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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29,April 4, 2016

Registration No. 333-208565


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



Amendment No. 13
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



BATS GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 6200
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
 46-3583191
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

8050 Marshall Drive, Suite 120
Lenexa, Kansas 66214
(913) 815-7000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)



Eric Swanson, Esq.
Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
BATSBats Global Markets, Inc.
8050 Marshall Drive, Suite 120
Lenexa, Kansas 66214
(913) 815-7000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)



Copies to:

Deanna L. Kirkpatrick, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000

 

Gregory A. Fernicola, Esq.
Phyllis G. Korff, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
(212) 735-3000

          Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

          If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.    o

          If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          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 o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer ý
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 Smaller reporting company o



  
Title of Each Class of Securities
to Be Registered

 Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)(2)

 Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

 Amount To Be
Registered(1)

 Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price Per Share

 Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(2)

 Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 $100,000,000 $10,070 12,880,000 $19.00 $244,720,000 $24,644

(1)
Includes 1,680,000 shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o)457(a) under the Securities Act.

(2)
Includes offering price of shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(3)
Previously paid.The Registrant has previously paid $10,070 of this amount in connection with the initial filing of the Registration Statement.

          The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

   


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)

Issued January 29,April 4, 2016

11,200,000 Shares

LOGOLOGO

BATSBats Global Markets, Inc.

COMMON STOCK



        BATSThe selling stockholders of Bats Global Markets, Inc. is offering            shares of common stock, and the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering 11,200,000 shares of common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering. This is the initial public offering of our shares, and no public market exists for our shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $$17.00 and $$19.00 per share.

        Upon completion of this offering, our principal investors will collectively own approximately %82.1% of the total voting power of our capital stock. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."

        We intendhave applied to list the common stock on BATSBats BZX Exchange, Inc. (BZX) under the symbol "BATS."



        Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 17.19.



PRICE $            A SHARE

    
 
 
 Per Share
 Total
 

Price to public

 $             $            
 

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

 $             $            
 

Proceeds to BATS

$            $            

Proceeds to selling stockholders

 $             $            

 

(1)
We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses. See "Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)."

        WeCertain of our selling stockholders named herein have granted the underwriters the option to purchase an additional 1,680,000 shares of common stock. The underwriters may exercise this option at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on                    , 2016.



Morgan Stanley Citigroup

BofA Merrill Lynch                   Credit Suisse                   Goldman, Sachs & Co.                   J.P. Morgan

Jefferies                                    Barclays                         Deutsche Bank Securities                        Nomura                         Rosenblatt Securities            Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P.

                    , 2016


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 Page 

Prospectus Summary

  1 

The Offering

  1011 

Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data

  1213 

Risk Factors

  1719 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  4851 

Recent Acquisitions

  4952 

Unaudited Selected Pro Forma Financial Data

  5154 

Use of Proceeds

  5859 

Dividend Policy

  5859 

Capitalization

  5960 

Dilution

  6261 

Selected Financial and Operating Data

  6362 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  6766 

Business

  134118 

Regulation

  160146 

Management

  172158 

Executive Compensation

  179166 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

  202200 

Principal and Selling Stockholders

  206204 

Description of Capital Stock

  208209 

Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

  216217 

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

  219220 

Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)

  221223 

Validity of Common Stock

  230232 

Experts

  230232 

Where You Can Find More Information

  230232 

AppendixGlossary

  231233 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

  F-1 

        We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, or other earlier date stated in this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the "Risk Factors" section and the financial statements and the notes to those statements included in this prospectus.

        In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, "BATS,"Bats," the "company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to BATSBats Global Markets, Inc. (or prior to the acquisition of Direct Edge Holdings LLC, or Direct Edge, in January 2014, BATSBats Global Markets Holdings, Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiaries: BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA (each, a national securities exchange), BATSBats Trading, Inc. (a U.S. broker-dealer), BATSBats Trading Limited (a U.K. operator of our multilateral trading facility and our Regulated Market, under its Recognised Investment Exchange status, and known as "BATS Chi-X"Bats Europe"), Chi-X Europe Limited (a stand-alone U.K. broker-dealer) and BATSBats Hotspot (operator of our institutional spot foreign currency, or FX, market). We have defined certain industry-related and other terms in a glossary appended to this prospectus. Please see the glossary for our definition of "market share" and other terms.

Our Company

        We are a leading global operator of securities exchanges and other electronic markets enabled by world-class technology. We provide trade execution, market data, trade reporting, connectivity and risk management solutions to brokers, market makers, asset managers and other market participants, ultimately benefiting retail and institutional investors across multiple asset classes. Our principal objective is to improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk for market participants. Our asset class focus currently comprises listed cash equity securities in the United States and Europe, listed equity options in the United States and institutional spot FX globally, as well as exchange-traded products, or ETPs, including exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, in the United States and Europe. Trade execution comprised 44.7%44.6% of our revenues less cost of revenues, and market data and connectivity, or non-transaction revenues, comprised 55.3%55.4% of our revenues less cost of revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

        We are the second largest exchange operator in U.S. listed cash equity securities trading by market share, the largest exchange operator of ETFs and other ETPs by market share, and the largest European exchange operator as measured by notional value traded.traded as of December 31, 2015. In addition, for each of the six consecutive months ended December 31, 2015, excluding the Chinese exchanges, we were the largest equities market operator globally as measured by notional value traded. Moreover, during 2015 we operated the fastest growing market in the United States for exchange traded options as measured by market share.

        We improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk, in part by offering low-cost, innovativemarket-leading pricing and low-latency trade execution enabled by resilient and robust proprietary technology. For example, during the three monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our net capture, including auctions, in the U.S. equities market was approximately 40%42% of the rate reported by NASDAQ Group's U.S. equities operations and Intercontinental Exchange's New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, operations, while our net capture, including auctions, in the European listed equity securities market was approximately 54%94% of the rate reported by the London Stock Exchange's European equities operations. During the third quarter ofyear ended December 31, 2015, our net capture in the U.S. listed equity options market was 6%8% to 20%19% of the rate reported by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, or CBOE, NYSE Arca, NYSE MKT, NASDAQ Options Market and NASDAQ PHLX. We offer the same low-cost, market-leading pricing for our market data products. During the year ended December 31, 2015, our pricing for market data for the U.S. equities market was a combined $12,500 per month for data from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. This is approximately 8% of the prices reported by NYSE and NASDAQ operations to receive data for all of their respective markets during the same period.


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Our market data pricing in Europe was €59.50 per month for pan-European data during the year ended December 31, 2015. This is approximately 11% of the cost of receiving data from the other exchanges across Europe during the same period. Participants can also purchase our FX market data for $5,000 per month. This is approximately 8% of the price currently charged by EBS Market.

