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EX-10.1 - STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT - GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.d359304dex101.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION - GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.d359304dex311.htm
EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION - GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.d359304dex322.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION - GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.d359304dex321.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION - GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.d359304dex312.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2012.

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from              to             .

Commission File Number 001-35008

 

 

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-4568600

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Bedminster One

135 Route 202/206

Bedminster, New Jersey

  07921
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 731-0700

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

As of August 6, 2012, the registrant had 35,247,725 shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2012

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011      3   
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011      4   
   Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity      5   
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011      6   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      18   
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      32   
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      34   
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings      34   
Item 1A.    Risk Factors      35   
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      35   
Item 6.    Exhibits      36   
SIGNATURES      37   
EXHIBIT INDEX   
EX-10.1    STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT   
EX-31.1      
EX-31.2      
EX-32.1      
EX-32.2      
EX-101    INSTANCE DOCUMENT   
EX-101    SCHEMA DOCUMENT   
EX-101    CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT   
EX-101    LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT   
EX-101    PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT   
EX-101    DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     As of
June 30,
    As of
December 31,
 
     2012     2011  

ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 22,357      $ 60,221   

Cash and cash equivalents held for customers

     320,246        310,447   

Short term investments

     82        82   

Receivables from banks and brokers

     115,735        85,401   

Property and equipment, net

     9,499        7,531   

Prepaid assets

     9,629        9,899   

Goodwill

     3,092        3,092   

Intangible assets, net

     7,442        10,771   

Other assets, net

     18,946        18,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 507,028      $ 505,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

   $ 18,353      $ 17,305   

Payables to customers

     301,893        293,142   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     4,394        4,966   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     13,259        14,885   

Income tax payable

     1,566        2,578   

Notes payable

     —          7,875   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     339,465        340,751   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock ($0.00001 par value; 60.0 million shares authorized; 36,110,596 and 35,132,365 shares issued; 35,084,776 and 34,282,244 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011)

     —          —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     744        316   

Additional paid-in capital

     83,013        79,551   

Treasury stock, at cost 1,025,820 shares at June 30, 2012 and 850,121 shares at December 31, 2011

     (5,869     (5,017

Retained earnings

     89,675        89,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     167,563        164,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 507,028      $ 505,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

REVENUE:

        

Retail trading revenue

   $ 40,840      $ 54,084      $ 70,274      $ 93,912   

Institutional trading revenue

     4,228        862        7,978        1,907   

Other revenue

     653        834        778        716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     45,721        55,780        79,030        96,535   

Interest revenue

     198        151        286        253   

Interest expense

     (235     (341     (386     (816
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net interest expense

     (37     (190     (100     (563
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

     45,684        55,590        78,930        95,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

        

Employee compensation and benefits

     13,206        12,200        23,519        23,344   

Selling and marketing

     7,241        8,954        14,368        19,166   

Trading expenses and commissions

     9,202        8,431        17,935        15,617   

Bank fees

     894        1,137        1,686        2,123   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,055        968        2,108        1,900   

Purchased intangible amortization

     953        1,959        2,885        3,656   

Communications and data processing

     805        752        1,503        1,412   

Occupancy and equipment

     1,120        1,120        2,292        2,314   

Bad debt provision

     175        114        202        603   

Professional fees

     1,191        1,134        2,007        1,963   

Product development, software and maintenance

     1,097        1,100        2,214        1,950   

Restructuring

     634        —          634        —     

Other

     2,123        1,719        3,448        3,686   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     39,696        39,588        74,801        77,734   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     5,988        16,002        4,129        18,238   

Income tax expense

     1,553        5,989        942        6,822   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

     4,435        10,013        3,187        11,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income /(loss), net of tax:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (67     340        428        863   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     4,368        10,353        3,615        12,279   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 4,435      $ 10,013      $ 3,187      $ 11,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.13      $ 0.29      $ 0.09      $ 0.33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.11      $ 0.26      $ 0.08      $ 0.29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per common share:

        

Basic

     34,945,835        34,544,643        34,710,915        34,156,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     38,677,417        39,086,435        38,605,108        38,978,908   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock      Treasury
Stock
    Additional
Paid in

Capital
     Accumulated
Retained

Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income
     Total  
     Shares     Amount               

BALANCE — December 31, 2011

     34,282,244      $ —         $ (5,017   $ 79,551       $ 89,980      $ 316       $ 164,830   

Exercise of options

     799,641        —           —          1,430         —          —           1,430   

Conversion of restricted stock into common stock

     161,726        —           —          —           —          —           —     

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

     16,864        —           —          97         —          —           97   

Repurchase of shares

     (175,699     —           (852     —           —          —           (852

Stock compensation expense

     —          —           —          1,927         —          —           1,927   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —          —           —          —           —          428         428   

Tax benefit of stock options exercises

     —          —           —          8         —          —           8   

Dividend payment ($0.05 dividend per share for each respective quarter in 2012)

     —          —           —          —           (3,492     —           (3,492

Net income

     —          —           —          —           3,187        —           3,187   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

BALANCE — June 30, 2012

     35,084,776      $ —         $ (5,869   $ 83,013       $ 89,675      $ 744       $ 167,563   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 3,187      $ 11,416   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities

    

Loss on foreign currency exchange rates

     1,118        345   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,992        5,556   

Change in fair value of contingent liability

     —          6   

Deferred taxes

     (794     (855

Interest income

     —          60   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     51        44   

Bad debt provision

     202        603   

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     34        3   

Stock compensation expense

     1,927        2,393   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Short term investments

     —          (7

Trading securities

     —          20,000   

Receivables from banks and brokers

     (34,831     (2,359

Prepaid assets

     277        (543

Other assets

     (617     3,882   

Payables to customers

     13,459        28,907   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     (572     (2,653

Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

     1,030        4,579   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (333     334   

Income tax payable

     (1,013     (2,075
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash (used) / provided by operating activities

     (11,883     69,636   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (3,574     (1,862

Purchase of intangible assets

     —          (2,547
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used for investing activities

     (3,574     (4,409
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Contractual payments for acquired assets

     (1,412     —     

Payment on notes payable

     (7,875     (5,250

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,430        378   

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

     —          1,270   

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

     97        —     

Purchase of treasury stock

     (852     (125

Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises

     206        —     

Dividend payment

     (3,492     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used for financing activities

     (11,898     (3,727
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (710     371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(DECREASE) / INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (28,065     61,871   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of period

     370,668        284,210   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of period

   $ 342,603      $ 346,081   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the year for:

    

Interest

   $ 188      $ 678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes

   $ (56   $ 4,925   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing activities:

    

Purchase of fixed assets in accrued expense and other liabilities

   $ 542      $ 53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contingent liability for purchased intangibles acquisition

   $ —        $ 7,154   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed and incorporated on March 24, 2006. GAIN Holdings, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc., and owns all outstanding membership units in GAIN Capital Group, LLC (“Group, LLC”), the regulated entity in the United States of America.

Group, LLC is a retail foreign exchange dealer, or RFED, and a registered Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). As such, it is subject to the regulations of the CFTC, an agency of the U.S. Government, and the rules of the National Futures Association (“NFA”), an industry self-regulatory organization.

The following list includes each of the Company’s significant regulated U.S. and international subsidiaries:

GAIN Capital Group, LLC.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia Pty. Ltd.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong Ltd.

During 2011, the Company incorporated the following entities:

GAIN GTX Singapore Pte. Ltd.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada, Ltd.

In addition, in 2011, in order to streamline its international corporate holding structure, the Company added the following entities:

GAIN Capital Holdings International, BV

GAIN Capital Holdings International Finance Company, BV

GAIN Capital GTX International, BV

GAIN Capital-Forex.com International, BV

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for interim financial statements, and, in accordance with SEC rules, omit or condense certain information and footnote disclosures. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2012 (the “2011 Form 10-K”). There have been no changes in the significant accounting policies from those included in the 2011 Form 10-K, except as noted below. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, after the elimination of inter-company transactions and balances.

Previously, the Company presented certain revenue related to our institutional business in “Other revenue” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss). However, due to the expansion of the Company’s institutional business in recent periods, the Company has presented these amounts within “Institutional trading revenue” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) presented herein. The change in presentation had no effect on the total non-interest revenue or total net revenue.

 

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Previously the Company presented all of its cash and cash equivalents in “Cash and cash equivalents” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, in an effort to improve clarity of presentation and reflect the separation between the cash on hand which correlates to amounts reserved for customers and free cash, the Company has separated all cash and cash equivalents into “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Cash and cash equivalents held for customers”. Cash and cash equivalents held for customers represents cash held to fund customer liabilities in connection with funds deposited by customers and funds accruing to customers as a result of trades or contracts. Cash and cash equivalents represents all cash and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of acquisition, less amounts in Cash and cash equivalents held for customers.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2011-11 Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position, as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-11 to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This new standard amends the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Fair Value Measurement

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period and the related hierarchy levels (amounts in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
as of June 30, 2012
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Money market accounts

   $ 3,984       $ —         $ —         $ 3,984   

Certificates of deposit

   $ 82       $ —         $ —         $ 82   

Futures contracts

   $ 40       $ —         $ —         $ 40   

Investment in gold

   $ 160       $ —         $ —         $ 160   

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2011
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Money market accounts

   $ 14,201       $ —         $ —         $ 14,201   

Certificates of deposit

   $ 82       $ —         $ —         $ 82   

Futures contracts

   $ 42       $ —         $ —         $ 42   

Investment in gold

   $ 156       $ —         $ —         $ 156   

The Company has not changed its valuation techniques in measuring the fair value of any financial assets and liabilities during the period. There were no transfers between levels for the six months ended June 30, 2012 or for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

Level 1 Financial Assets

The Company has money market accounts, certificates of deposit, futures contracts and an investment in gold that are Level 1 financial instruments and are recorded based upon listed or quoted market rates. The money market accounts are recorded in Cash and cash equivalents, the certificates of deposit are recorded in Short term investments and the futures contracts and investment in gold are recorded in Receivables from banks and brokers.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The table below presents 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 (amounts in thousands).

