
|
82,106
|
|
|
|
4,047
|
|
|
|
3,677,274
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
82,345
|
|
0%
|
|
4,344
|
|
7%
|
|
4,618,495
|
|
26%
|
Notes:
|
(1)
|
|
Futures contract volume includes options on futures
|
BROKERAGE TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
%
|
|
Futures
|
|
%
|
|
Stocks
|
|
%
|
Period
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(shares)
|
|
Change
|
2013
|
|
255,183
|
|
|
|
103,592
|
|
|
|
82,630,010
|
|
|
2014
|
|
286,524
|
|
12%
|
|
107,380
|
|
4%
|
|
141,587,352
|
|
71%
|
2015
|
|
298,982
|
|
4%
|
|
125,693
|
|
17%
|
|
157,366,444
|
|
11%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
71,276
|
|
|
|
30,204
|
|
|
|
32,366,606
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
69,567
|
|
-2%
|
|
36,894
|
|
22%
|
|
33,731,617
|
|
4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2015
|
|
74,019
|
|
|
|
29,389
|
|
|
|
31,473,544
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
69,567
|
|
-6%
|
|
36,894
|
|
26%
|
|
33,731,617
|
|
7%
|
BROKERAGE CLEARED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
%
|
|
Futures
|
|
%
|
|
Stocks
|
|
%
|
Period
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(contracts)
|
|
Change
|
|
(shares)
|
|
Change
|
2013
|
|
180,660
|
|
|
|
101,732
|
|
|
|
78,829,785
|
|
|
2014
|
|
225,662
|
|
25%
|
|
106,074
|
|
4%
|
|
137,153,132
|
|
74%
|
2015
|
|
244,356
|
|
8%
|
|
124,206
|
|
17%
|
|
153,443,988
|
|
12%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
58,537
|
|
|
|
29,824
|
|
|
|
31,418,644
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
58,531
|
|
0%
|
|
36,546
|
|
23%
|
|
32,617,117
|
|
4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2015
|
|
59,934
|
|
|
|
29,030
|
|
|
|
30,405,179
|
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
58,531
|
|
-2%
|
|
36,546
|
|
26%
|
|
32,617,117
|
|
7%
|
Notes:
|
(1)
|
|
Futures contract volume includes options on futures
|
BROKERAGE STATISTICS:
(in 000
’
s, except % and where noted)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year over Year
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
% Change
|
Total Accounts
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
296
|
|
17%
|
Customer Equity (in billions) *
|
|
$
|
70.1
|
|
$
|
61.2
|
|
15%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared DARTs
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
590
|
|
17%
|
Total Customer DARTs
|
|
|
748
|
|
|
648
|
|
15%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared Customers (in $'s, except DART per account)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission per DART
|
|
$
|
3.86
|
|
$
|
4.05
|
|
-5%
|
DART per Avg. Account (Annualized)
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
513
|
|
0%
|
Net Revenue per Avg. Account (Annualized)**
|
|
$
|
3,709
|
|
$
|
3,648
|
|
2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consecutive Quarters
|
|
1Q2016
|
|
1Q2015
|
|
% Change
|
Total Accounts
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
331
|
|
4%
|
Customer Equity (in billions) *
|
|
$
|
70.1
|
|
$
|
67.4
|
|
4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared DARTs
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
582
|
|
18%
|
Total Customer DARTs
|
|
|
748
|
|
|
641
|
|
17%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared Customers (in $'s, except DART per account)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission per DART
|
|
$
|
3.86
|
|
$
|
3.81
|
|
1%
|
DART per Avg. Account (Annualized)
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
447
|
|
15%
|
Net Revenue per Avg. Account (Annualized)**
|
|
$
|
3,709
|
|
$
|
3,239
|
|
14%
|
*
Excludes non
‑customers.
*
* The calculation has been revised to exclude components of other income that are not direct revenues from customers
.
Prior period amounts have been recalculated to conform to the current methodology.
Business Environment
The operating environment for our
electronic
brokerage business continued to exhibit positive trends in the current quarter. Investor uncertainty accompanied by increased volatility led to a contraction of margin borrowings but higher trading volumes in most product types.
We maintained our position as the largest U.S. electronic broker as measured by the number of customer revenue trades, which increased
15%
over the prior year quarter, driving an
11%
increase in commissions and execution fees. New customer account growth continued to gain momentum as total customer accounts increased
17%
to
345
thousand from the prior year quarter. Institutional customers, such as hedge funds, mutual funds, introducing brokers, proprietary trading groups and financial advisors, comprised approximately 44% of total accounts and approximately 64% of total customer equity at the end of the current quarter. Our customer base continues to be geographically diverse, with customers residing in over 190 countries and over
50%
of new customers coming from outside the U.S. Average equity per account decreased
by
1%
, to
$204
thousand, compared to the prior year quarter.
Our low margin lending rates, are tied to benchmark rates, such as the Federal Funds rate in the U.S. In the current quarter, our customers paid 0.5% to 1.87% for their U.S. dollar margin loans with us. After building steadily for a number of years, customer margin loans decreased by
13%
from the prior year quarter, as customers responded to volatile markets by reducing their leverage. In spite of the decrease in customer margin loans, electronic brokerage net interest income grew
35%
compared to the prior year quarter, as average customer credit balances rose
17%
for the current quarter.
Market making segment results decreased in the current quarter, as trading gains were dampened by divergence in price behavior among a significant number of individual stocks, in spite of the generally conducive market volatility conditions.
The following is a summary of the key profit drivers that affect our business and how they compared to the prior year
quarter
:
Global trading volumes.
According to data received from exchanges worldwide, volumes in exchange
‑listed equity
‑based options
decreased
by
approximately
10%
globally
and increased
5%
in the
U.S. for the
current quarter
, compared to
the prior year quarter
. During
current quarter
we accounted for approximately
8.2%
(
7.5
%
in the prior year quarter
) of the exchange
‑listed equity
‑based options
volume traded worldwide (including options on ETFs and stock index products) and approximately
10.8%
(
11.1
%
in the prior year quarter
) of
exchange
‑listed equity
‑based options volume traded in the U.S. It is important to note that this metric is not directly correlated with our profits.
Volatility.
Since
we typically maintain an overall long volatility position
,
o
ur market making profits are generally correlated with market volatility,
protect
ing
us against a severe market dislocation in either direction. Based on the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (“VIX
®
”), the average volatility
increased to
20.6
in
the current quarter, up
24%
from the average of 16.6
in
the prior year quarter
.
The ratio of actual to implied volatility is also meaningful to our results. Because the cost of hedging our positions is based on
implied volatility, while our trading profits are, in part, based on actual market volatility, a higher ratio
has a
generally favorable
impact on our trading gains
and a lower ratio generally has a negative effect. This ratio averaged approximately
90%
during
the current quarter
,
compared to an
average of
85
%
in
the prior year quarter
.
Currency fluctuations.
As a global
electronic broker and
market maker trading on exchanges around the world in multiple currencies, we are exposed to foreign currency risk. We actively manage this exposure by keeping our net worth in proportion to a defined basket of 16 currencies we call the “GLOBAL” in order to diversify our risk and to align our hedging strategy with the currencies that we use in our business. Because we report our financial results in U.S. dollars, the change in the value of the GLOBAL
versus
the U.S. dollar affects our earnings.