        We develop, own and operate the BATSBats trading platforms, which deploy our proprietary technology designed to offer some of the fastest and most reliable trading systems available. Our diverse exchange platforms are designed to facilitate price discovery by encouraging the quoting of competitive displayed, or lit, prices, but also offer opportunities to post undisplayed, or dark, trading


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interest on our U.S. and European order books. The core offerings and products driving our volume and leading market positions include:

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 21.1% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 22.4% share of the trading of ETPs and a 9.9%9.6% share of the U.S. equity options market. In Europe, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 24.2%24.4% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on BATS Chi-XBats Europe. In addition, we had $27.8$25.8 billion average daily notional value, or ADNV, in our Global FX segment from the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition on March 13, 2015 to September 30,December 31, 2015. Globally, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had an 11.5%11.1% share of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market.

        For the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 21.4% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 24.5% share of the trading of ETPs and a 10.2% share of the U.S. equity options market. For ETPs, during the two months ended December 31, 2015, we had 19 new listings, or 27.9% of all newly listed ETPs in the United States. During the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had 13 new listings, or 50.0% of all newly listed ETPs in the United States. We also had 69 total listings as of February 29, 2016, or 3.7% of all listings in the United States. In Europe, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 24.3% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on Bats Europe. In addition, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had $31.7 billion ADNV in our Global FX segment and 12.0% of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market.

        Our revenue consists primarily of transaction fees, regulatory fees, market data fees and port fees. On a consolidated basis, our revenues less cost of revenues were $285.8$384.4 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, which represents a 27.7%25.0% increase from the $223.8$307.5 million generated for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Non-transaction revenues were 55.3%55.4% of revenues less cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. On a consolidated basis, we generated $307.5 million in revenues less cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. Adjusting for growth through acquisitions, our organic compound annual growth rate of revenues less cost of revenue for the last four years was 12.8%12.4%. For the nine months year


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ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our Normalized EBITDA margin was 60.4%61.2%, an increase from 54.1%compared to 54.7% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. We use the non-GAAP measure of Normalized EBITDA margin to measure our performance. Normalized EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that is reconciled to net income in the section titled "—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data."

Our History

        We were formed in 2005 as an alternative to the NYSE and the NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, in response to increased consolidation among U.S. listed cash equity market centers. Since our founding, we have achieved the following milestones:


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Industry Developments

        Significant regulatory and technological developments have transformed the markets in which we operate and have been the primary drivers of our growth and development:


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Our Competitive Strengths

        As a result of these industry developments, newer trading centers like ours are better able to compete against competing exchanges based on technology, price and customer experience. We believe that the following competitive strengths position us well to capitalize on these industry dynamics:


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Our Growth Strategies

        We believe that we are well positioned to leverage our competitive strengths to enhance our market position, develop new products and services and continue expanding into new asset classes and geographies. We continually analyze new opportunities and, in particular, intend to pursue the following growth strategies:


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Recent Developments

        In March 2016, we agreed to acquire ETF.com, a leading provider of ETF data, news and analysis, which had approximately $3.0 million in annual revenue for 2015. The transaction closed on April 1, 2016.

        In March 2016, together with T3Index, a research-driven financial indexing firm, we launched the Bats-T3P SPY Volatility Index, or SPYIX, an index measuring expected 30-day volatility in the most actively traded security worldwide, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF, or SPY. The SPYIX is calculated using prices from highly-active, electronically-traded multiple-listed SPY options, which we believe to be an improvement over the slower, manually-traded, floor-based S&P 500 index options used to calculate other volatility benchmarks. SPYIX also includes important features designed to enhance critical stability during periods of low liquidity in the market, namely its proprietary "price-dragging" technique which helps reduce erratic movements in the index.

        In February 2016, we unveiled an updated corporate brand, including a new logo and naming conventions, all developed in-house by Bats associates. We expect the project will cost approximately $350,000 to fully implement. It is anticipated that the rebrand will be completed on or around April 30, 2016.

        In November 2015, we launched our second options exchange, EDGX Options, with a customer priority, "pro rata" market model as a complement to our existing BZX Options exchange featuring a


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price/time-priority price-time-priority model. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Our Model" for further information on our pricing models.


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        In October 2015, we launched in the United States "The BATSBats ETF Marketplace," a market specifically structured and designed for ETF issuers and their investors, introducing the BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program and the BATSBats Lead Market Maker, or LMM, Program. The BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program is an innovative program that rewards issuers as their ETP listings grow on BZX. Traditionally, ETP issuers have paid an annual exchange fee to the listing venue that increases as the product becomes more successful. The BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program rewards ETP issuers for their product's success with a rebate based on the product's consolidated average daily volume, or CADV. The BATSBats LMM Program is a rewards-based program that incentivizes market makers for their participation in BZX-listed ETPs. First, LMMs receive larger incentives for providing liquidity and reduced costs for removing liquidity in their assigned ETPs. Second, LMMs receive additional economic incentives for making markets in additional ETP products listed on BATS.Bats. The BATSBats LMM Program is supplemented by BATS'Bats' Competitive Liquidity Provider, or CLP, program, which is also a rewards-based program designed to incent market makers to make tighter quote spreads with increased liquidity for BZX-listed ETPs.

Reclassification and Stock Split

        In conjunction withImmediately prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to reclassify each share of our existing capital stock designated as Class A non-voting common stock as one share of common stock. We also intend to reclassify each share of our existing capital stock designated as Class B non-voting common stock as one share of non-voting common stock. In addition, immediately following the stock reclassification described above and prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to declare a -for-1-for-2.91 stock split of all outstanding common stock and non-voting common stock. See "Description of Capital Stock."

Risk Factors

        Investing in our common stock involves substantial risk. Please read "Risk Factors" beginning on page 1719 for a discussion of certain factors you should consider in evaluating an investment in our common stock. Some of these risks include:


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Principal Investors

        Immediately prior to this offering, thirteen affiliates of our customers, as well as International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (owned by Deutsche Börse), or ISE, and BGM Holding, L.P., and its affiliates, collectively owned 77,904,035 shares of our common stock and 12,152,158 shares of non-voting common stock, representing approximately %93.3% of the total voting power of our capital stock. We refer to these investors as our "principal investors." Upon completion of this offering, our principal investors will collectively own approximately 72,000,805 shares of our common stock and 7,980,017 shares of non-voting common stock, representing approximately %82.1% of the total voting power of our capital stock. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders." These principal investors are affiliates of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citadel, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Securities, Goldman Sachs, Instinet, J.P. Morgan, KCG, Lime, Morgan Stanley, Tradebot Ventures and WEDBUSH.

Conflicts of Interest

        Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Jefferies LLC and Nomura Securities International, Inc., underwriters of this offering, or their affiliates (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121), will each receive more than 5% of net offering proceeds and will have a "conflict of interest" pursuant to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, Rule 5121(f)(5)(C)(ii). Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. As such, any underwriter that has a conflict of interest pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121 will not confirm sales to accounts in which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written consent of the customer. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121, a "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121) must participate in the preparation of the prospectus and perform its usual standard of due diligence with respect to the prospectus. Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. has agreed to act as qualified independent underwriter for the offering and to perform a due diligence investigation and review and participate in the preparation of the prospectus. See "Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)."

