Item 1 — Financial Statements
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except share data)
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
124,542
|
|
|
$
|
200,914
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, held for customers
|
352,292
|
|
|
428,542
|
|
Due from brokers
|
881
|
|
|
3,363
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
5,123
|
|
|
5,236
|
|
Tax receivable
|
113
|
|
|
199
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
64,868
|
|
|
330,497
|
|
Total current assets
|
547,819
|
|
|
968,751
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
511
|
|
|
330
|
|
Office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
29,534
|
|
|
32,815
|
|
Goodwill
|
—
|
|
|
23,479
|
|
Other intangible assets, net
|
2,963
|
|
|
6,285
|
|
Other assets
|
17,845
|
|
|
7,364
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
598,672
|
|
|
$
|
1,039,024
|
|
Liabilities, Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest and Stockholders' Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer account liabilities
|
$
|
352,292
|
|
|
$
|
428,542
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
30,156
|
|
|
55,491
|
|
Due to brokers
|
1,292
|
|
|
1,471
|
|
Senior convertible notes
|
165,149
|
|
|
—
|
|
Credit Agreement — Related Party
|
119,693
|
|
|
—
|
|
Other liabilities
|
1,117
|
|
|
2,629
|
|
Liabilities held for sale
|
3,084
|
|
|
235,719
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
672,783
|
|
|
723,852
|
|
Deferred tax liability
|
269
|
|
|
215
|
|
Senior convertible notes
|
—
|
|
|
161,425
|
|
Credit Agreement — Related Party
|
—
|
|
|
150,516
|
|
Other liabilities
|
7,973
|
|
|
7,319
|
|
Total liabilities
|
681,025
|
|
|
1,043,327
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies (See Notes 16 & 21)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable non-controlling interest
|
26,962
|
|
|
46,364
|
|
Stockholders’ Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized, 6,143,297 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
|
61
|
|
|
61
|
|
Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 8 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
390,163
|
|
|
389,917
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
(494,286
|
)
|
|
(460,907
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
(1,483
|
)
|
|
(2,312
|
)
|
Total stockholders’ deficit, Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
(105,544
|
)
|
|
(73,240
|
)
|
Non-controlling interests
|
(3,771
|
)
|
|
22,573
|
|
Total stockholders’ deficit
|
(109,315
|
)
|
|
(50,667
|
)
|
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and stockholders’ deficit
|
$
|
598,672
|
|
|
$
|
1,039,024
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading revenue
|
$
|
48,734
|
|
|
$
|
54,698
|
|
|
$
|
93,879
|
|
|
$
|
113,572
|
|
Interest income
|
503
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
889
|
|
|
646
|
|
Brokerage interest expense
|
(184
|
)
|
|
(229
|
)
|
|
(401
|
)
|
|
(427
|
)
|
Net interest revenue
|
319
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
219
|
|
Other income
|
328
|
|
|
1,196
|
|
|
878
|
|
|
2,579
|
|
Total net revenues
|
49,381
|
|
|
55,976
|
|
|
95,245
|
|
|
116,370
|
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and benefits
|
14,276
|
|
|
19,407
|
|
|
27,597
|
|
|
39,012
|
|
Referring broker fees
|
5,906
|
|
|
8,079
|
|
|
13,267
|
|
|
17,829
|
|
Advertising and marketing
|
3,984
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
|
7,627
|
|
|
6,586
|
|
Communication and technology
|
5,559
|
|
|
6,208
|
|
|
11,533
|
|
|
13,443
|
|
Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees
|
854
|
|
|
625
|
|
|
1,515
|
|
|
1,266
|
|
General and administrative
|
11,624
|
|
|
19,539
|
|
|
21,590
|
|
|
31,247
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
5,127
|
|
|
6,026
|
|
|
10,345
|
|
|
12,323
|
|
Goodwill impairment loss
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
23,917
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
47,330
|
|
|
62,940
|
|
|
117,391
|
|
|
121,706
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
2,051
|
|
|
(6,964
|
)
|
|
(22,146
|
)
|
|
(5,336
|
)
|
Other Expense (Income)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements
|
(2,054
|
)
|
|
(116,529
|
)
|
|
(1,504
|
)
|
|
(227,360
|
)
|
(Income) loss on equity method investments, net
|
(170
|
)
|
|
149
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
338
|
|
Interest on borrowings
|
11,115
|
|
|
21,202
|
|
|
25,476
|
|
|
41,755
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
(6,840
|
)
|
|
88,214
|
|
|
(45,948
|
)
|
|
179,931
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
844
|
|
|
(443
|
)
|
|
761
|
|
|
124
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations
|
(7,684
|
)
|
|
88,657
|
|
|
(46,709
|
)
|
|
179,807
|
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
(1,052
|
)
|
|
(154
|
)
|
|
(28,751
|
)
|
|
(32,128
|
)
|
Net (loss) income
|
(8,736
|
)
|
|
88,503
|
|
|
(75,460
|
)
|
|
147,679
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC
|
(1,161
|
)
|
|
28,452
|
|
|
(11,345
|
)
|
|
51,904
|
|
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC
|
(3,586
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(20,357
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Net loss attributable to other non-controlling interests
|
(538
|
)
|
|
(350
|
)
|
|
(10,379
|
)
|
|
(14,361
|
)
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(3,451
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,401
|
|
|
$
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
$
|
110,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(4,255
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,247
|
|
|
$
|
(28,779
|
)
|
|
$
|
122,134
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
804
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
(4,600
|
)
|
|
(11,998
|
)
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(3,451
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,401
|
|
|
$
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
$
|
110,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding — Basic and Diluted
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
Net (loss) income per share attributable to stockholders of Class A common stock of Global Brokerage, Inc. — Basic and Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
$
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.75
|
|
|
$
|
(4.68
|
)
|
|
$
|
21.79
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
0.13
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
(0.75
|
)
|
|
(2.14
|
)
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.78
|
|
|
$
|
(5.43
|
)
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Net (loss) income
|
$
|
(8,736
|
)
|
|
$
|
88,503
|
|
|
$
|
(75,460
|
)
|
|
$
|
147,679
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation income (loss)
|
210
|
|
|
(2,542
|
)
|
|
1,739
|
|
|
(2,595
|
)
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
|
210
|
|
|
(2,542
|
)
|
|
1,739
|
|
|
(2,595
|
)
|
Comprehensive (loss) income
|
(8,526
|
)
|
|
85,961
|
|
|
(73,721
|
)
|
|
145,084
|
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC
|
(1,131
|
)
|
|
27,640
|
|
|
(11,062
|
)
|
|
51,071
|
|
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC
|
(3,497
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(19,732
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Comprehensive loss attributable to other non-controlling interests
|
(537
|
)
|
|
(354
|
)
|
|
(10,377
|
)
|
|
(14,353
|
)
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(3,361
|
)
|
|
$
|
58,675
|
|
|
$
|
(32,550
|
)
|
|
$
|
108,366
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
|
Non-
controlling
Interests
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
Common Stock -
Class A
|
|
Common Stock -
Class B
|
|
Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Shares
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2017
|
$
|
22,573
|
|
|
$
|
(460,907
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,312
|
)
|
|
$
|
389,917
|
|
|
6,143,297
|
|
|
$
|
61
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
(50,667
|
)
|
Net loss
|
(21,724
|
)
|
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(55,103
|
)
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
285
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
829
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,114
|
|
Comprehensive (loss) income
|
(21,439
|
)
|
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
829
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(53,989
|
)
|
Class A common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity-based compensation
|
85
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
246
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
331
|
|
Distributions — non-controlling members
|
(4,990
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,990
|
)
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
$
|
(3,771
|
)
|
|
$
|
(494,286
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,483
|
)
|
|
$
|
390,163
|
|
|
6,143,297
|
|
|
$
|
61
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
(109,315
|
)
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
$
|
(75,460
|
)
|
|
$
|
147,679
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
11,045
|
|
|
14,193
|
|
Equity-based compensation
|
632
|
|
|
1,044
|
|
Deferred tax benefit
|
(121
|
)
|
|
(386
|
)
|
Goodwill impairment loss
|
23,917
|
|
|
—
|
|
Loss on classification as held for sale assets
|
20,440
|
|
|
31,997
|
|
Gain on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements
|
(1,504
|
)
|
|
(227,360
|
)
|
Amortization of deferred bond discount
|
3,119
|
|
|
2,935
|
|
Amortization of deferred financing cost
|
605
|
|
|
604
|
|
Amortization of original issue discount — Credit Agreement
|
4,684
|
|
|
17,070
|
|
Amortization of issuance fee, deferred financing fee and acquisition costs — Credit Agreement
|
1,229
|
|
|
4,323
|
|
Amortization of deferred waiver fee — Second Amendment
|
1,662
|
|
|
—
|
|
Amortization of deferred waiver fee — Third Amendment
|
27
|
|
|
—
|
|
(Income) loss from equity method investments, net
|
(1,144
|
)
|
|
245
|
|
Gain on disposition of equity method investment
|
—
|
|
|
(679
|
)
|
Provision for debt forgiveness
|
—
|
|
|
8,249
|
|
Gain on sale of customer accounts
|
(5,246
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Transaction costs associated with sale of customer accounts
|
(213
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Due to related parties pursuant to tax receivable agreement
|
—
|
|
|
44
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, held for customers
|
309,253
|
|
|
21,345
|
|
Due from brokers
|
9,975
|
|
|
5,394
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
437
|
|
|
(136
|
)
|
Tax receivable, net
|
86
|
|
|
1,745
|
|
Other assets
|
(4,614
|
)
|
|
(371
|
)
|
Customer account liabilities
|
(309,644
|
)
|
|
(22,651
|
)
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
(25,009
|
)
|
|
1,966
|
|
Other liabilities — Current
|
(1,512
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Other liabilities — Non-current
|
1,640
|
|
|
(1,516
|
)
|
Payments for tax receivable agreement
|
—
|
|
|
(188
|
)
|
Due to brokers
|
268
|
|
|
11,359
|
|
Securities sold, not yet purchased
|
—
|
|
|
272
|
|
Foreign currency remeasurement loss
|
(2,526
|
)
|
|
(133
|
)
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
(37,974
|
)
|
|
17,044
|
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
(6,080
|
)
|
|
(9,984
|
)
|
Purchase of intangible assets
|
(1,000
|
)
|
|
(1,000
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of customer accounts
|
6,961
|
|
|
—
|
|
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment
|
170
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
51
|
|
|
(10,984
|
)
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to non-controlling members
|
(4,990
|
)
|
|
(104
|
)
|
Principal payments on borrowings under the Credit Agreement
|
(36,921
|
)
|
|
(141
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(41,911
|
)
|
|
(245
|
)
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - (continued)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
4,117
|
|
|
1,723
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
(75,717
|
)
|
|
7,538
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
(1)
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
210,292
|
|
|
214,640
|
|
End of period
|
$
|
134,575
|
|
|
$
|
222,178
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow activities
|
|
|
|
Cash paid (received) for taxes
|
$
|
1,114
|
|
|
$
|
(205
|
)
|
Cash paid for interest
|
$
|
15,777
|
|
|
$
|
18,033
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
|
|
|
|
Proceeds receivable from sale of customer accounts
|
$
|
130
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
|
|
|
|
Non-cash distribution — non-controlling members
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,099
|
|
The following amounts reflected in the statements of cash flows are included in discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
700
|
|
|
$
|
1,870
|
|
Equity-based compensation
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
$
|
296
|
|
Loss on classification as held for sale assets
|
$
|
20,440
|
|
|
$
|
31,997
|
|
Gain on sale of customer accounts
|
$
|
(5,246
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Transaction costs associated with sale of customer accounts
|
$
|
(213
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Income from equity method investments, net
|
$
|
974
|
|
|
$
|
93
|
|
Purchases of office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
$
|
(130
|
)
|
|
$
|
(120
|
)
|
Gain on disposition of equity method investment
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
679
|
|
(1)
Includes Cash and cash equivalents from continuing and discontinued operations
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
In February 2017, FXCM Inc. changed its name to "Global Brokerage, Inc". Global Brokerage, Inc. ("Global Brokerage" or the "Corporation"), through its managing membership interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”)(f/k/a "FXCM Holdings, LLC"), a majority-owned, controlled and consolidated subsidiary of the Corporation, owns a
50.1%
membership interest in FXCM Group, LLC ("Group"). Group, through its operating subsidiaries, is an online provider of foreign exchange (“FX”) trading, contracts for difference ("CFD") trading, spread betting and related services to retail and institutional customers worldwide. The remaining
49.9%
membership interest in Group is held by Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia"). Group is controlled and consolidated by Holdings. As used in these notes, the term “Company” collectively refers to the Corporation, Holdings, Group and subsidiaries of Group.
On February 6, 2017, the Company announced simultaneous regulatory settlements with the National Futures Association ("NFA") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") against its U.S. subsidiary, Forex Capital Markets LLC, Holdings and certain of its principals (the “Respondents”). The NFA settlement had no monetary fine, and the CFTC settlement had a
$7.0 million
fine imposed jointly and severally against the Respondents, which the Company paid on February 16, 2017. Pursuant to the regulatory settlement agreements, the Company has withdrawn from business in the U.S. and terminated its registrations with the CFTC and the NFA during the first quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Company sold substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts to Gain Capital Group, LLC in an asset sale transaction that closed on February 24, 2017 (see Note 4).
In connection with its withdrawal from business in the U.S. pursuant to the regulatory settlements described above, the Company implemented a restructuring plan during the first quarter of 2017 that included the termination of approximately
170
employees, which represents approximately
22%
of its global workforce (see Note 22).
Financial Condition
On May 2, 2017, the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notified the Corporation that, for the prior 30 consecutive business days, the market value of the Corporation's publicly held shares was less than
$15.0 million
, which does not meet the requirement for continued listing under the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing rules. Although this notification has no immediate effect on the Corporation's listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market or on the trading of the Corporation's common stock, the market value of the Corporation's publicly held shares must exceed
$15.0 million
for ten consecutive business days between May 2, 2017 and October 30, 2017, to avoid delisting.
If that market-value requirement is not satisfied, Nasdaq will provide written notice that the Corporation's common stock is subject to delisting from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. In that event, the Corporation will either appeal such determination to a hearings panel or submit an application to transfer its securities to the Nasdaq Capital Market. There can be no assurance that the Corporation will remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market after October 31, 2017.
The Corporation's failure to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market is a Fundamental Change, as defined under the indenture governing its Convertible Notes due 2018 (see Note 15). In the event of a Fundamental Change, each holder of the Convertible Notes has the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Corporation to purchase for cash all of such holder’s notes, in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the indenture, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company's cash and cash equivalents were
$134.6 million
, including
$10.0 million
within assets held for sale. The Corporation is primarily a holding company with limited business operations, and all of its income generating assets, as well as its cash and cash equivalents, are held by Group and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Corporation's only source of cash to pay interest and principal on its outstanding indebtedness, including its obligations under the Convertible Notes, are distributions relating to the Corporation's ownership interests in Group from the net earnings and cash flows generated by Group. The Corporation has only an indirect interest in Group through its
74.5%
interest in Holdings, which in turn owns
50.1%
of Group. The Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FXCM Group, LLC provides that only a limited percentage of cash distributions by Group are allocated to Holdings (see Note 14). In addition, earnings and
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - (continued)
cash flows generated by Group are first applied by Group in conducting its operations, including maintaining required regulatory capital levels, maintaining margin deposits with liquidity providers, and the service of its debt obligations, after which excess cash flow may be paid to its shareholders.
Because (1) the Corporation does not unilaterally control the amount and timing of cash distributions by Group, (2) Group has its own debt obligations, and (3) Group has its own regulatory capital requirements to conduct its business, the Corporation believes it could be difficult to procure the requisite liquidity should the holders of the Convertible Notes exercise their rights to require the Corporation to purchase their notes. The Corporation's inability to comply with this requirement under the indenture would be an event of default, which also could lead to an event of default under the Leucadia loan agreements (see Note 14). Additionally, even if the holders of the Convertible Notes do not exercise their rights to require the Corporation to purchase the Convertible Notes upon a failure to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market by October 31, 2017, the Convertible Notes are due to mature in June 2018. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Convertible Notes have a principal balance of
$172.5 million
and are reflected in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Absent the restructuring of the debt, a sale of other assets or a capital infusion, the Corporation does not have the resources to pay the Convertible Notes in full at maturity. Accordingly, the Company believes that the potential delisting and the upcoming maturity of the Convertible Notes within less than 12 months raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern as at August 9, 2017, the date that these financial statements were issued. The Corporation is actively working with financial and legal advisers to explore refinancing alternatives for the Convertible Notes.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of the Company’s assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Discontinued Operations
As a result of the Company's withdrawal from business in the U.S. pursuant to the aforementioned regulatory settlements and the sale of substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts during the first quarter of 2017, the results of operations of the Company's U.S. subsidiary have been reported as discontinued operations for each period presented (see Note 4).
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company commenced the process of disposing of its interests in certain retail and institutional trading businesses. During 2015, the Company completed the sales of FXCM Japan Securities Co., Ltd., Faros Trading LLC, FXCM Asia Limited and the equity trading business of FXCM Securities Limited. On May 23, 2017, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its equity interest in FastMatch, Inc. ("FastMatch") for a purchase price of approximately
$55.6 million
, with a portion held in escrow and subject to certain future adjustments, including a share of a
$10.0 million
earnout if certain performance targets of FastMatch are met. The Company remains committed to a plan to sell the remaining institutional businesses, which include Lucid Markets Trading Limited and V3 Markets, LLC, and continues to actively market these businesses. As a result, the remaining businesses are considered to be held for sale and their results of operations have been reported as discontinued operations (see Note 4).
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates those entities in which it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE") as required by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 810,
Consolidations
(“ASC 810”), or entities where it has a controlling interest. Entities that do not qualify as VIEs are evaluated for consolidation as voting interest entities under the voting interest model. Under the voting interest model, the Company consolidates those entities where it has a controlling financial interest through a majority voting interest. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
At the time of Group's formation (f/k/a "FXCM Newco, LLC"), the Company determined that Group was a VIE and concluded that Holdings was the primary beneficiary of Group, which resulted in the consolidation of the financial results of
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - (continued)
Group by Holdings. The Company determined that the restructuring transaction with Leucadia effective September 1, 2016 (see Note 14) was a reconsideration event under ASC 810 and re-evaluated the previous conclusion that Group is a VIE. Upon reconsideration, the Company determined that Group remains a VIE and concluded that Holdings is the primary beneficiary of Group since Holdings has the ability to direct the activities of Group that most significantly impact Group’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of Group or the right to receive benefits from Group that could be significant to Group. As a result, Holdings continues to consolidate the financial results of Group.
The Corporation records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in Holdings not owned by the Corporation. The Corporation’s and the non-controlling unit holders’ economic interest in Holdings was
74.5%
and
25.5%
, respectively, as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
.
The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the following significant subsidiaries of Holdings:
|
|
|
FXCM Group, LLC
(1)
|
(“Group”)
|
FXCM Global Services, LLC
|
(“Global Services”)
|
Forex Capital Markets, LLC
|
(“US”)
|
Forex Capital Markets Limited
|
(“UK LTD”)
|
FXCM Australia Pty. Limited
|
(“Australia”)
|
FXCM UK Merger Limited
|
(“Merger”)
|
Lucid Markets Trading Limited
|
(“Lucid”)
|
Lucid Markets LLP
|
(“Lucid LLP”)
|
V3 Markets, LLC
|
(“V3”)
|
____________________________________
(1)
FXCM Newco, LLC was renamed FXCM Group, LLC effective September 1, 2016
Net income or loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in Holdings in the condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings or loss attributable to the economic interest in Holdings held by the non-controlling unit holders.
Net income or loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the share of earnings or loss allocated to the non-controlling membership interest in Group held by Leucadia based on the hypothetical liquidation at book value ("HLBV") method (see Notes 3 and 14).
Net income or loss attributable to other non-controlling interests in the condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings or loss attributable to the non-controlling interests of Lucid, V3 and other consolidated entities based on the economic interests held by the non-controlling members. The non-controlling members of Lucid and V3 each hold a
49.9%
economic interest in the respective entity. The portion of the
49.9%
of Lucid earnings allocated among the non-controlling members of Lucid that is contingent on services being provided is reported as a component of compensation expense and is included in the determination of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 4).
Redeemable non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition represents the non-controlling membership interest in Group held by Leucadia. Non-controlling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition represents the equity attributable to the non-controlling interests of Holdings, Lucid, V3 and other consolidated entities.
Investments where the Company is deemed to exercise significant influence, but no control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company records its pro-rata share of earnings or losses each period and records any dividends as a reduction in the investment balance. The carrying value of these investments is included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and earnings or losses are included in Income or loss on equity method investments, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the Company's equity method
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - (continued)
investments classified as discontinued operations, the carrying value of the investments is included in assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and earnings or losses are included in the determination of Income or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 6).
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 of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications of prior period amounts related to discontinued operations as a result of the Company's withdrawal from business in the U.S. and the sale of substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts have been made to conform to the current period's presentation.
Interim Financial Statements
The Company believes that the condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature and disclosures that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
. As permitted under Rule 10-01 of the Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X, certain notes or other financial information are condensed or omitted in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are those that we believe are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. Management believes there have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in Note 2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2016
.
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2017
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06,
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments
. ASU No. 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in this update is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence in ASC 815-15-25-42. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-06 on January 1, 2017 and applied it on a modified retrospective basis to its existing debt, which did not have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07,
Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting
. ASU No. 2016-07 eliminates the requirement that an investor retrospectively apply equity method accounting when an investment that it had accounted for by another method initially qualifies for the equity method. The guidance requires that an equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-07 on January 1, 2017, which did not have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09,
Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
. ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies certain aspects related to the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures and
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates - (continued)
classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. The provisions of ASU No. 2016-09 related to the recognition of excess tax benefits in the statements of operations, classification of excess tax benefits in the statements of cash flows and minimum statutory withholding requirements are not applicable to the Company's existing share-based payment awards for the periods presented. With regard to forfeitures, the Company has elected to continue to estimate the number of share-based awards that are expected to vest, rather than account for forfeitures when they occur. As this approach is consistent with the methodology historically applied by the Company in accounting for forfeitures, there has not been a cumulative-effect adjustment to stockholders' deficit as of January 1, 2017 under the modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17,
Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control
. ASU No. 2016-17 amends the consolidation guidance in ASU No. 2015-02 on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control when performing the primary beneficiary analysis under the VIE model. Under ASU No. 2016-17, the single decision maker will consider an indirect interest held by a related party under common control on a proportionate basis. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-17 on January 1, 2017 on a retrospective basis, which did not have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04,
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
. Under ASU No. 2017-04, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test has been eliminated. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test required companies to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Under the new guidance, companies will perform their annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to the fair value. An impairment charge would be recorded if the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. ASU No. 2017-04 also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. An entity is required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04 for its interim goodwill impairment test performed as of March 31, 2017 (see Note 7). The Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-04 as the interim evaluation identified events and circumstances that indicated it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value, and that goodwill was impaired.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
. ASU No. 2014-09 replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance, and requires companies to recognize revenue based upon the transfer of promised goods and/or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and/or services. In addition, the new guidance requires enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective, as amended, for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard is applied to each prior period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard is recognized as of the adoption date. The FASB has also issued the following standards which clarify ASU No. 2014-09, and have the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU No. 2014-09:
|
|
•
|
ASU No. 2016-08,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)
|
|
|
•
|
ASU No. 2016-10,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing
|
|
|
•
|
ASU No. 2016-12,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients
|
|
|
•
|
ASU No. 2016-20,
Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates - (continued)
The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. At this time, the Company intends to apply the standard using the full retrospective method of adoption. The Company's implementation process is currently in progress. The initial analysis documenting the considerations for each revenue stream and areas that will be impacted by the new guidance is substantially complete. As a result of the evaluation performed, the Company does not expect there will be changes to the timing of recognition of revenue, but does anticipate certain changes to the classification of revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also expects additional disclosures to be provided in its consolidated financial statements after adoption of the new standard. The Company will continue to monitor additional modifications, clarifications or interpretations by the FASB that may impact its current conclusions, and will provide further updates in future periods.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01,
Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
This guidance in this update amends various aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure for financial instruments. The guidance in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption by public entities is permitted only for certain provisions. The adoption of this standard may result in a cumulative-effect adjustment to the consolidated statement of financial condition as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company expects to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,
Leases (Topic 842)
. ASU No. 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases classified as operating leases of greater than twelve months. The accounting by lessors will remain largely unchanged. The guidance in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, and provides for certain practical expedients. Transition will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company expects to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2019 and plans to initiate a project team to evaluate the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
. ASU No. 2016-15 provides guidance on the following eight specific cash flow classification issues: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments; (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (6) distributions received from equity method investments; (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. Current U.S. GAAP does not include specific guidance on these eight cash flow classification issues. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-15 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier adoption is permitted, provided that all the amendments are adopted in the same period. The amendments in this update are to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company expects to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash
. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-18 address diversity in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Under this guidance, companies will be required to present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-18 are required to be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09,
Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting
. ASU 2017-09 provides clarity, reduces diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying Topic 718 guidance to a change of terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in this update provide guidance on when modification accounting should be used for changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Essentially, an entity will not have to account for the effects of a modification if: (1) the fair value of the modified award
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates - (continued)
is the same immediately before and after the modification; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same immediately before and after the modification; and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments in ASU No. 2017-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2018 and does not currently expect it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Non-Controlling Interests
Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
In connection with the restructuring transaction with Leucadia completed on September 1, 2016 (the "Restructuring Transaction"), the Amended and Restated Letter Agreement dated January 24, 2015 (the "Letter Agreement") was terminated and the parties signed the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FXCM Group, LLC (see Note 14). In exchange for the Letter Agreement, the Company issued a
49.9%
non-controlling membership interest in Group to Leucadia. The remaining
50.1%
controlling membership interest in Group is owned by Holdings and Holdings consolidates the financial results of Group, as discussed in Note 1. The non-controlling interest held by Leucadia is redeemable for cash upon a contingent event that is not solely within the control of the Company and, accordingly, is classified outside of permanent equity on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as Redeemable non-controlling interest. As of
June 30, 2017
, the non-controlling interest in Group is not redeemable and is not probable of becoming redeemable and, consequently, has not been adjusted to its estimated redemption value.
