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8-K - FORM 8-K - KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS OF $0.10 PER DILUTED SHARE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER 2010

Fourth quarter 2010 consolidated revenues of $259.0 million and pre-tax earnings of $12.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, included a tax benefit of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share

Equities generated fourth quarter 2010 revenues of $201.9 million amid decreasing overall market volumes and declining volatility, compared to fourth quarter 2009 revenues of $232.0 million

Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities (FICC) generated fourth quarter 2010 revenues of $61.1 million due in part to narrowing spreads, compared to fourth quarter 2009 revenues of $70.2 million

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (January 20, 2011) – Knight Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE Euronext: KCG) today reported consolidated earnings of $9.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2010. The results include a tax benefit of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, the company reported consolidated earnings of $43.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.

Revenues from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $259.0 million, compared to $303.3 million from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009.

“Knight generated positive results in the fourth quarter of 2010 amid divergent market conditions of increasing returns from the major equities indexes and corporate debt market, contrasted by decreasing overall volumes,” said Thomas M. Joyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Knight Capital Group. “Opportunities were limited by muted trading activity in the equity and debt markets coupled with declining volatility. Nevertheless, we continued to make progress in several areas, including global equities market making, institutional electronic trading and retail fixed income. During the quarter, Knight completed the acquisitions of Astor Asset Management and the market-making units of Kellogg Capital Markets.”

“Continuing operations” includes the company’s Equities, FICC and Corporate operating segments. Equities includes all global equities market making and institutional sales and trading, such as Knight Direct and Knight Link. FICC includes all global trade execution services in fixed income, foreign exchange and commodities, such as fixed income sales, trading and research, Knight BondPoint and Hotspot FX. Corporate includes strategic investments primarily in financial services-related ventures, corporate overhead expenses and all other expenses that are not attributable to the Equities and FICC segments. “Discontinued operations” primarily comprises the company’s former Deephaven subsidiary.


 

 

     Q4 2010     Q4 2009  

Revenues ($ thousands)

     259,033        303,280   

Income from continuing operations, net of tax ($ thousands)

     9,376        43,298   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax ($ thousands)

     (144     (286

Net income ($ thousands)

     9,232        43,012   

Diluted EPS from continuing operations ($)

     0.10        0.46   

Diluted EPS from discontinued operations ($)

     (0.00     (0.00

Average daily U.S. equity dollar value traded ($ billions)

     24.7        24.8   

Average daily U.S. equity trades (thousands)

     3,474.1        3,635.7   

Nasdaq and Listed equity shares traded (billions)

     60.5        73.8   

OTC Bulletin Board and Pink Sheet shares traded (billions)

     330.9        708.1   

Average revenue capture per U.S. equity dollar value traded (bps)

     1.1        1.2   

Average daily Knight Direct equity shares (millions)

     174.9        84.6   

Average daily Hotspot FX notional dollar value traded ($ billions)

     42.0        30.0   
     YTD 2010     YTD 2009  

Revenues ($ thousands)

     1,149,056        1,162,431   

Income from continuing operations, net of tax ($ thousands)

     91,997        151,616   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax ($ thousands)

     (359     (34,514

Net income ($ thousands)

     91,638        117,102   

Diluted EPS from continuing operations ($)

     0.97        1.60   

Diluted EPS from discontinued operations ($)

     (0.00     (0.37

Average daily U.S. equity dollar value traded ($ billions)

     26.6        23.0   

Average daily U.S. equity trades (thousands)

     3,730.4        3,904.5   

Nasdaq and Listed equity shares traded (billions)

     275.3        343.1   

OTC Bulletin Board and Pink Sheet shares traded (billions)

     1,988.9        2,170.7   

Average revenue capture per U.S. equity dollar value traded (bps)

     1.1        1.3   

Average daily Knight Direct equity shares (millions)

     148.8        69.1   

Average daily Hotspot FX notional dollar value traded ($ billions)

     36.9        22.8   

“In 2010, we worked to execute Knight’s global growth strategy, making adjustments when necessary,” said Mr. Joyce. “Among securities firms, we maintained the number-one rankings in shares traded across Listed, NASDAQ, Bulletin Boards and ETFs. Knight increased principal trading across geographies and asset classes. We expanded options capabilities by adding an institutional sales and trading team and launching options market making. In order to become more diversified as a firm, we enhanced Knight’s capabilities across research, capital markets and asset management. Finally, we successfully built out our clearing operations in what is perhaps one of the most significant undertakings of its kind in the industry over the past decade.”

Equities

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Equities segment generated total revenues of $201.9 million and pre-tax income of $35.8 million. In the fourth quarter of 2009, Equities reported total revenues of $232.0 million and pre-tax income of $56.7 million. Equities had pre-tax margins of 18% in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to pre-tax margins of 24% in the fourth quarter of 2009.