Corporate Information

        BATS Global Markets Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in August 2013. In connection with the Direct Edge Acquisition, BATS Global Markets Holdings, Inc. changed its name to BATS Global Markets, Inc. and became a single new holding company. Concurrently, Direct Edge and BATS Global Markets, Inc. (which was renamed BATS Global Markets Holdings, Inc.) each became intermediate holding companies held by the new BATS Global Markets, Inc. Direct Edge was dissolved on December 31, 2015. In February 2016, BATS Global Markets, Inc. changed its name to Bats Global Markets, Inc., and BATS Global Markets Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Bats Global Markets Holdings, Inc.

        We are headquartered in the Kansas City area with additional offices in New York, London, Chicago and Singapore. Our principal executive offices are located at 8050 Marshall Drive, Suite 120, Lenexa, Kansas 66214, and our telephone number is (913) 815-7000. Our website is www.bats.com. Information contained on or accessible from our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.


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THE OFFERING

Common stock offered:

Common stock offered by us

              shares

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

 

11,200,000 shares

Total

              shares

Capital stock to be outstanding after this offering:

 

 

Common stock

 

87,699,410 shares

Non-voting common stock(1)

 

7,980,017 shares

Total

95,679,427 shares

Option to purchase additional common stock

 

WeCertain of our selling stockholders have granted the underwriters the option to purchase an additional shares from us.1,680,000 shares. The underwriters may exercise this option at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

Voting rights:

 

 

Common stock

 

One vote per share

Non-voting common stock

 

Only as required by applicable law

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $              million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $              per share (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us of $              million.

We intend to use the net proceeds received by us in connection with this offering to pay down our Amended 2014 Loan (as defined herein) in the amount of $            and for general corporate purposes, including funding potential future strategic alliances or acquisitions that are complementary to our business or that enable us to enter new markets or provide new products or services.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering.offering, including any shares sold by certain of the selling stockholders in connection with the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares. See "Use of Proceeds."


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Dividend policy

 

The board of directors is expected to adopt a policy with respect to the payment of dividends on our capital stock following this offering. We currently expect that we will pay quarterly cash dividends following the offering, with the annual amount initially determined based on a payout ratio of earnings within a determined range.range of 30-40% of net income. Notwithstanding the current expectations for our future dividend policy, the timing, declaration, amount and payment of any dividends are within the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, corporate strategy, debt covenants, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors.

BZX symbol

 

BATS


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Conflicts of interest

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Jefferies LLC and Nomura Securities International, Inc., underwriters of this offering, or their affiliates (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121), will each receive more than 5% of net offering proceeds and will have a "conflict of interest" pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5)(C)(ii). Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. As such, any underwriter that has a conflict of interest pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121 will not confirm sales to accounts in which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written consent of the customer. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121, a "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121) must participate in the preparation of the prospectus and perform its usual standard of due diligence with respect to the prospectus. Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. has agreed to act as qualified independent underwriter for the offering and to perform a due diligence investigation and review and participate in the preparation of the prospectus. See "Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)."


(1)
Shares of non-voting common stock are convertible into common stock at the option of the holder in connection with any "qualified transfer." See "Description of Capital Stock."

        Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to the number of shares of our common stock and non-voting common stock to be outstanding after this offering are based on the number of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and give effect to our reclassification and stock split to be consummated in conjunction withimmediately prior to the completion of this offering, as described under "—Reclassification and Stock Split," and 275,586887,778 shares of unvested restricted stock as of September 30,December 31, 2015, but exclude:

        Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase up to 1,680,000 additional shares of common stock from us.certain of the selling stockholders named herein.


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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

        The following summary historical and pro forma financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the unaudited pro forma financial statements and the accompanying notes, and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, in each case included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the summary consolidated statements of operations data for the nine monthsyears ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and 2014 and 2013 and the statementstatements of financial condition data as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 from our unauditedaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the statement of financial condition data as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes which are not included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        We have derived the summary unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 20142015 from the unaudited consolidated pro forma condensed combined financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations is intended to provide information about how the Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot acquisitionsAcquisition might have affected our historical statement of operations if theyit had been consummated as of January 1, 2014.2015. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations is provided for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have actually resulted had the Direct Edge Acquisition and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2014,2015, nor should it be taken as necessarily indicative of our future results of operations.


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 Pro Forma
2015(2)
 2015 2014 Pro Forma
2014(2)
 2014 2013 2012  Pro Forma
2015(1)
 2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions, except per share data)
  (in millions, except share and per share data)
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

                        

Revenues:

                        

Transaction fees

 $979.1 $970.1 $707.7 $1,095.3 $1,009.9 $612.8 $645.3  $1,299.2 $1,290.2 $1,009.9 $612.8 

Regulatory transaction fees(1)(2)

 207.0 207.0 186.5 282.0 272.0 127.4 148.1  275.7 275.7 272.0 127.4 

Market data fees

 99.4 99.4 81.2 114.3 110.3 59.4 60.3  131.0 131.0 110.3 59.4 

Port fees and other

 58.8 58.7 49.0 68.7 66.0 41.9 31.0  81.9 81.8 66.0 41.9 

Total revenues

 1,344.3 1,335.2 1,024.4 1,560.3 1,458.2 841.5 884.7  1,787.8 1,778.7 1,458.2 841.5 

Cost of revenues:

                        

Liquidity payments

 805.7 805.7 578.5 858.4 831.4 474.7 508.2  1,070.7 1,070.7 831.4 474.7 

Section 31 fees(1)(2)

 207.0 207.0 186.5 282.0 272.0 127.4 148.1  275.7 275.7 272.0 127.4 

Routing, clearing and other fees

 36.7 36.7 35.6 55.4 47.3 42.6 51.5 

Routing and clearing

 47.9 47.9 47.3 42.6 

Total cost of revenues

 1,049.4 1,049.4 800.6 1,195.8 1,150.7 644.7 707.8  1,394.3 1,394.3 1,150.7 644.7 

Revenues less cost of revenues

 294.9 285.8 223.8 364.5 307.5 196.8 176.9  393.5 384.4 307.5 196.8 

Operating expenses:

                        

Compensation and benefits

 61.8 58.4 66.2 102.4 87.0 41.5 48.4  83.5 79.7 87.0 41.5 

Other operating expenses

 101.3 92.4 73.3 135.4 100.9 53.7 69.2  123.0 122.4 100.9 53.7 

Total operating expenses

 163.1 150.8 139.5 237.8 187.9 95.2 117.6  206.5 202.1 187.9 95.2 


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 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 Pro Forma
2015(2)
 2015 2014 Pro Forma
2014(2)
 2014 2013 2012  Pro Forma
2015(1)
 2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions, except per share data)
  (in millions, except share and per share data)
 

Operating income

 131.8 135.0 84.3 126.7 119.6 101.6 59.3  187.0 182.3 119.6 101.6 

Interest and investment expense and other

 (34.6) (31.6) (32.7) (46.8) (39.3) (26.0) (1.2)