During the current quarter, t
he value of the GLOBAL, as measured in U.S. dollars,
increased
2.3%
compared to
its value
as of
December 31,
2015
. This
increase
had a
positive
impact on our comprehensive earnings
for the current quarter
.
A discussion of our approach
for
managing foreign currency exposure is contained in Part
I
, Item
3
of this
Quarterly
Report on Form 10
‑
Q
entitled
“
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
”
See the tables on pages 33-34 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional details regarding our trade volumes, contract and share volumes and brokerage statistics.
Certain Trends and Uncertainties
We believe that our continuing operations may be favorably or unfavorably impacted by the following trends that may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
•
Over the past several years, the effects of market structure changes, competition (in particular, from
high frequency traders
) and market conditions have, during certain periods, exerted downward pressure on bid/offer spreads realized by market makers.
•
Retail broker
‑dealer participation in the equity markets has fluctuated over the past few years due to investor sentiment, market conditions and a variety of other factors. Retail transaction volumes may not be sustainable and are not predictable.
•
In recent years, in an effort to improve the quality of their executions as well as
to
increase efficiencies, market makers have increased the level of automation within their operations, which may allow them to compete more effectively with us.
•
Scrutiny of equity and option market makers, hedge funds and soft dollar practices by regulatory and legislative authorities has increased. New legislation or modifications to existing regulations and rules could occur in the future.
•
Additional consolidation among market centers may adversely affect the value of our smart routing software.
•
A driver of our market making profits is the relationship between actual and implied volatility in the equities markets. The cost of maintaining our conservative risk profile is based on implied volatility, while our profitability, in part, is based on actual volatility. Hence, our profitability is increased when actual volatility runs above implied volatility and it is decreased when actual volatility falls below implied volatility. Implied volatility tends to lag actual volatility.
See
“
Risk Factors
”
in Part I, Item 1A of
our
Annual Report on Form 10
‑K
, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016, and elsewhere in this report
for a discussion of other risks that may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Results of Operations
The tables in the period comparisons below provide summaries of our consolidated results of operations. The period
‑to
‑period comparisons below of financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except share and per share data)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading gains
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
$
|
62
|
Commissions and execution fees
|
|
|
166
|
|
|
149
|
Interest income
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
108
|
Other income (loss)
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
(132)
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
507
|
|
|
187
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
15
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
489
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Execution and clearing
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
55
|
Employee compensation and benefits
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
57
|
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
10
|
Communications
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
6
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
16
|
Customer bad debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
139
|
Total non-interest expenses
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
283
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
337
|
|
|
(111)
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
(2)
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
310
|
|
|
(109)
|
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
(96)
|
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
$
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
$
|
(0.22)
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.51
|
|
$
|
(0.22)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
63,985,477
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
Diluted
|
|
|
65,255,903
|
|
|
58,473,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
$
|
(13)
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative translation adjustment, before income taxes
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
(1)
|
Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
(1)
|
Comprehensive income (loss) available for common stockholders
|
|
$
|
39
|
|
$
|
(14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
$
|
277
|
|
$
|
(96)
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) - cumulative translation adjustment
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
(9)
|
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
$
|
310
|
|
$
|
(105)
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (“current quarter”) compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (“prior year quarter”)
Net Revenues
Total net revenues, for the current quarter,
increased
$317
million
,
or
184%
, to
$489
million
, compared to
the
prior year quarter
. The
increase
in net revenues was
primarily due
to
higher other income, net interest income, and commissions and execution fees
. Trading volume is an important driver of revenues and costs for both our electronic brokerage and market making segments. During the
current quarter,
our
futures
contract
and stock
share volumes
increased
23%
and
9%
, respectively
, while
options
contract volume
decreased
2%
, compared to the
prior year quarter
.
Trading Gains
Trading gains
,
for the
current quarter,
decreased
$10
million, or
16%
, to
$52
million
,
compared to the prior year quarter
. As market makers, we provide liquidity by buying from sellers and selling to buyers. During the
current quarter
, our market making operations executed
17.3
million trades, a
n
increase
of
12%
compared to the number of trades executed in the
prior year quarter
. Market making
stock share volume and futures contract volume
increased
56% and 27%
, respectively, while
options
volume
decreased
1%
compared to the
prior year quarter
.
Trading gains were
unfavorably
impacted by
divergence in price behavior among an unusually large number of individual stocks
.
The
VIX
®
, which measures perceived U.S. equity market volatility
,
increased
24%
to an average of
20.6
for
the
current quarter,
compared to
an average of
16.6
for the prior year quarter
.
The ratio of actual to implied volatility
increased to an average of
90%
for
the current quarter,
compared to
an average of
85
% for
the prior year quarter
.
Included in trading gains are net dividends. Dividend income and expense arise from holding market making positions over dates on which dividends are paid to shareholders of record. When a stock pays a dividend, its market price is generally adjusted downward to reflect the value paid, which will not be received by those who purchase stock after the ex-dividend date. Hence, the apparent gains and losses due to these price changes, reflecting the value of dividends paid to shareholders, must be taken together with the dividends paid and received, respectively, to accurately reflect the results of our market making operations.
Commissions and Execution Fees
Commissions and execution fees
,
for the
current quarter,
increased
$17
million, or
11%
, to
$166
million, compared to the
prior year quarter
, driven by continued customer account growth and increased customer
trading
activity, but moderated by lower
average
commission per customer order. Cleared customer futures contract
and
stock share volumes
increased
23%
and
4%
, respectively,
while
options
contract
volume
remained unchanged
, from
the
prior year quarter
. Total DARTs for cleared and execution-only customers
,
for the
current quarter,
increased
15%
to
748 thousand
, compared to
648 thousand
during the
prior year quarter
. DARTs for cleared customers, i.e., customers for whom we execute trades
,
as well as
,
clear and carry positions,
for the current quarter,
increased
17%,
to
688 thousand
, compared to
590 thousand
for the
prior year quarter
. Average commission per DART for cleared customers, for the
current quarter
,
decreased
by
5%
to
$3.86
, compared to
$4.05
for the
prior year quarter
.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Net interest income (interest income less interest expense)
,
for the
current quarter,
increased
$34
million, or
37%
, to
$127
million, compared to the
prior year quarter
. The increase in net interest income was driven by higher
average
customer
cash balances
and higher net fees earned from securities lending transactions.
Net interest income on customer balances
, for the current quarter,
increased
$28
million
,
compared to the
prior year quarter, driven by a
$5.1
billion increase in average customer cash balances, the majority of which were invested in interest-bearing U.S. government securities, partially offset by a
$2.2
billion decrease in average customer margin borrowings. In addition, the average Fed Funds effective rate increased by approximately 25 basis points to
0.36%
for the current quarter, compared to the prior year quarter.
We earn fees on securities loaned and borrowed to support customer long and short stock holdings in margin accounts. In addition, our Stock Yield Enhancement Program provides an opportunity for customers with fully-paid stock to allow us to lend it out. In exchange for lending out their stock, our customers generally receive 50% of the stock loan fees. We place cash collateral securing the loans in the customer’s account.
In the market making segment, as a result of the way we have integrated our market making and securities lending systems, our trading income and our net interest income are interchangeable and depend on the mix of market making positions in our portfolio. When implied interest rates in the equity and equity options and futures markets exceed the actual interest rates available to us, our market making systems tend to buy stock and sell it forward, which produces higher trading gains and lower net interest income. When these rates are inverted, our market making systems tend to sell stock and buy it forward, which produces lower trading gains and
higher net interest income.