The carrying values of Cash and cash equivalents and Receivables from banks and brokers approximate fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected maturity.

The carrying values of Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs, and other regulated entities includes amounts deposited by these financial institutions in order for the Company to act as clearing broker. The carrying value of payables to customers includes amounts due on cash and margin transactions. The carrying values of Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs, and other regulated entities and Payables to customers are based on observable market prices and approximate fair value.

 

     At June 30, 2012      Fair Value Measurements using:  
     Carrying Value      Fair Value      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Financial Assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 338,619       $ 338,619       $ 338,619       $ —         $ —     

Receivables from banks and brokers

     115,535         115,535         115,535         —           —     

Financial Liabilities:

              

Payables:

              

Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

   $ 18,353       $ 18,353       $ —         $ 18,353       $ —     

Payables to customers

     301,893         301,893         —           301,893         —     

Receivables from Banks and Brokers

Amounts receivable from banks and brokers consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Required collateral

   $ 11,920       $ 26,411   

Cash in excess of required collateral

     100,518         58,791   

Open spot foreign exchange positions

     3,297         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 115,735       $ 85,401   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company has posted funds with banks and brokers as collateral pursuant to the terms of applicable agreements for holding spot foreign exchange positions. In addition, the Company has cash in excess of required collateral. Open foreign exchange positions include the unrealized gains or losses due to the differences in exchange rates between the dates at which a trade was initiated versus the exchange rates in effect at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. These amounts are reflected as Receivables from banks and brokers on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company records an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts when the prospect of collecting a specific customer account balance becomes doubtful. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management will also change, which could affect the level of the Company’s future provision for doubtful accounts. The customer receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Receivables from customers are reserved for and recorded in Bad debt provision on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The allowance for doubtful accounts consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

Balance as of January 1, 2012

   $ (55

Addition to provision

     (202

Amounts written off

     33   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2012

   $ (224
  

 

 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements and capitalized software development costs, consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 

Software

   $ 16,080      $ 12,998   

Computer equipment

     5,173        4,897   

Leasehold improvements

     1,856        1,760   

Telephone equipment

     726        707   

Office equipment

     1,158        625   

Furniture and fixtures

     237        224   

Web site development costs

     655        655   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     25,885        21,866   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (16,386     (14,335
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 9,499      $ 7,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $2.1 million and $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
    Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
 

Customer list

   $ 17,776       $ (11,500   $ 17,776       $ (8,646

Non-compete agreement

     1,859         (1,056     1,859         (581

URLs purchased

     333         —          333         —     

Other intangibles

     30         —          30         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 19,998       $ (12,556   $ 19,998       $ (9,227
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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In April 2011, the Company acquired customer account balances and effective customer agreements from Deutsche Bank AG, relating to Deutsche Bank’s “dbFX” business, for an upfront payment and additional contractual future payments to be made to Deutsche Bank based upon volume generated from the acquired customers over a two-year period following the closing of the acquisition. The Company also acquired a marketing list from Deutsche Bank and agreed to make certain payments to Deutsche Bank if new customers are obtained from such list over the same two-year period. In accordance with ASC 835-30, Interest, the Company is accounting for the payments due to dbFX as a note payable. As such, the total payments due to dbFX under the agreement were discounted to their present value using an imputed rate of interest upon inception. Through June 30, 2012, the Company had recognized $0.2 million in interest expense related to the total payments required to be made under the agreement. The fair value of the assets acquired was $9.7 million and approximately $7.8 million was allocated to the customer list and $1.9 million was allocated to a non-compete agreement. The portion allocated to the customer list is being amortized over its useful life of six years. The portion allocated to the non-compete agreement, an intangible asset, is being amortized over its useful life of two years.

Amortization expense for the purchased intangibles for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 was $1.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the purchased intangibles for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011 was $1.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The Company’s remaining estimated amortization expense for each of the five fiscal years ending subsequent to June 30, 2012 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

Years ended December 31:

      

2012

   $ 2,236   

2013

     1,656   

2014

     1,307   

2015

     1,307   

2016

     1,307   

Goodwill

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded goodwill of $3.1 million. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, or earlier in the event that impairment indicators are present. In the event that goodwill is impaired, it is written down to fair value based on either a discounted cash flow analysis or on the appraised value. As of the most recent review of goodwill, the Company’s value was in significant excess of the carrying value of goodwill.

Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Vendor and security deposits

   $ 3,672       $ 3,774   

Current tax receivable

     6,762         6,762   

Deferred tax assets

     5,038         4,471   

Investment in Kapitall, Inc.(1)

     500         500   

Miscellaneous receivables

     2,974         2,630   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 18,946       $ 18,137   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The cost method of accounting is used to account for the Company’s investment in Kapitall, Inc., because the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over Kapitall, Inc.’s operating and financial policies.

 

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4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain members of management have personal funds on deposit in customer accounts of Group, LLC, recorded in Payables to customers on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The balance of these deposits was $2.0 million at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

5. ACQUISITION

On June 27, 2012, GAIN Capital Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gain Capital Holdings, Inc., and optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement whereby the Company will acquire Open E Cry, LLC (“OEC”), an online futures broker, for a purchase price of $12.0 million. Consummation of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the absence of any law or order prohibiting the closing and certain other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2012.

6. TERM LOAN AND REVOLVER

The Company entered into a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank which provides for a term loan of up to $52.5 million and a $50.0 million revolving line of credit. On March 30, 2012, the Company paid off the balance of the term loan in advance of the July 1, 2012 maturity date. The term loan was payable in 20 quarterly installments of principal and the payments commenced on October 1, 2007. Interest was paid monthly and was based upon the Company’s choice of the prime rate of interest plus 0.5% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.25%. The term loan was secured by certain of the Company’s assets, a pledge of the Company’s membership interests in the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary GAIN Holdings, LLC and a guarantee by GAIN Holdings, LLC. As of June 30, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving line of credit.

In accordance with the provisions of the loan and security agreement, the Company is required to adhere to various financial, regulatory, operational and reporting covenants. As of June 30, 2012 and during the entire term of the loan and security agreement, the Company was and has been in compliance with such covenants.

Loan fees were capitalized to deferred finance costs and are being amortized over the life of the term loan. In connection with paying off the balance of the term loan, the Company expensed the remaining deferred financing costs during the six months ended June 30, 2012. Deferred financing costs amortized to interest expense were immaterial for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company had deferred financing costs, recorded in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, of $0.05 million at December 31, 2011.

7. EQUITY

Common Stock

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had authorized 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 36,110,596 were issued and 35,084,776 were outstanding as of June 30, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, there were 35,132,365 shares issued and 34,282,244 outstanding.

Treasury Stock

From the inception of the Company’s share repurchase plan through June 30, 2012, the Company has repurchased 1,025,820 shares of outstanding Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $5.9 million, thereby reducing the number of shares outstanding.

Dividends

In February, May and July 2012, the Company announced the payment of a $0.05 dividend per share of Common Stock. The dividend payments announced in February and May were paid in March and June 2012, respectively, for an aggregate amount of $3.5 million, which was applied against Retained Earnings. The dividend payment announced in July 2012 will be paid on September 21, 2012 to stockholders of record on September 12, 2012.

8. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

In accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), the Company recognizes all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income based on their fair values.

 

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ASC 718 requires measurement of share-based payment arrangements at fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of units and awards granted and the grant date fair value of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.’s Common Stock.

The number of stock options and restricted stock expected to vest is determined by applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumptions to total outstanding stock options and restricted stock.

Total share-based compensation expense for the periods indicated is summarized in the following table (amounts in thousands):

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Stock options

   $ 204       $ 244       $ 383       $ 417   

Restricted stock units/restricted stock awards

     808         1,186         1,503         1,926   

Employee stock purchase plan

     21         20         40         50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,033       $ 1,450       $ 1,926       $ 2,393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, grants of 0.6 million shares of restricted stock and approximately 0.3 million options to purchase Common Stock, valued at $3.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, were made to employees and non-employee members of the Board of Directors.