The Company recorded the following activity related to Redeemable non-controlling interest for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2017
|
$
|
46,364
|
|
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
|
(20,357
|
)
|
Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
|
625
|
|
Equity-based compensation
|
330
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
$
|
26,962
|
|
On the date of the Restructuring Transaction, in exchange for the Letter Agreement Leucadia was issued a redeemable non-controlling interest in Group which had a fair value of
$235.5 million
, which was also the fair value of the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement. As a result, the Company derecognized the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement and recorded the Redeemable non-controlling interest at issuance on September 1, 2016 at
$49.3 million
, which represented the amount that Leucadia would receive assuming Group were liquidated at its recorded amount determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the cash distributed according to the Revised Waterfall at that date (see Note 14). This change was recorded as an equity transaction within Additional paid-in capital of the Corporation for the impact to the controlling and non-controlling unit holders of Holdings based on Holdings'
50.1%
controlling financial interest in Group.
Non-controlling Interests
Holdings
The Corporation consolidates the financial results of Holdings and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in Holdings not owned by the Corporation. Pursuant to an agreement between the Corporation and Holdings, whenever the Corporation cancels, issues or repurchases shares of its Class A common stock, Holdings enters into an equivalent Holdings Unit transaction with the Corporation so that at all times the number of shares of Class A common stock is equal to the Corporation's membership units in Holdings. In addition, whenever the owners of Holdings prior to the initial public offering ("Existing Unit Holders") (other than the Corporation) exchange their Holdings Units for shares of the Corporation’s Class A common stock, Holdings is required to transfer an equal amount of Holdings Units to the Corporation.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 3. Non-Controlling Interests - (continued)
There were no changes in the non-controlling and the Corporation's interests in Holdings for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling
Units
|
|
Non-
Controlling
Units
|
|
Total
Units
|
|
Global
Brokerage, Inc.
|
|
Non-
Controlling
|
|
Total
|
Balance as of January 1, 2017
|
6,143,297
|
|
|
2,101,097
|
|
|
8,244,394
|
|
|
74.5
|
%
|
|
25.5
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
Exchange of Holdings Units for Class A common stock
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
%
|
|
—
|
%
|
|
—
|
%
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
6,143,297
|
|
|
2,101,097
|
|
|
8,244,394
|
|
|
74.5
|
%
|
|
25.5
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Lucid, V3 and Other Non-Controlling Interests
The Company owns controlling interests in Lucid, V3 and other entities. The Company consolidates the financial results of these entities and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interests not owned by the Company. Lucid and V3 are classified as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities of Lucid and V3 are classified as held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 4).
Note 4. Dispositions
Discontinued Operations
Pursuant to regulatory settlements with the NFA and the CFTC dated February 6, 2017, the Company withdrew from business in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Company sold substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts in an asset sale transaction that was completed on February 24, 2017. The Company considered the guidance in ASC 205-20 and determined that the operations and cash flows of US are clearly distinguishable, and accordingly represent a component as defined in the guidance. Further, the Company believes the cessation of business in the U.S., including the sale of its U.S.-based customer accounts, represents a strategic shift, as described in ASC 205-20, and concluded that US qualifies for reporting as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the results of operations of US are reported in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, with similar reclassification of the previously reported amounts. Further, as a result of the sale of the U.S.-based accounts during the first quarter of 2017, the related cash and cash equivalents, held for customers and customer account liabilities were reclassified to assets and liabilities held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2016.
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company committed to a plan to sell certain retail and institutional businesses in order to pay down the term loan with Leucadia. During 2015, the Company completed the sales of FXCM Japan Securities Co., Ltd. ("FXCMJ"), Faros Trading LLC ("Faros"), FXCM Asia Limited ("HK") and the equity trading business of FXCM Securities Limited ("FSL"). On May 23, 2017, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its equity interest in FastMatch for a purchase price of approximately
$55.6 million
, with a portion held in escrow and subject to certain future adjustments, including a share of a
$10.0 million
earnout if certain performance targets of FastMatch are met. The Company remains committed to a plan to sell the remaining institutional businesses, which include Lucid and V3, and continues to actively market these businesses. The remaining businesses to be sold continue to meet the criteria prescribed in ASC 205-20 for reporting as discontinued operations and, accordingly, the results of operations of these businesses are reported in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
and
2016
. It was further determined that the remaining businesses to be sold continue to meet the criteria for classification as held for sale as of
June 30, 2017
. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of these businesses were classified as assets and liabilities held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 4. Dispositions - (continued)
Completed Dispositions
The Company finalized its withdrawal from business in the U.S. and terminated its registration as a futures commission merchant and retail foreign exchange dealer in the U.S. effective March 10, 2017. These actions freed approximately
$33.0 million
of regulatory capital previously held in US, of which
$30.0 million
was used to pay down the Credit Agreement with Leucadia (see Note 14). As a result of the events impacting US, the Company implemented a restructuring plan during the first quarter of 2017. Restructuring charges of approximately
$0.2 million
and
$8.6 million
, including severance, contract termination costs, and facilities costs, are included as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, respectively (see Note 22).
In connection with its withdrawal from business in the U.S., the Company sold substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts to Gain Capital Group, LLC (“Gain”) on February 24, 2017 (the "Transaction Closing Date"). Pursuant to the terms of the related asset purchase agreement, Gain will pay proceeds to the Company on a per account basis for each acquired account that opens at least one new trade during the first
153
calendar days following the Transaction Closing Date. During the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, the Company received or accrued proceeds of
$0.9 million
and
$7.1 million
, respectively, related to the sale. After transaction costs and related write-down of intangible assets (see Note 8), the Company recognized a gain of
$4.4 million
on the sale in the first quarter of 2017. The gain on sale was adjusted in the second quarter of 2017 by
$0.8 million
based on additional proceeds received net of related transaction costs. For the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, the gain on sale of
$0.8 million
and
$5.2 million
, respectively, is included as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
As disclosed in prior filings, the Company completed the sales of FXCMJ, the operations of Faros, HK, and the equity trading business of FSL separately during 2015. The combined amount of cash consideration received for these sales was
$102.4 million
. Consideration related to the sale of Faros' operations to Jefferies Group LLC in April 2015 is determined quarterly pursuant to an earn-out formula based on Faros' results beginning on the closing date and ending on November 30, 2017. Any consideration received will be divided among the Company and the non-controlling members of Faros based on a formula in the sales agreement.
No
consideration was received during the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
or
2016
.
Transitional Services Agreements
In connection with the sale of FXCMJ in April 2015, the Company provided certain transitional services to the buyer, including use of the Company’s trading platform and data services. Beginning January 1, 2016 for a period of ten months ending on October 31, 2016, the Company received a monthly fee for these services pursuant to the terms of the services agreement. The Company recorded other income for these transitional services of
$0.5 million
and
$1.2 million
for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2016
, respectively.
In connection with the sale of HK in September 2015, the Company agreed to provide certain transitional services to the buyer, including use of the Company's trading platform, data services and professional support, for no additional consideration for a period of nine months following the date of sale. The Company estimated the value of these services to be approximately
$1.0 million
and accordingly allocated
$1.0 million
of proceeds received as deferred income. The deferred income was amortized into other income over the nine-month period following the date of sale. The Company recorded
$0.3 million
and
$0.6 million
of other income for these transitional services for the
three and six
months ended June 30,
2016
, respectively. Beginning in June 2016 for a period of nine months ending in March 2017, the Company received a monthly fee for these services pursuant to the terms of the services agreement. In March 2017, the trading platform and related support services renewed for an additional one year term. The Company recorded other income of
$0.1 million
and
$0.4 million
related to these services for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively.
In connection with the sale of the equity trading business of FSL in December 2015, the Company agreed to provide certain transitional services to the buyer, primarily professional support, for no additional consideration for a period of twelve months following the date of sale. The Company estimated the value of these services to be approximately
$0.5 million
and accordingly allocated
$0.5 million
of proceeds received as deferred income. The deferred income was entirely amortized into other income during 2016. The Company recorded
$0.1 million
and
$0.3 million
of other income for these transitional services for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2016
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 4. Dispositions - (continued)
The following table presents the major classes of line items constituting the pretax and after-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
and
2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading revenue
|
$
|
5,775
|
|
|
$
|
21,728
|
|
|
$
|
18,410
|
|
|
$
|
38,937
|
|
Interest income
|
8
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
204
|
|
|
602
|
|
Other income
|
33
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
129
|
|
Total net revenues
|
5,816
|
|
|
22,082
|
|
|
19,546
|
|
|
39,668
|
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and benefits
|
1,426
|
|
|
5,416
|
|
|
10,629
|
|
|
10,678
|
|
Allocation of net income to Lucid members for services provided
|
687
|
|
|
1,360
|
|
|
1,461
|
|
|
2,561
|
|
Total compensation and benefits
|
2,113
|
|
|
6,776
|
|
|
12,090
|
|
|
13,239
|
|
Referring broker fees
|
—
|
|
|
854
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
1,750
|
|
Advertising and marketing
|
—
|
|
|
1,760
|
|
|
2,097
|
|
|
3,698
|
|
Communication and technology
|
1,174
|
|
|
1,734
|
|
|
2,734
|
|
|
3,601
|
|
Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees
|
3,427
|
|
|
3,324
|
|
|
7,827
|
|
|
7,180
|
|
General and administrative
|
1,486
|
|
|
6,456
|
|
|
8,390
|
|
|
9,355
|
|
Bad debt recovery
|
—
|
|
|
(141
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(141
|
)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
—
|
|
|
923
|
|
|
700
|
|
|
1,870
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
8,200
|
|
|
21,686
|
|
|
34,088
|
|
|
40,552
|
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(2,384
|
)
|
|
396
|
|
|
(14,542
|
)
|
|
(884
|
)
|
Other Income (Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) on equity method investments, net
|
496
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
974
|
|
|
93
|
|
Gain on disposition of equity method investment (see Note 6)
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
679
|
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes
|
(1,888
|
)
|
|
336
|
|
|
(13,568
|
)
|
|
(112
|
)
|
Net gain on sale of customer accounts
|
832
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,246
|
|
|
—
|
|
Loss on classification as held for sale before income taxes
|
—
|
|
|
(486
|
)
|
|
(20,440
|
)
|
|
(31,997
|
)
|
Total loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
*
|
(1,056
|
)
|
|
(150
|
)
|
|
(28,762
|
)
|
|
(32,109
|
)
|
Income tax (benefit) provision
|
(4
|
)
|
|
4
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
19
|
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
$
|
(1,052
|
)
|
|
$
|
(154
|
)
|
|
$
|
(28,751
|
)
|
|
$
|
(32,128
|
)
|
* Total income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc. was
$0.8 million
and
$(4.6) million
for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.1 million
and
$(12.0) million
for the
three and six
months ended June 30,
2016
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 4. Dispositions - (continued)
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities included as part of discontinued operations as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
10,033
|
|
|
$
|
9,378
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, held for customers
(1)
|
—
|
|
|
233,394
|
|
Due from brokers
(2)
|
6,597
|
|
|
14,090
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
57
|
|
|
251
|
|
Office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
1,466
|
|
|
1,336
|
|
Goodwill
|
223,613
|
|
|
223,613
|
|
Other intangible assets, net
|
27,269
|
|
|
27,269
|
|
Other assets
(3) (4)
|
9,444
|
|
|
14,337
|
|
Loss recognized on classification as held for sale
|
(213,611
|
)
|
|
(193,171
|
)
|
Total assets classified as held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition
|
$
|
64,868
|
|
|
$
|
330,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Customer account liabilities
(1)
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
233,394
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(5)
|
2,592
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
Due to brokers
(2)
|
492
|
|
|
45
|
|
Other liabilities
|
—
|
|
|
14
|
|
Total liabilities classified as held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition
|
$
|
3,084
|
|
|
$
|
235,719
|
|
____________________________________
(1)
Includes cash and cash equivalents, held for customers and customer account liabilities related to the U.S.-based accounts sold to Gain in February 2017, which were reclassified to assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2016.
(2)
Includes as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
: a) derivative assets, net of
$1.3 million
and
$1.6 million
, respectively; b) Unsettled spot FX, net of
$0.1 million
and
$0.2 million
, respectively; and c) Excess cash collateral of
$5.2 million
and
$12.2 million
, respectively.
(3)
Includes the Company's exchange memberships, which represent ownership interests and shares owned in CME Group Inc. and provide the Company with the right to conduct business on the exchange. The exchange memberships 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. There were no exchange membership impairments as of
June 30, 2017
or
December 31, 2016
. In January 2017, the Company sold certain of its ownership interests and shares in CME Group Inc. and recognized a gain of
$0.8 million
, which is included as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the carrying values of the ownership interests were
$1.9 million
and
$4.6 million
, respectively, and the carrying values of the shares were
$1.8 million
and
$4.8 million
, respectively.
(4)
Includes the carrying value of the Company's equity interest in FastMatch of
$5.6 million
and
$4.6 million
as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively.
(5)
Includes as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
amounts due related to the allocation of income to Lucid non-controlling members for services provided of
$1.3 million
and
$0.7 million
, respectively.
Sale of Investment
The Company sold its DailyFX business to FX Publications, Inc. on October 28, 2016 (the “Closing Date”) for a cash purchase price of
$40.0 million
, payable in
two
installments. DailyFX is the leading portal for FX trading news, charts, indicators and analysis. The first installment of
$36.0 million
was paid to the Company on the Closing Date and the proceeds
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 4. Dispositions - (continued)
were used to pay down the term loan. The second installment of
$4.0 million
, payable to the Company on the completion of certain migration requirements, was received in July 2017 and the proceeds were used to pay down the term loan. After transaction costs, the Company recognized a gain of
$37.2 million
related to the sale which was recorded in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company considered the guidance in ASC 205-20 and determined that since the operations and cash flows of the DailyFX business are not clearly distinguishable, it does not represent a component as defined in the guidance. Consequently, the DailyFX business does not qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
In connection with the sale of the DailyFX business, the Company agreed to provide certain transitional services, including the use of facilities, website and other data services, for no additional consideration for a period of
three months
following the date of sale. Certain services were subsequently extended for an additional
three
-month period which ended in April 2017 in accordance with the terms of the services agreement. The Company estimated the value of these services to be approximately
$0.3 million
and accordingly allocated
$0.3 million
of proceeds received as deferred income. The deferred income was amortized into other income over the respective three and
six
-month periods following the date of sale. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, other income recorded for these transitional services was not material and
$0.2 million
, respectively.
In connection with the sale of the DailyFX business, the Company also entered into a
three
-year digital advertising agreement with FX Publications, Inc. The agreement provides for advertisements to be published on the DailyFX website in exchange for cash consideration payable by the Company in quarterly installments based on the number of leads (as defined in the agreement) generated by those advertisements. Until the website migration related to the sale was completed, the quarterly installment payable was approximately
$0.7 million
. However, as a result of withdrawing from business in the U.S. and terminating its registration as a retail foreign exchange dealer in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2017, the Company determined that it will no longer benefit from the digital advertising agreement, as it cannot advertise on the DailyFX website or benefit from leads. Consequently, the Company accounted for the remaining contract liability at the cease-use date in accordance with ASC 420,
Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations
("ASC 420") (see Note 22). In July 2017, the Company negotiated a termination of the digital advertising agreement that provides for a reduction in the quarterly fee over the remaining three-year term. Beginning August 1, 2017, the fee is
$0.4 million
which is payable on a quarterly basis until October 28, 2019.
As a result of the reduction in the quarterly fee, the Company recorded an adjustment to the remaining contract liability in the second quarter of 2017 based on its credit-adjusted risk-free rate in accordance with ASC 420. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the Company recorded a liability of
$4.1 million
and
$0.4 million
, respectively, related to the digital advertising agreement, which is payable in quarterly installments through October 2019. Of the
$4.1 million
recorded as of
June 30, 2017
,
$2.0 million
is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses and
$2.1 million
is included in Other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The entire amount recorded as of
December 31, 2016
is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the amount recorded as of
June 30, 2017
(
$3.9 million
) is included as a component of the Company's restructuring costs (see Note 22).
The Company recorded a favorable expense adjustment of
$0.1 million
for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and recognized total expense of
$4.1 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the digital advertising agreement, which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Note 5. Notes Receivable
In January 2014, in connection with the formation of V3 by the Company and the non-controlling members of Lucid, the non-controlling members of Lucid borrowed approximately
$7.9 million
from the Company to assist with funding their portion of the capital contribution. The amount borrowed was due in 2017 and bore interest at the rate of
2%
per annum. During the second quarter of 2016, management determined that the non-controlling members of Lucid would not be required to repay the notes receivable and the debt would be forgiven. Accordingly, the Company recorded a provision for the debt forgiveness in the amount of
$8.2 million
for the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, which was recorded in earnings as a component of General and administrative expense in the second quarter of 2016. There was
no
interest income related to the notes receivable for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
. Interest income related to the notes receivable was not material and
$0.1 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 6. Equity Method Investments
The Company had a
22.2%
equity interest in a developer of FX trading software which it accounted for using the equity method. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of
$2.1 million
related to its investment. In June 2017, the Company sold its interest in the FX trading software developer for
$0.2 million
and recorded a gain of
$0.2 million
, which is included in (Income) loss on equity method investments, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
. The carrying value of the Company's equity interest in the FX trading software developer is
nil
as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. The Company's share of the loss of the FX trading software developer was
nil
for each of the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
and
$0.1 million
and
$0.3 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively.
In November 2016, the Company acquired a
30.0%
equity interest for
$0.5 million
in a developer of FX analytical software which is accounted for using the equity method. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of
$0.5 million
related to its investment. The carrying value of the Company’s equity interest in the software developer is
nil
as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. The Company’s share of the loss of the FX analytical software developer was
nil
for each of the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and 2016.
The Company has a
34.5%
non-controlling equity interest in FastMatch, an electronic communication network for foreign exchange trading, and exerts significant influence. The investment is accounted for using the equity method. As discussed in Note 4, the Company's equity interest in FastMatch is classified as a discontinued operation. The carrying value of the Company's equity interest in FastMatch of
$5.6 million
and
$4.6 million
as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively, is included in assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's share of the income (loss) of FastMatch was
$0.5 million
and
$1.0 million
for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$(0.1) million
and
$0.1 million
for the
three and six
months ended June 30,
2016
, respectively, and is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. On May 23, 2017, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its equity interest in FastMatch for a purchase price of approximately
$55.6 million
, with a portion held in escrow and subject to certain future adjustments, including a share of a
$10.0 million
earnout if certain performance targets of FastMatch are met. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017.
In conjunction with the V3 acquisition in January 2014, the Company acquired a
66.3%
non-controlling interest in a limited liability company ("V3-related LLC") that held a
17.26%
interest in a firm that delivers investment information to investment professionals. In the first quarter of 2016, the
66.3%
non-controlling interest was officially transferred to the Company and, in a related transaction, the assets held by the V3-related LLC were distributed to its members, including the Company, and the V3-related LLC was liquidated. This transaction resulted in the Company's acquisition of an equity interest in the firm described above which is accounted for using the cost method. The carrying value of the investment is
$1.1 million
as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, and is included as a component of Other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 9). As discussed in Note 4, V3, including the equity interest previously held in the V3-related LLC, is classified as a discontinued operation. Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
includes a gain of
$0.7 million
related to the disposition of the V3-related LLC.
The Company did not receive any dividend distributions from its equity method investments during the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
or
2016
.
Note 7. Goodwill
As a result of the regulatory events that occurred in February 2017, including the Company's withdrawal from business in the U.S. (see Note 1), it was determined that a triggering event had occurred requiring an assessment of goodwill in the first quarter of 2017. As discussed in Note 2, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04,
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
("ASU No. 2017-04"), for its interim goodwill impairment test performed as of March 31, 2017 (the "Interim Assessment Date").
The reporting unit had negative equity at the Interim Assessment Date. As permitted by ASU No. 2017-04, the Company eliminated the qualitative assessment, and performed a comparison of the carrying value of the reporting unit,
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 7. Goodwill - (continued)
including goodwill, to its fair value at the Interim Assessment Date. The fair value of the reporting unit was calculated primarily using a market capitalization approach. When the regulatory settlements were announced on February 6, 2017, the share price of the Corporation declined the following day by approximately
50%
. As of March 31, 2017, the share price had declined further. The market price of the Corporation’s Convertible Notes also declined the following day by approximately
42%
. While the Convertible Notes price had recovered slightly as of March 31, 2017, it was still trading well below par. The Company previously used the income approach to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The income approach incorporated the use of a discounted cash flow ("DCF") method whereby the estimated future cash flows and terminal values for the reporting unit are discounted to a present value using a discount rate. The estimated future cash flows are based on management’s forecasts and projections for the reporting unit which are driven by key assumptions, including revenue growth, operating margins, capital expenditures, non-cash expenses and income tax rate. When applicable, various growth rates are assumed for years beyond the current business plan period. The discount rate is based on a market participant weighted-average cost of capital, calculated based on the risk-free rate of return, beta, which is a measure of the level of non-diversifiable risk associated with comparable companies, market equity risk premium and a company-specific risk factor.
As a result of the sustained decrease in the share price and decline in the market price of the Convertible Notes, the Company believes that as of the Interim Assessment date, the common stock investors and holders of the Convertible Notes had taken into account the events precipitated by the regulatory actions, including the sale of the US accounts, termination of registration in the U.S. and the restructuring plan. At the Interim Assessment Date, the Company believed the market capitalization approach is a more appropriate method than the income approach previously used.