In the current quarter, a
verage securities borrowed
increased
by
11%
, to
$3.8
billion and average securities loaned
decreased
by
17%
, to
$2.6
billion,
compared to
the
prior year quarter
. Net interest earned from securities lending is also affected by the level of demand for securities positions
in
our market making
business
and
held by
our customers. During the
current quarter
, net fees earned by our
electronic
brokerage and market making segments from securities lending transactions
increase
d
$6
million or
19%
, compared to the
prior year quarter
. The
majority
of the increase in
net interest income from
securities lending transactions
was attributable to the electronic
brokerage segment.
Other Income
Other income, for the
current quarter
,
increased
$276
million to
$
144
million, compared to
a loss of $132 million in
the
prior year quarter, mainly driven
by $
84
million
gain on our currency diversification strategy in the current quarter as compared to a loss of $187 million in the prior year quarter and $24 million higher mark-to-market gains on our U.S. government securities portfolio, due to a decline in medium-term interest rates during the quarter. In general, mark-to-market gains and losses on U.S. government securities are expected to reverse when, as intended, these securities are held to maturity.
A discussion of our approach to managing foreign currency exposure is contained in Part II, Item
3
of this
Quarterly
Report on Form 10-
Q
entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Non
‑Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses, for the
current quarter
,
decreased
$131
million, or
46%
, to
$152
million
,
compared to
the
prior year quarter, mainly
due to
the non-recurrence of $139 million in customer bad debt expense due to the Swiss franc event in the prior year quarter, as described above.
As a percentage of total net revenues, non-interest expenses
were 31%
for the
current quarter
and
165%
for
the
prior year quarter
.
Execution and Clearing
Execution and clearing expenses
,
for the
current quarter
,
increased
$7
million, or
13%
,
to
$62
million, compared to the
prior year quarter, driven by higher trading volumes in futures and stocks in both the electronic brokerage and market
making segment
s
.
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Employee compensation and benefits expense
s
, for the
current quarter
,
increased
$1
million
, or
2%
,
to
$58
million, compared to the
prior year quarter
,
mainly due to a
16%
increase
in the number of employees
to
1,114
, compared to
962
for the
prior year quarter
. Within the operating
business
segments, we continued to add staff in electronic brokerage and reduce staff in market making. As we continue to grow, our focus on automation has allowed us to maintain a relatively small staff. As a percentage of total net revenues, employee compensation and benefits expense
s were
12% for the current quarter and
33%
for the
prior year quarter.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses, for the
current quarter
,
decreased
$3
million, or
19%
, to
$13
million, compared to the
prior year quarter, mainly due to
reductions in legal expenses and
advertising
fees
.
As a percentage of total net revenues,
g
eneral and administrative
expense
s
were
3%
for the current quarter and
9%
for the prior year quarter.
Customer Bad Debt
Customer bad debt expense, for the current quarter, decreased
$139 million, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due
to the non-recurrence of unsecured customer losses of $139 million caused by the sudden move in the value of the Swiss franc in the prior year” quarter
as described above in the
“
Financial Over
view” section.
Our operating results, for the current quarter, excluding the effects of our currency diversification strategy
and the mark-to-market gains from our U.S. government securities portfolio
,
and
the Swiss franc related customer losses
from
the prior year quarter were as follows: net revenues were $368 million, up
12
%; non-interest expenses were $152 million, up
6
%; income before income taxes was $216 million, up
17
%; and pre-tax profit margin increased to 59% for the current year quarter compared to 56% for the prior year quarter
.
Business Segments
The following table sets forth the net revenues, non-interest expenses
and
income
before
income taxes of our business segments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Electronic Brokerage
|
Net revenues
|
|
$
|
347
|
|
$
|
290
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
239
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$
|
235
|
|
$
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax profit margin
|
|
|
68%
|
|
|
18%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Making
|
Net revenues
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
$
|
67
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
40
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
$
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax profit margin
|
|
|
34%
|
|
|
40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
(1)
|
Net revenues
|
|
$
|
83
|
|
$
|
(185)
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
4
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
$
|
82
|
|
$
|
(189)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
Net revenues
|
|
$
|
489
|
|
$
|
172
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
283
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
$
|
337
|
|
$
|
(111)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax profit margin
|
|
|
69%
|
|
|
-65%
|
|
(1)
|
|
The corporate segment includes corporate related activities, inter-segment eliminations and gains and losses on positions held as part of our overall currency diversification strategy.
|
The following sections discuss
the
results of our operations by business segment, excluding a discussion of corporate
segment
income and expense. In the following tables, revenues and expenses directly associated with each
business
segment are included in determining income before income taxes. Due to the integrated nature of the business segments, estimates and judgments have been made in allocating certain revenue and expense items. Transactions between
business
segments generally result from one subsidiary facilitating the business of another subsidiary through the use of its existing trading memberships and clearing arrangements. In such cases, certain revenue and expense items are eliminated to accurately reflect the external business conducted in each
business
segment. Rates on transactions between
business
segments are designed to approximate full costs. In addition to execution and clearing expenses, which are the main cost driver for both the market making and the electronic brokerage segment
s
, each
business
segment
’
s operating expenses include
:
(i) employee compensation and benefits expenses that are incurred directly in support of
each
business
segment
, (ii) general and administrative expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for property leases, professional fees, travel and entertainment, communications and information services, equipment, and (iii) indirect support costs (including compensation and other related operating expenses) for administrative services provided by
corporate segment
subsidiaries
. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, computer software development and support, accounting, tax, legal and facilities management.
Electronic Brokerage
The following table sets forth the results of our electronic brokerage operations for the indicated periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and execution fees
|
|
$
|
166
|
|
$
|
149
|
Interest income
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
96
|
Other income
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
52
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
297
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
7
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
347
|
|
|
290
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Execution and clearing
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
39
|
Employee compensation and benefits
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
24
|
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
3
|
Communications
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
31
|
Customer bad debt
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
139
|
Total non-interest expenses
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
239
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$
|
235
|
|
$
|
51
|
Three Months Ended March
31,
2016
(“current quarter”) c
ompared to the
Three Months Ended March
31,
2015 (“prior year quarter”)
Electronic brokerage total net revenues, for the current quarter,
increased
$57
million, or
20%
, to
$347
million, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher net interest income and commissions and execution fees.
Commissions and execution fees, for the current quarter,
increased
$17
million, or
11%
, to
$166
million, compared to the prior year quarter,
driven by continued customer account growth and increased customer
trading
activity, but moderated by lower
average
commission per customer order. Cleared customer futures contract volume and stock share volume
increased
23% and
4%, respectively
,
while option contract volume remained unchanged,
from
the
prior year quarter
. Total DARTs for cleared and execution-only customers
,
for the
current quarter,
increased
15%
to
748 thousand
, compared to
648 thousand
during the
prior year quarter
. DARTs for cleared customers, i.e., customers for whom we execute trades
,
as well as
,
clear and carry positions,
for the
current quarter
,
increased
17%
to
688 thousand
, compared to
590 thousand
for the
prior year quarter
. Average commission per DART for cleared customers, for the
current quarter
,
decreased
by
5%
to
$3.86
, compared to
$4.05
for the
prior year quarter
.