We determine the fair value of restricted stock units and awards at the date of grant based on the value of our Common Stock. We determine the fair value of our stock option awards at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. This model requires us to make assumptions and judgments on the expected volatility, dividend yield, the risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the stock options. We utilized the following assumptions for stock options granted:

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 

Valuation Assumptions

  

Risk-free rate

     0.9

Expected volatility

     48.5

Expected term (years)

     4.75   

Dividend yield

     —     

The following table summarizes the stock option activity under all plans from January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012:

 

     Stock Options  

Outstanding at January 1, 2012

     4,442,694   

Granted

     333,000   

Exercised

     (799,641

Forfeited

     (73,553
  

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2012

     3,902,500   
  

 

 

 

The table below summarizes the activity in the Company’s outstanding restricted stock units and restricted stock awards during the six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

     Restricted Stock  
     Units (1)     Awards  

Outstanding at January 1, 2012

     1,671,962        317,092   

Granted

     590,889        —     

Delivered

     (50,022     (111,704

Forfeited

     (19,091     (15,792
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2012

     2,193,738        189,596   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) 

The outstanding restricted stock units include approximately 1.5 million restricted stock units which are vested, but the underlying shares of stock have not yet been delivered. Delivery of the underlying shares of stock will occur on the earlier of December 31, 2014 or the date at which the employee ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company, unless the employee elected optional early delivery. There are two remaining optional early delivery dates, one in 2012 and one in 2013.

9. Earnings per Common Share

Basic and diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the determinants of basic net income per share and, in addition, gives effect to the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue Common Stock are exercised, vested or converted into Common Stock, unless they are anti-dilutive. Diluted weighted average common shares includes warrants, vested and unvested stock options and vested and unvested restricted stock units and unvested restricted stock awards. Approximately 0.7 and 0.3 million stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive. Approximately 0.4 million stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, as they were anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net income (in thousands)

   $ 4,435       $ 10,013       $ 3,187       $ 11,416   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

           

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     34,945,835         34,544,643         34,710,915         34,156,494   

Effect of dilutive securities:

           

Warrants

     —           —           —           325,733   

Stock options

     1,624,883         2,680,010         1,799,015         2,855,761   

RSUs/RSAs

     2,106,699         1,861,782         2,095,179         1,640,920   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     38,677,417         39,086,435         38,605,108         38,978,908   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

           

Basic

   $ 0.13       $ 0.29       $ 0.09       $ 0.33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.11       $ 0.26       $ 0.08       $ 0.29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

In connection with the acquisition of the customer assets of dbFX, the Company was required to make certain future minimum payments as well as potential contingent payments based upon the trading volume generated from those customers acquired by the Company for a two year period following their acquisition in April 2011. The aggregate payments were previously included in the Fair Value Measurement table as of December 31, 2011, however, as discussed in Note 3 hereof, this arrangement is accounted for as a note payable and is not subject to fair value measurements. Therefore, the amounts have been excluded from the Fair Value Measurements table as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The associated liabilities are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2012, remaining payments based upon the minimum requirements were approximately $3.0 million and the Company estimates no additional contingent payments will need to be made based upon projected trading volumes.

Litigation

From time to time the Company becomes involved in legal proceedings and in each case the Company assesses the likely liability and/or the amount of damages, as appropriate. Where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to income. In many proceedings,

 

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however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss. In addition, even where loss is possible or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to a previously recognized loss contingency, it is often not possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or range of loss.

For certain legal proceedings, the Company can estimate possible losses, additional losses, ranges of loss or ranges of additional loss in excess of amounts accrued. For certain other legal proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably estimate such losses, if any, since the Company cannot predict if, how or when such proceedings will be resolved or what the eventual settlement, fine, penalty or other relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek substantial or indeterminate damages. Numerous issues must be developed, including the need to discover and determine important factual matters and the need to address novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before a loss or additional loss or range of loss or additional loss can be reasonably estimated for any proceeding.

On March 31, 2011, Shari Streit Jansen, as Chapter 7 Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Beau Diamond, brought an adversary proceeding against the Company, as well as several other forex trading firms, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida. The complaint sought to recover certain funds transferred to the Company by Mr. Diamond through an entity for which he acted as managing member, Diamond Ventures, LLC, under federal and state fraudulent transfer laws. On June 16, 2011, the Company moved to dismiss the complaint. The parties agreed to mediate their dispute before the Trustee responded to the motion to dismiss and participated in a mediation on September 14, 2011, which resulted in an agreement in principal for settlement of the matter for a sum that is not material to the Company’s financial condition. The adversary proceeding was dismissed on July 20, 2012.

On February 16, 2012, the Company received a Letter of Claim on behalf of certain individuals who had lost money in an investment scheme operated by a third-party money management firm, incorporated in the United Kingdom that has since been closed down by the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority. The investment firm, Cameron Farley Ltd, had opened a corporate account with the Company and invested the individuals’ money, representing such funds as its own, while operating a fraudulent scheme. Though a complaint has been filed and served on the Company, the claimants requested, and the Company agreed, to follow the United Kingdom’s Pre-action Protocol, a pre-litigation process intended to resolve matters without the need to engage in formal litigation. The Company submitted a Response to the Letter Before Claim on July 4, 2012. On July 5, 2012 the Company received a substantially similar Letter of Claim on behalf of further individuals. Subsequently, the parties agreed to consolidate claims by those other similarly situated individuals with the pending Pre-Action Protocol process. The Company can provide no assurances that this matter will be successfully resolved through the Pre-Action Protocol and will not result in formal litigation, and no assurances can be provided regarding the outcome of any such potential litigation. This matter is currently pending.

11. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 22.8% and 37.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate of 22.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 reflects the Company’s estimate of the annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income the Company earns in such jurisdictions. It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year, but are not consistent from year to year. For the six month ended June 30, 2012, there was a $0.5 million reduction in the provision for income taxes resulting from the release of valuation allowances in Australia and Hong Kong, representing a 13.1% decrease in our tax rate, which was partially offset by a $0.01 million increase in the provision for income taxes resulting from a change in state apportionment under New Jersey Law representing a 1.1% increase in our tax rate.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. The Company’s net deferred tax assets are included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

12. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

GAIN Capital Group, LLC, (“GCG”) the Company’s FCM and RFED subsidiary, is subject to the CFTC Net Capital Rule (Rule 1.17) and NFA Financial Requirements Sections 11 and 12. Under applicable provisions of these rules, GCG is required to maintain adjusted net capital of $20.0 million plus 5.0% of the total payables to customers over $10.0 million. At June 30, 2012, GAIN Capital Group maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $32.0 million for a total of 2.3 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

 

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GCSI is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. GCSI is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”), and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Pursuant to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1, GCSI is required to maintain a minimum net capital balance (as defined) of $0.05 million. GCSI must also maintain a ratio of aggregate indebtedness (as defined) to net capital of not more than 15 to 1. At June 30, 2012, GCSI maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $0.2 million for a total of 4.8 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCUK is registered in the UK and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) as a full scope €730k BIPRU Investment Firm. GCUK is required to maintain the greater of $1.0 million (€730,000) or the Financial Resources Requirement, which is calculated as the sum of the firm’s operational, credit, counterparty, concentration, market and forex risk. The regulatory capital held is required to be in excess of 110% of its requirements at all times. At June 30, 2012, GCUK maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $17.4 million for a total of 2.5 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GC Japan is a registered Type I financial instruments business firm regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency in accordance with Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended). GC Japan is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan. GC Japan is subject to a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 120%, which is derived by dividing Net Capital (as defined) by the sum of GC Japan’s market, counterparty credit risk and operational risk. At June 30, 2012, GC Japan maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $6.6 million for a total of 2.7 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCAU holds an Australian Financial Services License issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (“ASIC”). GCAU is required to maintain a minimum capital requirement of $0.05 million (0.05 million AUD) plus 5% of adjusted liabilities between $1.02 million (1 million AUD) and $101.6 million (100 million AUD). At June 30, 2012, GCAU maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $2.0 million for a total of 7.2 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCHK is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to carry out Type 3 Regulated Activity, Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading. GCHK is subject to the requirements of section 145 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571). Under this rule, GCHK is required to maintain a minimum liquid capital requirement of the higher of $1.925 million or the sum of 1.5% of its aggregate gross foreign currency position and 5% of its adjusted liabilities and clients’ margin calculated in accordance with applicable rules. At June 30, 2012, GCHK maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $1.8 million for a total of 1.9 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GAIN Global Markets, Inc. (“GGMI”), the Company’s Cayman Island subsidiary, is a registered securities arranger with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”). GGMI is required to maintain a capital level that is the greater of one quarter of relevant annual expenditure, or $100,000. At June 30, 2012, GGMI maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $0.3 million for a total of 3.8 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations at June 30, 2012.

Gain Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd (“GCC”) became registered as an investment dealer with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (“IIROC”) in May 2012. GCC is required to maintain a minimum capital requirement of $0.25 million (0.25 million CAD) and applicable margin and securities concentration charges. At June 30, 2012, GCC maintained an excess in regulatory capital of $1.6 million for a total of 7.2 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

The following table illustrates the minimum regulatory capital our subsidiaries were required to maintain as of June 30, 2012 and the actual amounts of capital that were maintained (amounts in millions):

 

Entity Name

   Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
     Capital Levels
Maintained
     Excess Net
Capital
     Percent  of
Requirement
Maintained
 

GAIN Capital Group, LLC

   $ 24.69       $ 56.72       $ 32.03         230

GAIN Capital Securities, Inc.