Under the market capitalization approach, the fair value of the reporting unit was calculated based on the implied equity value of the reporting unit (market capitalization of the Corporation adjusted for the non-controlling interest in Holdings) plus the fair value of the interest-bearing debt (including both the Leucadia Credit Agreement and the Senior convertible notes) and the fair value of Leucadia’s non-controlling membership units in Group. The indicated carrying value of the reporting unit, represented by the negative equity of the reporting unit adjusted for the book value of interest-bearing debt and the fair value of Leucadia’s non-controlling membership units in Group, was compared to the calculated fair value of the reporting unit. The calculated fair value of the reporting unit was less than its indicated carrying value and the Company concluded that goodwill was impaired as of the Interim Assessment Date. The Company recorded an impairment charge of
$23.9 million
to write down the full value of goodwill of the reporting unit, which is included in Goodwill impairment loss in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company completed its annual testing for impairment of goodwill and, based on the evaluation performed, concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of October 1, 2016. Due to the nature and significance of the regulatory events that occurred in February 2017, the Company performed an interim goodwill test as of December 31, 2016 using a qualitative assessment, supported by a calculation of the fair value of the reporting unit using the DCF method described above, and determined that it was not more likely than not that goodwill was impaired as of December 31, 2016.
Changes in goodwill for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
are presented in the following table and reflect the Company's single operating segment, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2017
|
|
$
|
23,479
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
438
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
(23,917
|
)
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 8. Other Intangible Assets, net
The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
Gross Carrying Amount
|
|
Accumulated Amortization
|
|
Net Carrying Amount
|
|
Gross Carrying Amount
|
|
Accumulated Amortization
|
|
Net Carrying Amount
|
Finite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer relationships
|
$
|
26,908
|
|
|
$
|
(22,388
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,520
|
|
|
$
|
35,460
|
|
|
$
|
(27,522
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,938
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
(3,888
|
)
|
|
1,731
|
|
|
(2,157
|
)
|
|
(4,971
|
)
|
|
2,718
|
|
|
(2,253
|
)
|
Total finite-lived intangible assets
|
23,020
|
|
|
(20,657
|
)
|
|
2,363
|
|
|
30,489
|
|
|
(24,804
|
)
|
|
5,685
|
|
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License
|
600
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
600
|
|
Total Other intangible assets, net
|
$
|
23,620
|
|
|
$
|
(20,657
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,963
|
|
|
$
|
31,089
|
|
|
$
|
(24,804
|
)
|
|
$
|
6,285
|
|
In the second quarter of 2015, the Company acquired certain margin FX trading accounts from Citibank, N.A. and Citibank International Limited (the "Citibank Acquisition"). The asset purchase agreement provides for cash consideration payable quarterly based on a pre-determined formula until total payments reach
$6.0 million
("Threshold"). Additional cash consideration ("Contingent Consideration") is payable if total payments meet the Threshold before the expiration of an initial
30
-month period. The acquired accounts represent customer relationships and are recorded as intangible assets at an initial cost of
$6.0 million
. Transaction costs incurred were not material. The Contingent Consideration is recognizable when it becomes payable, i.e., when it is probable and reasonably estimable, consistent with the guidance in ASC 450-20,
Loss Contingencies
, and, to the extent any amounts are recorded, included in the cost basis of the acquired intangible assets. There was no Contingent Consideration recorded as of
June 30, 2017
. The customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average amortization period of
three
years.
As a result of the sale of the Company's U.S.-domiciled customer accounts in the first quarter of 2017, the Company fully wrote off its customer relationship intangible assets related to US, including accounts acquired from the Citibank Acquisition. The write-off of
$1.6 million
reduced the gain recognized on the sale and is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
. There was
no
impairment of intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Intangible assets related to businesses to be disposed of are included as a component of assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and are not included in the table above. Amortization related to these intangible assets ceased as of the date they were determined to be held for sale.
Amortization expense from continuing operations included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was
$0.6 million
and
$1.3 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$1.3 million
and
$2.5 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets to be disposed of (prior to the date they were determined to be held for sale) is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets outstanding as of
June 30, 2017
is as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31,
|
|
Remainder of 2017
|
$
|
1,037
|
|
2018
|
1,007
|
|
2019
|
319
|
|
Thereafter
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,363
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 9. Other Assets
Other assets comprised the following as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Prepaid expenses
|
$
|
6,415
|
|
|
$
|
4,229
|
|
Cost method investment
|
1,103
|
|
|
1,103
|
|
Deposits
|
10,282
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
Other
|
45
|
|
|
161
|
|
Total
|
$
|
17,845
|
|
|
$
|
7,364
|
|
Other assets related to businesses classified as discontinued operations are included as a component of assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and are not included in the table above (see Note 4).
Note 10. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses comprised the following as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Operating expenses payable
|
$
|
19,132
|
|
|
$
|
24,926
|
|
Commissions payable
|
5,910
|
|
|
7,271
|
|
Bonus payable
|
4,400
|
|
|
22,210
|
|
Income tax payable
|
550
|
|
|
920
|
|
Interest due on borrowings
|
162
|
|
|
162
|
|
Other
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
Total
|
$
|
30,156
|
|
|
$
|
55,491
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
in the table above includes approximately
$4.8 million
and
$17.2 million
, respectively, related to the discontinued U.S. operation that did not meet the criteria for held for sale classification on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The amount at
June 30, 2017
primarily includes
$2.1 million
related to the digital advertising agreement (see Notes 4 and Note 16) and legal and other professional fees of
$0.5 million
. The amount at
December 31, 2016
primarily includes regulatory settlements of
$7.7 million
, variable compensation of
$3.7 million
and legal and other professional fees of
$2.5 million
.
The table above excludes Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to other businesses classified as discontinued operations that are included as a component of liabilities held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 4).
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 11. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) measures the performance of an entity over the reporting period. Diluted EPS measures the performance of an entity over the reporting period while giving effect to all potentially dilutive instruments that were outstanding during the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method in accordance with ASC 260,
Earnings per Share
(“ASC 260”), to determine diluted EPS. Due to the Corporation's losses from continuing operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, any potential common shares were not included in the computation of diluted EPS as they would have had an antidilutive effect since the shares would decrease the loss per share. As a result, basic and diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock are equal for this period.
In accordance with ASC 260, all outstanding unvested share-based payments that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends participate in the undistributed earnings with the common stockholders and are therefore participating securities. The Company's unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") do not contain rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. As a result, unvested RSUs are not considered participating securities and are therefore not required to be included in computing basic EPS under the two-class method. The shares of Class B common stock do not share in the earnings of the Company and are not considered participating securities. Accordingly, basic and diluted net earnings per share of Class B common stock have not been presented.
In April 2015, the Company entered into an option agreement with a customer as part of a negative equity balance settlement and issued an immediately vested,
two
-year option to purchase
56,934
shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock. The option had a strike price of
$22.50
. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
, the stock option was not included in the computation of diluted EPS because it was antidilutive under the treasury method. The option expired unexercised in April 2017.
In computing diluted EPS, outstanding stock options and other equity awards granted to certain employees, non-employees and independent directors in the aggregate of
632,527
for each of the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
741,578
for each of the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
were excluded because they were antidilutive under the treasury method.
As described in Note 15, in June 2013 the Corporation issued
$172.5 million
principal amount of
2.25%
senior convertible notes maturing on
June 15, 2018
(the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes will be convertible at an initial conversion rate of
5.32992
shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock per
$1,000
principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately
$187.62
. In accordance with ASC 260, the shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes are included in the calculation of diluted EPS to the extent that the conversion value of the securities exceeds the principal amount. For diluted EPS purposes, the number of shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock that is necessary to settle such excess is considered issued. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
, the conversion value did not exceed the principal amount and therefore the conversion effect was not included in the computation of diluted EPS because it was antidilutive under the treasury method.
As described in Note 15, the Corporation also entered into a warrant transaction in June 2013 whereby the Corporation sold to the counterparties warrants to purchase shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
, the warrants were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were antidilutive under the treasury method.
Additionally, the non-controlling members of Holdings have the right to exchange their Holdings Units for shares of the Corporation’s Class A common stock on a
one
-for-one basis at fair value, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. These shares were also excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the shares have no impact, or would not be dilutive or antidilutive under the treasury method. There were
no
exchanges of Holdings Units for shares of the Corporation’s Class A common stock during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
or
2016
.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 11. Earnings per Share - (continued)
The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations, with amounts in thousands except per share data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of Class A common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(4,255
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,247
|
|
|
$
|
(28,779
|
)
|
|
$
|
122,134
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
804
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
(4,600
|
)
|
|
(11,998
|
)
|
Net (loss) income available to holders of Class A common stock
|
(3,451
|
)
|
|
60,401
|
|
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
110,136
|
|
Earnings allocated to participating securities
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
(Loss) income available to common stockholders
|
$
|
(3,451
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,401
|
|
|
$
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
$
|
110,136
|
|
Denominator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
Add dilutive effect of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options and RSUs
(1)
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Convertible note hedges
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Warrants
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Assumed conversion of Holdings Units for Class A common stock
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Dilutive weighted average shares of Class A common stock
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
|
6,143
|
|
|
5,603
|
|
Net (loss) income per share of Class A common stock
—
Basic and Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
$
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.75
|
|
|
$
|
(4.68
|
)
|
|
$
|
21.79
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
0.13
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
(0.75
|
)
|
|
(2.14
|
)
|
Net (loss) income per share of Class A common stock
|
$
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.78
|
|
|
$
|
(5.43
|
)
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
____________________________________
(1)
No dilutive effect for either period presented, therefore
zero
incremental shares included.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12. Related Party Transactions
Amounts receivable from, and payable to, related parties are set forth below, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances to Holdings non-controlling members
|
$
|
28
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
Advances to employees
|
49
|
|
|
55
|
|
Accounts receivable — Liquidity provider
|
—
|
|
|
308
|
|
Due from Liquidity provider
|
—
|
|
|
128
|
|
Prepaid to Equity method investment
|
90
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total receivables from related parties
|
$
|
167
|
|
|
$
|
494
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees and equity method investments
|
$
|
13
|
|
|
$
|
732
|
|
Accounts payable — Equity method investment
|
—
|
|
|
180
|
|
Accounts payable — Transaction services
|
26
|
|
|
—
|
|
Due to liquidity provider
|
357
|
|
|
—
|
|
Senior convertible notes — Jefferies, LLC
|
6,913
|
|
|
6,913
|
|
Due to Lucid non-controlling members in connection with the allocation of income to Lucid non-controlling members for services provided
|
1,287
|
|
|
741
|
|
Total payables to related parties
|
$
|
8,596
|
|
|
$
|
8,566
|
|
The Company has advanced funds for withholding taxes to several non-controlling members of Holdings. The outstanding balances as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, included in the table above, are included in Accounts receivable, net in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
The Company has advanced funds to several employees. The outstanding balances as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, included in the table above, are included in Accounts receivable, net in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
In July 2016, UK LTD entered into a trading relationship with an affiliate of Leucadia to provide CFD pricing for the Company's clients. The Leucadia affiliate is
24.0%
owned by Jefferies, LLC ("Jefferies"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia. In April 2017 it was announced that the Leucadia affiliate was being sold. The transaction closed in July 2017. In June 2017, the Company discontinued trading with the Leucadia affiliate. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, trading losses recorded by the Company, which are included in Trading revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, were not material and
$0.6 million
, respectively. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, Accounts receivable, net on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition included a receivable from the Leucadia affiliate of
nil
and
$0.3 million
, respectively, for trading profits. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, Due from brokers on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition included
nil
and
$0.1 million
, respectively, due from the Leucadia affiliate for open trade positions.
In January 2014, in connection with the formation of V3 by the Company and the non-controlling members of Lucid, the non-controlling members of Lucid borrowed approximately
$7.9 million
from the Company to assist with funding their portion of the capital contribution. The amount borrowed was due in 2017 and bore interest at the rate of
2%
per annum. During the second quarter of 2016, management determined that the non-controlling members of Lucid would not be required to repay the notes receivable and the debt would be forgiven. Accordingly, the Company recorded a provision for the debt forgiveness in the amount of
$8.2 million
for the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, which was recorded in earnings as a component of General and administrative expense in the second quarter of 2016. There was
no
interest income related to the notes receivable for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
. Interest income related to the notes receivable was not material and
$0.1 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12. Related Party Transactions - (continued)
During 2015, Lucid acquired ownership interests and shares in CME Group Inc. from one of the non-controlling members of Lucid in a market-based transaction. The total carrying value of the ownership interests and shares was
$3.7 million
as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, and are included in Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 4).
Included in Other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition is a prepaid expense to an equity method investee for software licensing of
$0.1 million
and
nil
as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively. The expense recorded by the Company was not material and
$0.1 million
in the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
nil
for each of the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
for such software licensing services, which is included in Communications and technology in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The equity method investee was sold in June 2017 and the Company recorded a gain of
$0.2 million
(see Note 6).
Customer account liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include balances for employees and equity method investments.
Included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition are amounts payable to an equity method investee for platform trading services of
nil
and
$0.2 million
as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively. The Company recorded
nil
and
$0.1 million
in the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.3 million
and
$0.5 million
in the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively, for such platform services, which is included in Communication and technology in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In connection with the sale of the U.S.-domiciled accounts to Gain, Jefferies provided transaction services. Compensation for the services is equal to
3%
of the gross proceeds. Compensation for such services, which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, was not material and
$0.2 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively. As of
June 30, 2017
, the amount payable to Jefferies, which is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, was not material.
In April 2017, Australia entered into a trading relationship with Jefferies to provide FX pricing for the Company's clients. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, the Company recorded trading losses of
$2.7 million
which are included in Trading revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, Due to broker, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition included
$0.4 million
and
nil
, respectively payable to Jefferies.
Jefferies held
$6.9 million
of principal of the Senior convertible notes as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
.
Amounts due related to the allocation of income to Lucid non-controlling members for services provided were
$1.3 million
and
$0.7 million
as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively, and are included in Liabilities held for sale in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 4).
During the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, the Company received
nil
and
$0.1 million
, respectively, from FastMatch, an entity in which the Company owns a
34.5%
equity interest (see Note 6), for occupancy and operational costs, which is included in Other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. There were
no
such costs incurred nor any related amounts received from FastMatch during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
.
Exchange Agreement
The members of Holdings (other than the Corporation) entered into an exchange agreement under which they (or certain permitted transferees thereof) have the right (subject to the terms of the exchange agreement as described therein) to exchange their Holdings Units for shares of the Corporation’s Class A common stock on a
one
-for-one basis at fair value, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. There was
no
activity under the exchange agreement during the
six months ended June 30, 2017
or
2016
.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 12. Related Party Transactions - (continued)
Equity Distribution Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement (see Note 19), the Company may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its Class A common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to
$15.0 million
, through Jefferies as a sales agent. Jefferies will receive a commission of
3.0%
of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold through it as the Company’s sales agent under the Equity Distribution Agreement. For the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
,
no
amount has been paid to Jefferies. The Company has agreed to reimburse a portion of the expenses that Jefferies incurs in connection with the offer and sale of the common stock. There were
no
reimbursements of such expenses recorded for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
.
Payments under Tax Receivable Agreement
The Corporation entered into a tax receivable agreement with the members of Holdings, including former members of Holdings (other than the Corporation) that will provide for the payment by the Corporation to Holdings’ members (other than the Corporation) as defined therein. Assuming sufficient taxable income is generated such that the Corporation fully realizes the tax benefits of the amortization specified in the tax receivable agreement, the aggregate payments currently estimated that would be due are
$145.6 million
as of both
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. During the first quarter of 2015, the Corporation determined that it was not more likely than not that it would benefit from the tax deduction attributable to the tax basis step-up for which a portion of the benefit would be owed to the non-controlling members of Holdings under the tax receivable agreement and reduced the contingent liability under the tax receivable agreement to
zero
. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Corporation continues to believe it will not benefit from the tax deduction and the contingent liability remains
zero
. There were no payments required to be made during the
six months ended June 30, 2017
pursuant to the tax receivable agreement. During the
six months ended June 30, 2016
, a payment of
$0.2 million
was made pursuant to the tax receivable agreement for the 2014 tax year. The Corporation does not currently expect to make a payment for the 2016 and 2017 tax years.
Leucadia Transaction
Leucadia maintains a
49.9%
equity interest in Group, the Company’s operating subsidiary, and has three directors on the board of directors of Group. The Chairman of the board of directors of Group is a managing director of Leucadia. See Note 14 for amounts related to the financing transaction with Leucadia that took place in January 2015 and subsequent amendments to the Credit Agreement in February 2017 and May 2017, as well as the various aspects of the restructuring transaction effective September 1, 2016.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 13. Net Capital Requirements
As described in Note 1, as a result of regulatory settlements reached with the CFTC and the NFA in February 2017, US has withdrawn from business in the U.S. and terminated its registrations with the CFTC and the NFA. Accordingly, US is no longer a regulated entity as of
June 30, 2017
.
The Company's regulated entities are subject to minimum capital requirements in their respective jurisdictions. The minimum capital requirements of the entities below may effectively restrict the payment of cash distributions by the subsidiaries. The tables below present the capital, as defined by the respective regulatory authority, the minimum capital requirement and the excess capital for the following regulated entities as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, with amounts in millions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2017
|
|
UK LTD
|
|
Australia
|
|
Lucid LLP
|
Capital
|
$
|
84.2
|
|
|
$
|
12.9
|
|
|
$
|
10.1
|
|
Minimum capital requirement
|
22.0
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Excess capital
|
$
|
62.2
|
|
|
$
|
11.1
|
|
|
$
|
6.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
US
|
|
UK LTD
|
|
Australia
|
|
Lucid LLP
|
Capital
|
$
|
47.5
|
|
|
$
|
83.4
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
10.2
|
|
Minimum capital requirement
|
33.3
|
|
|
22.0
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Excess capital
|
$
|
14.2
|
|
|
$
|
61.4
|
|
|
$
|
15.5
|
|
|
$
|
6.0
|
|
Effective from January 1, 2016, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates UK LTD, introduced the "Capital Conservation Buffer" (CCB) and a "Countercyclical Capital Buffer" (CcyB) in line with the requirements set out in Capital Requirements Directive Article 160 Transitional Provisions for Capital Buffers. This requires all firms to maintain additional buffers on top of the minimum capital requirements noted above, which may vary at the direction of the FCA.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction
On January 15, 2015, the Company's customers suffered significant losses and generated negative equity balances ("debit balances") owed to it of approximately
$275.1 million
. This was due to the unprecedented volatility in the EUR/CHF currency pair after the SNB discontinued its currency floor of
1.2
CHF per EUR on that date. When a customer entered a EUR/CHF trade with the Company, the Company executed an identical trade with a FX market maker. During the historic move liquidity became extremely scarce and shallow, which affected execution prices. This liquidity issue resulted in some customers having losses in excess of their account balance. While customers could not cover their margin call with the Company, the Company still had to cover the same margin call with the FX market maker. When a customer profits in the trade, the Company gives the profits to the customer, however, when the customer is not profitable on that trade the Company is obligated to pay the FX market maker regardless of whether the Company collects the funds from its customers. These debit balances resulted in a temporary breach of certain regulatory capital requirements.
On January 16, 2015, Holdings and Group entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Leucadia, as administrative agent and lender, and a related financing fee agreement (the “Fee Letter”). The financing provided to the Company pursuant to these agreements, which is described below, enabled the Company to maintain compliance with regulatory capital requirements and continue operations. On January 16, 2015, the Corporation, Holdings, Group and Leucadia also entered into an agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) that set the terms and conditions upon which the Corporation, Holdings and Group will pay in cash to Leucadia and its assignees a percentage of the proceeds received in connection with certain transactions. In connection with these financing transactions, Holdings formed Group and contributed all of the equity interests owned by Holdings in its subsidiaries to Group. The Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement were subsequently amended on January 24, 2015. On September 1, 2016, the Company completed a restructuring transaction with Leucadia that, among other changes, amended the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement. The principal changes resulting from the restructuring transaction with Leucadia are described below.
Restructuring Transaction
On September 1, 2016, pursuant to the Restructuring Transaction, the Company and Leucadia agreed to amend the terms of the Credit Agreement and to terminate the Letter Agreement. The Letter Agreement was replaced with an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FXCM Group, LLC (the “Group Agreement”). The Group Agreement replaces the existing FXCM Newco, LLC agreement and FXCM Newco, LLC was renamed FXCM Group, LLC (“Group”). Pursuant to the Group Agreement, Leucadia acquired a
49.9%
membership interest in Group, with Holdings owning the remaining
50.1%
membership interest in Group. Group and Holdings also entered into a Management Agreement pursuant to which Holdings manages the assets and day-to-day operations of Group. Additionally, Group adopted the 2016 Incentive Bonus Plan for Founders and Executives (the “Management Incentive Plan”) under which participants are entitled to certain distributions made after the principal and interest under the amended Credit Agreement are repaid. The events described herein are collectively referred to as the "Restructuring Transaction."
Principal Changes to the Credit Agreement
In connection with the Restructuring Transaction, the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) became effective on September 1, 2016. The First Amendment extends the maturity date of the term loan by
one year
to January 16, 2018. Additionally, the First Amendment permits the Company to defer any three of the remaining interest payments by paying interest in kind. Until the term loan under the Credit Agreement, as amended, is fully repaid, all distributions and sales proceeds will continue to be used solely to repay the principal plus interest.
The Company concluded that the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended, and the Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2015 are not substantially different. Accordingly, the First Amendment is accounted for as a modification on a prospective basis pursuant to ASC 470,
Debt
("ASC 470"). The components of interest expense related to the Credit Agreement, as amended, which are included in Interest on borrowings in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, including contractual interest, deferred interest and previously unamortized discounts, fees and costs, are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended, using the effective interest method.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
In connection with the CFTC regulatory fine of
$7.0 million
described in Note 1, Leucadia consented to waive compliance with provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Group Agreement regarding restricted payments (as defined in the Credit Agreement) in order to permit the distribution of
$3.5 million
of funds from Group to Holdings with respect to the payment of the fine (the “Payment”). Furthermore, the members of Group consented to waive compliance with provisions of the Group Agreement regarding distributions (as defined in the Group Agreement) with respect to the Payment. In consideration for entering into the waiver, the Company agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia in the amount of
$3.5 million
. On February 22, 2017, Group, Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”), which amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2015. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement was increased by
$3.5 million
.
The Company concluded that the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Amendment, and the Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2015 are not substantially different. Accordingly, the Second Amendment is accounted for as a modification on a prospective basis pursuant to ASC 470. The
$3.5 million
waiver fee is reflected as additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended, using the effective interest method.
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Leucadia consented to waive compliance with provisions in the Credit Agreement and the LLC Agreement regarding restricted payments (as defined in the Credit Agreement) in order to permit the distribution of funds from Group to Holdings on occasion with respect to the payment of certain expenses associated with the restructuring of the Convertible Notes (not to exceed
$5.0 million
in the aggregate). The members of Group have also consented to waive compliance with provisions of the LLC Agreement regarding distributions (as defined in the LLC Agreement) to permit such payments. Additionally, Leucadia consented to waive compliance with the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) in order to permit Group to distribute the necessary funds to Holdings to make the interest payments due on the Convertible Notes. The above described consents and waivers are collectively referred to as the "Waiver".
In consideration for entering into the Waiver, the Company agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia each time a payment is made equal to the amount of such payment through an increase to the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement. On May 12, 2017, Group, Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”), which amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2015, to effect this agreement. Through June 30, 2017, the Company paid
$1.0 million
of such fees. Pursuant to the Third Amendment, the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement was increased by
$1.0 million
.
The Company concluded that the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended by the Third Amendment, and the Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2015 are not substantially different. Accordingly, the Third Amendment is accounted for as a modification on a prospective basis pursuant to ASC 470. The
$1.0 million
waiver fee is reflected as additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended, using the effective interest method.