Interest expense and other

 (46.4) (43.6) (39.3) (26.0)

Income before income tax provision

 97.2 103.4 51.6 79.9 80.3 75.6 58.1  140.6 138.7 80.3 75.6 

Income tax provision

 40.2 42.9 20.7 30.9 31.1 28.8 26.5  57.3 56.5 31.1 28.8 

Net income

 $57.0 $60.5 $30.9 $49.0 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6  $83.3 $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 

Earnings per share:

               

Earnings per share(3):

         

Basic

 $1.75 $1.86 $0.98 $1.51 $1.56 $2.07 $1.40    $2.53 $1.56 $2.07 

Diluted

 $1.74 $1.85 $0.98 $1.50 $1.55 $2.06 $1.39    $2.51 $1.55 $2.06 

Pro forma earnings per share(3):

               

Pro forma earnings per share(4):

         

Basic

    *  *    *  *  * $2.56 * * * 

Diluted

    *  *    *  *  * $2.55 * * * 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

               

Pro forma as adjusted earnings per share(5):

         

Basic

 $0.88  *  *  *

Diluted

 $0.88  *  *  *

Weighted average shares outstanding(3):

         

Basic

   32.5 31.6 22.6 

Diluted

   32.7 31.8 22.7 

Pro forma weighted average common shares outstanding(4):

         

Basic

 32.5 * * * 

Diluted

 32.7 * * * 

Pro forma as adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding(5):

         

Basic

 32.5 32.5 31.4 32.5 31.6 22.6 22.5  94.6  *  *  *

Diluted

 32.7 32.7 31.5 32.6 31.8 22.7 22.7  95.2  *  *  *

Distributions per share

   $0.31 $7.67   $7.82 $ $17.62  $ $ $7.82 $ 

*
Not meaningful

(1)
Represents the effects of the Bats Hotspot Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2015. All acquisition related costs directly attributable to the transaction, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors and severance to employees are reflected as pro forma adjustments to derive pro forma net income. The pro forma adjustments do not reflect any cost savings or synergies we expect to realize after we integrate Bats Hotspot's operations.

(2)
As national securities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are assessed fees pursuant to Section 31 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Section 31 fees are assessed on the notional value traded and are designed to recover the costs to the government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. Section 31 fees are paid directly to the SEC, and our national securities exchanges then pass these costs along to our members as regulatory transaction fees, recognizing these amounts as incurred in cost of revenues and revenues, respectively.

(2)
Represents the effects of the Direct Edge and BATS Hotspot acquisitions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2014. All acquisition related costs directly attributable to the transaction, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors and severance to employees are reflected as pro forma adjustments to derive pro forma net income. The pro forma adjustments do not reflect any cost savings or synergies we expect to realize after we integrate Direct Edge's and BATS Hotspot's operations.

(3)
Gives pro formaDoes not give effect to our reclassification and -for-1-for-2.91 stock split to be consummated in conjunction withimmediately prior to the completion of this offering,offering.

(4)
On a pro forma basis to give effect to the Direct EdgeBats Hotspot Acquisition. Does not give effect to our reclassification and 1-for-2.91 stock split to be consummated immediately prior to the completion of this offering.


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(5)
On a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to the Bats Hotspot Acquisition and to give further effect to our reclassification and 1-for-2.91 stock split to be consummated immediately prior to the BATS Hotspot Acquisition.completion of this offering.


  
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 

 As of
September 30,
2015
  2015 2014 2013 

 2014 2013 ��(in millions)
 

 (in millions)
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Data:

       

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Data:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

 $77.9 $122.2 $87.2  $75.1 $122.2 $87.2 

Financial investments

 0.5 68.4 25.2  47.7 68.4 25.2 

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 993.7 598.2 247.0  980.3 598.2 247.0 

Total assets

 1,288.8 1,006.6 456.9  1,316.9 1,006.6 456.9 

Total liabilities

 924.8 702.4 316.9  937.0 702.4 316.9 

Long-term debt

 737.2 474.4 246.0  687.5 474.4 246.0 

Stockholders' equity

 364.0 304.2 140.0  379.9 304.2 140.0 

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Selected Operating Data

        The following table presents selected operating data for our four segments: U.S. Equities, European Equities, U.S. Options and Global FX for the periods presented. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of our future operations and should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions except for trading days, percentages and as noted below)
  (in millions except for trading
days, earnings per share,
percentages and as noted below)

 

U.S. Equities:

                  

Market average daily volume (ADV)

 6,864.8 6,214.0 6,414.2 6,187.0 6437.2 

Average daily volume (ADV) (in billions of shares):

       

Matched shares

 1.5 1.2 0.6 

Routed shares

 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Total touched shares

 1.6 1.3 0.7 

Market ADV

 6.9 6.4 6.2 

Number of trading days

 188 188 252 252 250  252 252 252 

Net capture per one hundred touched shares(1)

 $0.021 $0.022 $0.022 $0.024 $0.023  $0.021 $0.022 $0.024 

Market share(2)

 21.1% 18.9% 19.4% 10.4% 11.9% 21.1% 19.4% 10.4%

European Equities:

                  

Average daily notional value (ADNV)

 52,394.2 38,124.1 39,659.3 32,613.6 30,857.6 

Average daily notional value (ADNV) (in billions):

       

Matched and touched

 12.4 8.6 7.5 

Market ADNV

 50.8 39.7 32.6 

Number of trading days

 192 192 256 256 257  257 256 256 

Net capture per matched notional value (in basis points)(1)

 0.132 0.164 0.162 0.167 0.113  0.133 0.162 0.167 

Market share(2)

 24.2% 21.3% 21.6% 23.1% 24.6% 24.4% 21.6% 23.1%

U.S. Options:

                  

Market average daily value (in thousands of contracts)

 16,271.1 16,281.5 16,586.3 15,934.2 15,651.6 

ADV (in millions of contracts):

       

Matched contracts

 1.5 0.8 0.6 

Routed contracts

 0.1   

Total touched contracts

 1.6 0.8 0.6 

Market ADV

 16.1 16.6 15.9 

Number of trading days

 188 188 252 252 250  252 252 252 

Net capture per touched contract(1)

 $0.024 $0.049 $0.046 $0.058 $0.063  $0.030 $0.046 $0.058 

Market share(2)

 9.9% 4.2% 4.8% 3.7% 3.3% 9.6% 4.8% 3.7%

Global FX:

                  

ADNV (in billions)

 $27.8  *  *  *  * $25.8  *  *

Number of trading days

 194  *  *  *  * 209  *  *

Net capture per one million dollars traded(1)

 $3.01  *  *  *  * $2.95  *  *

Other Data:

                  

EBITDA(3)

 $166.1 $92.8 $136.0 $116.6 $75.7  $226.1 $136.0 $116.6 

EBITDA margin(4)

 58.1% 41.5% 44.2% 59.2% 42.8% 58.8% 44.2% 59.2%

Normalized EBITDA(3)

 $172.5 $121.0 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3  $235.3 $168.1 $124.1 

Normalized EBITDA margin(5)

 60.4% 54.1% 54.7% 63.1% 57.3% 61.2% 54.7% 63.1%

Pro Forma EBITDA(3)

 $173.1 $119.0 $183.0  *  * $233.1  *  *

Pro Forma EBITDA margin(6)

 58.7% 44.6% 50.2%  *  * 59.2%  *  *

Adjusted earnings(7)

 $103.6 $75.2 $55.1 

Adjusted earnings margin(8)

 27.0% 24.5% 28.0%

Diluted Adjusted earnings per share(9)

 $3.17 $2.37 $2.42 

Non-transaction revenue as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues

 55.3% 58.2% 57.3% 51.5% 51.6% 55.4% 57.3% 51.5%

Capital expenditures

 $12.3 $17.6 $25.2 $3.6 $6.9  $13.9 $25.2 $3.6 

*
Not meaningful.