Net interest income, for the current quarter,
increased
$31
million, or
35%,
to
$120
million, compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in net interest income was attributable to higher net customer interest
of
$28
million, driven by a
$5.1
billion increase in average customer cash balances, the majority of which were invested in interest-bearing U.S. government securities, partially offset by a
$2.2
billion decrease in average customer margin borrowings; and higher net fees from securities lending transactions of
$6
million. In addition, the average Fed Funds effective rate increased by approximately 25 basis points to
0.36%
for the current quarter, compared to the prior year quarter.
Other income, for the current quarter,
increased
$9
million, or
17%
, to
$61
million, compared to the prior year quarter, mainly due to a $24 million higher mark-to-market gain on our U.S. government securities portfolio as medium-term interest rates declined, partially offset by the non-recurrence of an $18 million gain from our hedging activities to offset our losses related to the Swiss franc event, as described above, in the prior year quarter. In general, mark-to-market gains and losses on U.S. government securities are expected to reverse when, as intended, these securities are held to maturity.
Non-interest expenses, for the current quarter,
decreased
$127
million, or
53%
, to
$112
million, compared to the prior year quarter, mainly due to the non-recurrence of $139 million in customer bad debt expense on the Swiss franc event, as described above, in the prior year quarter. Within non-interest expenses, execution and clearing expenses
increased
$7
million, or
18%
, due to higher trading volume in future
s
contracts and stocks
.
A 22% increase
in the number of employees providing services to the electronic brokerage
segment led to increases in employee
compensation and benefits expenses
of
$2
million, or
8%,
and
in general and administrative expenses of $4 million, where the latter represents software development provided by the corporate segment on a consulting basis. This increase in general and administrative expenses was partially offset by reductions in legal expenses and advertising fees, leading to an overall
increase
$1
million, or
3%
.
As a percentage of total net revenues, non-interest expenses were
32%
for the current quarter and
82%
for the prior year quarter.
I
ncome before income taxes
, for the current quarter,
increased
$184
million, or
361%
, to
$235
million
,
compared to
the
prior
year
quarter
. As a percentage of total net revenues for the electronic brokerage segment, income before income taxes was
68%
for the current quarter
and
18%
for the
prior year quarter.
Our operating results, for the current quarter, excluding the mark-to-market gains from our U.S. government securities portfolio
and the
Swiss franc related customer losses from the prior year quarter
were as follows: income before income taxes was $198 million, up 25%; and pre-tax profit margin increased to 64% for the current year quarter compared to 61% for the prior year quarter
.
Market Making
The following table sets forth the results of our market making operations for the indicated periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading gains
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
$
|
62
|
Interest income
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
12
|
Other income
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
76
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
9
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Execution and clearing
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
16
|
Employee compensation and benefits
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
11
|
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
Communications
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
10
|
Total non-interest expenses
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
$
|
27
|
Three Months Ended March
31,
2016
(“current quarter”) c
ompared to the
Three Months Ended March
31,
2015 (“prior year quarter”)
Market making total net revenues, for the current quarter,
decreased
$8
million, or
12%
, to
$59
million, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower trading gains.
Trading gains, for the current quarter,
decreased
$10
million, or
16%, to
$52 million, compared to
the prior year quarter, dampened by divergence in price behavior among an unusually large number of individual stocks
.
The
VIX
®
, which measures perceived U.S. equity market volatility
,
increased
24%
to an average of
20.6
for
the
current quarter,
compared to
an average of 16.6 for the prior year quarter
.
The ratio of actual to implied volatility
increased to an average of
90%
for
the current quarter,
compared to
an average of
85
% for
the prior year quarter
.
Option contracts volume decreased
1%
, while stock
and futures contract
volumes
increased
56%
and
27%
, respectively,
compared to the
prior year quarter
.
Net interest income, for the current quarter,
increased
$3
million, or
100%
, to
$6
million, compared to the prior year quarter. As described above, our trading gains and our net interest income are interchangeable and depend on the mix of market making positions in our portfolio and on relative interest rates in the stock and options markets. In the current quarter, these factors, together with a reduction in interest earned on deposits with banks, produced more net interest income than in the prior year quarter.
Non-interest expenses, for the current quarter,
decreased
$1
million, or
3%
, to
$39
million, compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a
$3
million decrease in employee compensation and benefits expenses as reductions in staff in the
market making segment continued; partially offset by small increases in communications and general and administrative expenses. As a percentage of total net revenues, non-interest expenses were
66%
for the current quarter and
60%
for the prior year quarter.
I
ncome before income taxes
, for the current quarter,
decreased
$7
million, or
26%
, to
$20
million
,
compared to
the
prior
year
quarter
. As a percentage of total net revenues for the market making segment, income before income taxes was
34%
for the current quarter
and
40%
for the
prior year quarter.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We maintain a highly liquid balance sheet. The majority of our assets consist of investment
s
of customer funds
,
collateralized receivables arising from customer
‑related and proprietary securities transactions
, and
exchange
‑listed marketable securities
,
which are marked
‑to
‑market dail
y
. Collateralized receivables consist primarily of customer margin loans, securities borrowed, and, to a lesser extent receivables from clearing houses for settlement of securities transactions, and securities purchased under agreements to resell.
As of
March
31,
2016
, total assets
were
$50.2
billion of which approximately
$49.7
billion, or
99.0%
were considered liquid.
Daily monitoring of liquidity needs and available collateral levels is undertaken to help ensure that an appropriate liquidity cushion, in the form of unpledged collateral, is maintained at all times. Our ability to quickly reduce funding needs by balance sheet contraction without adversely affecting our core businesses and to pledge additional collateral in support of secured borrowings is continuously evaluated to ascertain the adequacy of our capital base.
We actively manage our excess liquidity and we maintain significant borrowing facilities through the securities lending markets and with banks. As a general practice, we maintain sufficient levels of cash on hand to provide us with a buffer should we need immediately available funds for any reason.
Liability balances
, as of March 31, 2016,
in connection with our
short-term borrowings,
securities loaned and payables to customers were
lower
than their respective average monthly balances during the
current quarter
. Liability balances
, as of March 31, 2016,
in connection with our payables to customers were
higher
than their respective average monthly balances during the
current quarter
. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flows from operations, available cash and available borrowings will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for more than the next twelve months.
Cash and cash equivalents held by
our
non
‑U.S. operating companies
as of
March
31,
2016
were
$427
million
($
382
million
as of
December 31,
2015
). These funds are primarily intended to finance each individual operating company
’
s local operations, and thus would not be available to fund U.S. domestic operations unless repatriated through payment of dividends to IBG LLC.
In December 2015, a dividend of $80 million was paid to IBG LLC from a non-U.S. subsidiary. We currently have no
intention to repatriate further amounts from non
‑U.S. operating companies. In the event dividends were to be paid to the Company in the future by a non
‑U.S. operating company, the Company would be required to accrue and pay income taxes on such dividends to the extent that U.S. income taxes had not been paid previously on the income of the paying company.
Historically,
our
consolidated equity has consisted primarily of accumulated retained earnings, which to date have been sufficient to fund our operations and growth.