“In Equities, we performed fairly well during the fourth quarter considering the decreases in institutional and retail activity,” said Mr. Joyce. “Knight’s average daily dollar value traded remained essentially flat year over year due in large part to our diversification within market making and sales and trading. Knight Link continued to make strong contributions. Knight Direct grew average daily share volume more than 100 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Overseas, we recorded solid results from market making and trading in European equities. Finally, we expect the Kellogg acquisition will strengthen Knight’s market making in U.S. equities and ETFs.”


FICC

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the FICC segment generated total revenues of $61.1 million and a pre-tax loss of $2.4 million. In the fourth quarter of 2009, FICC reported total revenues of $70.2 million and pre-tax income of $7.2 million.

“Knight’s FICC results were impacted by continued competition from the bulge brackets in institutional fixed income and narrowing spreads for corporate bonds,” said Mr. Joyce. “We worked to leverage Knight’s fixed income research and desk analysts to support U.S. and U.K. credit while remaining opportunistic in ABS/MBS and emerging markets. In retail fixed income, we continued to extend our reach in the marketplace through Knight BondPoint and Knight Advisor Services. In foreign exchange, Hotspot FX grew average daily notional dollar value traded nearly 40 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.”

Corporate

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Corporate segment reported a pre-tax loss of $20.6 million, which includes a loss of $6.0 million from corporate investments, compared to a pre-tax loss of $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.

“As 2010 drew to a close, we witnessed a gradual deterioration in volumes, volatility and spreads,” said Mr. Joyce. “While Knight’s results did not meet our expectations, we accomplished a great deal in further transforming the firm. We’re beginning to get pre-tax contributions from several initiatives. When the economy improves and institutional and retail activity picks up, I believe Knight will be well-positioned to benefit due to our work to diversify products and services, leverage trading technology, and expand the client base.”

Headcount at December 31, 2010 was 1,326 full-time employees, as compared to 1,126 full-time employees at December 31, 2009. As a result of the acquisition of the market-making units of Kellogg Capital Markets, headcount at January 1, 2011 increased by 38 full-time employees.

As of December 31, 2010, the company had $375.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. The company had $1.4 billion in stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2010, equivalent to a book value of $14.51 per diluted share. The company had a book value of $12.87 per diluted share as of December 31, 2009.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the company repurchased 1.0 million shares for approximately $13.4 million under the company’s $1.0 billion stock repurchase program. To date, the company has repurchased 71.7 million shares for $817.4 million. The company has approximately $182.6 million of availability to repurchase shares under the program. The company cautions that there are no assurances that any further repurchases may actually occur.

* * *

Copies of this earnings release and other company information can be obtained on Knight’s website, http://www.knight.com. The company will conduct its fourth quarter 2010 earnings conference call for analysts, investors and the media at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) today, January 20, 2011. To access Knight’s earnings conference call, please dial 888-857-6931 for domestic callers or 719-457-2635 for international callers. When prompted, please enter passcode 7384396. A replay of the fourth quarter 2010 earnings conference call will be available by dialing 888-203-1112 for domestic callers or 719-457-0820 for international callers. When prompted, please enter passcode 7384396. The conference call will be webcast live at 9:00 a.m. ET for all investors and interested parties on Knight’s website. In addition, the company will release its monthly volume statistics for December 2010 on its website at http://www.knight.com/ourfirm/volumestats.asp before the start of trading today.


* * *

About Knight

Knight Capital Group (NYSE Euronext: KCG) is a global financial services firm that provides access to the capital markets across multiple asset classes to a broad network of clients, including buy- and sell-side firms, and corporations. Knight is headquartered in Jersey City, N.J. with a growing global presence across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For further information about Knight, please visit www.knight.com.

Certain statements contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict including, without limitation, risks associated with changes in market structure, legislative or regulatory rule changes and the costs, integration, performance and operation of businesses recently acquired or developed organically, or that may be acquired or developed organically in the future. Since such statements involve risks and uncertainties, the actual results and performance of the Company may turn out to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company also disclaims any obligation to update its view of any such risks or uncertainties or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made herein. Readers should carefully review the risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, without limitation, those detailed under the headings “Certain Factors Affecting Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2009, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter-ended March 31, 2010, and in other reports or documents the Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC from time to time. This information should also be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2009, and in other reports or documents the Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC from time to time.