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(1)
Please see the glossary for our definitions of "net capture per one hundred touched shares," "net capture per matched notional value," "net capture per touched contract" and "net capture per one million dollars traded."

(2)
Please see the glossary for our definition of "market share."

(3)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, initial public offering, or IPO, costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges, gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility and an unusually large


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 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income

 $60.5 $30.9 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6  $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 

Interest

 34.2 20.3 27.3 25.8 0.6  46.6 27.3 25.8 

Income tax provision

 42.9 20.7 31.1 28.8 26.5  56.5 31.1 28.8 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 20.9 28.4 15.2 17.0  40.8 28.4 15.2 

EBITDA

 166.1 92.8 136.0 116.6 75.7  226.1 136.0 116.6 

Acquisition-related costs

 6.4 14.6 18.5 5.2 19.3  8.2 18.5 5.2 

IPO costs

 0.5   0.6 6.3  1.5  0.6 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  13.6 13.6     13.6  

Other one-time items

 (0.5)   1.7  

Impairment of intangible assets

   3.5 

Debt restructuring

 0.5   

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

 (1.0)   

Regulatory assessment

   (1.8)

Normalized EBITDA

 $172.5 $121.0 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3  $235.3 $168.1 $124.1 

 


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2015 2014 2014  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Pro forma net income

 $57.0 $23.0 $49.0  $83.3 

Pro forma interest

 36.2 35.6 48.4  48.4 

Pro forma income tax provision

 40.2 15.4 30.9  57.3 

Pro forma depreciation and amortization

 39.3 36.5 44.7  44.1 

Acquisition costs

 0.4(7) 8.5(8) 10.0(9)

Pro Forma EBITDA

 $173.1 $119.0 $183.0  $233.1 
(4)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(5)
Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(6)
Pro Forma EBITDA margin represents Pro Forma EBITDA divided by pro forma revenues less cost of revenues.

(7)
Represents all acquisition-related costs, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors and severance to employees, of $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Expenses related to retention payments to employees of $0.4 million for us were not reflected in the pro forma adjustments as these expenses are not directly attributable to the Direct Edge Acquisition and the BATS Hotspot Acquisition.


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(8)(7)
Represents all"Adjusted earnings" is defined as net income adjusted for amortization, net of tax and other items, including acquisition-related costs, suchIPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility, debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013, net of tax. Adjusted earnings does not represent, and should not be considered as, feesan alternative to investment bankers, attorneys, accountantsnet income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented Adjusted earnings because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and we use it as the basis for monitoring our own core operating financial performance relative to other operators of electronic exchanges. We also believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other professional advisors, equity award change in control payments and severance to employees, of $6.0 million and $26.6 million for us and Direct Edge, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Expenses related to retention payments to employees of $8.5 million for us were not reflectedinterested parties in the pro forma adjustmentsevaluation of companies. We believe that investors may find this non-GAAP measure useful in evaluating our performance compared to that of peer companies in our industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted earnings differently than we do. Adjusted earnings has limitations as these expenses arean analytical tool, and you should not directly attributableconsider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

 
 Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2015 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income

 $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 

Amortization

  26.9  10.3  5.9 

Tax effect of amortization

  (11.0) (4.0) (2.2)

Acquisition-related costs

  8.2  18.5  5.2 

IPO costs

  1.5    0.6 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    13.6   

Impairment of intangible assets

      3.5 

Debt restructuring

  0.5     

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

  (1.0)    

Regulatory assessment

      (1.8)

Tax effect of other items

  (3.7) (12.4) (2.9)

Adjusted earnings

 $103.6 $75.2 $55.1 
(8)
Adjusted earnings margin represents Adjusted earnings divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(9)
Represents all acquisition-related costs, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors, equity award change in control payments and severance to employees, of $8.5 million and $26.6 million for us and Direct Edge, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Expenses related to retention payments to employees of $10.0 million for us were not reflected in the pro forma adjustments as these expenses are not directly attributable to the Direct Edge Acquisition.Diluted Adjusted earnings per share represents Adjusted earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

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RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the following risks and all of the information set forth in this prospectus before investing in our common stock.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We face intense competition and compete with a broad range of market participants globally, including our principal investors. Further consolidation and alliances among our securities trading competitors could impair our competitive position.

        The market for trade execution services is intensely competitive in the asset classes and geographies in which we operate. Increased competition may result in a decline in our share of trading activity and a decline in our revenues from transaction fees and market data fees, thereby adversely affecting our operating results.

        In the United States, the competition among securities exchanges and other securities execution venues has become more intense with regulatory changes. The U.S. listed cash equity securities marketplace has evolved dramatically in the years following the SEC's adoption of Regulation NMS. We compete in the U.S. listed cash equity securities market against NYSE and NASDAQ, other regional exchanges and several ATSs. Market participants now have multiple venues for the execution of orders, including national securities exchanges as well as numerous off-exchange venues, including ATSs operating "dark pools" that do not publicly display quotations, "lit" ATSs that publicly display quotations operating as ECNs and broker-dealers who internalize orders off-exchange. For example, dark pool venues compete with us by offering low cost executions and differ from "lit" ATSs in the degree of transparency with respect to quotes and trades they offer and in restrictions on who may access these systems. Unlike "lit" venues that publicly display orders, dark pools do not display orders publicly or privately. In addition, while dark pools are required to publicly report trade executions, unlike lit venues that are national securities exchanges, such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, those public reports do not immediately identify the dark pool responsible for the trade execution. Hence, dark pools are less transparent than lit venues. Moreover, dark pools with trading volume below certain levels have discretion to offer access on discriminatory terms, effectively blocking access to certain types of market participants. These features of dark pools, which are not available to national securities exchanges, such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, can appeal to trading participants who seek to minimize the public disclosure of their trading interest or limit the types of other trading participants that can access their orders. In addition, various broker-dealers internalize their order flow or route their orders to third-party ATSs. Based on publicly available data regarding reported trades, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, off-exchange trading accounted for approximately 35.3%35.4% of consolidated U.S. listed equity volume, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, off-exchange trading accounted for approximately 36.2% of consolidated U.S. equity volume. If off-exchange trading expands further, it will adversely affect our market share in the United States. In addition, newer market entrants with different models may seek status as national securities exchanges, further competing with our exchange business. For example, on August 21, 2015, a subsidiary of an ATS operator, IEX Group, Inc. filed an application with the SEC to register as a national securities exchange.