Our
consolidated equity
increased
12%
to
$5.7
billion
as of
March 31,
2016
from
$5.0
billion
as of
March
31,
2015
. This
increase
is attributable to total comprehensive income
, partially
offset by
distributions and
dividends paid during
the last four quarters
.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
$
|
122
|
|
$
|
(220)
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
(4)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(38)
|
|
|
(45)
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
(10)
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
146
|
|
$
|
(279)
|
Our cash flows from operating activities are largely a reflection of the size and composition of trading positions held by our market making subsidiaries, and of the
changes in customer cash and margin balances in our electronic brokerage business. Our cash flows from investing activities are primarily related
to
other investments, capitalized internal software development, purchases and sales of memberships at exchanges where we trade
,
and strategic investments where such investments may enable us to offer better execution
alternatives to our current and prospective customers, or create new opportunities for ourselves as market makers or where we can influence exchanges to provide competing products at better prices using sophisticated technology. Our cash flows from financing activities are comprised of short
‑term borrowings and capital transactions. Short
‑term borrowings from banks are part of our daily cash management in support of operating activities. Capital transactions consist primarily of quarterly dividends paid to common stockholders and related cash distributions paid to Holdings.
Three Months
Ended
March
31,
2016
:
Our cash and cash equivalents
increased
by
$146
million to
$1,747
million
for the three months ended March 31, 2016
. We
raised
$122
million in net cash from operating activities. We used net cash of
$15
million
in our investing and financing activities
, primarily
for
dividends paid to our common stockholders and distributions to noncontrolling interests. Under investing activities, purchases and sales of other investments mainly consisted of transactions in marketable securities held for investment purposes, and distributions received from investments.
Three Months
Ended
March
31,
2015
:
Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $279 million to $990 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. We used $220 million in net cash from operating activities. We used net cash of $49 million in our investing and financing activities, primarily for dividends paid to our common stockholders and distributions to Holdings.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
Our principal operating subsidiaries are subject to separate regulation and capital requirements in the
U.S.
and other jurisdictions.
IB LLC
and
TH LLC are registered U.S. broker
‑dealers and their primary regulators include the SEC
,
the
CFTC,
the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
and
FINRA
. IB LLC
is also a
registered U.S. futures commission merchant,
as such it is regulated by
the
NFA
. THE is registered to do business in Switzerland as a securities dealer and is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. IBUK is subject to regulation by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority. Our various other operating subsidiaries are similarly regulated. See the notes to the
condensed
consolidated financial statements in Part
I
, Item
1
of this
Quarterly
Report on Form 10
‑
Q
for further information regarding our regulated subsidiaries.
As of
March
31,
2016
, aggregate excess regulatory capital for all of the operating companies was
$3.8
billion, and all of the operating companies were in compliance with their respective regulatory capital requirements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Capital/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eligible Equity
|
|
Requirement
|
|
Excess
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
IB LLC
|
|
$
|
2,618
|
|
$
|
251
|
|
$
|
2,367
|
TH LLC
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
341
|
THE
|
|
|
637
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
435
|
Other regulated Operating Companies
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
629
|
|
|
$
|
4,285
|
|
$
|
513
|
|
$
|
3,772
|
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures are comprised of compensation costs of our software engineering staff for development of software for internal use and expenditures for computer, networking and communications hardware. These expenditure items are reported as property and equipment. Capital expenditures for property
and
equipment were
approximately
$7
million
and
$6
million for the three
months
ended
March
31,
2016 and
2015
, respectively. In the future
, we plan meet capital expenditure needs as we continue our focus on technology infrastructure initiatives to further enhance our competitive position. We anticipate that we will fund capital expenditures with cash from operations and cash on hand. In response to changing economic conditions, we believe we have the flexibility to modify our capital expenditures by adjusting them (either upward or downward) to match our actual performance. If we pursue any strategic acquisitions, we may incur additional capital expenditures.
Seasonality
Our businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations, reflecting varying numbers of market participants at times during the year
,
varying numbers of trading days from quarter
‑to
‑quarter
, and
declines in trading activity due to holidays. Typical seasonal trends may be superseded by market or world events, which can have a significant impact on prices and trading volume.
Inflation
Although we cannot accurately anticipate the effect
s
of inflation on our operations, we believe that
,
for the three most recent years, inflation has not had
a material impact on our results of operations
and
will
not likely
have a material impact
in the foreseeable future.
Investments in U.S. government securities
We invest in U.S. government securities for the purpose of satisfying U.S. regulatory requirements. Sudden increases in interest rates will cause mark-to-market losses on these securities which are recovered if we hold them to maturity, as currently intended. The impact of changes in interest rates is further described in Part I, Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Strategic Investments and Acquisitions
We
regularly
evaluat
e
potential strategic investments and acquisitions.
We
hold strategic investments in electronic trading exchanges including: Boston Options Exchange, LLC; OneChicago LLC and CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC.
We intend to continue making acquisitions on an opportunistic basis, generally only when the acquisition candidate will, in our opinion, enable us to acquire either technology or customers faster than we could develop them on our own.
As of
March
31,
2016
, there were no definitive agreements with respect to any material acquisition.
Certain Information Concerning Off
‑Balance
‑Sheet Arrangements
We
may be exposed to a risk of loss not reflected in
our condensed
consolidated financial statements for futures products, which represent
our
obligations to settle at contracted prices,
and
which may require
us to
repurchase or
sell
in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off
‑balance sheet risk
,
as
our
cost to liquidate such futures contracts may exceed the amounts reported in our
condensed
consolidated statements of financial condition.
Critical Accounting
Policies
Principles of Consolidation, including Noncontrolling Interests
The
condensed
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IBG, Inc. and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries. As sole managing member of IBG LLC,
we
exert control over the Group
’
s operations. In accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
ASC
Topic
810,
“
Consolidation
”
,
we
consolidate the Group
’
s consolidated financial statements and record as noncontrolling interest the interests in the Group that
we
do not own.
We are the sole managing member of IBG LLC and, as such, operate and control all of the business and affairs of IBG LLC and its subsidiaries and
as such,
consolidate IBG LLC
’
s financial results into our financial statements. We hold
approximately
15.7%
ownership interest in IBG LLC. Holdings is owned by the original members of IBG LLC and holds approximately
84.3%
ownership
interest in IBG LLC. Our
current
share
of IBG LLC’s net income is approximately
15.7%
.
Our
policy is to consolidate all
other
entities
in
which
we
own more than 50% unless
we
do not have control. All inter
‑company balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the
condensed
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
These estimates and assumptions are based on judgment and the best available information at the time.
Therefore, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Such estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts,
valuation of certain investments,
compensation accruals, current and deferred income taxes
,
and contingency reserves.
Valuation of Financial Instruments
Due to the nature of our operations, substantially all of our financial instrument assets, comprised of financial instruments owned, securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities borrowed
, receivable from customers,
and receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are carried at fair value based on published market prices and are marked to market daily, or are assets which are short
‑term in nature and are reported at amounts
that
approximat
e
fair value. Similarly, all of our financial instrument liabilities that arise from financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, securities loaned
, payables to customers,
and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are
carried at fair value based on published market prices and are marked to market daily, or are liabilities which are short-term in nature and are reported at amounts that approximate fair value
. Our long and short positions are
mainly
valued at the last consolidated trade price at the close of regular trading hours, in their respective markets. Given that we manage a globally integrated market making portfolio, we have large and substantially offsetting positions in securities and commodities that trade on different exchanges that close at different times of the trading day. As a result, there may be large and anomalous swings in the value of our positions daily and, accordingly, in our earnings
in any period. This is especially true on the last business day of each calendar quarter
or year
, although such swings tend to come back into equilibrium on the first business day of the succeeding calendar quarter
or year
.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per share (
“
EPS
”
) are computed in accordance with
FASB
ASC
Topic
260,
“
Earnings per Share
.