   $ 0.05       $ 0.24       $ 0.19         480

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

   $ 11.30       $ 28.73       $ 17.43         254

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

   $ 3.97       $ 10.62       $ 6.65         268

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd.

   $ 0.33       $ 2.38       $ 2.05         721

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong, Ltd.

   $ 1.93       $ 3.68       $ 1.75         191

GAIN Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 0.10       $ 0.38       $ 0.28         380

 

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Entity Name

   Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
     Capital Levels
Maintained
     Excess Net
Capital
     Percent  of
Requirement
Maintained
 

GAIN Capital—Forex.com Canada Ltd.

   $ 0.25       $ 1.80       $ 1.55         720
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 42.62       $ 104.55       $ 61.93         245
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

ASC 280, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, 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 Company’s operations relate to foreign exchange trading and related services. Based on the Company’s management strategies, and common production, marketing, development and client coverage teams, the Company has determined that it operates in a single operating segment.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s trading revenue. The Company does not allocate revenues by geographic regions since the Company selectively hedges customer trades on an aggregate basis and does not have a method to systematically attribute trading volume from a geographic region to associated trading revenue from a particular geographic region.

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

During the period of July 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012, the Company repurchased approximately 0.02 million shares of its outstanding Common Stock under the share repurchase plan, at a cost of approximately $0.1 million.

The Company has evaluated its subsequent events through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

******

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “GAIN”, the “Company”, “our”, “we” and “us” refer to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and, except as otherwise specified herein, to GAIN’s subsidiaries. Our fiscal quarter ended on June 30, 2012.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management’s current beliefs and assumptions. Any statements contained herein (including, without limitation, statements to the effect that we “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan” and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in this report and the discussion below. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, those set forth in the section entitled “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and those other factors that are discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The risks and uncertainties described therein and herein are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair the business. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

OVERVIEW

We are a global provider of trading services and solutions, specializing in global over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, including spot foreign exchange, or forex, and precious metals, as well as “contracts-for-difference”, or CFDs, which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, index or security. We have customers in more than 140 countries worldwide and conduct business from our offices in New York, Bedminster, New Jersey, London, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore.

Our retail trading business, which has historically made up the majority of our business, allows customers to trade through our FOREX.com brand. We also offer retail customers the ability to trade exchange-traded products through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GAIN Securities. Our institutional trading business, GAIN GTX, which we launched in March 2010, serves institutional market participants, including hedge funds, banks and high-frequency trading firms. Our institutional trading business also includes our specialty execution desk, which we launched in September 2011 to facilitate the execution of more complex transactions.

We have invested considerable resources in developing our retail and institutional trading platforms and tools to allow our customers to trade and manage their accounts. While our retail and institutional trading businesses use separate platforms, we are able to leverage our combined scale and trading volume in our relationships with our wholesale trading partners, bank liquidity providers, and other service providers. In addition, we believe the two platforms complement each other, which allows us to cross-sell our services and to leverage our facilities and the technology we develop. Our customers can trade through web-based, downloadable and mobile trading platforms and have access to innovative trading tools to assist them with research, automated trading and account management.

As part of our strategy to diversify our product portfolio and add new revenue sources, we announced in June an agreement to acquire Open E Cry, or OEC, an online futures broker, from optionsXpress, a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, for $12 million. As of June 30, 2012, OEC held $95.9 million in customer assets, with 8,101 open accounts. OEC’s revenue was $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The transaction is expected to close in during the third quarter of 2012.

 

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Market Overview

In the six months ended June 30, 2012, trading conditions continued to be challenging, principally due to low overall market volatility. In particular, during the three months ended March 31, 2012, volatility levels of the US Dollar Index (which measures the value of the US Dollar relative to a basket of the most widely traded foreign currencies), was at a four year low, while the intraday trading volatility of such currencies was at a five year low. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, market volatility improved modestly, but remained below average 2011 levels.

Key Income Statement Line Items

The following table sets forth key financial metrics for our business for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

 

     Key Financial Data
For the three months ended June 30,
     Key Financial Data
For the six months ended June 30,
 
             2012                      2011                           2012              2011  

Net Revenue

   $ 45,684       $ 55,590       $ 78,930       $ 95,972   

Net income

   $ 4,435       $ 10,013       $ 3,187       $ 11,416   

Adjusted net income(1)

   $ 5,019       $ 11,243       $ 5,068       $ 13,711   

 

(1) See reconciliation of adjusted net income in the ‘Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics’ below.

Revenue

We generate revenue from retail trading revenue, institutional trading revenue, other revenue and interest income.

Retail Trading Revenue

Retail trading revenue is our largest source of revenue. Retail trading revenue represented 89.4% and 89.0% of our total net revenue for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and 97.3% and 97.9% of our total net revenue for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

We generate retail trading revenue as follows:

 

   

for trades that are naturally hedged against an offsetting trade from another customer, we receive the entire retail bid/offer spread we offer our customers on the two offsetting transactions;

 

   

for trades that are hedged with one of our wholesale forex trading partners, we receive the difference between the retail bid/offer spread we offer our customers and the wholesale bid/offer spread we receive from the wholesale forex trading partners; and

 

   

with respect to the remaining customer trades, which we refer to as our net exposure, we receive the net gains or losses generated through changes in the market value of the currencies held.

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, approximately 97.2% and 96.4%, respectively, of our average daily retail trading volume was either naturally hedged or hedged by us with one of our wholesale forex trading partners, compared to average daily retail trading volume hedged of 96.2% and 96.3% for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The remaining 2.8% and 3.6% of our average daily retail trading volume for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, comprised our net exposure.

We manage our net exposure by applying position and exposure limits established under our risk-management policies and by continuous, active monitoring by our trade desk. Based on our risk management policies and procedures, over time a portion of our net exposure may be hedged with our wholesale forex trading partners. Although we do not actively initiate proprietary directional market positions in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of the products we offer, through our net exposure we are likely to have open positions in various currencies at any given time. In the event of unfavorable market movements, we may experience a loss as a result of such positions.

Institutional Trading Revenue

Institutional trading revenue includes revenue from our GAIN GTX platform where we earn a commission by acting as agent between the principals in each transaction executed

 

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on the platform. This commission-based revenue generally generates lower trading revenue per million dollars traded than the revenue we have historically earned in our retail trading business.

Other Revenue

Other revenue consists of revenue from account management, transaction and performance fees related to customers who have assigned trading authority to our subsidiary Gain Capital Asset Management, or GCAM; inactivity and training fees charged to customer accounts; foreign exchange gains and losses and other miscellaneous items.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense consists primarily of the revenue generated by our cash and customer cash held by us at banks, in money market funds and on deposit as collateral with our wholesale forex trading partners, less interest paid to customers on their net account value and interest expense on our term loan. A customer’s net account value equals cash on deposit plus the mark to market value of open positions as of the measurement date.

Our cash and customer cash is generally invested in money market funds, which primarily invest in short-term U.S. government securities. Such deposits and investments earned interest at an average effective rate of approximately 0.2% and 0.1% for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to 0.1% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. Interest paid to customers varies among customer accounts primarily due to the net value of a customer account. From time to time, we also make available interest promotions pursuant to which we may pay certain customers higher levels of interest than that which is paid to other customers. Interest income and interest expense are recorded when earned or incurred, respectively.

Expenses

Our principal operating expenses are comprised of employee compensation and benefits, selling and marketing, trading expenses and commissions and other operating expenses.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits includes salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, contributions to benefit programs and other related employee costs.

Selling and Marketing

Our marketing strategy employs a combination of direct online marketing and focused branding programs, with the goals of raising awareness of our retail offering, FOREX.com, and our GAIN GTX institutional offering, and attracting customers in a cost-efficient manner. We generally adjust our level of advertising spending in relation to overall market activity and other market conditions in an effort to maximize the efficiency of our advertising. Changes in selling and marketing costs may also reflect the introduction of specific marketing campaigns to support product and service launches throughout the year.

Trading Expense and Commissions

Trading expense and commissions consists primarily of compensation paid to our white label partners, introducing brokers and specialty execution desk employees. We generally provide white label partners with the platform, systems and back-office services necessary for them to offer forex trading services to their customers. Introducing brokers identify and direct potential forex trading customers to us. White label partners and introducing brokers generally handle marketing and the other expenses associated with attracting customers. Accordingly, we do not incur any incremental sales and marketing expense in connection with trading revenue generated by customers provided through our white label partners

 

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and introducing brokers. We do, however, pay a portion of this trading revenue to our white label partners and introducing broker partners and record this payment under trading expense and commissions. This expense is largely variable and changes are principally based on the level of customer trading volume directed to us from our white label partners and introducing brokers, the specific terms of our agreements with the white label partners and introducing brokers, which vary on a partner-by-partner and regional basis, and the relative percentage of trading volume generated from particular relationships in any given period. The majority of our white label and introducing broker partners are paid based on the trading volume generated by the customers they introduce, directly or indirectly, to us. As such, since in certain periods higher levels of trading volume may not necessarily correlate with higher trading revenue, trading expense and commissions may increase during such periods without a commensurate increase in related trading revenue. This situation occurred in the first three months of 2012, which resulted in an increase in trading expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 despite a decrease in trading revenue generated by customers introduced to us by white label partners and introducing brokers. Customers introduced by our white label partners and introducing brokers accounted for 36.9% and 37.4% of retail trading volume in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Customers introduced by our white label partners and introducing brokers accounted for 34.4% and 33.3% of retail trading volume in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Other Operating and Non-Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses include professional fees, product development, software and maintenance, bank fees, communications and data processing, occupancy and equipment, bad debt provision and other miscellaneous expenses.