        The market for execution services within listed cash equity securities in Europe has become significantly more competitive since MiFID came into effect in 2007. MiFID will be superseded and enhanced by MiFID II and MiFIR, which isare expected to be implemented at the beginning of 2017.2018. MiFID created a structure for pan-European competition versus other exchange monopolies throughout the E.U. countries. As a result, new MTFs emerged that have captured significant market share from existing national exchanges. Our major competitors in Europe include the London Stock Exchange Group, or


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Exchange Group, or LSE, which also includes an MTF, Turquoise, Euronext, Deutsche Börse, NASDAQ, SIX Swiss Exchange and Bolsas y Mercados Españoles, or BME.

        The market for the trading of U.S. listed equity options is also intensely competitive, with thirteen authorizedfourteen U.S. options exchanges as of September 30, 2015, andthe date of this prospectus (not including a fourteenth currentlysecond U.S. options exchange of Miami International Holdings, Inc., planned for launch in the third quarter of 2016, pending approval,SEC approval) competing for market share. Our primary competitors in the U.S. options market are CBOE, NYSE, NASDAQ, ISE and Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC, or BOX. As a result of our size and limited product offerings, certain of our competitors have advantages in terms of greater market share and name recognition in the market for trading U.S. listed equity options. These advantages enable our competitors to provide products and services we do not offer, including proprietary products. For instance, some products offered uniquely by CBOE (for example, products based on the VIX volatility index) are not traded on our platform. On March 9, 2016, NASDAQ announced that it had agreed to acquire ISE, which operates three options exchanges. Additionally, a rule change recently adopted by the Options Clearing Corporation, or the OCC, concerning a proposed capital plan that, ifand affirmed on review by the SEC in February 2016, concerns a capital plan that could effectively allow itsthe OCC's shareholder exchanges, which include CBOE, ISE, NASDAQ and NYSE, to monetize for their benefit the OCC's monopoly over options clearing. We believe that the proposed capital plan has the potential to result in a wealth transfer from options investors to the OCC's shareholder exchanges, stifling future competition in the options market and increasing the costs of trading listed options.

        The spot FX market remains severely fragmented, with transparent automated marketplaces such as BATSBats Hotspot challenging ICAP plc (Electronic Booking System)(EBS BrokerTec), or ICAP, and Thomson Reuters (Reuters Matching, FXall). While the spot FX market recently has been experiencing a shift from competing interbank platforms to ECNs, the electronification of spot FX may encounter resistance from clients that still prefer to utilize the phone, Reuters Conversational Dealing, Instant Bloomberg Chat, Bloomberg terminals and key banking relationships for price discovery and trading. Furthermore, electronification of FX appears to be experiencing more resistance outside the United States. The electronic FX market is also intensely competitive, with multiple venues such as EBS, Reuters Matching, FXall, FX Connect, CME Group, Currenex, 360T, Bloomberg, FastMatch, Gain GTX and others competing for market share. Additionally, exchange operators are actively expanding into the global FX market. For example Deutsche Börse has recently completed its acquisition of 360T and NASDAQ has announced its plans to launch an FX trading market. Moreover, the current market may experience consolidation, such as the recent acquisition of Molten Markets by ICAP.

        We compete in the spot FX market based on our ability to execute our customers' trades at competitive prices, to retain our existing customers and to attract new customers. Certain of our competitors have larger customer bases, more established name recognition, and a greater market share in certain markets, such as Europe. These advantages may enable them, among other things, to:

        In recent years, the securities trading industry has witnessed increased consolidation among market participants, such as the November 2013 acquisition of NYSE by Intercontinental Exchange and our own acquisition of Direct Edge in January 2014. More recently, in March 2016, the London Stock


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Exchange and Deutsche Börse executed a merger agreement aimed at creating the largest exchange operator in Europe. Additional consolidations and alliances among market participants may create larger internal liquidity pools that may attract trading volume and liquidity away from BZX, BYX, EDGX, EDGA and BATS Chi-XBats Europe's exchanges and, therefore, lead to


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decreased revenues. In addition, consolidations or alliances among our current competitors may achieve cost reductions or other increases in efficiency, which may allow our competitors to offer lower prices or better customer service than we do. These post-merger competitors may be able to achieve efficiencies that allow them to offer lower transaction fees or other financial incentives, which may hinder our ability to stay competitive in the listed cash equity securities market and to further penetrate the options market. In addition, these mergers may result in stronger competitors for us than the premerger entities as stand-alone businesses in other markets that we may decide to enter, such as futures and other derivative products.

        In addition, BATSBats is dependent upon certain third parties for its ETP listings business, some of which are direct competitors of BATS.Bats. For example, BATSBats does not currently offer intraday net asset values, or INAVs, calculation services for ETP issuers, which the SEC requires ETP issuers to calculate and distribute for their funds. NYSE Arca, owned by Intercontinental Exchange, is the primary provider of INAVs for equity ETP issuers. In December 2015, Intercontinental Exchange completed its acquisition of financial market data provider Interactive Data Corp., or IDC. IDC provides data and calculation services for ETP issuers to generate INAVs for fixed-income funds. As a result of Intercontinental Exchange's acquisition of IDC, Intercontinental Exchange would increase its competitive advantage in the INAV calculation space, which could result in ETP issuers listing on BZX not to be able to obtain comparable commercial terms from IDC for IDC's provision of INAV calculation services for BZX-listed ETPs.

        Further, we may face competition from our principal investors. Our principal investors or their affiliates may already have or may acquire an ownership interest in competing businesses (including national securities exchanges, dark pools, MTFs, ATSs or ECNs). These businesses may compete with us, either in relation to existing product and service offerings or any diversification of our product and service offerings into new asset classes and/or new geographic locations. For example, certain of our principal investors have a material interest in another MTF, Turquoise, and are planning to launch a new trading venue, "Plato." Furthermore, many of our principal investors operate off-exchange market-making desks, internalization platforms, dark pools, "lit" ATSs and ECNs and smart order routers, each of which potentially competes with us.

        If we are unable to compete successfully in this environment, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected. Also, if our share of total trading volumes decreases relative to our competitors, we may be less attractive to market participants as a source of liquidity, and we may lose additional trading volume and associated transaction fees, market data fees and connectivity fees as a result.

Our market data fees and net transaction fees may be reduced due to declines in our market share, trading volumes or regulatory changes, and our lack of revenue diversification may adversely affect our operating results and place us at a competitive disadvantage.