” Basic EPS is computed by dividing the net income available for common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for that period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing the net income available for common stockholders by the diluted weighted average shares outstanding for that period. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of the basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the dilutive effect of shares of common stock estimated to be distributed in the future under our stock-based compensation plans, with no adjustments to net income available for common stockholders for dilutive potential common shares.
Stock
‑Based Compensation
We
follow
FASB
ASC
Topic
718,
“
Compensation
-
Stock Compensation
” (“ASC Topic 718”)
, to account for
our
stock
‑based compensation plans. ASC
Topic
718 requires all share
‑based payments to employees to be recognized in the
condensed
consolidated financial statements using a fair value
‑based method. Grants, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are communicated to employees in the year of grant, thereby establishing the fair value of each grant. The fair value of awards granted to employees are generally expensed as follows
:
50% in the year of grant in recognition of plan forfeiture provisions (described below) and the remaining 50% over the related vesting period utilizing the
“
graded vesting
”
method permitted under ASC
Topic
718. In the case of
“
retirement eligible
”
employees (those employees older than 59), 100% of awards are expensed when granted.
Awards granted under the stock
‑based compensation plans are subject to forfeiture in the event an employee ceases employment with
us
. The plans provide that employees who discontinue employment with
us
without cause and continue to meet the terms of the plans
’
post
‑employment provisions will forfeit 50% of unvested previously granted awards unless the employee is over the age of 59, in which case the employee would be eligible to receive 100% of unvested awards previously granted.
Contingencies
Our policy is to estimate and accrue for potential losses that may arise out of litigation and regulatory proceedings, to the extent that such losses are probable and can be estimated, in accordance with
FASB
ASC
Topic
450,
“
Contingencies
.
”
Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different. Our total liability accrued with respect to litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case
‑by
‑case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses based on, among other factors, the progress of each case, our experience with and industry experience with similar cases and the opinions and views of internal and external legal counsel. Given the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of our litigation and regulatory matters, particularly in cases or proceedings in which substantial or indeterminate damages or fines are sought, or where cases or proceedings are in the early stages, we cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses for cases or proceedings where there is only a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred.
We have been from time to time subject to certain pending and legal actions which arise out of the normal course of business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in proceedings where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, or which are in their early stages. We cannot predict with certainty the actual loss or range of loss related to such legal proceedings, the manner in which they will be resolved, the timing of final resolution or the ultimate settlement. Consequently, we cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses related to such legal matters, even in instances where it is reasonably possible that a future loss will be incurred. As of
March
31,
2016
, we, along with certain of our subsidiaries, have been named parties to legal actions, which we and/or such subsidiaries intend to defend vigorously. Although the results of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect, if any, on our business or financial condition, but may have a material impact on the results of operations for a given period. As of
March
31,
2016
and December 31,
2015
, reserves provided for potential losses related to litigation matters were not material.
Income Taxes
We
account for income taxes in accordance with
FASB
ASC
Topic
740
, “
Income Taxes”
(“ASC Topic 740”).
Our
income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits are based on enacted tax laws and reflect management
’
s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in both the
U.S.
and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Determining income tax expense requires significant judgments and estimates.
We recognize interest related to income tax matters as interest income or interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of the underlying assets and liabilities. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction
s
from which they
arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax
‑planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, historical results
are
adjusted for changes in accounting policies and incorporate assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pre
-
tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax
‑planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, three years of cumulative operating income (loss)
are considered
. Deferred income taxes have not been provided for U.S. tax liabilities or for additional foreign taxes on the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been indefinitely reinvested.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on
our
results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
We recognize
that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized
only
when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits.
A tax position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized on settlement.
We
record tax liabilities in accordance with ASC
Topic
740 and adjust these liabilities when management
’
s judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in payments that are different from
the
current estimates of
these
tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information
becomes
available.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Following is a summary of recently issued
FASB Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”)
that have affected or may affect
our
consolidated financial statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affects
|
|
Status
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2014-15
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40):
Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.
|
|
Effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2015-14
|
|
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Deferral of the Effective Date.
|
|
Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-01
|
|
Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
|
|
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-02
|
|
Leases (Topic 842):
Section A – Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
Section B – Conforming Amendments Related to Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
Section C – Background Information and Basis for Conclusions.
|
|
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-07
|
|
Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323):
Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting.
|
|
Effective beginning after December 15, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-08
|
|
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net).
|
|
Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-09
|
|
Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718):
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.
|
|
Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASU 2016-10
|
|
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.
|
|
Effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adoption of those ASUs that became effective during 2016
and 2015 prior to the issuance of our consolidated financial statements, did not have a material effect on these financial statement
s.
ITEM
3
. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks. Our exposures to market risks arise from assumptions built into our pricing models, equity price risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to our international operations, changes in interest rates which impact our variable
‑rate debt obligations,
if any,
and risks relating to the extension of margin credit to our customers.
Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one or more market prices, rates, indices, implied volatilities (the price volatility of the underlying instrument imputed from option prices), correlations or other market factors, such as market liquidity, will result in losses for a position or portfolio. Generally,
we incur
trading
‑related market risk as a result of activities in the market making segment, where the substantial majority of
our
Value
‑at
‑Risk (
“
VaR
”
) for market risk exposures is generated. In addition,
we incur
non
‑trading
‑related market risk primarily from investment activities and
from
foreign currency exposure held in the equity of
our
foreign affiliates, i.e.,
our
non
‑U.S. brokerage affiliates and information technology affiliates
, and held to meet target balances in our currency diversification strategy.
We use
various risk management tools in managing
our
market risk, which are embedded in
our
real
‑time market making systems. We employ certain hedging and risk management techniques to protect us from a severe market dislocation. Our risk management policies are developed and implemented by our Chairman and our steering committee, which is comprised of senior executives of our various companies. Our strategy is to calculate quotes a few seconds ahead of the market and execute small trades at a tiny but favorable differential as a result. This is made possible by our proprietary pricing model, which evaluates and monitors the risks inherent in our portfolio, assimilates market data and reevaluates the outstanding quotes in our portfolio each second. Our model automatically rebalances our positions throughout each trading day to manage risk exposures on our options and futures positions and the underlying securities, and will price the increased risk that a position would add to the overall portfolio into the bid and offer prices we post. Under risk management policies implemented and monitored primarily through our computer systems, reports to management, including risk profiles, profit and loss analysis and trading performance, are prepared on a real
‑time basis as well as daily and periodical bases. Although our market making is completely automated, the trading process and our risk are monitored by a team of individuals who, in real time, observe various risk parameters of our consolidated positions. Our assets and liabilities are marked
‑to
‑market daily for financial reporting purposes and re
‑valued continuously throughout the trading day for risk management and asset/liability management purposes.
We use
a covariant VaR methodology to measure, monitor and review the market risk of
our
market making portfolios, with the exception of fixed income products, and
our
currency exposures. The risk of fixed income products, which comprise
primarily
U.S.
government
securities, is measured using a stress test.