Non-operating expenses include restructuring charges, depreciation and amortization and purchased intangible amortization. Purchased intangible amortization is a non-operating expense, which consists of amortization related to intangible assets we acquired in 2011 and 2010 in connection with our acquisition of customer accounts in several transactions we executed during these periods. The principal intangible assets acquired were customer assets and a non-compete agreement. These intangible assets have useful lives ranging from one year to six years.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per common share, both of which are non-GAAP financial measures, to evaluate our business. Adjusted net income represents our net income excluding the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. Adjusted earnings per share represents our net income per share excluding the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. These non-GAAP financial measures have certain limitations, including that they do not have standardized meanings and, therefore, our definitions may be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and/or analysts. Thus, it may be more difficult to compare our financial performance to that of other companies.

However, we believe our reporting of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share assists investors in evaluating our operating performance because these measures exclude certain non-operating expenses and non-recurring items. However, because such measures are not measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, such measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of our financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as net income and earnings per common share. Below is a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the closest comparable GAAP financial measures.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per common share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net income applicable to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

   $ 4,435       $ 10,013       $ 3,187       $ 11,416   

Add back of purchased intangible amortization, net of tax

     584         1,230         1,881         2,295   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 5,019       $ 11,243       $ 5,068       $ 13,711   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per common share:

           

Basic

     34,945,835         34,544,643         34,710,915         34,156,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     38,677,417         39,086,435         38,605,108         38,978,908   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.13       $ 0.29       $ 0.09       $ 0.33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.11       $ 0.26       $ 0.08       $ 0.29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.14       $ 0.33       $ 0.15       $ 0.40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.13       $ 0.29       $ 0.13       $ 0.35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Metrics

The following table sets forth key operating metrics for our business for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Customer trading volume (billions)

   $ 783.3       $ 454.6       $ 1,636.4       $ 967.1   

Retail trading volume (billions)

   $ 340.8       $ 357.2       $ 725.9       $ 759.7   

Institutional trading volume (billions)

   $ 442.5       $ 97.4       $ 910.5       $ 207.4   

Traded retail accounts

     36,660         36,868         45,349         47,395   

Retail trading revenue per million traded

   $ 119.8       $ 151.4       $ 96.8       $ 123.6   

Funded retail accounts

     74,621         78,395         74,621         78,395   

Client Assets (millions)

   $ 320.2       $ 293.1       $ 320.2       $ 293.1   

Customer Trading Volume

Customer trading volume is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the aggregate notional value of trades executed by our customers. Approximately 43.5% and 44.4% of our customer trading volume for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, was generated by our retail forex business, compared to 78.6% and 78.5% for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The remaining 56.5% and 55.6% of our customer trading volume for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and 21.4% and 21.5% of our customer trading volume for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, was generated by our institutional trading business. The significantly higher percentages of institutional trading volume in the 2012 periods reflects the accelerating growth of our institutional trading business, which we launched in 2010.

We believe that our customer trading volumes are driven by ten main factors. Six of these factors are broad external factors outside of our control that generally impact the market for forex and CFD trading, as well as customer trading volumes, and include:

 

   

changes in the financial strength of market participants;

 

   

economic and political conditions;

 

   

trends in business and finance;

 

   

changes in the supply, demand and volume of foreign currency transactions;

 

   

legislative changes; and

 

   

regulatory changes.

 

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Several of the above factors impact the volatility of foreign currency rates, which has generally been positively correlated with forex and CFD trading volume. Our customer trading volume is also affected by the following additional factors:

 

   

the effectiveness of our sales activities;

 

   

the competitiveness of our Forex.com offerings;

 

   

the effectiveness of our customer service team; and

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing activities.

In order to increase retail trading volume, we focus our marketing and our customer service activities on attracting new customers and by providing trading tools, education and other resources to our customers. In order to increase our institutional trading volume, we focus on raising awareness of our GAIN GTX platform and on developing and maintaining strong relationships with institutional market participants.

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, no single customer accounted for more than 5.0% of our overall trading volume for such periods.

Traded Retail Accounts

Traded retail accounts represent customers who executed at least one trade during the relevant period. We believe traded retail accounts is an important operating metric because it correlates to our trading volume and revenue. The number of our traded retail accounts in a given fiscal period is affected by the structure of our arrangements with our partners. For example, as part of our growth strategy in the Asia Pacific region, we have entered into omnibus agreements with various partners in the region. Regardless of the number of individual accounts, whether open and/or funded, that are introduced to us by each of these partners, because of the omnibus nature of our agreements, we recognize only one open and funded account in connection with each such partner relationship. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we had 8 omnibus relationships in the Asia Pacific region which accounted for 3.0% of our total retail volume during the period.

Retail Trading Revenue Per Million Traded

Retail trading revenue per million traded is the revenue we realize from our forex and CFD trading activities per one million of U.S. dollar-equivalent trading volume, and is calculated as retail trading revenue divided by the result obtained from dividing the U.S. dollar-equivalent of retail trading volume by one million. The level of retail trading revenue per million traded that we experience in a given fiscal period is affected by a number of factors, including the volatility and trading ranges of the currencies we offer, changes in the mix of our customers’ trading volume, which generally relates to the nature of customer positions relative to changes in the market prices of the currencies or other products they are trading, and the relative levels of trading spreads on the products we offer, which may be affected by changes in the geographic mix of our business, competition and other factors.

Funded Retail Accounts

Funded retail accounts represents retail customers who maintain cash balances with us. We believe the number of funded retail accounts is an important indicator of our ability to attract new retail customers that can potentially lead to trading volume and revenue in the future; however, it does not represent actual trades executed. In addition, as noted above with respect to Traded Retail Accounts, the structure of our arrangements with our partners can affect the number of funded retail accounts in a given fiscal period because, for example, where we have an omnibus agreement in place with a partner we recognize only one funded retail account in connection with that agreement regardless of the number of individual funded retail accounts introduced to us by such partner.

Client Assets

Client assets represents amounts due to clients, including customer deposits and unrealized gains or losses arising from open positions. We believe that increases in client assets are positively correlated with our customers’ ability to engage in additional trading activity.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue (amounts in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Retail trading revenue

   $ 40,840      $ 54,084      $ 70,274      $ 93,912   

Institutional trading revenue

     4,228        862        7,978        1,907   

Other revenue

     653        834        778        716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     45,721        55,780        79,030        96,535   

Interest revenue

     198        151        286        253   

Interest expense

     (235     (341     (386     (816
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net interest revenue / (expense)

     (37     (190     (100     (563
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

   $ 45,684      $ 55,590      $ 78,930      $ 95,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue decreased $9.9 million, or 17.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. This decrease was principally the result of a $13.2 million decrease in retail trading revenue, partially offset by an increase in institutional trading revenue of $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. Our total net revenue decreased $17.0 million, or 17.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011, principally as a result of a $23.6 million decrease in retail trading revenue, partially offset by an increase in institutional trading revenue of $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Retail trading volumes decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011, as a result of challenging trading conditions principally due to low overall market volatility. In particular, with the average true range and intraday trading volatility of the major currencies that we offer at multi-year lows, our ability to generate trading revenue was adversely affected in the first quarter of 2012, which resulted in retail revenue per million traded for the six months ended June 30, 2012 of $96.8, a decrease of $26.8 from $123.6 during the six months ended June 30, 2011. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, market volatility improved modestly, but remained below the levels experienced in the three months ended June 30, 2011.

Institutional trading revenue increased $3.4 million and $6.1 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, due to an increase in trading volume generated from our institutional trading business which includes our GAIN GTX electronic execution platform and our specialty execution desk. The GAIN GTX electronic institutional trading platform was launched in March 2010 and our specialty execution desk commenced operations in September 2011.

Other revenue was relatively consistent for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011 at $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Similarly, other revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was consistent with the prior year period ending June 30, 2011 at $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Net interest revenue increased $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, as we paid off our note payable in the first quarter of 2012 and did not incur the related interest expense thereafter.

Operating Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Total operating expenses (amounts in thousands)

   $ 39,696      $ 39,588      $ 74,801      $ 77,734   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     86.9     71.2     94.8     81.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses were consistent for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. Changes in our operating expenses included a $1.7 million decrease in selling and marketing expenses and a $1.0 million decrease in purchased intangible amortization, which were offset by an increase of $1.0 million in compensation and benefits expense, a $0.8 million increase in trading expenses and commissions, a $0.6 million one-time restructuring charge related to severance and a $0.4 million increase in other expenses.