        We derived 34.8%34.1% and 44.7%44.6% of our revenues less cost of revenues from market data fees and net transaction fees, respectively, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015. We derived 35.9% and 42.7% of our revenues less cost of revenues from market data fees and net transaction fees, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Approximately 84.5%84.0% and 83.5%83.8% of our market data fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the yearyears ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, represent our share of tape fees from the U.S. tape plans based on a formula, required by Regulation NMS, which takes into account both trading and quoting activity. For purposes of calculating this percentage, we have not attributed any incremental costs associated with providing trading and quoting information to the U.S. tape plans. Transaction fees represent fees that we earn for trade execution on BZX (including our U.S. listed equity options


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market), BYX, EDGX (including our U.S. listed equity options market), EDGA and BATS Chi-XBats Europe, whether a trade is executed internally on BZX, BYX, EDGX, EDGA or BATS Chi-XBats Europe or routed to another market center.


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Net transaction fees represent transaction fees less the liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs that we incurred to earn those transaction fees.

        The occurrence of any event that reduces the amount of market data fees or transaction fees that we receive, whether as a result of fee reductions, fewer members subscribing to the U.S. tape plans, declines in market share or trading volumes (or notional volume in the case of BATS Chi-XBats Europe) or regulatory changes, will have a direct negative impact on our operating results and future profitability. For example, if our market share of U.S. listed cash equities and U.S. listed equity options trading, or our European cash equities trading, were to decline, our share of market data fees could also decline. In addition, if the amount of trading volume on BZX, BYX, EDGX or EDGA or notional value traded on BATS Chi-XBats Europe decreases, we will lose transaction fees. Moreover, market data fees could decline as a result of a reduction in the numbers of market data users, for example because of consolidation among market data subscribers or due to a decline in professional subscriptions as a result of staff reductions in the financial services industry or otherwise. For a discussion of the factors that may impact trading volumes, see "—Current economic conditions could adversely affect our business and financial condition." Regulatory changes could also impact the manner in which we set our transaction fees, the fees we receive from market data, or our cost in providing such services. See "—We operate in a highly regulated industry. Regulatory changes and changes in market structure could have a material adverse effect on our business and those of many of our clients."

        In addition, our dependence upon revenues derived primarily from our transaction-based businesses may place us at a competitive disadvantage. Some of our competitors derive a more significant portion of their revenues from more than one source as a result of more diversified product and service offerings and in more numerous geographies. For example, NYSE, LSE, Euronext and NASDAQ may realize substantial revenue from listing fees and index licensing fees, and some of our FX competitors may realize substantial revenue from market data and port fees. In addition, many of our competitors also offer technology outsourcing. As a result, lower transaction fees or market data fees may impact our operating results and future profitability more significantly than our competitors', providing them with a competitive advantage in pricing their products and services or withstanding a reduction in trading volume.

Our industry is characterized by intense price competition.

        The securities trading industry and FX market are characterized by intense price competition. We may be required to adjust pricing to respond to actions by new or existing competitors, which could adversely impact operating results. We also compete with respect to the pricing of market data and with respect to value-added market data such as historical market data. If we are unable to compete successfully with respect to the pricing of our services and products, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected. Furthermore, to attract market share, we may offer "inverted" pricing specials or no-transaction fee trading from time to time. For example, our BATSBats Hotspot Platform has at times offered trading of spot gold and silver pairs without any transaction fee, or waived taker fees for certain currency pairs, and previously offered free trading for all transactions on BATSBats Hotspot's London-based matching engine through 2015. In addition, BZX recently began offering to pay an incentive fee to exchange-traded investment funds that list their shares on BZX. These forms of promotions may adversely affect our profitability.

Our revenues are positively correlated with overall market volume, which can be impacted by a number of factors, including market prolonged diminished volatility.

        A significant percentage of our revenue is tied directly to the volume of securities traded on our markets. Trading volume on our markets can be influenced by a number of factors, including market


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volatility. The U.S. listed cash equity market trading volume was flat from 2012 through 2014 and increased 7.8% in 2015 from 2014 trading volumes. In addition, other events may affect overall market


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volume on a sustained basis, including rule-making under Dodd-Frank. For example, the provision commonly known as the Volcker Rule restricts banking entities from engaging in certain kinds of proprietary trading, including with respect to listed equity securities and listed equity options. Still in its early stages of adoption, the Volcker Rule could have an adverse impact on U.S. equity market volumes and BATS'Bats' U.S. equity exchanges. For example, if banking entities reduce their trading activity and that activity is not replaced by other market participants, we may face a decline in our trading volumes, which could lower our revenues and may adversely affect our operating results.

        Revenue from our FX business is influenced by the general level of trading activity in the FX market. Our FX revenue and operating results may vary significantly from period to period due primarily to movements and trends in the world's currency markets and to fluctuations in trading levels. We have generally experienced greater trading volume and higher revenue in periods of volatile currency markets. Significant swings in the market volatility can also result in increased customer trading losses, higher turnover and reduced trading volume. In the event we experience lower levels of currency volatility, our revenue and profitability may be negatively affected.

        Like other financial services firms, our FX business and profitability are directly affected by factors that are beyond our control, such as economic and political conditions, government or central bank actions like the unexpected actions of the Swiss National Bank on January 15, 2015, broad trends in business and finance, changes in the volume of foreign currency transactions, changes in supply and demand for currencies, movements in currency exchange rates, changes in the financial strength of market participants, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in how such transactions are processed and disruptions due to terrorism, war or extreme weather events. Any one or more of these factors, or other factors, may adversely affect our FX business and results of operations and cash flows. A weakness in equity markets could result in reduced trading activity in the FX market and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our FX business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

System limitations, failures or security breaches could harm our business.

        Our business depends on the integrity and performance of our computer and communications systems. If our systems cannot expand to cope with increased demand or otherwise fail to perform, we could experience unanticipated disruptions in service, slower response times and delays in the introduction of new products and services. These consequences could result in trading outages, lower trading volumes, financial losses, decreased customer service and satisfaction and regulatory sanctions. Our markets have experienced occasional systems failures and delays in the past and could experience future systems failures and delays.

        For example, on March 23, 2012, we experienced a serious technical failure on BZX, forcing us to cancel our planned IPO. The failure resulted from a software bug that appeared during the BATSBats IPO auction. In addition to forcing us to cancel our IPO, the technological failure played a role in the halting of another issuer's stock for five minutes. These technical failures damaged our reputation and resulted in increased regulatory scrutiny of the event by the SEC and other governmental authorities. We have since investigated that incident and adopted various policy and procedure enhancements, including implementation of an independent software quality assurance department, but there can be no guarantee that we will not suffer a similar technological failure in the future that damages our reputation and results in increased regulatory scrutiny by the SEC and other governmental authorities.