Principal Changes to the Letter Agreement
Pursuant to the Restructuring Transaction, the Letter Agreement was terminated effective September 1, 2016 and the parties signed the Group Agreement. The Group Agreement provides that Group will be governed by a
six
-member board of directors, comprising
three
directors appointed by Leucadia and
three
directors appointed by the Company. The Group Agreement specifies the terms according to which the cash distributions and earnings or loss of Group are to be allocated to its members (the “Revised Waterfall”), which is described below. Distributions from Group, other than certain permitted payments, cannot be made under the Group Agreement until the principal and interest due under the amended Credit Agreement are repaid. Pursuant to the Group Agreement, Leucadia and the Company will each have the right to request the sale of Group after January 16, 2018, subject to both Leucadia and the Company accepting the highest reasonable sales price.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
Management Agreement
Leucadia has agreed to the Management Agreement with Holdings with an initial term through January 15, 2018, renewable automatically for successive one-year periods, unless terminated by the board of directors (discussed below) or by the manager. In the Management Agreement, a number of rights are granted unilaterally to Holdings as the manager, including the right to create and implement a detailed budget, appoint and terminate the executive officers of Group and make day-to-day decisions in the ordinary course. The rights retained by the board of directors of Group are described below under "Leucadia's membership interest in Group."
On February 2, 2017, Group, Holdings and Leucadia entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement Amendment”), which amended the Management Agreement dated September 1, 2016 to provide that the Management Agreement may be terminated by a vote of at least three members of the board of directors of Group after the occurrence of an event for cause or a change of control (as defined). The Management Agreement Amendment did not change the Company's conclusion that Holdings is the primary beneficiary of Group and therefore Holdings continues to consolidate the financial results of Group.
Management Incentive Plan
In connection with the Restructuring Transaction, the Company adopted the 2016 Incentive Bonus Plan for Founders and Executives (the "Management Incentive Plan") effective September 1, 2016 (“Effective Date”). The Management Incentive Plan is a long-term incentive program with a
five
-year vesting period, with
25%
vesting on the second anniversary of the Effective Date (the “First Vesting Date”) and an additional
25%
vesting on each of the next three anniversaries of the First Vesting Date. Distributions under the plan will be made only after the principal and interest under the amended Credit Agreement are repaid and will equal the following:
|
|
•
|
10.0%
of all distributions or sales proceeds from Group up to
$350 million
;
|
|
|
•
|
12.0%
of all distributions or sales proceeds from Group from
$350 million
to
$850 million
; and
|
|
|
•
|
14.0%
of all distributions or sales proceeds from Group above
$850 million
.
|
Long-term incentive plan participants will receive their share of any distributions or sales proceeds while unvested. In the event that a participant’s employment is terminated other than for cause or due to a material breach of a restrictive covenant, that participant will receive either a non-voting membership interest in Group that entitles the participant to the same share of distributions that would have otherwise been received under the incentive program, or a lump-sum cash payment, at the Company's discretion. In the event that a participant’s employment is terminated for cause or due to a material breach of a restrictive covenant, that participant will not be entitled to distributions following such termination and will forfeit all interests under the Management Incentive Plan. A termination payment will also be paid upon any change of control of Group. For this purpose, a change of control is defined as an event or series of events by which a person or group acquires 50% or more of the voting interests of Group or if, and at the time that, Leucadia’s percentage of ownership of the value of the equity interests of Group becomes less than
16.67%
.
On February 2, 2017, Group and Leucadia entered into an acknowledgment that Leucadia may terminate the Management Incentive Plan on behalf of Group at any time and for any reason in its sole discretion.
The Company determined that the Management Incentive Plan is a share-based payment arrangement that will be accounted for as a liability award under ASC 718. As of the Effective Date, the Company estimated the fair value of the Management Incentive Plan at
$53.5 million
. The Management Incentive Plan includes a performance condition whereby it only becomes an obligation after the principal and interest under the amended Credit Agreement are fully repaid. Accordingly, the Company will begin recognizing compensation expense for the award over the requisite service period when it becomes probable that the performance condition would be satisfied pursuant to ASC 718. At each reporting date, the Company will estimate the fair value of the Management Incentive Plan and assess the probability of repaying the amended Credit Agreement, and therefore of achieving the performance condition. Once the amended Credit Agreement has been repaid, or it is probable
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
that it would be repaid, compensation expense will be recorded for the estimated fair value of the award, recognized using the accelerated attribution method over the
five
-year requisite service period.
As of
June 30, 2017
, the fair value of the Management Incentive Plan was estimated at
$27.4 million
. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company determined that it is not probable that the performance condition would be satisfied and, accordingly, has not recognized compensation expense related to the award for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
.
Allocations of Group Distributions (Revised Waterfall)
The contractual provisions in the Group Agreement specify how certain distributions from Group are to be allocated among Leucadia, the Company and the Company’s senior management members participating in the Management Incentive Plan (the “Revised Waterfall”). The distributions include net proceeds received in connection with certain transactions, including sales of assets, dividends or other capital distributions, the sale of Group (whether by merger, stock purchase, sale of all or substantially all of Group’s assets or otherwise), the issuance of any debt or equity securities, and other specified non-ordinary course events, such as certain tax refunds and litigation proceeds. The Revised Waterfall will result in the following distributions from Group:
|
|
|
Distributable Amount
|
Revised Waterfall
|
Amounts due under the amended Credit Agreement
|
100% Leucadia
|
Next $350 million
|
45% Leucadia / 45% Holdings / 10.0% Management
|
Next $500 million
|
79.2% Leucadia / 8.8% Holdings / 12.0% Management
|
All aggregate amounts thereafter
|
51.6% Leucadia / 34.4% Holdings / 14.0% Management
|
Leucadia’s Membership Interest in Group
As indicated above, in exchange for the Letter Agreement, the Company issued a
49.9%
non-controlling membership interest in Group to Leucadia. The remaining
50.1%
controlling membership interest in Group is owned by Holdings and Holdings consolidates the financial results of Group, as discussed in Note 1.
Leucadia has designated
three
directors to the board of directors of Group. The Chairman of the board of directors of Group is a managing director of Leucadia. As such, Leucadia participates in certain management, operational and investment decisions of Group, including, but not limited to, issuance of additional membership units or additional ownership interests in Group’s subsidiaries, issuance of debt (subject to certain limited exceptions), sales of assets (subject to certain limited exceptions), merger or consolidation with respect to Group or its subsidiaries, review and approval of the annual summary budget, administration of the Management Incentive Plan, and entry into or exit from a material line of business.
In addition to the allocations of cash distributions and the net profit and net loss of Group described above, Leucadia and its assignees are entitled to tax distributions under the Group Agreement. If any such tax distributions are made, the amounts of such distributions reduce the payments to be made to Leucadia and its assignees pursuant to the Revised Waterfall (other than with respect to the repayment of the loan).
The Group Agreement provides that following January 16, 2018, or, if earlier, at any time following a change of control (defined below), Leucadia and the Company will each have the right to cause the sale of Holdings, Group, and/or any of their respective subsidiaries for cash at the highest reasonably available price, subject to both Leucadia and the Company reasonably accepting such sales price. Upon the occurrence of such event, Group will distribute the cash to Leucadia and the Company in accordance with the Revised Waterfall described above.
In the event of a change of control, at the election of Leucadia or its assignees, Holdings and Group will be required to pay Leucadia and its assignees in cash a one-time payment equal to the fair market value of their economic rights under the Group Agreement. For this purpose, change of control is generally defined as an event or series or events by which (i) a person or group acquires
40%
or more of the voting interests of the Corporation, (ii) the Corporation and the existing members of Holdings cease to own
90%
of the equity interests of Holdings, (iii) the Corporation ceases to be the sole managing member of
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
Holdings or (iv) subject to certain exceptions, a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Corporation, Holdings or Group cease to be directors during a 12-month period.
The Company evaluated the rights that Leucadia has related to its membership interest in Group under the Group Agreement, including board seats, voting rights and participation in key decisions that affect Group, as described above. The Company concluded that the legal form of the membership interest held by Leucadia is equity. The Company then considered the guidance under ASC 815,
Derivatives and Hedging
("ASC 815"), and concluded that none of the features of the Group Agreement are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as a derivative.
As the economic substance of the instrument significantly changed when Leucadia received non-controlling membership units in Group, the Company concluded that the exchange of the Letter Agreement for the membership interest was an extinguishment of the Letter Agreement. Accordingly, the derivative liability resulting from the Letter Agreement was derecognized as of the date of the Restructuring Transaction. As of the date of the Restructuring Transaction, the estimated fair value of the derivative liability was
$235.5 million
, which was also the fair value of the non-controlling membership units in Group, resulting in
no
gain or loss recognized on the exchange. There is no Letter Agreement as of
June 30, 2017
or
December 31, 2016
. The changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative liability for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
resulted in gains of
$128.2 million
and
$239.0 million
, respectively, which were recorded in (Gain) loss on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company considered the guidance in ASC 480 and determined that the non-controlling interest held by Leucadia falls within the scope of ASC 480 because it is redeemable for cash upon a contingent event that is not solely within the control of the Company and, accordingly, is classified outside of permanent equity on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as Redeemable non-controlling interest. The Company evaluates the probability of redemption at each reporting date. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company concluded that the non-controlling interest in Group is not currently redeemable and it is not probable that it will become redeemable as the likelihood that the redemption feature will be triggered is not considered probable. Accordingly, subsequent adjustment of the Redeemable non-controlling interest to its estimated redemption value is not required pursuant to ASC 480. If the non-controlling interest in Group becomes redeemable, or if redemption becomes probable, an adjustment will be made to adjust the Redeemable non-controlling interest to its estimated redemption value.
The allocation of the cash distributions and earnings or loss from Group based on the Revised Waterfall differs from the controlling and non-controlling members' stated ownership percentages. The Company determined that the Revised Waterfall represents a substantive profit sharing arrangement and concluded that the appropriate methodology for calculating the Redeemable non-controlling interest at each reporting date is the HLBV method. The Company applies the HLBV method using a balance sheet approach. Under the HLBV method, a calculation is performed at each balance sheet date to determine the amount the controlling and non-controlling member would each hypothetically receive assuming Group were liquidated at its recorded amount determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the cash distributed according to the Revised Waterfall. The difference between the liquidating distribution amounts calculated at the beginning and end of each period, after adjusting for capital contributions and distributions, is the controlling and non-controlling member's share of the earnings or loss from Group. The non-controlling member's share is reported in Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
At the date of the Restructuring Transaction, the Redeemable non-controlling interest was initially recorded at its fair value of
$235.5 million
, and subsequently adjusted for the allocation of the net assets of Group among the controlling and non-controlling members according to the terms of the Revised Waterfall to establish a carrying amount for the non-controlling interest at issuance on September 1, 2016 of
$49.3 million
(see Note 3). The share of the income or loss and other comprehensive income or loss of Group is allocated to the non-controlling member each reporting period based on the HLBV method. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the carrying amount of the Redeemable non-controlling interest on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition was
$27.0 million
and
$46.4 million
, respectively.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Other than the changes described above, the principal terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”), dated January 24, 2015 remain unchanged. The Credit Agreement provides for a
$300.0 million
term loan made
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
by Leucadia to Holdings and Group. The net proceeds of the loan (
$279.0 million
) were used to replace capital in the Company’s regulated entities to cover negative client balances and pay down outstanding revolving debt.
The loan matures on January 16, 2018. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain wholly-owned unregulated domestic subsidiaries of the Company and are secured by substantially all of the assets of Holdings and certain subsidiaries of the Corporation, including a pledge of all of the equity interests in certain of Holdings’ domestic subsidiaries and
65%
of the voting equity interests in certain of its foreign subsidiaries.
The loan has an initial interest rate of
10%
per annum, increasing by
1.5%
per annum each quarter for so long as it is outstanding, but in no event exceeding
20.5%
per annum (before giving effect to any applicable default rate). Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2016, the interest rate on the loan is
20.5%
, which is fixed until maturity. Under certain circumstances, a default interest rate will apply on all obligations during the event of default at a per annum rate equal to
2%
above the applicable interest rate. The Company has the right to defer any three of the remaining interest payments by paying interest in kind. The Company has not deferred any interest payments during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
.
The Credit Agreement required the payment of a deferred financing fee in an amount equal to
$10.0 million
, with an additional fee of up to
$30.0 million
payable in the event the aggregate principal amount of the term loan outstanding on April 16, 2015 was greater than
$250.0 million
or the deferred financing fee of
$10.0 million
(plus interest) had not been paid on or before such date. Prior to April 16, 2015, the Company repaid approximately
$56.5 million
which reduced the aggregate principal to
$243.5 million
on April 16, 2015. Additionally, the Company paid the
$10.0 million
deferred financing fee prior to April 16, 2015. Accordingly, the Company was not obligated to pay the additional
$30.0 million
fee. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company has paid
$192.4 million
of principal, of which
$10.0 million
was applied to the deferred financing fee.
The Credit Agreement is subject to various conditions and terms such as requiring mandatory prepayments, including from proceeds of dispositions, condemnation and insurance proceeds, debt issuances, equity issuances, and capital contributions. The Credit Agreement requires monthly payments of the term loan from proceeds received during the immediately preceding calendar month from accounts receivable related to customer debit balances. The loan may be voluntarily prepaid without penalty.
The Credit Agreement includes a variety of restrictive covenants, including, but not limited to: limitations on the ability to merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all assets; limitations on the incurrence of liens; limitations on the incurrence of debt by subsidiaries; limitations on the ability of Group to make distributions in respect of its equity interests including distributions to pay interest due on the Company’s convertible notes and limitations on transactions with affiliates, without the prior consent of the lender. The Credit Agreement also provides for events of default, including, among others: non-payments of principal and interest; breach of representations and warranties; failure to maintain compliance with the other covenants contained in the Credit Agreement; default under other material debt; the existence of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; insolvency; and a change of control.
The Company initially allocated the net proceeds of
$279.0 million
between the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement based on their relative fair values. The estimated fair values of the Letter Agreement and the Credit Agreement were determined using an option pricing model based on significant inputs such as volatility and assumptions on public market pricing inputs. The initially recorded amounts for the Letter Agreement and the Credit Agreement were approximately
$94.4 million
and
$184.6 million
, respectively, net of an issuance fee of
$21.0 million
. The effective interest method is used to accrete the initial carrying value of the Credit Agreement liability to the par amount of the debt plus the
$10.0 million
deferred financing fee using an effective interest rate of
3.6%
post-Third Amendment. The fair value of the Letter Agreement’s embedded derivatives that were required to be bifurcated totaled
$124.8 million
, which is in excess of the amount of proceeds initially allocated to the Letter Agreement, resulting in a charge to earnings of
$30.4 million
which was recorded in the first quarter of 2015.
The Credit Agreement contains mandatory prepayment provisions in the event of certain events described above. The mandatory prepayments may be triggered by events or circumstances that are not considered clearly and closely related to the Credit Agreement, and, as such, represent embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC 815. Beginning with the second quarter of 2016, a decline in the fair value of the Credit Agreement below par resulted in value attributable to the embedded
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
derivatives. The Company assessed the fair value of the embedded derivatives and bifurcated their value from the fair value of the Credit Agreement.
The fair value of the derivative liability related to the embedded derivatives bifurcated from the Credit Agreement is estimated using the "with" and "without" method. Using this methodology, the Credit Agreement is first valued with the mandatory prepayment provision (the "with" scenario) and subsequently valued without the mandatory prepayment provision (the "without" scenario). The fair value of the derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provision is estimated as the difference between the fair values of the Credit Agreement in the "with" and "without" scenarios. The fair value of the Credit Agreement in the "with" and "without" scenarios was estimated using a risk-neutral valuation model which models expected cash flows over the life of the debt.
As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the fair value of the derivative liability resulting from the Credit Agreement was estimated at
$4.7 million
and
$6.2 million
, respectively, and is included in Credit Agreement — Related Party on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The change in the estimated fair value of the derivative liability at each reporting date is recorded in (Gain) loss on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The balance of the Credit Agreement, as amended, as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
was as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Debt principal
|
$
|
122,125
|
|
|
$
|
154,509
|
|
Original issue discount
|
(3,173
|
)
|
|
(7,857
|
)
|
Deferred waiver fee — Second Amendment
|
(1,838
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Deferred waiver fee — Third Amendment
|
(1,010
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Discount — issuance fee
|
(596
|
)
|
|
(1,276
|
)
|
Deferred financing fee
|
(430
|
)
|
|
(918
|
)
|
Debt issuance costs
|
(53
|
)
|
|
(114
|
)
|
Embedded derivative — Mandatory prepayment provision
|
4,668
|
|
|
6,172
|
|
Debt — net carrying value
|
$
|
119,693
|
|
|
$
|
150,516
|
|
As of
June 30, 2017
, the Credit Agreement, as amended, is reflected in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition based on its maturity date. As of
December 31, 2016
, the Credit Agreement, as amended, was included in non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
Interest expense related to the Credit Agreement, as amended, included in Interest on borrowings in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
, consists of the following, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Contractual interest
|
$
|
6,230
|
|
|
$
|
8,406
|
|
|
$
|
13,837
|
|
|
$
|
16,092
|
|
Deferred interest
|
(528
|
)
|
|
(967
|
)
|
|
(1,627
|
)
|
|
(1,210
|
)
|
Amortization of original issue discount
|
1,507
|
|
|
8,762
|
|
|
4,684
|
|
|
17,070
|
|
Amortization of deferred waiver fee — Second Amendment
|
658
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,662
|
|
|
—
|
|
Amortization of deferred waiver fee — Third Amendment
|
27
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
—
|
|
Amortization of issuance fee discount
|
213
|
|
|
1,248
|
|
|
680
|
|
|
2,390
|
|
Amortization of deferred financing fee
|
153
|
|
|
898
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
1,720
|
|
Amortization of debt issuance costs
|
19
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
213
|
|
Total interest expense — Credit Agreement
|
$
|
8,279
|
|
|
$
|
18,458
|
|
|
$
|
19,812
|
|
|
$
|
36,275
|
|
The Company records deferred interest for the difference between the current period's contractual rate based on the loan terms and the amortization of the incremental step-up in the contractual rate over the life of the loan.
The Company paid an issuance fee of
$21.0 million
to Jefferies LLC, an affiliate of Leucadia, at the inception of the loan. The issuance fee was allocated to the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement based on the initial fair value of the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement. The portion of the issuance fee allocated to the Credit Agreement was
$13.9 million
and the portion allocated to the Letter Agreement was
$7.1 million
. The portion allocated to the Credit Agreement is reflected as a discount to the Credit Agreement loan balance on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and is recorded to Interest on borrowings using the effective interest method. Subsequent to the date of the Restructuring Transaction, the discount is amortized over the remaining term of the amended Credit Agreement. Amortization of the issuance fee included in Interest on borrowings was
$0.2 million
and
$0.7 million
for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$1.2 million
and
$2.4 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. The portion allocated to the Letter Agreement was recorded as a charge to earnings in the first quarter of 2015.
The deferred waiver fee related to the Second Amendment of
$3.5 million
incurred on February 22, 2017 is amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended. Amortization of the deferred waiver fee related to the Second Amendment included in Interest on borrowings was
$0.7 million
and
$1.7 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively.
The deferred waiver fee related to the Third Amendment of
$1.0 million
incurred in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 is amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended. Amortization of the deferred waiver fee related to the Third Amendment included in Interest on borrowings was not material for each of the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
.
The Company incurred
$1.8 million
of issuance costs related to both the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement. The issuance costs were allocated to the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement based on the initial fair value of the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement. The issuance costs allocated to the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement were
$1.2 million
and
$0.6 million
, respectively. Issuance costs allocated to the Credit Agreement were recorded as deferred issuance costs and are amortized using the effective interest method. Subsequent to the date of the Restructuring Transaction, the deferred issuance costs are amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended. Amortization of Credit Agreement issuance costs included in Interest on borrowings was not material and
$0.1 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.1 million
and
$0.2 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. The portion allocated to the Letter Agreement was recorded as a charge to earnings in the first quarter of 2015.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14. Leucadia Transaction - (continued)
The deferred financing fee of
$10.0 million
is amortized using the effective interest method. Subsequent to the date of the Restructuring Transaction, the deferred financing fee is amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement, as amended. Amortization of the deferred financing fee included in Interest on borrowings was
$0.2 million
and
$0.5 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.9 million
and
$1.7 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. The deferred financing fee was paid on April 1, 2015.
Note 15. Debt
Senior Convertible Notes due 2018
In June 2013, the Corporation issued
$172.5 million
principal amount of
2.25%
Convertible Notes maturing on
June 15, 2018
and received net proceeds of
$166.5 million
, after deducting the initial purchasers' discount and offering expenses. The Convertible Notes pay interest semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 at a rate of
2.25%
per year, commencing December 15, 2013. The indenture governing the Convertible Notes does not prohibit the Company from incurring additional senior debt or secured debt, nor does it prohibit any of its subsidiaries from incurring additional liabilities.
The Convertible Notes will be convertible at an initial conversion rate of
5.32992
shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock per
$1,000
principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately
$187.62
. In addition, following certain corporate transactions that occur prior to the maturity date, the Corporation will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such corporate transaction. Upon conversion, the Corporation will deliver cash up to the principal amount. With respect to any conversion value in excess of the principal amount, the Corporation will deliver shares of its Class A common stock (unless it elects to deliver cash in lieu of all or a portion of such shares).
As described in Note 1 under "Financial Condition" the Corporation was notified by Nasdaq that it does not meet the requirements for continued listing under the Nasdaq Global Select Market. If the Corporation fails to satisfy the market listing requirements by October 31, 2017, the Corporation's common stock can be delisted, which constitutes a Fundamental Change as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. In the event of a Fundamental Change, each holder of the Convertible Notes has the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Corporation to purchase for cash all of such holder’s notes, in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the indenture, at a purchase price equal to
100%
of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, even if the holders of the Convertible Notes do not exercise their rights to require the Corporation to purchase the Convertible Notes upon a failure to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market by October 31, 2017, the Convertible Notes are due to mature in June 2018. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Convertible Notes have a principal balance of
$172.5 million
and are reflected in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Absent the restructuring of the debt, a sale of other assets or a capital infusion, the Corporation does not have the resources to pay the Convertible Notes in full at maturity. The Corporation is actively working with financial and legal advisers to explore refinancing alternatives for the Convertible Notes.
Convertible Note Hedges
In connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated convertible note hedge transactions with certain counterparties (the “Convertible Note Hedge Transaction”). The Convertible Note Hedge Transactions will cover, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, the number of shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock that will initially underlie the Convertible Notes. Concurrently with entering into the Convertible Note Hedge Transaction, the Company also entered into a separate, privately negotiated warrant transaction (the “Warrant Transaction”) with the same counterparties, whereby the Company sold to the counterparties warrants to purchase, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, up to the same number of shares of the Corporation's Class A common stock as in the Convertible Note Hedge Transaction. The strike price of the Warrant Transaction will initially be
$212.40
per share of the Corporation's Class A common stock. Subject to certain conditions, the Company may settle the warrants in cash or on a net-share basis.
The Convertible Note Hedge Transaction and the Warrant Transaction have the effect of increasing the effective conversion price of the Convertible Notes to
$212.40
per share. The cost of the Convertible Note Hedge Transaction and the proceeds from the Warrant Transaction was
$29.1 million
and
$18.6 million
, respectively. In accordance with ASC 815, the
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 15. Debt - (continued)
Company recorded the cost of the Convertible Note Hedge Transaction and the proceeds from the Warrant Transaction to additional paid-in capital in stockholders' equity in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and the recorded values will not be adjusted for subsequent changes in their respective fair values.
The Convertible Note Hedge Transaction and the Warrant Transaction are separate transactions, in each case, entered into by the Company with certain counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the Convertible Notes and will not affect any holder's right under the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Convertible Note Hedge Transaction or the Warrant Transaction.
Under ASC 470, an entity must separately account for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt instruments (such as the Convertible Notes) that may be settled entirely or partially in cash upon conversion in a manner that reflects the issuer's economic interest cost. The effect of ASC 470 on the accounting for the Convertible Notes is that the fair value of the equity component is included in additional paid-in capital in the stockholders' equity section of the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and the principal amount of the Convertible Notes is reduced by original issue discount to reflect the Convertible Notes fair value at issuance. At issuance, the equity component of the Convertible Notes was valued at
$29.1 million
and the Convertible Notes were valued at
$144.1 million
consisting of
$172.5 million
of principal net of original issuance discount of
$29.1 million
. The original issue discount will be amortized over the life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest rate of
6.20%
.