 

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Total operating expenses decreased $2.9 million, or 3.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. Changes in our operating expenses included a $4.8 million decrease in selling and marketing expenses, a $0.8 million decrease in purchased intangible amortization, a decrease in bank fees of $0.4 million and a decrease in bad debt provisions of $0.4 million, which were partially offset by an increase in trading expenses and commissions of $2.3 million, a $0.6 million one-time restructuring charge related to severance, an increase in product development, software and maintenance of $0.3 million and an increase in employee compensation and benefits of $0.2 million.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Employee compensation and benefits (amounts in thousands)

   $ 13,206      $ 12,200      $ 23,519      $ 23,344   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     28.9     21.9     29.8     24.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $1.0 million, or 8.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was due to an increase in salary expense of $0.8 million and an increase in bonus expense of $0.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in stock compensation of $0.5 million.

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $0.2 million, or 0.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was due to an increase in salary expense of $1.8 million, which was partially offset by decreases in bonus expense of $0.7 million, stock compensation of $0.6 million and payroll tax expense of $0.3 million. The decrease in bonus costs was due to lower operating results during the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Selling and Marketing Expense

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Selling and marketing (amounts in thousands)

   $ 7,241      $ 8,954      $ 14,368      $ 19,166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     15.9     16.1     18.2     20.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expenses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $1.7 million, or 19.1%, and $4.8 million, or 25.0%, compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The decrease in selling and marketing expenses in both periods was primarily due to a realignment of marketing expense to regions with higher growth potential and lower customer acquisition costs. In addition, selling and marketing expense was reduced as a response to the challenging forex market conditions during such periods.

Trading Expense and Commissions

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Trading expenses and commissions (amounts in thousands)

   $ 9,202      $ 8,431      $ 17,935      $ 15,617   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     20.1     15.2     22.7     16.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading expenses and commissions for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $0.8 million, or 9.1%, and $2.3 million, or 14.8%, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The change in trading expense was driven by the increase in clearing fees associated with our institutional business, which directly correlates to the increase in institutional trading volume.

 

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Purchased intangible amortization

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Purchased intangible amortization (amounts in thousands)

   $ 953      $ 1,959      $ 2,885      $ 3,656   

As a percentage of net revenue

     2.1     3.5     3.7     3.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchased intangible amortization for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $1.0 million, or 51.0%, and $0.8 million, or 21.9%, compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011 respectively. The decrease was due to the purchased intangible assets acquired from Capital Market Services, LLC (“CMS”) in October 2010 becoming fully amortized during the beginning of the quarter in 2012, whereas we recorded purchased intangible amortization during the full three months and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Professional Fees

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Professional fees (amounts in thousands)

   $ 1,191      $ 1,134      $ 2,007      $ 1,963   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     2.6     2.0     2.5     2.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Professional fees remained generally consistent for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011. Professional fees primarily consist of accounting, tax and legal fees.

Product Development, Software and Maintenance

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Product development, software and maintenance (amounts in thousands)

   $ 1,097      $ 1,100      $ 2,214      $ 1,950   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     2.4     2.0     2.8     2.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Product development, software and maintenance expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012, remained generally consistent compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011.

Product development, software and maintenance expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased $0.3 million, or 13.5%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increases was primarily due to higher costs incurred in the first quarter of 2012 in connection with development efforts associated with a new CFD offering to be launched in the third quarter of 2012.

Restructuring

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011      2012     2011  

Restructuring (amounts in thousands)

   $ 634      $ —         $ 634      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     1.4     —           0.8     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The restructuring expenses reflect a $0.6 million increase in compensation and benefits expense which arose in connection with headcount reductions implemented in the three months ended June 30, 2012.

 

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Other Operating and Non-Operating Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Other operating expenses (amounts in thousands)

   $ 6,172      $ 5,810      $ 11,239      $ 12,038   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     13.5     10.5     14.2     12.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating and non-operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased by $0.4 million, or 6.2%, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011. The increase was due primarily to an increase in regulatory assessment fees of $0.1 million and an increase in professional dues and memberships of $0.1 million.

Other operating and non-operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased by $0.8 million, or 6.6%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due primarily to the decrease in bank fees of $0.4 million and a decrease in our provision for bad debt of $0.4 million.

Income Taxes

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  

Income tax expense (amounts in thousands)

   $ 1,553      $ 5,989      $ 942      $ 6,822   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     3.4     10.8     1.2     7.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $4.4 million, or 73.5%, and $5.9 million, or 86.5%, compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, as a result of a decrease in our income before income tax expense and the release of valuation allowances for some our foreign subsidiaries.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically financed our liquidity and capital needs primarily through the use of funds generated from operations, the issuance of preferred stock and access to secured lines of credit. We plan to finance our future operating liquidity and regulatory capital needs from our operations. Although we have no current plans to do so, we may issue equity or debt securities or enter into additional secured lines of credit from time to time. We expect that our capital expenditures for the next twelve months will be consistent with our historical annual spend.

We primarily hold our cash at financial institutions, including banks and our wholesale forex trading partners. Such cash is primarily invested in cash, money market funds, and short-term U.S. government securities. In general, we believe all of our investments are of high credit quality and we have adequate liquidity to conduct our businesses.

As a holding company, cash from operations is generated by our operating subsidiaries. Historically, we have accessed these funds through receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries. Some of our operating subsidiaries are subject to requirements of regulatory bodies, including the CFTC and NFA in the United States, the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom, the Financial Services Agency in Japan, the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, relating to liquidity and capital standards, which limit funds available for the payment of dividends to us. As a result of such restrictions, we may be unable to access cash that is generated by our operating subsidiaries. In accordance with CFTC regulation 1.12 and NFA Financial Requirements Section 1, a 20.0% decrease in GAIN Capital Group, LLC’s net capital and a 30.0% decrease in excess net capital due to a planned equity withdrawal requires regulatory notification and/or approval.

The following table describes the minimum regulatory capital our subsidiaries were required to maintain as of June 30, 2012, and the actual amounts of capital that were maintained as of such date (amounts in millions):

 

Entity Name

   Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
     Capital Levels
Maintained
     Excess Net
Capital
     Percent of
Requirement
Maintained
 

GAIN Capital Group, LLC

   $ 24.69       $ 56.72       $ 32.03         230

GAIN Capital Securities, Inc.

   $ 0.05       $ 0.24       $ 0.19         480

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

   $ 11.30       $ 28.73       $ 17.43         254

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

   $ 3.97       $ 10.62       $ 6.65         268

 

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Entity Name

   Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
     Capital Levels
Maintained
     Excess Net
Capital
     Percent of
Requirement
Maintained
 

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd.

   $ 0.33       $ 2.38       $ 2.05         721

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong, Ltd.

   $ 1.93       $ 3.68       $ 1.75         191

GAIN Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 0.10       $ 0.38       $ 0.28         380

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd.

   $ 0.25       $ 1.80       $ 1.55         720
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 42.62       $ 104.55       $ 61.93         245
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

GAIN Capital Group, LLC, our U.S. futures commission merchant and forex dealer subsidiary, is subject to the CFTC Net Capital Rule (Rule 1.17) and NFA Financial Requirements Sections 11 and 12. Under applicable provisions of these rules, GAIN Capital Group, LLC is required to maintain adjusted net capital of $20.0 million plus 5.0% of the total payables to customers over $10.0 million, as these terms are defined under applicable rules. Net capital represents our current assets less total liabilities as defined by CFTC Rule 1.17. Our current assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents reported on our balance sheet as cash, receivables from banks and brokers and trading securities, which primarily consist of short-term U.S. government securities. Our total liabilities include payables to customers, accrued expenses, accounts payable, sales and marketing expense payable, introducing broker fees payable and other liabilities. From net capital we take certain percentage deductions against assets held based on factors required by the Commodity Exchange Act to calculate adjusted net capital. Our net capital and adjusted net capital changes from day to day. As of June 30, 2012, GAIN Capital Group, LLC had net capital of approximately $69.3 million, adjusted net capital of $56.7 million and net capital requirements of $24.7 million. As of June 30, 2012, the excess net capital of GAIN Capital Group, LLC was $32.0 million. We believe that we currently have sufficient capital to satisfy these on-going minimum net capital requirements.

We are required to maintain cash on deposit with our wholesale forex trading partners in order to conduct our trading activities. As of June 30, 2012, we posted $115.7 million in cash with wholesale forex trading partners, of which $12.0 million was required as collateral pursuant to our agreements for holding spot foreign exchange positions with such institutions, and the remaining $103.7 million represented available cash in excess of required collateral. As of June 30, 2012, total client assets were $320.2 million. Total client assets represent amounts due to clients, including deposits and unrealized gains or losses arising from our clients’ open positions.

We have incurred increased costs as a result of having publicly traded common stock. Prior to our IPO in December 2010, we were not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, or the other rules and regulations of the SEC or any securities exchange. We have and continue to invest in enhancing our financial and management control systems, including our corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems, to manage our growth as a public company. We also have and continue to incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002, as amended, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.

In the table set forth below, we have outlined the Company’s total available liquidity at June 30, 2012 and at December 31, 2011 (amounts in millions):

 

     As of
June 30,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2011
 

Cash & cash equivalents

   $ 22.4      $ 60.3   

Cash & cash equivalents held for customers

     320.2        310.4   

Short term investments

     0.1        0.1   

Receivable from banks and brokers(1)

     115.7        85.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating cash

     458.4        456.2   

Less: Cash & cash equivalents held for customers

     (320.2     (310.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free operating cash

     138.2        145.8   

Less: Minimum regulatory capital requirements

     (42.6     (35.8

Less: Note payable

     —          (7.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash available(2)

     95.6        102.1   

Add: Available credit facility

     50.0        50.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Available cash and liquidity

   $ 145.6      $ 152.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Reflects cash that would be received from brokers following the close-out of all open positions.