Pricing Model Exposure
As described above, our proprietary pricing model, which continuously evaluates and monitors the risks inherent in our portfolio, assimilates market data and reevaluates the outstanding quotes in our entire portfolio each second. Certain aspects of the model rely on historical prices of securities. If the behavior of price movements of individual securities diverges substantially from what their historical behavior would predict, we might incur trading losses. We attempt to limit such risks by diversifying our portfolio across many different options, futures and underlying securities and avoiding concentrations of positions based on the same underlying security. Historically, our losses from these events have been immaterial in comparison to our annual trading profits.
Foreign Currency Exposure
As a result of our international market making activities and accumulated earnings in our foreign subsidiaries, our income and net worth is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Our European operations and some of our Asian operations are conducted by our Swiss subsidiary, THE. THE is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority as a securities dealer and its financial statements are presented in Swiss francs. Accordingly, THE is exposed to certain foreign exchange risks as described below:
•
THE buys and sells futures contracts and securities denominated in various currencies and carries bank balances and borrows and lends such currencies in its regular course of business. At the end of each accounting period THE
’
s assets and liabilities are translated into Swiss francs for presentation in its financial statements. The resulting gains or losses are reported as translation gain or loss in THE
’
s income statement. When we prepare our consolidated financial statements, THE
’
s Swiss franc balances are translated into U.S. dollars for U.S. GAAP purposes. THE
’
s translation gains or losses appear as such on
our
consolidated statement of comprehensive income,
as a component of
other income
.
•
THE
’
s net worth is carried on THE
’
s books in Swiss francs in accordance with Swiss accounting standards. At the end of each accounting period, THE
’
s net worth is translated at the then prevailing exchange rate into U.S. dollars and the resulting gain or loss is reported as OCI in our consolidated statement of financial condition and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. To a smaller extent, OCI is also produced by our other non
‑U.S. subsidiaries.
Historically, we have taken the approach of not hedging the above exposures, based on the notion that the cost of constantly hedging
over the years would amount to more than the random impact of rate changes on our non
‑U.S. dollar balances. For instance, an increase in the value of the Swiss franc would be unfavorable to the earnings of THE but would be counterbalanced to some extent by the fact that the yearly translation gain or loss into U.S. dollars is likely to move in the opposite direction.
O
ur market making systems incorporate cash forex and forex options to hedge our currency exposure at little or no cost throughout each day on a continuous basis.
The majority of
currency spot positions held as part of our currency diversification strategy are regularly transferred from the market making unit to the parent holding company, IBG LLC, where they are held and reported in the corporate segment.
In connection with the development of our currency
diversification
strategy, we determined to base our net worth in GLOBALs, a basket of currencies. Periodically, we re
‑evaluate the composition of the GLOBAL; in 2011 we expanded the composition of the GLOBAL from six to 16 currencies. The table below shows a comparison of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the GLOBAL as
of
March
31,
2016
and
2015
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of 3/31/2015
|
|
As of 3/31/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GLOBAL in
|
|
% of
|
|
Net Equity
|
|
|
|
GLOBAL in
|
|
% of
|
|
Net Equity
|
CHANGE in
|
Currency
|
|
Composition
|
|
FX Rate
|
|
USD Equiv.
|
|
Comp.
|
(in USD millions)
|
|
FX Rate
|
|
USD Equiv.
|
|
Comp.
|
(in USD millions)
|
% of Comp.
|
USD
|
|
0.41
|
|
1.0000
|
|
|
0.410
|
|
42.2%
|
|
|
2,128
|
|
1.0000
|
|
|
0.410
|
|
41.9%
|
|
|
2,372
|
|
-0.3%
|
EUR
|
|
0.17
|
|
1.0733
|
|
|
0.182
|
|
18.8%
|
|
|
947
|
|
1.1356
|
|
|
0.193
|
|
19.7%
|
|
|
1,117
|
|
0.9%
|
JPY
|
|
10.00
|
|
0.0083
|
|
|
0.083
|
|
8.6%
|
|
|
432
|
|
0.0089
|
|
|
0.089
|
|
9.1%
|
|
|
515
|
|
0.5%
|
GBP
|
|
0.03
|
|
1.4818
|
|
|
0.044
|
|
4.6%
|
|
|
231
|
|
1.4391
|
|
|
0.043
|
|
4.4%
|
|
|
250
|
|
-0.2%
|
HKD
|
|
0.25
|
|
0.1290
|
|
|
0.032
|
|
3.3%
|
|
|
167
|
|
0.1289
|
|
|
0.032
|
|
3.3%
|
|
|
186
|
|
0.0%
|
INR
|
|
2.00
|
|
0.0161
|
|
|
0.032
|
|
3.3%
|
|
|
167
|
|
0.0151
|
|
|
0.030
|
|
3.1%
|
|
|
175
|
|
-0.2%
|
CHF
|
|
0.03
|
|
1.0282
|
|
|
0.031
|
|
3.2%
|
|
|
160
|
|
1.0382
|
|
|
0.031
|
|
3.2%
|
|
|
180
|
|
0.0%
|
CAD
|
|
0.04
|
|
0.7886
|
|
|
0.032
|
|
3.3%
|
|
|
164
|
|
0.7717
|
|
|
0.031
|
|
3.2%
|
|
|
179
|
|
-0.1%
|
KRW
|
|
28.00
|
|
0.0009
|
|
|
0.025
|
|
2.6%
|
|
|
131
|
|
0.0009
|
|
|
0.024
|
|
2.5%
|
|
|
141
|
|
-0.1%
|
AUD
|
|
0.03
|
|
0.7606
|
|
|
0.023
|
|
2.4%
|
|
|
118
|
|
0.7676
|
|
|
0.023
|
|
2.4%
|
|
|
133
|
|
0.0%
|
BRL
|
|
0.08
|
|
0.3128
|
|
|
0.025
|
|
2.6%
|
|
|
130
|
|
0.2784
|
|
|
0.022
|
|
2.3%
|
|
|
129
|
|
-0.3%
|
MXN
|
|
0.30
|
|
0.0655
|
|
|
0.020
|
|
2.0%
|
|
|
102
|
|
0.0580
|
|
|
0.017
|
|
1.8%
|
|
|
101
|
|
-0.2%
|
SEK
|
|
0.09
|
|
0.1159
|
|
|
0.010
|
|
1.1%
|
|
|
54
|
|
0.1232
|
|
|
0.011
|
|
1.1%
|
|
|
64
|
|
0.1%
|
SGD
|
|
0.01
|
|
0.7288
|
|
|
0.007
|
|
0.8%
|
|
|
38
|
|
0.7417
|
|
|
0.007
|
|
0.8%
|
|
|
43
|
|
0.0%
|
NOK
|
|
0.06
|
|
0.1241
|
|
|
0.007
|
|
0.8%
|
|
|
39
|
|
0.1206
|
|
|
0.007
|
|
0.7%
|
|
|
42
|
|
0.0%
|
DKK
|
|
0.04
|
|
0.1436
|
|
|
0.006
|
|
0.6%
|
|
|
30
|
|
0.1524
|
|
|
0.006
|
|
0.6%
|
|
|
35
|
|
0.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.971
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
5,038
|
|
|
|
|
0.979
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
5,663
|
|
0.0%
|
Because we conduct business in many countries and many currencies and
because
we consider ourselves a global enterprise based in a diversified basket of currencies rather than a U.S. dollar based company
, we actively manage our global currency exposure by maintaining our equity in GLOBALs.