CONTACTS

 

Margaret Wyrwas   Kara Fitzsimmons   Jonathan Mairs

Senior Managing Director,

Communications, Marketing

& Investor Relations

201-557-6954 or

mwyrwas@knight.com

 

Director,

Media Relations

201-356-1523 or

kfitzsimmons@knight.com

 

Vice President,

Corporate Communications

201-356-1529 or

jmairs@knight.com


KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended December 31,     For the years ended December 31,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenues

        

Commissions and fees

   $ 165,901      $ 166,874      $ 660,527      $ 670,406   

Net trading revenue

     96,619        132,225        489,394        486,684   

Interest, net

     1,240        975        2,092        (1,712

Investment (loss) income and other, net

     (4,727     3,206        (2,957     7,053   
                                

Total revenues

     259,033        303,280        1,149,056        1,162,431   
                                

Expenses

        

Employee compensation and benefits

     133,972        143,192        546,748        527,327   

Execution and clearance fees

     41,966        47,852        176,116        169,805   

Communications and data processing

     19,287        17,221        69,597        61,071   

Depreciation and amortization

     12,435        9,145        42,773        34,368   

Payments for order flow

     8,987        13,816        37,700        71,629   

Interest

     8,785        2,108        25,896        4,777   

Occupancy and equipment rentals

     7,300        5,997        26,632        23,177   

Professional fees

     4,701        3,633        17,463        13,043   

Business development

     4,502        5,310        19,493        18,807   

Writedown of assets and lease loss accrual (benefit), net

     —          292        1,032        (9,704

Restructuring

     —          —          16,731        —     

Other

     4,331        3,587        18,909        15,326   
                                

Total expenses

     246,266        252,153        999,090        929,626   
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     12,767        51,127        149,966        232,805   

Income tax expense

     3,391        7,829        57,969        81,189   
                                

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

     9,376        43,298        91,997        151,616   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (144     (286     (359     (34,514
                                

Net income

   $ 9,232      $ 43,012      $ 91,638      $ 117,102   
                                

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.10      $ 0.49      $ 1.02      $ 1.70   
                                

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.10      $ 0.46      $ 0.97      $ 1.60   
                                

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

   $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $ (0.39
                                

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

   $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $ (0.37
                                

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.10      $ 0.48      $ 1.02      $ 1.31   
                                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.10      $ 0.46      $ 0.97      $ 1.24   
                                

Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share

     91,226        89,175        90,167        89,095   
                                

Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share

     93,735        94,255        94,447        94,504   
                                


KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 375,569      $ 427,106   

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

     1,580,368        926,589   

Collateralized agreements:

    

Securities borrowed

     1,361,010        394,417   

Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     496,657        500,143   

Fixed assets and leasehold improvements, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     117,601        98,696   

Investments

     81,331        118,619   

Goodwill

     338,743        265,530   

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

     109,784        93,332   

Other assets

     206,875        189,592   
                

Total assets

   $ 4,667,938      $ 3,014,024   
                

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

    

Liabilities

    

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

   $ 1,311,324      $ 639,259   

Collateralized financings:

    

Securities loaned

     527,945        550,226   

Financial instruments sold under agreements to repurchase

     340,000        —     

Other secured financings

     35,583        —     

Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     480,341        155,148   

Accrued compensation expense

     186,451        205,282   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     114,376        109,987   

Credit facility

     —          140,000   

Long-term debt

     311,060        —     
                

Total liabilities

     3,307,080        1,799,902   
                

Equity

    

Knight Capital Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

    

Class A common stock

     1,628        1,586   

Additional paid-in capital

     807,287        746,778   

Retained earnings

     1,317,462        1,229,112   

Treasury stock, at cost

     (765,875     (763,974

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (265     —     
                

Total Knight Capital Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

     1,360,237        1,213,502   

Noncontrolling interests

     621        620   
                

Total equity

     1,360,858        1,214,122   
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 4,667,938      $ 3,014,024   
                


KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

PRE-TAX EARNINGS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT*

Amounts in millions

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended December 31,     For the years ended December 31,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Equities

        

Revenues

   $ 201.9      $ 232.0      $ 902.5      $ 891.0   

Expenses (1)

     166.2        175.3        673.4        663.7   
                                

Pre-tax earnings

     35.8        56.7        229.1        227.3   
                                

FICC

        

Revenues

     61.1        70.2        249.1        266.7   

Expenses (1)

     63.5        63.0        255.3        218.8   
                                

Pre-tax earnings

     (2.4     7.2        (6.2     47.8   
                                

Corporate

        

Revenues

     (4.0     1.0        (2.5     4.7   

Expenses (1)

     16.6        13.9        70.4        47.1   
                                

Pre-tax earnings

     (20.6     (12.8     (72.9     (42.3
                                

Consolidated

        

Revenues

     259.0        303.3        1,149.1        1,162.4   

Expenses (1)

     246.3        252.2        999.1        929.6   
                                

Pre-tax earnings

   $ 12.8      $ 51.1      $ 150.0      $ 232.8   
                                

 

* Totals may not add due to rounding.

(1) Included in Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 is a Restructuring charge of $16.7 million which comprises $3.1 million for Equities, $12.9 million for FICC and $0.7 million for Corporate.