(2) 

Excludes current liabilities of $17.7 million and capital charges associated with open positions.

 

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Table of Contents

Credit Facility

We have a $50.0 million revolving line of credit through a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank. As of June 30, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving line of credit. See Note 6. Term Loan and Revolver to the financial statements contained in this quarterly report on page 12.

Cash Flow

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012     2011  

Cash (used)/provided by operating activities

   $ (11,883   $ 69,636   

Cash used for investing activities

     (3,574     (4,409

Cash used for financing activities

     (11,898     (3,727

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (710     371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (28,065   $ 61,871   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The primary drivers of our cash flow provided by operating activities are net deposits received from customers and amounts posted as collateral with wholesale forex trading partners, offset by cash used to fund our operations.

Net deposits received from retail customers represent customer deposits less withdrawals for a given period. These amounts correlate to our customers’ ability to place additional trades, which potentially increases our trading volume, and include the impact of realized gains and losses on customer accounts. Net deposits received from retail customers increase when we receive initial deposits from new retail customers or additional deposits from existing retail customers. Net deposits received from retail customers decrease when a retail customer withdraws funds partially or in full. To some extent our net deposit activity is influenced by our customers’ trading positions as our customers may be required to post additional funds to maintain open positions or may choose to withdraw excess funds on open positions.

Amounts posted as collateral with wholesale forex trading partners are classified on our balance sheet as receivables from banks and brokers and represent collateral required to be posted for us to hold spot foreign exchange positions, as well as the cash posted with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral. We post cash with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral to allow for adverse currency price moves relative to our positions, which raises our level of required collateral. The amount of cash posted with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral is discretionary and may increase or decrease in future periods as we determine the most efficient uses of our cash.

Our largest operating expenses are employee compensation and benefits, selling and marketing expenses, trading expenses and commissions and income taxes. Employee compensation and benefits include salaries, bonuses and other employee related costs. Selling and marketing expenses include online and search engine advertising and print and television advertising. Trading expenses and commissions consists primarily of compensation paid to our white label partners and introducing brokers and clearing fees. Income taxes are variable based on our taxable income. Other cash expense categories include interest expense on notes payable, bank fees, communications and data processing, occupancy and equipment, professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses. Our operating expenses may increase in future periods in order to support the overall growth of our business.

 

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Unrealized gains and losses on cash positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates are included in trading revenue but have no direct impact on cash flow from operations. Gains and losses become realized and impact cash flow from operations when customer transactions are liquidated. Our net deposit activity is influenced by unrealized gains and losses because our customers’ trading positions are impacted by unrealized gains and losses and our customers may be required to post additional funds to maintain open positions or may choose to withdraw excess funds on open positions.

Cash (used)/ provided by operating activities was $11.9 million of cash used by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $69.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The primary reasons for the decrease in cash provided by operating activities were a decrease in net income of $8.2 million, a decrease in receivables from banks and brokers of $32.5 million, a decrease in trading securities of $20.0 million, a decrease in payables to customers of $15.5 million, a decrease in other assets of $4.5 million and a decrease in payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities of $3.5 million, partially offset by an increase in accrued compensation and benefits of $2.1 million.

Cash used for investing activities was $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in cash used for investing activities was primarily due to a decrease in purchases of intangibles of $2.5 million, partially offset by an increase in cash used for internally developed software of $1.7 million.

Cash used for financing activities was $11.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The increase in cash used for financing activities of $8.2 million included dividend payments of $3.5 million, an increase in payments on our note payable of $2.6 million, an increase in the dbFX acquired customer asset payments of $1.4 million and an increase of $0.7 million in payments related to the purchase of treasury stock through our share buyback program.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2011 were primarily related to the development of our trading platforms and websites. Such capital expenditures accelerated in 2012 as we are approaching the launch of our new CFD trading platform in the third quarter of 2012.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no significant changes to our vendor obligations from those disclosed in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. On March 30, 2012, we paid off the amounts outstanding under our term loan, and as of June 30, 2012 we have no debt. The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2012 (amounts in thousands):

 

     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3
Years
     3-5
Years
     More than
5 Years
 

Operating lease obligations

   $ 18,006       $ 2,263       $ 3,173       $ 2,443       $ 10,127   

Contingent liabilities related to asset acquisitions

   $ 2,949       $ 2,949         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,955       $ 5,212       $ 3,173       $ 2,443       $ 10,127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we did not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

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Table of Contents

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably could have been used, or if changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur periodically could materially impact the financial statements. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition

Foreign exchange contracts generally involve the exchange of two currencies at market rates on a specified date; spot contracts usually require the exchange of currencies to occur within two business days of the contract date. Customer transactions and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Gains or losses are realized when customer transactions are liquidated. Unrealized gains or losses on cash positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates (the difference between contract price and market price) at the date of the balance sheet are included in Receivables from banks and brokers, Payables to customers and Payables to brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Changes in net unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Trading revenue on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Income Taxes

We prepare and file our income taxes as a consolidated legal entity. We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740-10, Income Taxes. Income tax expenses are provided using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements and the income tax basis, using currently enacted tax rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income in the period of enactment. We routinely evaluate all deferred tax assets to determine the likelihood of their realization.

We use estimates in determining income tax positions under ASC 740-10-25, Income Taxes. Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgment and is subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business.

Share Based Payments

ASC 718-10, Compensation — Stock Compensation, requires measurement of share based payment arrangements at fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of our Common Stock.

We measure the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires the use of several estimates, including:

 

   

The volatility of our stock price;

 

   

The expected life of the option;

 

   

Risk free interest rates; and

 

   

Expected dividend yield.

The use of different assumptions in the Black-Scholes pricing model would result in different amounts of stock-based compensation expense. Furthermore, if different assumptions are used in future periods, stock-based compensation expense could be materially impacted.

The expected volatility is calculated based upon the volatility of public companies in similar industries or financial service companies. The average risk free rate is based upon the five year bond rate converted to a continuously compounded interest rate.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment, we periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets when events and circumstances warrant such review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such an asset is separately identifiable and is less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset.

 

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Table of Contents

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

ASC 350-30, General Intangibles, requires a purchased intangible asset other than goodwill to be amortized over its useful life unless the useful life is determined to be indefinite. If the asset is determined to have a finite life in the future, we will amortize the carrying value over the remaining useful life at that time. In accordance with ASC 350-30, our URLs (foreignexchange.com and forex.com) are indefinite life intangible assets and are, therefore, not amortized. We compare the recorded value of the indefinite life intangible assets and goodwill to their fair value on an annual basis and whenever circumstances arise that indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our estimates of the uncollectibility of accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts, which is netted against Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, totaled approximately $0.2 million at June 30, 2012 and $0.1 million at December 31, 2011, respectively. We record an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts when the prospect of collecting a specific account balance becomes doubtful. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management may also change, which could affect the level of our future provision for doubtful accounts.

For example, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, an additional provision for doubtful accounts may be required, and such provision may be material.

Accrued Compensation

We make significant estimates in determining our quarterly and annual accrued non-share based compensation. A significant portion of our employee incentive compensation programs are discretionary. Each quarter and year-end we determine the amount of discretionary cash bonus pools. We also review compensation throughout the year to determine how overall performance compares to management’s expectations. We take these and other factors, including historical performance and our performance relative to budget, into account in reviewing accrued discretionary cash compensation estimates on a quarterly basis and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate. Changes to these factors could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of compensation expense that we report in a particular period.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will impact our financial statements. Our net interest expense is directly affected by the spread between the short-term interest rates we pay our customers on their balances and the short-term interest rates we earn from re-investing their cash. These spreads can widen or narrow when interest rates change. In addition, a portion of our interest income relates to customer balances on which we do not pay interest and, therefore, is directly affected by the absolute level of short-term interest rates. As a result, a portion of our interest income will decline if interest rates fall, regardless of the interest rate spreads that affect the remaining portion of our interest income. Short-term interest rates are highly sensitive to factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities. Our cash and customer cash held is held in cash and cash equivalents including cash at banks, deposits at wholesale forex trading partners and in money market funds, which invest in short-term U.S. government securities. The interest rates earned on these deposits and investments affects our interest revenue. We estimate that as of June 30, 2012, a 100 basis point increase in short-term interest rates would result in an increase of approximately $4.6 million in annual pretax income.