The U.S. dollar value of the GLOBAL
increased
from $
0.97
to
$ 0.
98
, or
0.8
%
,
as of March 31,
2016 compared to March 31, 2015.
As of March
31,
2016
, approximately
58
%
of our equity was denominated in currencies other than
the
U.S. dollar
.
The effects of our currency diversification strategy appear in two places in the condensed consolidated financial statements: (1) as a component of other income in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income and (2) as OCI in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The full effect of the GLOBAL is captured in
the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
.
Reported results on a comprehensive basis reflect the U.S. GAAP convention that requires the reporting of currency translation results contained in OCI as part of reportable earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
We had no variable
‑rate debt outstanding
as of
March
31,
2016
.
We pay our electronic brokerage customers interest based on benchmark overnight interest rates in various currencies, on balances above $10 thousand, or equivalent, and on accounts holding more than $100 thousand (or equivalent) net asset value. In a normal rate environment, we typically invest a portion of these funds in U.S. government securities with maturities of up to two years. If interest rates were to increase rapidly and substantially, our net interest income will not increase proportionally with the interest rates, for the portion of the funds invested in the U.S. government securities with fixed yields. In addition, the mark-to-market changes in the value of these fixed rate securities will be reflected in other income, instead of net interest income. Based on customer balances and investments outstanding as of March 31, 2016, an increase of 0.5% in the U.S. benchmark interest rates over two quarters would result
in an increase in our net interest income of approximately $45 million on an annualized basis. If the benchmark rates were to increase by 1.0% over four quarters from current levels, our net interest income would increase by approximately $38 million on an annualized basis. We do not approximate mark-to-market impact from interest rate changes; if U.S. government securities whose prices were to fall under these scenarios were held to maturity, as intended, then the reduction in net interest income would be temporary, as the securities would mature at par value.
We also face the potential for reduced net interest income from customer deposits due to interest rate spread compression in a low rate environment.
A
decrease of
the
benchmark interest rates by 0.
25
%, would reduce our net interest income by approximately
$37
million on an annualized basis.
We also face substantial interest rate risk due to positions carried in our market making business to the extent that long or short stock positions may have been established for future or forward dates on options or futures contracts and the value of such positions are impacted by interest rates. We hedge such risks by entering into interest rate futures contracts. To the extent that these futures positions do not perfectly hedge this interest rate risk, our trading gains may be adversely affected. The amount of such risk cannot be quantified.
Dividend Risk
We face dividend risk in our market making business as we derive significant revenues and incur significant expenses in the form of dividend income and expense, respectively, from our substantial inventory of equity securities, and must make significant payments in lieu of dividends on short positions in
equity
securities
with
in our portfolio. Projected future dividends are an important component of pricing equity options and other derivatives, and incorrect projections may lead to trading losses. The amount of
such risk
cannot be quantified.
Margin Credit
We extend margin credit to our customers, which is subject to various regulatory requirements. Margin credit is collateralized by cash and securities in the customers
’
accounts. The risks associated with margin credit increase during periods of fast market movements or in cases where collateral is concentrated and market movements occur. During such times, customers who utilize margin credit and who have collateralized their obligations with securities may find that the securities have a rapidly depreciating value and may not be sufficient to cover their obligations in the event of a liquidation. We are also exposed to credit risk when our customers execute transactions, such as short sales of options and equities that can expose them to risk beyond their invested capital.
We expect this kind of exposure to increase with
the
growth
of
our overall business. Because we indemnify and hold harmless our clearing firms from certain liabilities or
claims, the use of margin credit and short sales may expose us to significant off
‑balance
‑sheet risk in the event that collateral requirements are not sufficient to fully cover losses that customers may incur and those customers fail to satisfy their obligations. As of
March
31,
2016
, we had
$
15.2
billion in margin credit extended to our customers. The amount of risk to which we are exposed from the margin credit we extend to our customers
and from short sale transactions by our customers is unlimited and not quantifiable as the risk is dependent upon analysis of a potential significant and undeterminable rise or fall in stock prices. Our account level margin credit requirements meet or exceed those required by Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
and SEC portfolio margin rules, as applicable
. As a matter of practice, we enforce real
‑time margin compliance monitoring and liquidate customers
’
positions if their equity falls below required margin requirements.
We have a comprehensive policy implemented in accordance with regulatory standards to assess and monitor the suitability of investors to engage in various trading activities. To mitigate our risk, we also continuously monitor customer accounts to detect excessive concentration, large orders or positions, patterns of day trading and other activities that indicate increased risk to us.
Our credit exposure is to a great extent mitigated by our policy of automatically evaluating each account throughout the trading day and closing out positions automatically for accounts that are found to be under
‑margined. While this methodology is effective in most situations, it may not be effective in situations where no liquid market exists for the relevant securities or commodities or where, for any reason, automatic liquidation for certain accounts has been disabled.
Value
‑at
‑Risk
We estimate
VaR using an historical approach, which uses the historical daily price returns of underlying assets as well as estimates of the end of day implied volatility for options.
Our
one
‑day VaR is defined as the unrealized loss in portfolio value that, based on historically observed market risk factors, would have been exceeded with a frequency of one percent, based on a calculation with a confidence interval of 99%.
Our
VaR model generally takes into account exposures to equity and commodity price risk and foreign exchange rates.
We use
VaR as one of a range of risk management tools. Among their benefits, VaR models permit estimation of a portfolio
’
s aggregate market risk exposure, incorporating a range of varied market risks and portfolio assets. One key element of the VaR model is that it reflects risk reduction due to portfolio diversification or hedging activities. However, VaR has various strengths and limitations, which include, but are not limited to: use of historical changes in market risk factors, which may not be accurate predictors of future market conditions, and may not fully incorporate the risk of extreme market events that are outsized relative to observed historical market behavior or reflect the historical distribution of results beyond the confidence interval; and reporting of losses in a single day, which does not reflect the risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged in one day. A small proportion of market risk generated by trading positions is not included in VaR. The modeling of the risk characteristics of some positions relies on approximations that, under certain circumstances, could produce significantly different results from those produced using more precise measures. VaR is most appropriate as a risk measure for trading positions in liquid financial markets and will understate the risk associated with severe events, such as periods of extreme illiquidity.
The VaR calculation simulates the performance of the portfolio based on several years of the daily price changes of the underlying assets and determines the VaR as the calculated loss that occurs at the 99
th
percentile.
Since the reported VaR statistics are estimates based on historical data, VaR should not be viewed as predictive of
our
future revenues or financial performance or of
our
ability to monitor and manage risk. There can be no assurance that
our
actual losses on a particular day will not exceed the indicated VaR or that such losses will not occur more than one time in 100 trading days. VaR does not predict the magnitude of losses which, should they occur, may be significantly greater than the VaR amount.
Stress Test
We estimate the market risk of our fixed income portfolio using a risk analysis model provided by a leading external vendor. For corporate bonds, this stress test is configured to calculate the change in value of each fixed income security in the portfolio over one day in seven scenarios each of which represents a parallel shift of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The scenarios are shifts of +/−100, +/−200 and +/−300 basis points. For U.S. government securities, the stress test is configured to calculate the change in value of each fixed income security in the portfolio over one day in three scenarios each of which represents a parallel shift of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The scenarios are shifts of +/−25 basis points.