The Company incurred
$6.0 million
of Convertible Notes issuance costs. The debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the Convertible Notes.
The balances of the liability and equity components as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
were as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
Liability component — principal
|
$
|
172,500
|
|
|
$
|
172,500
|
|
Deferred bond discount
|
(6,236
|
)
|
|
(9,355
|
)
|
Deferred debt issuance costs
|
(1,115
|
)
|
|
(1,720
|
)
|
Liability component — net carrying value
|
$
|
165,149
|
|
|
$
|
161,425
|
|
Equity component
|
$
|
29,101
|
|
|
$
|
29,101
|
|
As of
June 30, 2017
, the Convertible Notes are reflected in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition based on their maturity date. As of
December 31, 2016
, the Convertible Notes were included in non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Interest expense related to the Convertible Notes, included in Interest on borrowings in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, consists of the following, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Stated coupon rate
|
$
|
970
|
|
|
$
|
971
|
|
|
$
|
1,940
|
|
|
$
|
1,941
|
|
Amortization of deferred bond discount
|
1,563
|
|
|
1,471
|
|
|
3,119
|
|
|
2,935
|
|
Amortization of debt issuance cost
|
303
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
605
|
|
|
604
|
|
Total interest expense — Convertible Notes
|
$
|
2,836
|
|
|
$
|
2,744
|
|
|
$
|
5,664
|
|
|
$
|
5,480
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 16. Commitments
Digital Advertising Agreement
In connection with the sale of the DailyFX business in October 2016, the Company entered into a
three
-year digital advertising agreement with FX Publications, Inc. The agreement provides for advertisements to be published on the DailyFX website in exchange for cash consideration payable by the Company in quarterly installments based on the number of leads (as defined in the agreement) generated by those advertisements (see Note 4). Until the website migration related to the sale was completed, the quarterly installment payable was approximately
$0.7 million
. However, as a result of withdrawing from business in the U.S. and terminating its registration as a retail foreign exchange dealer in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2017, the Company determined that it will no longer benefit from the digital advertising agreement, as it cannot advertise on the DailyFX website or benefit from leads. Consequently, the Company accounted for the remaining contract liability at the cease-use date in accordance with ASC 420 (see Note 22). In July 2017, the Company negotiated a termination of the digital advertising agreement that provides for a reduction in the quarterly fee over the remaining three-year term. Beginning August 1, 2017, the fee is
$0.4 million
which is payable on a quarterly basis until October 28, 2019.
As a result of the reduction in the quarterly fee, the Company recorded an adjustment to the remaining contract liability in the second quarter of 2017 based on its credit-adjusted risk-free rate in accordance with ASC 420. As of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the liability related to the advertising agreement was
$4.1 million
and
$0.4 million
, respectively. Of the
$4.1 million
recorded as of
June 30, 2017
,
$2.0 million
is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses and
$2.1 million
is included in Other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The entire amount recorded as of
December 31, 2016
is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the amount recorded as of
June 30, 2017
(
$3.9 million
) is included as a component of the Company's restructuring costs (see Note 22). The Company recorded a favorable expense adjustment of
$0.1 million
for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and recognized total expense of
$4.1 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the digital advertising agreement, which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Note 17. Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are accounted for in accordance with ASC 815 and are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company has master netting agreements with its respective counterparties under which derivative financial instruments are presented on a net-by-counterparty basis in accordance with ASC 210 and ASC 815. The Company enters into futures contracts or CFD contracts to economically hedge the open customer contracts and positions on its CFD business. Futures contracts are exchange traded contracts to either purchase or sell a specific asset at a specified future date for a specified price. CFD contracts are non-exchange traded contracts between a buyer and seller to exchange the difference in the value of an underlying asset at the beginning and end of a stated period. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities associated with futures contracts and CFD contracts on its CFD business are recorded within Due from brokers and Due to brokers, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and gains or losses on these transactions are included in Trading revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Through its subsidiaries Lucid and V3, the Company also engages in hedge trading in its electronic market making and institutional foreign exchange spot and futures markets. As discussed in Note 4, Lucid and V3 are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Accordingly, the gains or losses on hedge trading in the Company's electronic market making and institutional foreign exchange spot and futures markets are included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company also enters into options, futures, forward foreign currency contracts and commodity contracts through Lucid and V3. Options grant the purchaser, for the payment of a premium, the right to either purchase from or sell to the writer a specified instrument under agreed terms. A forward contract is a commitment to purchase or sell an asset at a future date at a negotiated rate. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities held for trading purposes in connection with Lucid and V3 are recorded in Assets held for sale and Liabilities held for sale, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Gains or losses on options, futures and forward contracts held for trading purposes in connection with Lucid and V3 are included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 17. Derivative Financial Instruments - (continued)
The Company is exposed to risks relating to its derivatives trading positions from the potential inability of counterparties to perform under the terms of the contracts (credit risk) and from changes in the value of the underlying financial instruments (market risk). The Company is subject to credit risk to the extent that any counterparty with which it conducts business is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. The Company manages its trading positions by monitoring its positions with and the credit quality of the financial institutions that are party to its derivative trading transactions. Additionally, the Company's netting agreements provide the Company with the right, in the event of a default of the counterparty (such as bankruptcy or a failure to perform), to net a counterparty’s rights and obligations under the agreement and to liquidate and set off collateral against any net amount owed by the counterparty.
The following tables present the gross and net fair values of the Company's derivative transactions and the related offsetting amount permitted under ASC 210 and ASC 815 as of
June 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. Derivative assets and liabilities are net of counterparty and collateral offsets. Collateral offsets include cash margin amounts posted with brokers. Under ASC 210, gross positive fair values are offset against gross negative fair values by counterparty pursuant to enforceable master netting agreements, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2017
|
|
|
|
Derivative Assets
|
|
Derivative Liabilities
|
|
Statement of Financial Condition Location
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Notional
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Notional
|
CFD contracts
|
Due from/Due to brokers
(2)
|
|
$
|
227
|
|
|
$
|
20,151
|
|
|
$
|
74
|
|
|
$
|
17,703
|
|
Futures contracts
|
Due from/Due to brokers
(2)
|
|
1,085
|
|
|
191,661
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
65,198
|
|
OTC options
|
Assets/liabilities held for sale
(1)
|
|
2,417
|
|
|
167,573
|
|
|
1,104
|
|
|
223,641
|
|
Total derivatives, gross
|
|
|
$
|
3,729
|
|
|
$
|
379,385
|
|
|
$
|
1,567
|
|
|
$
|
306,542
|
|
Netting agreements and cash collateral netting
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
|
Total derivatives, net
|
|
|
$
|
2,162
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
____________________________________
(1)
As of
June 30, 2017
, the aggregate fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, gross attributable to discontinued operations were
$2.4 million
and
$1.1 million
, respectively. These amounts are offset by netting agreements of
$1.1 million
and
$1.1 million
, respectively.
(2)
As of
June 30, 2017
, the aggregate fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, gross attributable to continuing operations were
$1.3 million
and
$0.5 million
, respectively. These amounts are offset by netting agreements of
$0.5 million
and
$0.5 million
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 17. Derivative Financial Instruments - (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
Derivative Assets
|
|
Derivative Liabilities
|
|
Statement of Financial Condition Location
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Notional
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Notional
|
Exchange traded options
|
Assets held for sale
(3)
|
|
$
|
3,209
|
|
|
$
|
10,562
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
CFD contracts
|
Due from brokers
(4)
|
|
131
|
|
|
24,286
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Futures contracts
|
Due from/Due to brokers and Assets/liabilities held for sale
(3), (4)
|
|
4,868
|
|
|
839,975
|
|
|
5,720
|
|
|
763,605
|
|
OTC options
|
Assets/liabilities held for sale
(3)
|
|
270
|
|
|
24,595
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
33,249
|
|
Total derivatives, gross
|
|
|
$
|
8,478
|
|
|
$
|
899,418
|
|
|
$
|
5,945
|
|
|
$
|
796,854
|
|
Netting agreements and cash collateral netting
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
|
Total derivatives, net
|
|
|
$
|
3,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,091
|
|
|
|
|
____________________________________
(3)
As of
December 31, 2016
, the aggregate fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, gross attributable to discontinued operations were
$4.3 million
and
$2.7 million
, respectively. These amounts are offset by netting agreements and cash collateral netting of
$2.7 million
and
$2.7 million
, respectively.
(4)
As of
December 31, 2016
, the aggregate fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, gross attributable to continuing operations were
$4.2 million
and
$3.3 million
, respectively. These amounts are offset by netting agreements and cash collateral netting of
$2.2 million
and
$2.2 million
, respectively.
Gains (losses) on the Company's derivative instruments are recorded on a trade date basis. The following table presents the gains (losses) on derivative instruments recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
and
2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Exchange traded options
(5)
|
$
|
99
|
|
|
$
|
737
|
|
|
$
|
678
|
|
|
$
|
11,091
|
|
CFD contracts
(6)
|
(998
|
)
|
|
(1,305
|
)
|
|
(1,590
|
)
|
|
(1,445
|
)
|
Futures contracts
(7)
|
(14,639
|
)
|
|
(15,736
|
)
|
|
(69,053
|
)
|
|
(30,856
|
)
|
OTC options
(5)
|
5
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
60
|
|
|
2
|
|
Total
|
$
|
(15,533
|
)
|
|
$
|
(16,314
|
)
|
|
$
|
(69,905
|
)
|
|
$
|
(21,208
|
)
|
____________________________________
(5)
Included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(6)
Included in Trading revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(7)
The portion included in Income (loss) from continuing operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations is
$(16.0) million
and
$(72.1) million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$(17.7) million
and
$(25.3) million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 18. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurement establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1
: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, accessible by the Company at the measurement date.
Level 2
: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other observable inputs other than quoted prices.
Level 3
: Unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities.
When Level 1 inputs are available, those inputs are selected for determination of fair value. To value financial assets or liabilities that are characterized as Level 2 and 3, the Company uses observable inputs for similar assets and liabilities that are available from pricing services or broker quotes. These observable inputs may be supplemented with other methods, including internal models that result in the most representative prices for assets and liabilities with similar characteristics. Multiple inputs may be used to measure fair value, however, the fair value measurement for each financial asset or liability is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.
The following tables present the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the related hierarchy levels, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
|
|
As of June 30, 2017
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Counterparty and Cash
Collateral Netting
|
|
Total
|
Financial Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury bills
|
$
|
2,197
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,197
|
|
Derivative assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CFD contracts
|
—
|
|
|
227
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
227
|
|
Futures contracts
|
1,085
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,085
|
|
OTC options
|
—
|
|
|
2,417
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,417
|
|
Netting
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
Total derivative assets
(1)
|
1,085
|
|
|
2,644
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
2,162
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
3,282
|
|
|
$
|
2,644
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,359
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer account liabilities
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
352,292
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
352,292
|
|
Derivative liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CFD contracts
|
—
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
74
|
|
Futures contracts
|
389
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
389
|
|
OTC options
|
—
|
|
|
1,104
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,104
|
|
Netting
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
Total derivative liabilities
(1)
|
389
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,688
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,688
|
|
Total liabilities
|
$
|
389
|
|
|
$
|
353,470
|
|
|
$
|
4,688
|
|
|
$
|
(1,567
|
)
|
|
$
|
356,980
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 18. Fair Value Measurements - (continued)
As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company's total notional absolute value of open FX and CFD customer assets and liabilities by currency pair or product was
$1.5 billion
and
$2.3 billion
, respectively. The Company's total net notional value for open FX and CFD positions was
$1.2 billion
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Counterparty and Cash
Collateral Netting
|
|
Total
|
Financial Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury bills
|
$
|
2,198
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,198
|
|
Derivative assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange traded options
|
3,209
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
CFD contracts
|
—
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
131
|
|
Futures contracts
|
4,868
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,868
|
|
OTC options
|
—
|
|
|
270
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
270
|
|
Netting
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
Total derivative assets
(1)
|
8,077
|
|
|
401
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
3,624
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
10,275
|
|
|
$
|
401
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
$
|
5,822
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer account liabilities
(2)
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
661,936
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
661,936
|
|
Derivative liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
5,720
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,720
|
|
OTC options
|
—
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
225
|
|
Netting
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
Total derivative liabilities
(1)
|
5,720
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
1,091
|
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,172
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,172
|
|
Total liabilities
|
$
|
5,720
|
|
|
$
|
662,161
|
|
|
$
|
6,172
|
|
|
$
|
(4,854
|
)
|
|
$
|
669,199
|
|
As of
December 31, 2016
, the Company's total notional absolute value of open FX and CFD customer assets and liabilities by currency pair or product was
$2.0 billion
and
$2.7 billion
, respectively. The Company's total net notional value for open FX and CFD positions was
$2.1 billion
.
____________________________________
(1)
Attributable to continuing and discontinued operations. See Note 17 for details of the classification of amounts on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
(2)
Includes
$233.4 million
attributable to discontinued operations (see Note 4).
U.S. Treasury Bills
U.S. Treasury bills, included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
Exchange traded options and open futures contracts are measured at fair value based on exchange prices. CFD contracts and over-the-counter ("OTC") options are measured at fair value based on market price quotations (where observable) obtained from independent brokers.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 18. Fair Value Measurements - (continued)
Customer Account Liabilities
Customer account liabilities represent amounts due to customers related to cash and margin transactions, including cash deposits and gains and losses on settled FX, CFDs and spread betting trades as well as unrealized gains and losses on open FX commitments, CFDs and spread betting. Customer account liabilities, included in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, are measured at fair value based on the market prices of the underlying products.
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
The Credit Agreement contains mandatory prepayment provisions that may be triggered by events or circumstances that are not considered clearly and closely related to the Credit Agreement, such as asset sales, and, as such, represent embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC 815. The embedded derivatives are bifurcated from the Credit Agreement and accounted for separately as a derivative liability. The fair value of the derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provisions of the Credit Agreement is estimated using the "with" and "without" method. Using this methodology, the Credit Agreement is first valued with the mandatory prepayment provision (the "with" scenario) and subsequently valued without the mandatory prepayment provision (the "without" scenario). The fair value of the derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provision is estimated as the difference between the fair values of the Credit Agreement in the "with" and "without" scenarios. The fair value of the Credit Agreement in the "with" and "without" scenarios was estimated using a risk-neutral valuation model. Specifically, to estimate the fair value of the Credit Agreement, the expected cash flows were modeled over the life of the debt, including the extension of the maturity date by
one year
as part of the Restructuring Transaction.
The valuation of the derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provision primarily utilizes Level 3 inputs. The significant Level 3 inputs include the expected recovery rate in the case of a default and the expected timing for the remaining businesses to be sold. A recovery rate of
52.8%
was used in the valuation as of
June 30, 2017
, slightly lower than the recovery rate of
53.4%
used as of
December 31, 2016
. The recovery rate is estimated using market observed long-term average recovery rates for debt instruments of similar seniority. The timing for the remaining businesses to be sold was estimated by management and ranged within the third and fourth quarters of 2017.
The derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provision, included in the Credit Agreement on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, is marked to market at each reporting date and changes in the fair value are recorded through earnings in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as gains or losses resulting from the Credit Agreement. The valuation techniques used are sensitive to certain key assumptions. For example, a
5.0%
increase (decrease) in the market price of the Senior convertible notes would result in a decrease of approximately
$0.7 million
(increase of approximately
$0.7 million
) in this valuation, assuming no other change in any other factors considered.
The following tables present the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2017
|
|
Fair Value Measurements using:
|
|
Carrying Value
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
Financial Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due from brokers — unsettled spot FX
(4)
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
104
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Due from brokers — excess cash collateral
(5)
|
5,212
|
|
|
5,212
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,212
|
|
|
—
|
|
Exchange memberships
(5)
|
3,664
|
|
|
3,960
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,960
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
8,980
|
|
|
$
|
9,276
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
9,276
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to brokers — unsettled spot FX
(4)
|
$
|
1,784
|
|
|
$
|
1,784
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,784
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Senior convertible notes
|
165,149
|
|
|
72,450
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
72,450
|
|
|
—
|
|
Credit Agreement
|
119,693
|
|
|
103,658
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
103,658
|
|
Total liabilities
|
$
|
286,626
|
|
|
$
|
177,892
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
74,234
|
|
|
$
|
103,658
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 18. Fair Value Measurements - (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2016
|
|
Fair Value Measurements using:
|
|
Carrying Value
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
Financial Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due from brokers — unsettled spot FX
(4)
|
$
|
1,600
|
|
|
$
|
1,600
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,600
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Due from brokers — excess cash collateral
(5)
|
12,229
|
|
|
12,229
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
12,229
|
|
|
—
|
|
Exchange memberships
(5)
|
9,434
|
|
|
10,190
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
10,190
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
23,263
|
|
|
$
|
24,019
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
24,019
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to brokers — unsettled spot FX
(4)
|
$
|
425
|
|
|
$
|
425
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
425
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Senior convertible notes
|
161,425
|
|
|
94,875
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
94,875
|
|
|
—
|
|
Credit Agreement
|
150,516
|
|
|
148,813
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
148,813
|
|
Total liabilities
|
$
|
312,366
|
|
|
$
|
244,113
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
95,300
|
|
|
$
|
148,813
|
|
____________________________________
(4)
Attributable to continuing and discontinued operations. See Note 4 for amounts classified as held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
(5)
Attributable to discontinued operations and included in assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (see Note 4).
Due from/to Brokers
—
Unsettled Spot FX
Unsettled spot FX, included in Due from/Due to brokers and Assets and Liabilities held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, is carried at contracted amounts which approximate fair value based on market price quotations (where observable) obtained from independent brokers.
Due from Brokers
—
Excess Cash Collateral
Excess cash collateral, included in Assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, is carried at contractual amounts which approximate fair value.
Exchange Memberships
Exchange memberships, which include ownership interests and shares owned, are carried at cost. The fair value is based on quoted prices or recent sales.
Senior Convertible Notes
Senior convertible notes are carried at contractual amounts. The fair value of the Senior convertible notes is based on similar recently executed transactions and market price quotations (where observable) obtained from independent brokers.
Credit Agreement
Credit Agreement is carried at the contracted amount less original issue discount. The fair value of the Credit Agreement is based on a valuation model that considers the probability of default, Leucadia's secured interest, and the observable trading value of the Senior convertible notes.
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 18. Fair Value Measurements - (continued)
The following tables reconcile the opening and ending balances of the recurring fair value measurements categorized as Level 3, which are included in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and identifies the total gains and losses the Company recognized during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
|
|
Balance as of
March 31, 2017
|
|
Net Unrealized (Gain) Loss
|
|
Addition/
(Reversal)
|
|
Balance as of
June 30, 2017
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
$
|
6,722
|
|
|
$
|
(2,054
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,668
|
|
Total Level 3 liabilities
|
$
|
6,722
|
|
|
$
|
(2,054
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,668
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2016
|
|
Net Unrealized (Gain) Loss
|
|
Addition/(Reversal)
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
$
|
6,172
|
|
|
$
|
(1,504
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,668
|
|
Total Level 3 liabilities
|
$
|
6,172
|
|
|
$
|
(1,504
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,668
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
|
|
Balance as of
March 31, 2016
|
|
Net Unrealized (Gain) Loss
|
|
Addition/
(Reversal)
|
|
Balance as of
June 30, 2016
|
Letter Agreement
|
$
|
337,627
|
|
|
$
|
(128,169
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
209,458
|
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11,640
|
|
|
11,640
|
|
Total Level 3 liabilities
|
$
|
337,627
|
|
|
$
|
(128,169
|
)
|
|
$
|
11,640
|
|
|
$
|
221,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2015
|
|
Net Unrealized (Gain) Loss
|
|
Addition/(Reversal)
|
|
Balance as of
June 30, 2016
|
Letter Agreement
|
$
|
448,458
|
|
|
$
|
(239,000
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
209,458
|
|
Mandatory Prepayment Provision — Credit Agreement
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11,640
|
|
|
11,640
|
|
Total Level 3 liabilities
|
$
|
448,458
|
|
|
$
|
(239,000
|
)
|
|
$
|
11,640
|
|
|
$
|
221,098
|
|
The net unrealized gains and losses summarized in the tables above relate to the changes in the fair values of the derivative liabilities associated with the mandatory prepayment provision of the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement (prior to its termination on September 1, 2016) for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
and are included in (Gain) loss on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
.
Note 19. Stockholders' Equity
Amended Stockholder Rights Plan
In January 2016, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the “Amended Rights Agreement”) which amended the Company’s original Rights Agreement (the “Original Rights Agreement”) dated January 29, 2015. In connection with the adoption of the Original Rights Agreement, the Corporation's Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of
one
right on each outstanding share of the Corporation's Class A common stock. The Original Rights
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 19. Stockholders' Equity - (continued)
Agreement was amended to protect the interests of the Company and its stockholders by helping to preserve the value of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits.
Under the terms of the Amended Rights Agreement, each right initially entitles stockholders to buy one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Corporation, at an initial exercise price of
$44.12
, in the event the rights become exercisable. As amended, the rights generally become exercisable if a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of
4.9%
or more of (a) the outstanding Class A common stock of the Corporation or (b) the fair market value of all capital stock of the Corporation. Prior to this amendment, the beneficial ownership percentage threshold to trigger the rights plan was
10.0%
of all voting securities, a trigger that, after this amendment, remains in place in addition to the aforementioned
4.9%
trigger.
The Amended Rights Agreement extends the expiration date of the rights from January 29, 2018 to January 26, 2019, unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged in accordance with the Amended Rights Agreement or the Amended Rights Agreement is earlier terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors.
As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company is not aware of the occurrence of any events that would trigger the exercise of the rights under the Amended Rights Agreement.
This amendment is not a taxable event, will not affect the reported financial condition or results of operations, including earnings per share, of the Corporation and will not change the manner in which the Corporation’s Class A common stock is currently traded.
Option Agreement
In April 2015, the Company entered into an Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued an option to purchase
56,934
shares of the Corporation’s Class A common stock (the “Option”) with an exercise price of
$22.50
. The Option was exercisable immediately, expires
two
years from the date of issuance, and includes standard anti-dilution protections. The Option Agreement was entered into as part of a negative equity balance settlement with a customer. The fair value of the Option on the date of issuance was estimated at
$0.3 million
and was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The Option expired unexercised in April 2017.
At-the-Market Common Stock Offering
In October 2016, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Equity Distribution Agreement") with Jefferies, as sales agent (the "Sales Agent"). Under the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its Class A common stock, par value
$0.01
per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to
$15.0 million
, through the Sales Agent. The common stock may be sold pursuant to the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2016. The Company has not issued or sold any shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.
Corporation Name Change
On February 24, 2017, the Corporation changed its name from "FXCM Inc." to "Global Brokerage, Inc." Effective at market open on February 27, 2017, the Corporation's Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "GLBR."
Note 20. Income Taxes
Holdings operates in the U.S. as a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. Since January 2015, all of Holdings' operations are held by Group, a limited liability company that is also treated as a partnership between Holdings and Leucadia for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. As a result, neither Holdings' nor Group's income from its U.S. operations is subject to U.S. federal income tax because the income is attributable to its members. Accordingly, the Company’s U.S. tax provision is solely based on the portion of income attributable to the Corporation from the lower tier limited liability companies and excludes the income attributable to other members of Holdings, whose income is included in Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in Global
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 20. Income Taxes - (continued)
Brokerage Holdings, LLC, and Leucadia, whose income is included in Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In addition to U.S. federal and state income taxes, the Company is subject to Unincorporated Business Tax which is attributable to Group's operations apportioned to New York City. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries are also subject to taxes in the jurisdictions in which they operate.
The Company's effective tax rate was
(12.3)%
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to
(0.5)%
for the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The Company's effective tax rate was
(1.7)%
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to
0.1%
for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 are predominantly the result of recording a valuation allowance against the tax benefit that results from the losses for these periods and recording a tax provision on certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are predominantly the result of reversing a valuation allowance against the tax that results from the income generated during these periods.
During the
six months ended June 30, 2017
, there were no material changes to the uncertain tax positions.
The Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by taxing authorities for tax years prior to 2012. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Company’s tax years for 2013, 2014 and 2015 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. Currently, the Company and Holdings’ 2013 U.S. Federal tax returns are under examination along with the Company’s 2013 and 2014 New York State tax returns. Additionally, several of the Company’s U.K. subsidiaries are under examination for the 2012 and 2015 tax years.
Note 21. Litigation
In the ordinary course of business, the Company and certain of its officers, directors and employees may from time to time be involved in litigation and claims incidental to the conduct of its businesses, including intellectual property claims. In addition, the Company's business is also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in administrative claims, investigations and regulatory proceedings against it. The Company has been named in various arbitration and civil litigation cases brought by customers seeking damages for trading losses. Management has investigated these matters and believes that such cases are without merit and is defending them vigorously. However, the arbitrations and litigations are presently in various stages of the judicial process and no judgment can be made regarding the ultimate outcome of the arbitrators’ and/or court’s decisions.
In January 2014, the equity receiver for a former client of US, Revelation Forex Fund (“Revelation”), its principal, Kevin G. White, and related entities RFF GP, LLC and KGM Capital Management, LLC, filed suit against US, and certain unrelated defendants, in Texas state court. The suit alleges that US is liable for damages in excess of
$3.8 million
, plus exemplary damages, interest, and attorneys’ fees in connection with a Ponzi scheme run by Mr. White through his companies. In June 2015, that same equity receiver filed a complaint against US seeking
$2.0 million
, plus interest, and attorneys’ fees, based on allegations that the amount in controversy represents the net fraudulent transfers from Revelation to US under New York law. In September 2015, the parties agreed to an arbitration proceeding before the National Futures Association (“NFA”) on these claims. In June 2016, the parties agreed to settle all related matters for
$2.3 million
. The settlement was recorded in earnings as a component of General and administrative expense in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.
In April 2014, the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") initiated an investigation relating to HK’s past trade execution practices concerning the handling of price improvements in the Company’s trading system prior to August 2010. On October 19, 2016, the parties entered into a final settlement whereby HK volun
tarily agreed to make full restitution to affected clients in the amount of
$1.5 million
and pay a fine of
$0.5 million
. The Company paid the
$2.0 million
settlement in November 2016.
On January 15, 2015, as a result of the unprecedented volatility in the EUR/CHF currency pair after the SNB discontinued its currency floor of
1.2
CHF per EUR, US suffered a temporary breach of certain regulatory capital requirements. On August 18, 2016, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") filed a complaint,
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Forex Capital Markets, LLC
, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that US was undercapitalized following the SNB’s decision to remove the currency peg, that US failed to notify the CFTC of its
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 21. Litigation - (continued)
undercapitalization, and that US guaranteed customer losses. On December 8, 2016, the CFTC filed an amended complaint. On or about February 13, 2017, US settled with the CFTC without admitting or denying any of the allegations, and pursuant to a consent order entered by the court, agreed to pay a civil monetary penalty in the amount of
$0.7 million
to the CFTC. The funds were placed into escrow on February 8, 2017, and the Company recorded a charge to earnings of
$0.7 million
as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net in the fourth quarter of 2016.
On May 8, 2015, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 478 Pension Fund filed a complaint against the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individually and on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock between June 11, 2013 and January 20, 2015. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated certain provisions of the federal securities laws and seeks compensatory damages as well as reasonable costs and expenses. An amended and consolidated complaint was filed on January 11, 2016. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint on February 25, 2016 which was granted by the Court on August 18, 2016. On October 7, 2016, the District Court entered an order of final judgment closing the case. On November 3, 2016, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to challenge the district court’s order and final judgment that dismissed the case with prejudice. On February 28, 2017, plaintiffs filed a motion in the district court to alter the final judgment and allow them the opportunity to file an amended complaint to add new facts they contended were relevant to the matter, but did not become known until after the district court’s final judgment and their appeal filing. On July 27, 2017, while not ruling on the merits of plaintiffs’ appeal, the Second Circuit vacated the lower court’s judgment and remanded the case back to the district court to decide whether to allow plaintiffs the opportunity to amend the complaint. On July 28, 2017, the district court entered an order permitting the plaintiffs to file an amended complaint by August 28, 2017. The Company intends to move for dismissal of the amended complaint and to vigorously defend itself in this matter.
On December 15, 2015, Brett Kandell, individually and on behalf of nominal defendant, Global Brokerage, Inc., filed a shareholder derivative complaint against the members of Global Brokerage’s board of directors (the “Board”) in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The case is captioned
Brett Kandell v. Dror Niv et al.
, C.A. No. 11812-VCG. On March 4, 2016, plaintiff filed an amended shareholder derivative complaint, which alleges breach of fiduciary duty, contribution and indemnification, waste of corporate assets, abuse of control and unjust enrichment and seeks compensatory damages, rescission of certain agreements as well as reasonable costs and expenses. A second amended shareholder derivative complaint was filed on May 31, 2016 and the Board filed a motion to dismiss on July 15, 2016. Subsequently, plaintiff filed a third amended shareholder derivative complaint on September 1, 2016 and the Board filed a motion to dismiss on October 17, 2016. The court has not yet ruled on the motion to dismiss.
On February 6, 2017, US, Holdings, Dror Niv and William Ahdout entered into a settlement with the CFTC, and US, Messrs. Niv, Ahdout and Ornit Niv entered into a settlement with the NFA. During the relevant times, Mr. Niv was the Company’s CEO, a member of Holdings, and/or the CEO of US; Mr. Ahdout was a member of Holdings and a Managing Director of US; and Ms. Niv was the CEO of US. Both settlements concerned allegations that aspects of US’s relationship with one of its liquidity providers had not been disclosed to customers and regulators. The NFA settlement included additional, unrelated allegations of violations of certain NFA Rules and Requirements. The Company’s subsidiaries are cooperating with regulatory authorities outside the U.S. in relation to their requests for information arising from the settlements announced on February 6, 2017.
Under the settlement with the CFTC, the named entities and individuals were required, jointly and severally, to pay a civil monetary penalty of
$7.0 million
, agreed to withdraw from CFTC registration and agreed not to apply for or claim exemption from CFTC registration in the future. Under the settlement with the NFA, no monetary fine was imposed and the named individuals and entities agreed to withdraw from NFA membership and not to reapply for membership in the future. The named entities and individuals did not admit or deny the allegations associated with the settlements. The Company paid the
$7.0 million
fine on February 16, 2017, which was recorded as a charge to earnings as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net in the fourth quarter of 2016. In connection with the regulatory settlements, the Company has withdrawn from business in the U.S. and sold substantially all of its U.S.-domiciled customer accounts to Gain Capital Group, LLC in the first quarter of 2017.
In response to the Company’s announcement on February 6, 2017 regarding settlements with the NFA and the CFTC, several putative securities class action lawsuits have been filed against Global Brokerage, Inc., the Board, and certain officers of
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 21. Litigation - (continued)
the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints in these actions allege that the defendants violated certain provisions of the federal securities laws and seek compensatory damages as well as reasonable costs and expenses. These actions have been consolidated and the court has appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel. On June 19, 2017, lead counsel filed a consolidated amended complaint on behalf of the class. On August 3, 2017, the Company and individual defendants filed a motion to strike and dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. In addition, a related shareholder derivative action has been filed against the board of directors of the Company in the same court alleging a violation of the federal securities laws. This shareholder derivative action was stayed on April 27, 2017, pending dismissal or discovery in the aforementioned related securities class action. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims asserted in these actions.
Also, on April 14, 2017, a customer of US filed a class action on behalf of customers who traded on the No Dealing Desk platform during the 2010-2016 period and alleges that such customers were harmed as a result of the Company’s relationship and use of Effex Capital, LLC ("Effex") as a liquidity provider. The class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges, among other things, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty by US and other related claims against the Company, Holdings, Dror Niv, William Ahdout, and Effex and its principal. On August 3, 2017, the district court entered an order staying the matter with respect to the claims against the Company, Holdings, Dror Niv and William Ahdout pending resolution of an individual arbitration proceeding by the customer. A similar class action asserting substantially the same claims was filed by another customer on June 21, 2017. The Company and other named Global Brokerage defendants intend to vigorously defend against the claims asserted against them by these customers.
For the outstanding matters referenced above, including ordinary course of business litigation and claims referenced in the first paragraph hereto, for which a loss is more than remote but less than likely, whether in excess of an accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, we have estimated a range of possible loss. Management believes the estimate of the aggregate range of possible loss in excess of accrued liabilities for such matters is between
nil
and
$1.3 million
as of
June 30, 2017
.
In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and claims, the Company cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss related to each pending matter may be. Furthermore, the above-referenced matters represented in the estimated aggregate range of possible loss will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. An adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to the Company's results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.
Note 22. Restructuring Plan
In the first quarter of 2017, the Company implemented a restructuring plan as a result of its withdrawal from business in the U.S. pursuant to the regulatory settlements described in Note 1. The restructuring plan provided for a workforce reduction of approximately
170
employees, which represents
22%
of the global workforce. The majority of the affected employees completed service through the required notice period in April 2017. During the three and
six months ended June 30, 2017
, the Company incurred total restructuring charges of
$0.2 million
and
$8.6 million
, respectively, consisting of severance costs for terminated employees, contract termination costs (described further below), and facilities costs (described further below), which are included as a component of Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
As a result of withdrawing from business in the U.S. and terminating its registration as a retail foreign exchange dealer in the U.S., the Company determined that the digital advertising agreement with FX Publications, Inc. (see Note 4) represents a contract with no future benefits, as the Company can no longer advertise on the DailyFX website or benefit from leads. Consequently, in accordance with ASC 420, the Company recognized a liability for the fair value of the remaining payments due under the agreement at the point the Company ceased to utilize the services. In July 2017, the Company negotiated a termination of the digital advertising agreement that provides for a reduction in the quarterly fee over the remaining three-year term. As a result of the reduction in the quarterly fee, the Company recorded an adjustment to the remaining contract liability in the second quarter of 2017 based on its credit-adjusted risk-free rate in accordance with ASC 420. The Company recorded a favorable expense adjustment of
$0.1 million
for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and recognized total expense of
$4.1 million
(
$3.9 million
of which are restructuring costs) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the digital advertising
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 22. Restructuring Plan - (continued)
agreement, which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In conjunction with the restructuring plan, the Company vacated its San Francisco office in May 2017. The lease for the office has a remaining term of approximately two years. The Company determined that this operating lease represents a contract with no future benefits. In accordance with ASC 420, the Company determined that a cease use date was reached when the office was vacated in May 2017 and accordingly recorded a liability at that date for the remaining lease rentals, adjusted for the remaining deferred rent, and reduced by an estimate of sublease rentals. The Company recorded a charge of
$0.2 million
for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2017
, which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company is currently in negotiations to sublease the space.
The Company expects to vacate or sublease certain other leased offices in the U.S. as a result of the restructuring. Future lease payments related to those offices will be paid over the respective remaining lease terms. No costs related to those leases have been incurred as of
June 30, 2017
.
A summary of the restructuring liability by major type of cost for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
is as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
|
|
Contract Termination Costs
|
|
Facilities Costs
|
|
Total
|
Balance as of January 1, 2017
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Restructuring charges
|
4,545
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
8,700
|
|
Change in estimate
|
—
|
|
|
300
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
300
|
|
Cash payments
|
(4,385
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
(4,406
|
)
|
Other activity
|
—
|
|
|
(380
|
)
|
|
42
|
|
|
(338
|
)
|
Balance as of June 30, 2017
|
$
|
160
|
|
|
$
|
3,920
|
|
|
$
|
176
|
|
|
$
|
4,256
|
|
Of the total restructuring liability of
$4.3 million
as of
June 30, 2017
,
$2.2 million
is classified as a current liability within Accounts Payable and accrued expenses and
$2.1 million
is classified as a non-current liability within Other liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Restructuring charges by major type of cost incurred during the three and
six months ended June 30, 2017
, included in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, are as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
|
|
Total Charges
to Date
|
|
Total Expected
Charges
|
Severance costs
|
$
|
160
|
|
|
$
|
4,545
|
|
|
$
|
4,545
|
|
|
$
|
4,599
|
|
Contract termination costs
|
(80
|
)
|
|
3,920
|
|
|
3,920
|
|
|
4,300
|
|
Facilities costs
|
155
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
186
|
|
Total
|
$
|
235
|
|
|
$
|
8,620
|
|
|
$
|
8,620
|
|
|
$
|
9,085
|
|
Global Brokerage, Inc.
Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Global Brokerage, Inc., and the related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2017 (“Annual Report”), including the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained therein. The historical consolidated financial data discussed below reflects the historical results and financial position of Global Brokerage, Inc. In addition, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward looking statements.
Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “Global Brokerage,” the "Corporation," the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Global Brokerage, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to "Lucid" collectively refer to Lucid Markets Trading Limited and its subsidiary, Lucid Markets LLP. References to "V3" refer to V3 Markets, LLC.
OVERVIEW
Executive Summary
In February 2017 we changed our name from "FXCM Inc." to "Global Brokerage, Inc." ("Global Brokerage"). Concurrent with this change, the name of "FXCM Holdings, LLC" has been changed to "Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC" ("Holdings").
On February 6, 2017, we announced simultaneous regulatory settlements with the National Futures Association ("NFA") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") against our U.S. subsidiary, Forex Capital Markets LLC, Holdings and certain of our principals (the “Respondents”). The NFA settlement had no monetary fine, and the CFTC settlement had a $7.0 million fine imposed jointly and severally against the Respondents, which we paid on February 16, 2017. Pursuant to the regulatory settlement agreements, we withdrew from business in the U.S. and terminated our registrations with the CFTC and the NFA during the first quarter of 2017. Additionally, we sold substantially all of our U.S.-domiciled customer accounts to Gain Capital Group, LLC (“Gain”) in an asset sale transaction that closed on February 24, 2017. Under the terms of the related asset purchase agreement, Gain will pay proceeds to us on a per account basis for each acquired account that opens at least one new trade during the first 153 calendar days following the closing date (see Note 4, “Dispositions” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
In connection with our withdrawal from business in the U.S. pursuant to the regulatory settlements described above, we implemented a restructuring plan during the first quarter of 2017 that included the termination of approximately 170 employees, which represents approximately 22% of our global workforce. We are also implementing and exploring other cost reduction strategies including reduced reliance on contract services and the sublease of office space (see Note 22, “Restructuring Plan” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
Our near term objectives:
|
|
•
|
Repayment of the balance of the term loan with Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia") (see
Events of January 15 and 16, 2015
below):
|
|
|
◦
|
With proceeds from the sale of our U.S.-domiciled customer accounts to Gain and capital freed up after terminating our U.S. registrations, we repaid $36.9 million of principal on the term loan in the first half of 2017. Subsequent to second quarter-end, we repaid an additional $9.1 million, including $4.9 million of capital freed up from terminating our U.S. registrations, $4.0 million from the second installment received in connection with the sale of DailyFX, and $0.2 million of additional proceeds received from Gain for the U.S. accounts. The remaining term loan balance is $113.5 million as of the date of this filing.
|
|
|
◦
|
Target further reduction of the Leucadia debt through non-core asset sales. On May 23, 2017, we announced that we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our equity interest in FastMatch for a purchase price of approximately $55.6 million, with a portion held in escrow and subject to certain future adjustments, including
|
a share of a $10.0 million earnout if certain performance targets of FastMatch are met. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to close in the third quarter of 2017.
|
|
◦
|
The remaining non-core assets to be sold include our investments in Lucid Markets Trading Limited ("Lucid") and V3 Markets, LLC ("V3"). We are in active sales processes for these assets.
|
|
|
•
|
Focus on products and services that appeal to our European and Asia Pacific clients and continue to make enhancements to our customers' overall trading experience.
|
On the latter objective, we have implemented the following:
|
|
•
|
Further expanded the dealing desk model for small retail foreign exchange (“FX”) customers who are less interested in an agency FX offering, which has had a favorable effect on our revenue per million.
|
|
|
•
|
Launched Market Scanner, an application traders can use to find potential trading opportunities in real-time by screening Forex and contracts for difference ("CFDs") with preferred technical parameters.
|
|
|
•
|
Launched FXCM Plus, the client-only portal with free FXCM proprietary trading data including trading signals, technical analyzer and trading analytics.
|
|
|
•
|
Revamped Technical Analyzer in FXCM Plus, giving traders an easier and clearer picture of instrumenting and overall analysis.
|
|
|
•
|
Launched Market Data Signals, which offers traders powerful insights to help find potential trading opportunities using FXCM’s propriety Speculative Sentiment Index and Grid Sight.
|
We are committed to offering a diverse suite of innovating trading tools, market news, and education to the trading community. Traders have access to numerous services such as Trading Analytics, API Trading, FXCM Apps, and Programming Services.
Industry Environment
Economic Environment
— Our revenue and profitability are influenced by volatility which is directly impacted by economic conditions. FX volatility in the six months ended
June 30, 2017
decreased compared to the six months ended
June 30, 2016
. The daily JPMorgan Global FX Volatility was 8.1 for the second quarter of 2017, compared to 11.1 in the second quarter of 2016. In general, in periods of elevated volatility customer trading volumes tend to increase. However, significant swings in market volatility can also result in increased customer trading losses, higher turnover and reduced trading volume. It is difficult to predict volatility and its effects on the FX market.
Competitive Environment
— The retail FX trading market is highly competitive. Our competitors in the retail market can be grouped into several broad categories based on size, business model, product offerings, target customers and geographic scope of operations. These include retail FX brokers, international multi-product trading firms, other online trading firms, and international banks and other financial institutions with significant FX operations. We expect competition to continue to remain strong for the foreseeable future.
Regulatory Environment
— Our business and industry are highly regulated. Our operating subsidiaries are regulated in a number of jurisdictions, including the U.K. (where regulatory passport rights have been exercised to operate in a number of European Economic Area jurisdictions) and Australia. We are evaluating the impact of the Brexit vote and how it may affect the servicing of our European operations.
Events of January 15 and 16, 2015
On January 16, 2015, we reached a financing agreement with Leucadia that permitted our regulated subsidiaries to meet their regulatory capital requirements and continue normal operations after significant losses were incurred due to unprecedented volatility in the EUR/CHF currency pair after the Swiss National Bank ("SNB") discontinued its currency floor of 1.2 CHF per Euro. Specifically, as a result of customer debit balances following the historic movement of the Swiss Franc on January 15, 2015, regulators required our regulated entities to supplement their respective net capital on an expedited basis (see Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
On January 16, 2015, we entered into a credit agreement (as subsequently amended, the "Credit Agreement") with Leucadia, as administrative agent and lender. In connection with the Leucadia Credit Agreement, we also entered into an agreement (the "Letter Agreement") with Leucadia that set the terms and conditions upon which we will pay in cash to Leucadia
and its assignees a percentage of the proceeds received in connection with certain transactions. In connection with these financing transactions, Holdings formed FXCM Newco, LLC ("Newco") and contributed all of the equity interests owned by Holdings in its subsidiaries to Newco. The Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement were subsequently amended on January 24, 2015. The amendments finalized certain terms of the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement and the terms of the amended agreements were not substantially different from the initial agreements.
Restructuring of the Leucadia Financing
On September 1, 2016 we completed the restructuring of the financing arrangements with Leucadia. Key elements of the restructuring include:
Credit Agreement
|
|
•
|
The maturity date of the Credit Agreement was extended one year to January 16, 2018.
|
|
|
•
|
We have the ability to defer any three of the remaining interest payments.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 22, 2017, FXCM Group, LLC (f/k/a FXCM Newco, LLC), Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement was increased by $3.5 million in consideration of Leucadia's waiver of certain sections of the Credit Agreement regarding restricted payments and distributions.
|
|
|
•
|
On May 12, 2017, FXCM Group, LLC, Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement will be increased by the amount of certain expense payments associated with the restructuring of the Convertible Notes (not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate) in consideration of Leucadia's waiver of certain sections of the Credit Agreement regarding restricted payments, distributions and compliance with the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.
|
Letter Agreement
|
|
•
|
The Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are reflected in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FXCM Group, LLC (the "Group Agreement").
|
Group Agreement
|
|
•
|
The Group Agreement replaces the existing FXCM Newco, LLC agreement and FXCM Newco, LLC was renamed FXCM Group, LLC ("Group").
|
|
|
•
|
Leucadia acquired a 49.9% non-controlling interest in Group.
|
|
|
•
|
The Group Agreement provides that Group will be governed by a six-member board, with three directors each appointed by Global Brokerage and Leucadia.
|
|
|
•
|
We and Leucadia share the right to request a sale process after January 16, 2018, subject to both of us reasonably accepting the highest reasonable sales price.
|
Management Agreement
|
|
•
|
Group and Holdings entered into a Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which Holdings will manage the assets and day-to-day operations of Group and its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 2, 2017, the Management Agreement was amended to provide that the Management Agreement may be terminated by a vote of at least three members of the Group Board after the occurrence of certain events including a change of control.
|
Management Incentive Plan
|
|
•
|
Group adopted the 2016 Incentive Bonus Plan for Founders and Executives (the “Management Incentive Plan”), which is a long-term plan with five-year vesting.
|
|
|
•
|
Distributions under the plan are only made after the principal and interest under the Credit Agreement have been repaid.
|
|
|
•
|
Distributions will range from 10% to 14% of distributions made by Group.
|
|
|
•
|
If a participant terminates employment, they will receive either a non-voting membership in Group entitling them to the same share of distributions that they would have received, or a lump-sum cash payment, at our discretion.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 2, 2017, Group and Leucadia entered into an Acknowledgment whereby Leucadia may terminate the Management Incentive Plan at any time for any reason in its sole discretion.
|
For additional information, see Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Primary Sources of Revenues
Trading Revenue
— Trading revenue is our largest source of revenue and is primarily driven by: (i) the number of active FX accounts and the type of accounts - commission, spread or dealing desk; (ii) the volume these accounts trade, which is driven by the amount of customer equity and the overall volatility of the FX market; (iii) the amount of the commission or spread we receive, which varies by currency pair; (iv) the difference between the interest we receive from FX market makers and the interest paid to customers on open positions; (v) net gains/losses derived from our dealing desk; and (vi) revenues earned from CFD trading and fees earned through white label relationships.
Other
— We are engaged in various ancillary FX related services and joint ventures, including use of our platform and trading facilities, providing technical expertise, and earning fees from data licensing.
Primary Expenses
Compensation and Benefits
— Compensation and benefits expense includes employee salaries, bonuses, stock compensation awards, benefits and employer taxes. Changes in this expense are driven by fluctuations in the number of employees, changes in the composition of our workforce, increases in wages as a result of inflation or labor market conditions, changes in rates for employer taxes and other cost increases affecting benefit plans. The expense associated with our bonus plans can also have a significant impact on this expense category and may vary from period to period.
At the time of our initial public offering and thereafter, we have periodically granted awards of stock options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) to certain employees and independent directors. We recorded stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of
$0.1 million
and
$0.3 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.4 million
and
$0.7 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. The LTIP also provides for other stock-based awards ("Other Equity Awards") that may be granted by our Executive Compensation Committee. In December 2014, we granted Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") to employees. We recorded stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs of
$0.1 million
and
$0.3 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
, respectively, and
$0.2 million
and
$0.3 million
for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2016
, respectively. We did not incur any expense for Other Equity Awards for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2017
or
2016
.
Referring Broker Fees
— Referring broker fees consist primarily of compensation paid to our brokers and white labels. We generally provide white labels access to our platform systems and back-office services necessary for them to offer FX trading services to their customers. We also establish relationships with referring brokers that identify and direct potential FX trading customers to our platform. Referring brokers and white labels generally incur advertising, marketing and other expenses associated with attracting the customers they direct to our platform. Accordingly, we do not incur any incremental sales or marketing expense in connection with trading revenue generated by customers provided through our referring brokers and/or white labels. We do, however, pay a portion of the FX trading revenue generated by the customers of our referring brokers and/or white labels and record this expense as Referring broker fees.
Advertising and Marketing
— Advertising and marketing expense consists primarily of electronic media, print and other advertising costs, as well as costs associated with our brand campaign and product promotion.