Foreign Currency Exposures

Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of our assets denominated in foreign currencies as well as our earnings due to the translation of the balance sheets and income statements of our foreign subsidiaries from local currencies to United States dollars. We currently have limited exposure to currency risk and as of June 30, 2012, 77.6% of our assets, 69.9% of our liabilities, 88.5% of our revenue and 78.2% of our expenses were denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not take proprietary directional positions to mitigate our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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Credit Risk

Our trading operations require a commitment of our capital and involve risk of loss because of the potential that a customer’s losses may exceed the amount of cash in their account. As a result, we require that each trade must be collateralized in accordance with our margin policies described below. Each customer is required to have minimum funds in their account for opening positions, which we refer to as the initial margin, and for maintaining positions, which we refer to as maintenance margin, depending on the currency pair being traded. Margin requirements are expressed as a percentage of the customer’s total position in that currency, and the customer’s total margin requirement is based on the aggregate margin requirement across all of the positions that a customer holds at any one moment in time. Each net position in a particular currency pair is margined separately. Accordingly, we do not net across different currency pairs, thereby following a fairly conservative margin policy. Our systems automatically monitor each customer’s margin requirements in real time, and we confirm that each of our customers has sufficient cash collateral in his or her account before we execute their trades. If at any point in time a customer has “negative equity” because his or her trading position does not comply with the applicable margin requirement, the position may be automatically liquidated, in part or in full, in accordance with our margin policies and procedures. This policy protects both us and the customer. The incidence of negative equity in customer accounts was immaterial to our operations in the six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011, which we believe was attributable to our real-time margining and liquidation policies and procedures. Our margin and liquidation policies are set forth in our customer agreements.

We are also exposed to potential credit risk relating to the counterparties with which we hedge our trades and the financial institutions with which we deposit cash. We mitigate these risks by allocating our funds across several of the largest financial institutions in the market. Additionally, we have policies in place which limit the funds we hold at any given institution. In the event that our access to one or more financial institutions becomes limited, our ability to hedge may be impaired.

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in connection with our retail trading activities. Because we act as counterparty to our retail customers’ transactions, we are exposed to risk on each trade that the market price of our position will decline. Accordingly, accurate and efficient management of our net exposure is a high priority, and as such we have developed both automated and manual policies and procedures to manage our exposure. These risk-management policies and procedures are established and reviewed regularly by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors. Our risk-management policies require quantitative analyses by currency pair, as well as assessment of a range of market inputs, including trade size, dealing rate, customer margin and market liquidity. Our risk-management procedures require our team of senior traders to monitor risk exposure on a continuous basis and update senior management both informally over the course of the trading day and formally through intraday and end of day reporting. A key component of our approach to managing market risk is that we do not take proprietary directional market positions and therefore do not initiate market positions for our own account in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of the products we offer. To facilitate our risk-management activities, we maintain levels of capital in excess of those currently required under applicable regulations. As of June 30, 2012, we maintained capital levels of $104.6 million, across all of our regulated subsidiaries, which represented approximately 2.5 times the capital we were required to hold.

Cash Liquidity Risk

In normal conditions, our business is self-financing as we generate sufficient cash flows to pay our expenses as they become due. As a result, we generally do not face the risk that we will be unable to raise cash quickly enough to meet our payment obligations as they arise. Our cash flows, however, are influenced by customer trading volume, currency volatility and liquidity in foreign currency pairs in which we have positions. These factors are directly impacted by domestic and international market and economic conditions that are beyond our control. In an effort to manage this risk, we have secured a substantial liquidity pool by establishing trading relationships with nine financial institutions. These relationships provide us with sufficient access to liquidity to allow us to consistently execute significant trades in varying market conditions at the notional amounts our customers’ desire. We generally maintain collateral on deposit, which includes our funds and our customers’ funds. Collateral on deposit ranged from $92.1 million to $116.2 million in the aggregate for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

In addition, our forex trading operations involve the risk of losses due to the potential failure of our customers to perform their obligations under the transactions we enter into with them, which increases our exposure to cash liquidity risk. To reduce this risk, our margin policy requires that we mark our customers’ accounts to market each time the market price of a position in their portfolio changes and provides for automatic liquidation of positions, as described above.

 

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Operational Risk

Our operations are subject to a variety of risks including those resulting from technological interruptions, failures or capacity constraints in addition to risks involving human error or misconduct. Regarding technological risks, we are heavily dependent on the capacity and reliability of the computer and communications systems supporting our operations. We have established a program to monitor our computer systems, platforms and related technologies and to promptly address issues that arise. We have also established disaster recovery facilities in strategic locations to ensure that we can continue to operate with limited interruptions in the event that our primary systems are damaged. As with our technological systems, we have established policies and procedures designed to monitor and prevent both human errors, such as clerical mistakes and incorrectly placed trades, as well as human misconduct, such as unauthorized trading, fraud, and negligence. In addition, we seek to mitigate the impact of any operational issues by maintaining insurance coverage for various contingencies.

Regulatory Capital Risk

Various domestic and foreign government bodies and self-regulatory organizations responsible for overseeing our business activities require that we maintain specified minimum levels of regulatory capital in our operating subsidiaries. If not properly monitored or adjusted, our regulatory capital levels could fall below the required minimum amounts set by our regulators, which could expose us to various sanctions ranging from fines and censure to imposing partial or complete restrictions on our ability to conduct business. To mitigate this risk, we continuously evaluate the levels of regulatory capital at each of our operating subsidiaries and adjust the amounts of regulatory capital in each operating subsidiary as necessary to ensure compliance with all regulatory capital requirements. These requirements may increase or decrease as required by regulatory authorities from time to time. We also maintain excess regulatory capital to provide liquidity during periods of unusual or unforeseen market volatility, and we intend to continue to follow this policy. In addition, we monitor regulatory developments regarding capital requirements so that we may be prepared for increases in the required minimum levels of regulatory capital that may occur from time to time in the future.

Regulatory Risk

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to the risk of sanctions from U.S., federal and state, and international authorities if we fail to comply adequately with regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in financial, operational and other penalties and our authority to conduct business could be suspended or revoked. In addition, efforts to comply with applicable regulations may increase our costs or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities. Furthermore, federal and state regulations significantly limit the types of activities in which we may engage.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management of the Company, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective.

No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we incorporate herein by reference the discussions set forth under “Legal Proceedings” in Part II, Item 1 of our Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 10, 2012, and Part I, Item 3 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on March 15, 2012. The following supplements and amends those discussions.

 

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We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of our management, the outcome of such claims and legal actions, if decided adversely, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our quarterly or annual operating results, cash flows or consolidated balance sheet.

As previously disclosed, on March 31, 2011, Shari Streit Jansen, as Chapter 7 Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Beau Diamond, brought an adversary proceeding against us, as well as several other forex trading firms, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida. The complaint seeks to recover certain funds transferred to us by Mr. Diamond through an entity for which he acted as managing member, Diamond Ventures, LLC, under federal and state fraudulent transfer laws. On June 16, 2011, we moved to dismiss the complaint. The parties agreed to mediate their dispute before the Trustee responded to the motion to dismiss and participated in a mediation on September 14, 2011, which resulted in an agreement in principal for settlement of the matter for a sum that is not material to our financial condition. The adversary proceeding was dismissed on July 20, 2012.

On February 16, 2012, we received a Letter of Claim on behalf of certain individuals who had lost money in an investment scheme operated by a third-party money management firm, incorporated in the United Kingdom that has since been closed down by the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority. The investment firm, Cameron Farley Ltd, had opened a corporate account with us and invested the individuals’ money, representing such funds as its own, while operating a fraudulent scheme. Though a complaint has been filed and served on us, the claimants requested, and we agreed, to follow the United Kingdom’s Pre-action Protocol, a pre-litigation process intended to resolve matters without the need to engage in formal litigation. We submitted a Response to the Letter Before Claim on July 4, 2012. On July 5, 2012 we received a substantially similar Letter of Claim on behalf of further individuals. Subsequently, the parties agreed to consolidate claims by those other similarly situated individuals with the pending Pre-Action Protocol process. We can provide no assurances that this matter will be successfully resolved through the Pre-Action Protocol and will not result in formal litigation, and no assurances can be provided regarding the outcome of any such potential litigation. This matter is currently pending.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 describes the various important risk factors facing our business in Part I, Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors.” There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in that section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

(b) Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The following table presents information regarding our purchases of our Common Stock in the second quarter of 2012:

 

Period(1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
     Average Price
Paid per Share(1)
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(1)
     Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs(1)(2)
 

April 1, 2012 – April 30, 2012

     18,112       $ 5.00         18,112       $ 4,856,173   

May 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012

     150,371       $ 4.80         150,371       $ 4,130,905   

June 1, 2012 – June 30, 2012

     —           —           —         $ 4,130,905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     168,483       $ 4.82         168,483       $ 4,130,905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

On May 16, 2011, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan, which authorizes the expenditure of up to $10.0 million for the purchase of the Company’s Common Stock over a one-year period.

(2) 

Transaction fees related to the share purchases are deducted from the total remaining allowable expenditure amount.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

No.

  Description
  10.1   Stock Purchase Agreement between optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. and GAIN Capital Group, LLC dated as of June 27, 2012*
  31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer as required by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer as required by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101.INS+**   XBRL Instance
101.SCH+**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL+**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF+**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB+**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE+**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

* Filed herewith.
+ XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed, and is not a part of a registration statement or prospectus, for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
** The Company will be furnishing Exhibit 101 within 30 days of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, as allowed under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: August 9, 2012  

/s/ Glenn H. Stevens

  Glenn H. Stevens
 

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: August 9, 2012  

/s/ Daryl J. Carlough

  Daryl J. Carlough
 

Interim Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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