Communications and Technology
— Communications and technology expense consists primarily of costs for network connections to our electronic trading platforms, telecommunications costs, and fees paid for access to external market data. This expense is affected primarily by the growth of electronic trading, our network/platform capacity requirements and by changes in the number of telecommunication hubs and connections which provide our customers with direct access to our electronic trading platforms.
Trading Costs, Prime Brokerage and Clearing Fees
— Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees primarily represent fees paid to third party clearing banks and prime brokers for clearing foreign exchange spot futures currency and contract transactions, transaction fees paid to exchanges, equity options brokerage activity fees, and fees paid to third party providers for use of their platform for our market making business. Clearing fees primarily fluctuate based on changes in volume, rate of clearing fees charged by clearing banks and rate of fees paid to exchanges.
General and Administrative
— We incur general and administrative costs to support our operations, including:
|
|
•
|
Professional fees and outside services expenses
— consisting primarily of legal, accounting and outsourcing fees;
|
|
|
•
|
Bank processing fees
— consisting of service fees charged by banks primarily related to our customer deposits and withdrawals;
|
|
|
•
|
Regulatory fees
— consisting primarily of fees from regulators overseeing our businesses which are largely tied to our overall trading revenues. Regulatory fees also includes fines imposed by regulators from time to time and restitution;
|
|
|
•
|
Occupancy and building operations expense
— consisting primarily of costs related to leased property including rent, maintenance, real estate taxes, utilities and other related costs; and
|
|
|
•
|
Other
— consisting primarily of a provision for forgiveness of a notes receivable and other miscellaneous client debit balances
|
Depreciation and Amortization
— Depreciation and amortization expense results primarily from the depreciation of long-lived assets purchased and internally-developed software that has been capitalized.
Amortization of intangibles includes amortization of intangible assets obtained through our various acquisitions. In addition, amortization of intangibles includes impairment charges resulting from impairment assessments.
Goodwill Impairment Loss
— Goodwill impairment loss represents the charge from the reduction of goodwill resulting from impairment assessments.
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Liabilities
—
Letter & Credit Agreement
s — We allocated the net proceeds from the Leucadia financing in 2015 of $279.0 million between the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement based on their relative fair values. The estimated fair values of the Letter Agreement and the Credit Agreement were determined using an option pricing model based on significant inputs such as volatility and assumptions on public market pricing inputs. We considered applicable accounting guidance and concluded that several features of the Letter and Credit Agreements require bifurcation as embedded derivatives and should be accounted for as derivative liabilities. The fair value of the Letter Agreement’s embedded derivatives that were required to be bifurcated totaled $124.8 million at the inception of the loan, which was in excess of the amount of proceeds initially allocated to the Letter Agreement, resulting in a charge to earnings of $30.4 million in the first quarter of 2015. On September 1, 2016, the Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are reflected in the Group LLC Agreement. The derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement was derecognized and Leucadia's 49.9% non-controlling interest was recorded as a redeemable non-controlling interest in Group at $49.3 million, which represented the amount that Leucadia would have received assuming Group were liquidated at its recorded amount determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the cash distributed according to the Revised Waterfall at that date. The change in the fair value of the Letter Agreement until it was terminated is recorded in (Gain) loss on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 3, "Non-Controlling Interests" and Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.)
The Credit Agreement contains mandatory prepayment provisions that may be triggered by events or circumstances that are not considered clearly and closely related to the Credit Agreement, such as asset sales, and, as such, represent embedded derivatives. The embedded derivatives are bifurcated from the Credit Agreement and accounted for separately as a derivative liability. As of
June 30, 2017
and December 31, 2016, the fair value of the derivative liability resulting from the mandatory prepayment provisions of the Credit Agreement was estimated at $4.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, and is included in Credit Agreement on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The change in the fair value of the derivative liability associated with the mandatory prepayment provisions is recorded in (Gain) loss on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreement in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.)
Interest on Borrowings
— Interest on borrowings consists of interest expense, deferred interest and amortization of financing and issuance costs related to the Leucadia Credit Agreement, and the Convertible Notes (See Note 15, "Debt" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
Income Taxes
— Holdings operates in the U.S. as a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. Since January 2015, all of Holdings' operations are held by Group (formerly Newco), a limited liability company that is also treated as a partnership between Holdings and Leucadia for U.S. federal, state
and local income tax purposes. As a result, neither Holdings' nor Group's income from its U.S. operations is subject to U.S. federal income tax because the income is attributable to its members. Accordingly, our U.S. tax provision is solely based on the portion of income attributable to the Corporation from the lower tier limited liability companies and excludes the income attributable to other members of Holdings whose income is included in Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In addition to U.S. federal and state income taxes, Holdings is subject to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax which is attributable to Group's operations apportioned to New York City. Our foreign subsidiaries are also subject to local taxes.
Other
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
—
As a result of the Company's withdrawal from business in the U.S. pursuant to the aforementioned regulatory settlements and the sale of substantially all of our U.S.-domiciled customer accounts during the first quarter of 2017, the results of operations of the Company's U.S. subsidiary have been reported as discontinued operations for each period presented (see Note 4, “Dispositions” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
As a result of the events of January 15 and 16, 2015 discussed in the Overview section, we made the decision to dispose of our interests in certain retail and institutional trading businesses in order to accelerate the pay down of the Leucadia Credit Agreement. The retail businesses are FXCM Asia Limited (“HK”), FXCM Japan Securities Co., Ltd. (“Japan”), and the equity business of FXCM Securities Limited (“FSL”). The institutional businesses are Faros Trading LLC ("Faros"), Lucid Markets Trading Limited, V3 Markets, LLC, and our equity interest in FastMatch, Inc. During 2015, we completed the sales of Japan, Faros, HK, and the equity trading business of FSL. We evaluated the criteria for reporting the results of operations for the remaining businesses to be sold as discontinued operations and determined that the dispositions qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. As such, the results of operations for Lucid Markets Trading Limited, V3 Markets, LLC, and our equity interest in FastMatch, Inc. are reported in Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for each period presented.
Tax expense for discontinued operations is primarily driven by the recognition of tax benefit associated with the generation of net operating loss and the write down of the deferred tax liability associated with the goodwill of Lucid Markets LLP (“Lucid LLP”), offset by the establishment of a valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets of Lucid. Lucid LLP is a limited liability partnership treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. As a result, Lucid LLP’s income is not subject to U.K. corporate income tax because the income is attributable to its members. Therefore, Lucid’s tax provision is solely based on the portion of its income attributable to its managing member, Lucid Markets Trading Limited, which is a U.K. corporation subject to U.K. corporate income tax, and excludes the income attributable to other members of Lucid LLP.
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC
— Global Brokerage, Inc. is a holding company, and its sole material asset is a controlling membership interest in Holdings. As the sole managing member of Holdings, Global Brokerage, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Holdings and, through Holdings and its subsidiaries, conducts our business. Global Brokerage, Inc. consolidates the financial results of Holdings and its subsidiaries, and the ownership interest of the other members of Holdings is reflected as a non-controlling interest in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC
— In conjunction with the restructuring of the Leucadia financing arrangement, the Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are now reflected in the Group LLC Agreement. The Management Agreement gives us control of Group, which is therefore consolidated in our financial statements. Leucadia's 49.9% ownership interest in Group is reflected as a redeemable non-controlling interest in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Net income (loss) attributable to other non-controlling interests and allocation of net income to Lucid members for services provided
— We consolidate the financial results of Lucid in which we have a 50.1% controlling interest. The 49.9% ownership interest of the non-controlling Lucid members is reflected as follows:
|
|
•
|
The portion of the 49.9% of earnings allocated among the non-controlling members of Lucid based on services provided to Lucid is reported as a component of compensation and benefits expense within Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
|
|
|
•
|
The portion of the 49.9% of earnings allocated among the non-controlling members not allocated based on services provided is reported as a component of Net income (loss) attributable to other non-controlling interests in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
|
We also consolidate the financial results of other entities in which we have a controlling interest. The ownership interests of the non-controlling members is reported in net income (loss) attributable to other non-controlling interests in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Segment Information
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280,
Segment Reporting
, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The guidance defines reportable segments as operating segments that meet certain quantitative thresholds. Our business is primarily retail; our institutional business, which shares common management strategies, customer support and trading platforms with our retail business, does not meet the quantitative criteria for separate reporting. Accordingly, we have concluded that we operate as a single operating segment.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the
three and six
months ended
June 30, 2017
and
2016
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading revenue
|
$
|
48,734
|
|
|
$
|
54,698
|
|
|
$
|
93,879
|
|
|
$
|
113,572
|
|
Interest income
|
503
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
889
|
|
|
646
|
|
Brokerage interest expense
|
(184
|
)
|
|
(229
|
)
|
|
(401
|
)
|
|
(427
|
)
|
Net interest revenue
|
319
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
219
|
|
Other income
|
328
|
|
|
1,196
|
|
|
878
|
|
|
2,579
|
|
Total net revenues
|
49,381
|
|
|
55,976
|
|
|
95,245
|
|
|
116,370
|
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and benefits
|
14,276
|
|
|
19,407
|
|
|
27,597
|
|
|
39,012
|
|
Referring broker fees
|
5,906
|
|
|
8,079
|
|
|
13,267
|
|
|
17,829
|
|
Advertising and marketing
|
3,984
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
|
7,627
|
|
|
6,586
|
|
Communication and technology
|
5,559
|
|
|
6,208
|
|
|
11,533
|
|
|
13,443
|
|
Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees
|
854
|
|
|
625
|
|
|
1,515
|
|
|
1,266
|
|
General and administrative
|
11,624
|
|
|
19,539
|
|
|
21,590
|
|
|
31,247
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
5,127
|
|
|
6,026
|
|
|
10,345
|
|
|
12,323
|
|
Goodwill impairment loss
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
23,917
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
47,330
|
|
|
62,940
|
|
|
117,391
|
|
|
121,706
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
2,051
|
|
|
(6,964
|
)
|
|
(22,146
|
)
|
|
(5,336
|
)
|
Other Expense (Income)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on derivative liabilities — Letter & Credit Agreements
|
(2,054
|
)
|
|
(116,529
|
)
|
|
(1,504
|
)
|
|
(227,360
|
)
|
(Income) loss on equity method investments, net
|
(170
|
)
|
|
149
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
338
|
|
Interest on borrowings
|
11,115
|
|
|
21,202
|
|
|
25,476
|
|
|
41,755
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
(6,840
|
)
|
|
88,214
|
|
|
(45,948
|
)
|
|
179,931
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
844
|
|
|
(443
|
)
|
|
761
|
|
|
124
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations
|
(7,684
|
)
|
|
88,657
|
|
|
(46,709
|
)
|
|
179,807
|
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
(1,052
|
)
|
|
(154
|
)
|
|
(28,751
|
)
|
|
(32,128
|
)
|
Net (loss) income
|
(8,736
|
)
|
|
88,503
|
|
|
(75,460
|
)
|
|
147,679
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC
|
(1,161
|
)
|
|
28,452
|
|
|
(11,345
|
)
|
|
51,904
|
|
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in FXCM Group, LLC
|
(3,586
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(20,357
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Net loss attributable to other non-controlling interests
|
(538
|
)
|
|
(350
|
)
|
|
(10,379
|
)
|
|
(14,361
|
)
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Global Brokerage, Inc.
|
$
|
(3,451
|
)
|
|
$
|
60,401
|
|
|
$
|
(33,379
|
)
|
|
$
|
110,136
|
|
Other Selected Customer Trading Metrics for Continuing Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Customer equity (in millions)
|
$
|
352
|
|
|
$
|
423
|
|
|
$
|
352
|
|
|
$
|
423
|
|
Tradeable accounts
|
109,829
|
|
|
115,982
|
|
|
109,829
|
|
|
115,982
|
|
Active accounts
|
125,285
|
|
|
133,412
|
|
|
125,285
|
|
|
133,412
|
|
Daily average trades — retail customers
|
340,478
|
|
|
506,566
|
|
|
383,620
|
|
|
531,722
|
|
Daily average trades per active account
|
2.7
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
Total retail trading volume
(1)
(billions)
|
$
|
612
|
|
|
$
|
841
|
|
|
$
|
1,292
|
|
|
$
|
1,758
|
|
Retail trading revenue per million traded
(1)
|
$
|
80
|
|
|
$
|
65
|
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
|
$
|
65
|
|
Average retail customer trading volume per day
(1)
(billions)
|
$
|
9.4
|
|
|
$
|
12.9
|
|
|
$
|
10.0
|
|
|
$
|
13.6
|
|
Trading days
|
65
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Volume that customers traded in period translated into U.S. dollars.
|
Three months ended June 30, 2017
Highlights
—
Continuing Operations
Total retail trading volumes
decreased
by
$229.0 billion
, or
27%
, to
$612.0 billion
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The daily JPMorgan Global FX Volatility was 8.1 for the second quarter of 2017, compared to 11.1 in the second quarter of 2016. Volatility is at the lowest level in the past two years. Within the respective quarters, the volatility was as low as 7.3 in the
three months ended June 30, 2017
and as high as 12.8 in the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. Retail trading revenue per million traded
increased
23%
to
$80
per million, reflecting a higher proportion of revenue from CFDs. The number of total active retail customer accounts at
June 30, 2017
was
125,285
, a
decrease
of
6%
from
June 30, 2016
, primarily related to the lower trading volume.
Revenues from Continuing Operations
Trading revenue
decreased
by
$6.0 million
, or
11%
, to
$48.7 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. Revenues from CFDs, FX spread and commissions were all lower as a result of the decreased trading volume. Only revenue from dealing desk execution was higher in the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. In spite of the lower volumes, we had higher revenue per million, primarily due to dealing desk execution and CFDs.
Net interest revenue of
$0.3 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
was
$0.2 million
higher than net interest revenue for the
three months ended June 30, 2016
primarily due to higher interest on cash held.
Other income of
$0.3 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
primarily consists of $0.2 million of service fees related to post-sale services provided to the buyers of HK and DailyFX and $0.1 million of ancillary fees. Other income of
$1.2 million
for
three months ended June 30, 2016
primarily consists of $1.1 million of service fees related to post-sale services provided to the buyers of Japan, HK and the equity trading business of FSL and $0.1 million of ancillary fees.
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations
Total compensation and employee benefits expense
decreased
$5.1 million
, or
26%
, to
$14.3 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease was largely due to lower variable compensation expense of $5.6 million, primarily related to compensation plans implemented during the first quarter of 2015 to retain employees following the significant decline in our stock price after the events of January 15, 2015. These compensation plans are no longer in effect for 2017. In addition to the decrease in variable compensation expense, stock-based compensation expense was lower by $0.1 million, largely due to the full vesting of stock grants. These amounts were partially offset by higher salary and benefit expense of $1.1 million, primarily due to lower capitalization of compensation costs for software development.
Referring broker fees
decreased
$2.2 million
, or
27%
, to
$5.9 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease in referring broker fees is related to the lower trading volumes, and a decline in indirect trading volume.
Advertising and marketing expense
increased
$0.9 million
, or
30%
, to
$4.0 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. We increased spend in the Asia Pacific market in 2017.
Communication and technology expense
decreased
$0.6 million
, or
10%
, to
$5.6 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease is primarily attributable to $0.4 million of lower computer consulting and platform services costs and $0.2 million of lower communication costs.
Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees
increased
37%
to
$0.9 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The net increase is primarily attributable to clearing fees.
General and administrative expense
decreased
$7.9 million
, or
41%
, to
$11.6 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease of
$7.9 million
is primarily attributable to (i) a provision of $8.2 million for notes receivable that were forgiven in the three months ended June 30, 2016; (ii) $0.5 million to forgive customer debit balances in the three months ended June 30, 2016; (iii) $0.4 million of lower local taxes; (iv) $0.2 million of lower UK regulatory fees; (v) $0.1 million of lower bank fees and (vi) $0.4 million of lower administrative expenses as a result of the cost reduction efforts, partially offset by higher professional fees of $1.4 million and a charge of $0.5 million for client adjustments related to various trading platform issues.
Depreciation and amortization expense
decreased
$0.9 million
, or
15%
, for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. Amortization expense related to intangibles acquired from customer account acquisitions decreased $0.6 million. Depreciation expense decreased $0.3 million related to fully depreciated assets.
Non-operating expenses
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Liabilities
—
Letter & Credit Agreements
On September 1, 2016, the Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are now reflected in the Group LLC Agreement. The value of the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement as of August 31, 2016 was reversed and the value of Leucadia's 49.9% non-controlling interest was recorded as a redeemable non-controlling interest in Group with a fair value of $235.5 million. The change in the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement was nil for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
as a result of the termination and a gain of $128.2 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2016
, which reflected a decline in the fair value of the Letter Agreement due to the decline in our stock price and an increase in the volatility assumption used in the valuation.
The derivative liability related to the Credit Agreement was initially recorded at June 30, 2016 at a fair value of $11.6 million as a result of a decline in the fair value of the Credit Agreement below par. The fair value of the derivative liability related to the Credit Agreement declined to $4.7 million at June 30, 2017 from $6.7 million at March 31, 2017 due to an increase in the fair value of the Credit Agreement, representing a gain of $2.0 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
.
Interest on Borrowings
The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized for the period indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Contractual interest expense
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement
|
$
|
6,230
|
|
|
$
|
8,406
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
970
|
|
|
971
|
|
Deferred interest expense
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement
|
(528
|
)
|
|
(967
|
)
|
Amortization of Debt Discount
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement original issue discount
|
1,507
|
|
|
8,762
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement issuance fee discount
|
213
|
|
|
1,248
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement waiver fee discount — Second Amendment
|
658
|
|
|
—
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement waiver fee discount — Third Amendment
|
27
|
|
|
—
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
1,563
|
|
|
1,471
|
|
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement deferred financing fee
|
153
|
|
|
898
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement debt acquisition costs
|
19
|
|
|
111
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
303
|
|
|
302
|
|
Total Interest on borrowings
|
$
|
11,115
|
|
|
$
|
21,202
|
|
A significant portion of our Interest on borrowings relates to the Leucadia Credit Agreement. In addition to contractual interest expense, we record deferred interest for the difference between the current period’s contractual rate based on the loan terms and the amortization of the incremental step-up in the contractual rate over the life of the loan. The Leucadia borrowing proceeds were initially allocated between the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement. The portion allocated to the Credit Agreement is reflected as an original issue discount to the Credit Agreement loan balance and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Amortization is accelerated when payments on the Credit Agreement are made. Effective with the Restructuring Transaction on September 1, 2016, the term of the Credit Agreement was extended by one year to January 2018. The amortization of the remaining debt discounts and issuance costs will be recognized over the extended remaining term.
In February 2017, we entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit agreement pursuant to which Leucadia consented to waive certain restrictions regarding distributions and in consideration for entering into the waiver, we agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia in the amount of $3.5 million. The $3.5 million was added to the loan balance and is treated as an additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. In May 2017, we entered into a Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which Leucadia consented to waive certain restrictions regarding distributions related to expense payments associated with the restructuring of the Convertible Notes and in consideration for entering into the waiver, we agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia equal to the amount of the expense payments (not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate). Through June 30, 2017, we incurred $1.0 million in fees related to this waiver which was added to the loan balance and is treated as an additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. (See Note 14, “Leucadia Transaction” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.)
The debt discount on the Convertible Notes is amortized to interest expense over the life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest method.
The decrease in Interest on borrowings of
$10.1 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
is primarily due to lower contractual interest on the Credit Agreement and lower amortization of original issue discount, issuance fee discount, and debt issuance costs on the Credit Agreement, primarily due to payments on the loan and the restructuring of the debt which extended the amortization period.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages)
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
$
|
(6,840
|
)
|
|
$
|
88,214
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
$
|
844
|
|
|
$
|
(443
|
)
|
Effective tax rate
|
(12.3
|
)%
|
|
(0.5
|
)%
|
Our top-tier subsidiary, Holdings, is a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes. Since January 2015, all of Holdings' operations are held by Group, a limited liability company that is also treated as a partnership between Holdings and Leucadia for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. As a result, neither Holdings' nor Group's income is subject to U.S. federal nor most state income tax because the income is attributable to its members. Accordingly, our U.S. tax provision is solely based on the portion of Holdings' income attributable to the Corporation from the lower tier limited liability companies and excludes the income attributable to other members of Holdings and Group whose income is included in Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The effective tax rates reflect the proportion of income recognized by Global Brokerage, Inc. taxed at the U.S. marginal corporate income tax rate of 34% and the proportion of income recognized by each of our international subsidiaries subject to tax at their respective local jurisdiction tax rates unless subject to U.S. tax by election or as a U.S. controlled foreign corporation.
Our income tax provision increased
$1.3 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2017 principally relates to foreign jurisdictions for which there are no loss carryforwards or limitations on their use. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Corporation determined that, given the losses incurred from the events of January 15, 2015 and due to the Leucadia Transaction, it was not more likely than not that it would benefit from the tax deduction attributable to the tax basis step-up from the conversion of the non-controlling membership units of Holdings and therefore a valuation allowance was established on substantially all of the Company's deferred tax assets. Since the quarter ended March 31, 2015, our quarterly tax provisions have been principally driven by the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance depending on the book income for the quarter. This continued to be the case for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was
$1.1 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
compared to a loss of
$0.2 million
for the
three months ended June 30, 2016
. The loss for the
three months ended June 30, 2017
is primarily due to (i) operating losses of $2.4 million from the entities included in discontinued operations, primarily related to the U.S. operation which was transferred to discontinued operations in the six months ended June 30, 2017 as a result of the sale of the U.S.-domiciled accounts and the termination of our registrations in the U.S.; (ii) severance costs of $0.1 million related to the restructuring; (iii) a reserve of $0.1 million for potential regulatory fines related to the events of January 15, 2015 for HK, partially offset by (iv) a gain of $0.8 million related to the sale of the U.S.-domiciled accounts to Gain; (v) profit of $0.5 million from our equity method investment in FastMatch and (vi) and adjustment of $0.1 million to restructuring charges related to a contract with no future benefits (see Note 22, "Restructuring Plan" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016 is primarily due to recording a loss on classification as held for sale of $0.5 million on the remaining entities held for sale due to the determination that the fair value less costs to sell of the assets did not exceed the carrying value of the assets and a reserve of $0.5 million for potential regulatory penalties related to pre-August 2010 trade execution practices of HK, partially offset by net profits from the remaining discontinued operations of $0.8 million.
Six months ended June 30, 2017
Highlights
—
Continuing Operations
Total retail trading volumes
decreased
$466.0 billion
, or
27%
, to
$1,292.0 billion
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease in volume compared to the prior year period is primarily due to lower FX volatility in the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. Retail trading revenue per million traded
increased
12%
to
$73
per million, reflecting a higher proportion of revenue from CFDs. The number of total active retail customer accounts at
June 30, 2017
was
125,285
, a
decrease
of
6%
from
June 30, 2016
, primarily related to the lower trading volume.
Revenues from Continuing Operations
Trading revenue
decreased
by
$19.7 million
, or
17%
, to
$93.9 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. Revenues from CFDs, dealing desk execution, FX spread and commissions were all lower as a result of the decreased trading volume. In spite of the lower volumes, we had higher revenue per million, primarily due to CFDs.
Net interest revenue of
$0.5 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
was
$0.3 million
higher than net interest revenue for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
primarily due to higher interest on cash held.
Other income of
$0.9 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
primarily consists of $0.6 million of service fees related to post-sale services provided to the buyers of HK and DailyFX and $0.3 million of ancillary fees. Other income of
$2.6 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
primarily consists of $2.3 million of service fees related to post-sale services provided to the buyers of Japan, HK and the equity trading business of FSL, $0.1 million of service fees from FastMatch and $0.2 million of ancillary fees.
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations
Total compensation and employee benefits expense
decreased
$11.4 million
, or
29%
, to
$27.6 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease was largely due to lower variable compensation expense of $12.6 million, primarily related to compensation plans implemented during the first quarter of 2015 to retain employees following the significant decline in our stock price after the events of January 15, 2015. These compensation plans are no longer in effect for 2017. In addition to the decrease in variable compensation expense, the
six months ended June 30, 2016
included a charge of $0.4 million to write-off employee advances. Further, stock-based compensation expense was lower by $0.2 million in the
six months ended June 30, 2017
, largely due to the full vesting of stock grants. These amounts were partially offset by higher salary and benefit expense of $1.9 million, primarily due to lower capitalization of compensation costs for software development.
Referring broker fees
decreased
$4.6 million
, or
26%
, to
$13.3 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease in referring broker fees is related to the lower trading volumes and a decline in indirect trading volume.
Advertising and marketing expense
increased
$1.0 million
, or
16%
, to
$7.6 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. We increased spending in the Asia Pacific market in 2017.
Communication and technology expense
decreased
$1.9 million
, or
14%
, to
$11.5 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease is primarily attributable to $1.4 million of lower computer consulting and platform services costs, $0.5 million of lower communication costs and $0.2 million of lower hardware/software licensing and maintenance costs, partially offset by $0.2 million of higher market data fees.
Trading costs, prime brokerage and clearing fees
increased
20%
to
$1.5 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The net increase is primarily attributable to clearing fees.
General and administrative expense
decreased
$9.7 million
, or
31%
, to
$21.6 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The decrease of
$9.7 million
is primarily attributable to (i) a provision of $8.2 million for notes receivable that were forgiven in the six months ended June 30, 2016; (ii) $0.8 million of lower local taxes; (iii) $0.7 million of lower UK regulatory fees; (iv) an insurance recovery of $0.5 million for costs incurred related to the events of January 15, 2015; (v) $0.5 million to forgive customer debit balances in the three months ended June 30,
2016; (vi) $0.2 million of lower bank fees; (vii) $0.2 million of lower travel costs and (viii) $0.5 million of lower administrative expenses as a result of the cost reduction efforts, partially offset by higher professional fees of $0.8 million and charges of $1.1 million to reserve for restitution related to trade execution practices prior to August 2010 and client adjustments related to various trading platform issues.
Depreciation and amortization expense
decreased
$2.0 million
, or
16%
, for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. Amortization expense related to intangibles acquired from customer account acquisitions decreased $1.2 million. Depreciation expense decreased $0.8 million related to fully depreciated assets.
Goodwill impairment loss was
$23.9 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
. As a result of the regulatory settlement announced in February 2017 and the termination of our U.S. business, we performed an interim impairment evaluation of goodwill as of March 31, 2017. This evaluation resulted in the recording of goodwill impairment losses of $23.9 million (see Note 7, "Goodwill" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information). There was no goodwill impairment loss for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
.
Non-operating expenses
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Liabilities
—
Letter & Credit Agreements
On September 1, 2016, the Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are now reflected in the Group LLC Agreement. The value of the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement as of August 31, 2016 was reversed and the value of Leucadia's 49.9% non-controlling interest was recorded as a redeemable non-controlling interest in Group with a fair value of $235.5 million. The change in the derivative liability related to the Letter Agreement was nil for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
as a result of the termination and a gain of $239.0 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
, which reflected a decline in the fair value of the Letter Agreement due to the decline in our stock price and an increase in the volatility assumption used in the valuation.
The derivative liability related to the Credit Agreement was initially recorded at June 30, 2016 at a fair value of $11.6 million as a result of a decline in the fair value of the Credit Agreement below par. The fair value of the derivative liability related to the Credit Agreement declined to $4.7 million at June 30, 2017 from $6.2 million at December 31, 2016 representing a gain of $1.5 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
.
Interest on Borrowings
The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized for the period indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Contractual interest expense
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement
|
$
|
13,837
|
|
|
$
|
16,092
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
1,940
|
|
|
1,941
|
|
Deferred interest expense
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement
|
(1,627
|
)
|
|
(1,210
|
)
|
Amortization of Debt Discount
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement original issue discount
|
4,684
|
|
|
17,070
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement issuance fee discount
|
680
|
|
|
2,390
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement waiver fee discount — Second Amendment
|
1,662
|
|
|
—
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement waiver fee discount — Third Amendment
|
27
|
|
|
—
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
3,119
|
|
|
2,935
|
|
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
|
|
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement deferred financing fee
|
488
|
|
|
1,720
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement debt acquisition costs
|
61
|
|
|
213
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
605
|
|
|
604
|
|
Total Interest on borrowings
|
$
|
25,476
|
|
|
$
|
41,755
|
|
A significant portion of our Interest on borrowings relates to the Leucadia Credit Agreement. In addition to contractual interest expense, we record deferred interest for the difference between the current period’s contractual rate based on the loan terms and the amortization of the incremental step-up in the contractual rate over the life of the loan. The Leucadia borrowing proceeds were initially allocated between the Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement. The portion allocated to the Credit Agreement is reflected as an original issue discount to the Credit Agreement loan balance and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Amortization is accelerated when payments on the Credit Agreement are made. Effective with the Restructuring Transaction on September 1, 2016, the term of the Credit Agreement was extended by one year to January 2018. The amortization of the remaining debt discounts and issuance costs will be recognized over the extended remaining term.
In February 2017, we entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit agreement pursuant to which Leucadia consented to waive certain restrictions regarding distributions and in consideration for entering into the waiver, we agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia in the amount of $3.5 million. The $3.5 million was added to the loan balance and is treated as an additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. In May 2017, we entered into a Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which Leucadia consented to waive certain restrictions regarding distributions related to expense payments associated with the restructuring of the Convertible Notes and in consideration for entering into the waiver, we agreed to pay a fee to Leucadia equal to the amount of the expense payments (not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate). Through June 30, 2017, we incurred $1.0 million in fees related to this waiver which was added to the loan balance and is treated as an additional debt discount and is amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. (See Note 14, “Leucadia Transaction” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.)
The debt discount on the Convertible Notes is amortized to interest expense over the life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest method.
The decrease in Interest on borrowings of
$16.3 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
is primarily due to lower contractual interest on the Credit Agreement and lower amortization of original issue discount, issuance fee discount, and debt issuance costs on the Credit Agreement, primarily due to payments on the loan and the restructuring of the debt which extended the amortization period.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages)
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
$
|
(45,948
|
)
|
|
$
|
179,931
|
|
Income tax provision
|
$
|
761
|
|
|
$
|
124
|
|
Effective tax rate
|
(1.7
|
)%
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
Our top-tier subsidiary, Holdings, is a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes. Since January 2015, all of Holdings' operations are held by Group, a limited liability company that is also treated as a partnership between Holdings and Leucadia for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. As a result, neither Holdings' nor Group's income is subject to U.S. federal nor most state income tax because the income is attributable to its members. Accordingly, our U.S. tax provision is solely based on the portion of Holdings' income attributable to the Corporation from the lower tier limited liability companies and excludes the income attributable to other members of Holdings and Group whose income is included in Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest in Global Brokerage Holdings, LLC in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The effective tax rates reflect the proportion of income recognized by Global Brokerage, Inc. taxed at the U.S. marginal corporate income tax rate of 34% and the proportion of income recognized by each of our international subsidiaries subject to tax at their respective local jurisdiction tax rates unless subject to U.S. tax by election or as a U.S. controlled foreign corporation.
Our income tax provision increased
$0.6 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2017 principally relates to foreign jurisdictions for which there are no loss carryforwards or limitations on their use. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Corporation determined that, given the losses incurred from the events of January 15, 2015 and due to the Leucadia Transaction, it was not more likely than not that it would benefit from the tax deduction attributable to the tax basis step-up from the conversion of the non-controlling membership units of Holdings and therefore a valuation allowance was established on substantially all of the Company's deferred tax assets. Since the quarter ended March 31, 2015, our quarterly tax provisions have been principally driven by the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance depending on the book income for the quarter. This continued to be the case for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was
$28.8 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
compared to a loss of
$32.1 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
. The loss for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
is primarily due to (i) recording a loss on classification as held for sale of $20.4 million on the remaining entities held for sale due to the determination that the fair value less costs to sell the assets did not exceed the carrying value of the assets; (ii) restructuring charges of $3.9 million related to a contract with no future benefits (see Note 22, "Restructuring Plan" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information); (iii) severance costs of $4.5 million related to the restructuring; (iv) a reserve of $0.4 million for potential regulatory fines related to the events of January 15, 2015 for HK, partially offset by (v) a gain of $5.2 million related to the sale of the U.S.-domiciled accounts to Gain; (vi) a gain of $0.8 million related to the sale of ownership interests and shares in CME Group Inc. and (vii) profit of $1.0 million from our equity method investment in FastMatch. The remaining loss of $6.6 million represents operating losses from the entities included in discontinued operations, primarily related to the U.S. operation which was transferred to discontinued operations in the six months ended June 30, 2017 as a result of the sale of the U.S.-domiciled accounts and the termination of our registrations in the U.S.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $32.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The loss for the six months ended June 30, 2016 is primarily due to recording a loss on classification as held for sale of $32.0 million on the remaining entities held for sale due to the determination that the fair value less costs to sell of the assets did not exceed the carrying value of the assets and a reserve for $0.5 million for potential regulatory penalties relate to pre-August 2010 trade execution practices of HK, partially offset by a gain of $0.7 million for the disposition of an equity investment. The remaining loss of $0.3 million represents operating losses from the entities included in discontinued operations, including the U.S. operation which was transferred to discontinued operations in the six months ended June 30, 2017.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
On May 2, 2017, the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notified the Corporation that, for the prior 30 consecutive business days, the market value of the Corporation's publicly held shares was less than $15.0 million, which does not meet the requirement for continued listing under the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing rules. Although this notification has no immediate effect on the Corporation's listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market or on the trading of the Corporation's common stock, the market value of the Corporation's publicly held shares must exceed $15.0 million for ten consecutive business days between May 2, 2017 and October 30, 2017, to avoid delisting.
If that market-value requirement is not satisfied, Nasdaq will provide written notice that the Corporation's common stock is subject to delisting from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. In that event, the Corporation will either appeal such determination to a hearings panel or submit an application to transfer its securities to the Nasdaq Capital Market. There can be no assurance that the Corporation will remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market after October 31, 2017.
The Corporation's failure to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market is a Fundamental Change, as defined under the indenture governing its Convertible Notes due 2018 (see Note 15, "Debt" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). In the event of a Fundamental Change, each holder of the Convertible Notes has the right, at such holder’s option, to require the Corporation to purchase for cash all of such holder’s notes, in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the indenture, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
As of
June 30, 2017
, our cash and cash equivalents were
$134.6 million
, including
$10.0 million
within assets held for sale, which are primarily invested in short-term demand deposits at various financial institutions. The Corporation is primarily a holding company with limited business operations, and all of its income generating assets, as well as its cash and cash equivalents, are held by Group and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Corporation's only source of cash to pay interest and principal on its outstanding indebtedness, including its obligations under the Convertible Notes, are distributions relating to the Corporation's ownership interests in Group from the net earnings and cash flows generated by Group. The Corporation has only an indirect interest in Group through its
74.5%
interest in Holdings, which in turn owns
50.1%
of Group. The Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FXCM Group, LLC provides that only a limited percentage of cash distributions by Group are allocated to Holdings (see Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). In addition, earnings and cash flows generated by Group are first applied by Group in conducting its operations, including maintaining required regulatory capital levels, maintaining margin deposits with liquidity providers, and the service of its debt obligations, after which excess cash flow may be paid to its shareholders.
Because (1) the Corporation does not unilaterally control the amount and timing of cash distributions by Group, (2) Group has its own debt obligations, and (3) Group has its own regulatory capital requirements to conduct its business, the Corporation believes it could be difficult to procure the requisite liquidity should the holders of the Convertible Notes exercise their rights to require the Corporation to purchase their notes. The Corporation's inability to comply with this requirement under the indenture would be an event of default, which also could lead to an event of default under the Leucadia loan agreements. Additionally, even if the holders of the Convertible Notes do not exercise their rights to require the Corporation to purchase the Convertible Notes upon a failure to remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market by October 31, 2017, the Convertible Notes are due to mature in June 2018. As of
June 30, 2017
, the Convertible Notes have a principal balance of
$172.5 million
and are reflected in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Absent the restructuring of the debt, a sale of other assets or a capital infusion, the Corporation does not have the resources to pay the Convertible Notes in full at maturity. Accordingly, we believe that the potential delisting and the upcoming maturity of the Convertible Notes within less than 12 months raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as at August 9, 2017, the date that our financial statements were issued. The Corporation is actively working with financial and legal advisers to explore refinancing alternatives for the Convertible Notes.
The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1. of this Quarterly Report have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of our assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Leucadia Financing
On January 16, 2015, Holdings and FXCM Newco, LLC (“Newco”), a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia"), as
administrative agent and lender, and a related financing fee agreement (the “Fee Letter”). The financing enabled us to maintain compliance with regulatory capital requirements and continue operations. On January 16, 2015, in connection with the Leucadia Credit Agreement and the Fee Letter, the Corporation, Holdings, Newco and Leucadia also entered into an agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) that set the terms and conditions upon which the Corporation, Holdings and Newco will pay in cash to Leucadia and its assignees a percentage of the proceeds received in connection with certain transactions. In connection with these financing transactions, Holdings formed Newco and contributed all of the equity interests owned by Holdings in its subsidiaries to Newco. The Credit Agreement and the Letter Agreement were subsequently amended on January 24, 2015. The amendments finalized certain terms of the Credit Agreement and Letter Agreement and the terms of the amended agreements were not substantially different from the initial agreements.
Restructuring of the Leucadia Financing
On September 1, 2016 we completed the restructuring of the financing arrangements with Leucadia. Key elements of the restructuring include:
Credit Agreement
|
|
•
|
The maturity date of the Credit Agreement was extended one year to January 16, 2018.
|
|
|
•
|
We have the ability to defer any three of the remaining interest payments.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 22, 2017, Group, Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement was increased by $3.5 million in consideration of Leucadia's waiver of certain sections of the Credit Agreement regarding restricted payments and distributions.
|
|
|
•
|
On May 12, 2017, Group, Holdings and Leucadia entered into a Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the aggregate principal outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement will be increased by the amount of certain expense payments associated with the restructuring of the Convertible Notes (not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate) in consideration of Leucadia's waiver of certain sections of the Credit Agreement regarding restricted payments, distributions and compliance with the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.
|
Letter Agreement
|
|
•
|
The Letter Agreement was terminated and the material terms are now reflected in the Amended and restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Group, LLC (the “Group Agreement”).
|
Group Agreement
|
|
•
|
The Group Agreement replaces the existing FXCM Newco, LLC agreement and FXCM Newco, LLC was renamed Group, LLC (“Group”).
|
|
|
•
|
Leucadia acquired a 49.9% non-controlling interest in Group.
|
|
|
•
|
The Group Agreement provides that Group will be governed by a six-member board, with three directors each appointed by Global Brokerage and Leucadia.
|
|
|
•
|
We and Leucadia share the right to request a sale process after January 16, 2018, subject to both of us reasonably accepting the highest reasonable sales price.
|
Management Agreement
|
|
•
|
Group and Holdings entered into a Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which Holdings will manage the assets and day to day operations of Group and its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 2, 2017, the Management Agreement was amended to provide that the Management Agreement may be terminated by a vote of at least three members of the Group Board after the occurrence of certain events including a change of control.
|
Management Incentive Plan
|
|
•
|
Group adopted the 2016 Incentive Bonus Plan for Founders and Executives (the “Management Incentive Plan”), which is a long-term plan with five-year vesting.
|
|
|
•
|
Distributions under the plan are only made after Leucadia’s principal and interest under the Credit Agreement have been repaid.
|
|
|
•
|
Distributions will range from 10% to 14% of distributions made by Group.
|
|
|
•
|
If a participant terminates employment, they will receive either a non-voting membership in Group entitling them to the same share of distributions that they would have received, or a lump-sum cash payment, at our discretion.
|
|
|
•
|
On February 2, 2017, Group and Leucadia entered into an acknowledgment whereby Leucadia may terminate the Management Incentive Plan at any time for any reason in its sole discretion.
|
Leucadia will be entitled to receive additional distributions of proceeds that, when added to their 49.9% membership interest, will result in the following distribution percentages:
|
|
|
Aggregate Distributions
|
Revised Waterfall
|
Amounts due under the Credit Agreement
|
100% Leucadia
|
Next $350 million
|
45% Leucadia / 45% Holdings / 10.0% Management
|
Next $500 million
|
79.2% Leucadia / 8.8% Holdings / 12.0% Management
|
All aggregate amounts thereafter
|
51.6% Leucadia / 34.4% Holdings / 14.0% Management
|
See Note 14, "Leucadia Transaction" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The table below presents the minimum capital requirement, the capital, as defined by the respective regulatory authority, and the excess capital for our regulated entities as of
June 30, 2017
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulatory
Jurisdiction
|
|
Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
|
|
Capital Levels
Maintained
|
|
Excess Net
Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
Forex Capital Markets Limited
|
U.K.
|
|
$
|
22.0
|
|
|
$
|
84.2
|
|
|
$
|
62.2
|
|
FXCM Australia Pty. Ltd.
|
Australia
|
|
$
|
1.8
|
|
|
$
|
12.9
|
|
|
$
|
11.1
|
|
Lucid Markets LLP
|
U.K.
|
|
$
|
4.1
|
|
|
$
|
10.1
|
|
|
$
|
6.0
|
|
As a result of regulatory settlements reached with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and the National Futures Association (the "NFA") in February 2017, our U.S. entity has withdrawn from business in the U.S. and deregistered from the CFTC and the NFA and is no longer a regulated entity as of
June 30, 2017
.
Effective from January 1, 2016, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates Forex Capital Markets Limited, introduced the "Capital Conservation Buffer" (CCB) and a "Countercyclical Capital Buffer" (CcyB) in line with the requirements set out in Capital Requirements Directive Article 160 Transitional Provisions for Capital Buffers. This requires all firms to maintain additional buffers on top of the minimum capital requirements noted above, which may vary at the direction of the FCA.
Shelf Registration and "At-the-market" Offering
We filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC which became effective on August 2, 2016. The shelf registration statement provides us with the ability to offer, from time to time and subject to market conditions, debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, purchase contracts warrants or units for proceeds in the aggregate amount of up to $125.0 million. The shelf registration statement is intended to give us greater flexibility to efficiently raise capital and put us in a position to take advantage of favorable market conditions as they arise. Any issuances under the shelf registration will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Leucadia financing.
On October 3, 2016 we commenced a $15.0 million "at-the-market" offering program for the Corporation's Class A common stock. The common stock may be offered under our effective shelf registration (including prospectus). Proceeds would be used to reduce our outstanding indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes. As of
June 30, 2017
, we have not issued or sold any shares under this program.
Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures
—
Continuing and Discontinued Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the
six months ended June 30, 2017
and
2016
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
$
|
(37,974
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,044
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
51
|
|
|
(10,984
|
)
|
Cash used in financing activities
|
(41,911
|
)
|
|
(245
|
)
|
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
4,117
|
|
|
1,723
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
(75,717
|
)
|
|
7,538
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period
|
$
|
134,575
|
|
|
$
|
222,178
|
|
Included in net cash flows are the following non-cash and other items which are reported in discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
700
|
|
|
$
|
1,870
|
|
Equity-based compensation
|
$
|
119
|
|
|
$
|
296
|
|
Loss on classification as held for sale assets
|
$
|
20,440
|
|
|
$
|
31,997
|
|
Gain on sale of customer accounts
|
$
|
(5,246
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Transaction costs associated with sale of customer accounts
|
$
|
(213
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Income from equity method investments, net
|
$
|
974
|
|
|
$
|
93
|
|
Purchases of office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
$
|
(130
|
)
|
|
$
|
(120
|
)
|
Gain on disposition of equity method investment
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
679
|
|
Operating Activities
Details of cash (used in) provided by operating activities are as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Net (loss) income and other adjustments
|
$
|
(582
|
)
|
|
$
|
8,517
|
|
Non-cash equity-based compensation
|
632
|
|
|
1,044
|
|
Non-cash — change in tax receivable agreement liability
|
—
|
|
|
44
|
|
Net interest payments
|
(15,777
|
)
|
|
(18,033
|
)
|
Cash (paid) received for taxes
|
(1,114
|
)
|
|
205
|
|
All other, net, including net current assets and liabilities
|
(21,133
|
)
|
|
25,267
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
$
|
(37,974
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,044
|
|
Cash used in operating activities of
$38.0 million
for the
six
months ended
June 30, 2017
is primarily attributable to the net loss, adjusted for certain non-cash items, interest payments on the Convertibles Notes and Credit Agreement, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $25.0 million primarily due to payments made on prior year accruals related to variable compensation, an increase of $8.4 million in deposits placed with third party merchants primarily related to a credit card processor, offset by a decrease in net due from broker balances of $10.2 million resulting from the net change in open trading positions, including $7.9 million related to discontinued operations.
Cash provided by operating activities of
$17.0 million
for the
six months ended June 30, 2016
was primarily attributable to an increase in net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items, a decrease in net due from broker balances of $16.8 million due to a reduction of open trading positions in discontinued operations and a decrease in our tax receivable balance of $1.7 million largely due to the receipt of a UK tax refund during the period.
Investing Activities
Details of cash provided by (used in) investing activities are as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Purchases of office, communication and computer equipment, net
|
$
|
(6,080
|
)
|
|
$
|
(9,984
|
)
|
Purchase of intangible assets
|
(1,000
|
)
|
|
(1,000
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of customer accounts
|
6,961
|
|
|
—
|
|
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment
|
170
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
$
|
51
|
|
|
$
|
(10,984
|
)
|
Cash provided by investing activities of
$0.1 million
during the
six months ended June 30, 2017
consisted of
$6.1 million
of capital expenditures, primarily for capitalized software, payments of
$1.0 million
under the terms of the asset purchase agreement for FX trading accounts acquired in the second quarter of 2015, proceeds received of
$7.0 million
related to the sale of our U.S. customer accounts, and proceeds received of
$0.2 million
related to the sale of an equity method investment.
Cash used in investing activities of
$11.0 million
during the
six months ended June 30, 2016
consisted of
$10.0 million
of capital expenditures, primarily for capitalized software, and a payment of
$1.0 million
under the terms of the asset purchase agreement for FX trading accounts acquired in the second quarter of 2015.
Financing Activities
Details of cash used in financing activities are as follows, with amounts in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
Distributions to non-controlling members
|
$
|
(4,990
|
)
|
|
$
|
(104
|
)
|
Principal payments on borrowings under the Credit Agreement
|
(36,921
|
)
|
|
(141
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
$
|
(41,911
|
)
|
|
$
|
(245
|
)
|
Cash used in financing activities of
$41.9 million
during the
six months ended June 30, 2017
consisted of
$5.0 million
of distributions to other non-controlling interests and
$36.9 million
of principal payments on borrowings under the Credit Agreement. Cash used in financing activities of
$0.2 million
during the
six months ended June 30, 2016
consisted of
$0.1 million
of distributions to other non-controlling interests and
$0.1 million
of principal payments on borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table reflects a summary of our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of
June 30, 2017
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
Total
|
|
Less Than
1 Year
|
|
1 – 3
Years
|
|
3 – 5
Years
|
|
More Than
5 Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
Lease obligations
|
$
|
33,275
|
|
|
$
|
3,825
|
|
|
$
|
9,513
|
|
|
$
|
6,789
|
|
|
$
|
13,148
|
|
Leucadia Credit Agreement
(1)
|
135,843
|
|
|
12,621
|
|
|
123,222
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Convertible Notes
|
176,382
|
|
|
1,941
|
|
|
174,441
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Deferred payment for customer accounts acquisition
|
1,976
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
970
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Digital Advertising Agreement related to Sale of DailyFX
|
4,519
|
|
|
1,669
|
|
|
2,850
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Tax Receivable Agreement
(2)
|
145,629
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
145,629
|
|
Total
|
$
|
497,624
|
|
|
$
|
21,062
|
|
|
$
|
310,996
|
|
|
$
|
6,789
|
|
|
$
|
158,777
|
|
____________________________________
(1)
Interest is based on the stated step-up coupon rate
(2)
Assumes sufficient taxable income is generated such that the Corporation fully realizes the tax benefits of the amortization specified in the Tax Receivable Agreement
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See discussion of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 2 "Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates" to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.