        Our systems and operations also are vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, natural disasters, power loss, cyber attacks, sabotage or terrorism, computer viruses, unauthorized access, intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. Persons who circumvent security measures


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could wrongfully access and use our information or our customers' information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. Although we currently maintain and expect to maintain security


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measures designed to protect the integrity of our systems, multiple computer facilities designed to provide redundancy and back-up to reduce the risk of system disruptions and facilities expected to maintain service during a system disruption, such security measures, systems and facilities may prove inadequate. Any breach in security or system failure that allows unauthorized access, causes an interruption in service or decreases the responsiveness of our systems could impair our reputation, damage our brand name and negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

We operate in a highly regulated industry. Regulatory changes and changes in market structure could have a material adverse effect on our business and those of many of our clients.

        Our securities markets and their participants are highly regulated and are subject to extensive regulation in the United States and Europe. In recent years, the securities trading industry and, in particular, the securities markets have also been subject to significant regulatory changes. Moreover, in the past several years, the securities markets have been the subject of increasing governmental and public scrutiny in response to the global economic crisis. For example, on July 21, 2010, Dodd-Frank was enacted, introducing significant changes to financial industry regulation. Dodd-Frank may also affect the structure, size, depth and liquidity of the financial markets generally and will require that certain standardized derivative products, likely including currency derivative products, be traded on a Swap Execution Facility, or SEF, or designated contract market, or DCM. Similarly, in Europe, the European Commission, or E.C., has proposed a draft delegated regulation in the context of the MiFID II reforms which would introduce a harmonized definition of currency derivative products across the European Union. If the proposed regulation is adopted in its current draft form, it would likely mean that a number of currency products which may have been treated as spot transactions (and outside the scope of the MiFID and certain other derivative rules) would thereafter be treated as derivative products (and consequently within the scope of the MiFID and certain other derivative rules). This may adversely impact the overall level of activity conducted in such products, although, to the extent that any such products are declared by the European Securities Markets Authority, or ESMA, to be subject to an obligation to trade on certain trading venues, this could lead to a greater proportion of the remaining activity taking place on trading venues.

        In addition, Congress, regulators and some media have been increasingly scrutinizing electronic trading and the structure of equity markets in recent years. The SEC continues to consider various potential market structure changes, which could result in reduced trading volumes, or which could negatively affect our business. For example, in June 2014, the Chair of the SEC announced that the SEC was conducting a comprehensive review of market structure. As part of that review, in January 2015, the SEC appointed a special market structure advisory committee of industry participants to review possible regulatory changes. In response to the SEC's efforts, many market participants, including BATS,Bats, have publicly announced recommendations for regulatory changes. Reforms recommended by various market participants have included: (i) the elimination of maker-taker pricing or a drastic reduction in access fees charged by exchanges, (ii) increased transparency around order handling practices, (iii) implementation of a so-called trade-at prohibition, which would restrict execution of a trade by a market center that was not displaying the best available quotation, such as off-exchange trading in listed equities, (iv) limitations on high frequency trading and restrictions on, and enhanced oversight of, broker-dealers' automated trading algorithms, (v) limitations on the distribution of direct, or proprietary, market data feeds by exchanges, (vi) changes to the governance models of the consolidated market data national market system plans, or SIPs, including potentially providing for increased representation by non-SROs, as well as increasing the SIPs' technological capacity, (vii) elimination of Self Regulatory Organization, or SRO, status for securities exchanges and (ix) limitations on or elimination of Rule 611 of Regulation NMS, which currently requires all market participants to execute trades at prices no worse than the best bid or offer displayed by an exchange or


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other automated trading center. To the extent the SEC decides to adopt some or all of these recommendations, our business could be negatively impacted. For example, elimination of maker-taker


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pricing or a reduction in access fees could make it more difficult to incentivize market makers to display orders on our exchanges, and could reduce our net transaction fees. Implementation of a trade-at prohibition could restrict our ability to execute non-displayed orders on our exchanges. New restrictions on high frequency trading or broker-dealers' use of automated trading algorithms could result in decreases in market volumes which could negatively affect our revenue. Additional restrictions on our ability to distribute proprietary market data could make it more difficult to derive revenue from the sale of such market data. Changes to the SIPs, including by providing for greater non-SRO participation or mandating further technological investments, could negatively impact the costs and revenues of the SIPs, which in turn could negatively impact the amount of revenue we receive from the SIPs. Elimination of SRO status for securities exchanges could have the effect of eliminating our ability to assert the legal defense of quasi-governmental immunity to shield us from civil liability for actions we take in furtherance of our SRO responsibilities, which in turn could subject us to liability for monetary damages in lawsuits. Elimination or limitation on Rule 611 could reduce market participants' need to execute trades on our exchanges when such exchange is displaying the best available price, reducing our trading volumes and revenues.

        Over the last several years the SEC and other regulators have proposed various specific market structure changes in addition to those described above. See "Regulation." Actions on any of the specific regulatory issues currently under review in the United States and Europe could have a material impact on our business. The SEC, FINRA and the national securities exchanges have proposed, adopted, or are in the process of implementing several initiatives aimed at addressing the oversight, integrity and resilience of the markets. These include large trader reporting, market access risk control rules, limit up/limit down trading price bands and market-wide circuit-breakers, among other initiatives. In addition, in July 2012, the SEC adopted a rule requiring FINRA and the securities exchanges, such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, to develop a consolidated audit trail, or CAT, that will allow regulators to efficiently and accurately track all activity in listed securities throughout the U.S. markets. While we support these initiatives and believe they will strengthen the U.S. equity market structure, these and potential future market structure reforms could involve significant implementation and ongoing costs for our U.S. exchange subsidiaries and other market participants. We believe our customers would likely bear a portion of these expenses through increased trading costs, and could result in lower transaction volumes. For example, the costs of developing, building and operating the CAT are expected to be significant. Although the manner in which the costs of the CAT will be allocated among the exchanges, FINRA and market participants has not yet been finalized, to the extent that FINRA and the national securities exchanges impose new quoting or trading fees in order to fund the CAT, market participants may alter their trading activities, causing volumes to decline.

        Effective November 2015, the SEC's Regulation SCI requires providers of certain key market infrastructure, including BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, to have comprehensive policies and procedures in place surrounding their technology. Regulation SCI, which stands for "Systems Compliance and Integrity," replaces the current voluntary compliance program with rules whose violation may be the subject of enforcement actions. Self-regulatory organizations, such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, certain ATSs, the SIPs and certain clearing agencies are required to take specific measures to ensure that the core technology meets these new Regulation SCI standards, to conduct business continuity testing and to provide certain notifications in the event of systems disruptions and other events. While we support this regulation and do not anticipate material changes will be necessary for continued compliance, the burdens associated with compliance with such rule could negatively impact our business by increasing our operational expenses.

        In addition, the SEC recently approved a two-year "tick pilot" program to impose wider minimum quoting and/or trading increments, or tick sizes, in certain illiquid securities in an effort to incent


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liquidity provision in those securities. The tick pilot is scheduled to begin by October 3, 2016, and among other criteria, will generally include stocks of companies with $3 billion or less in market


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capitalization, an average trading volume of one million shares or less, and a volume weighted average price of at least $2.00 for each trading day during the measurement period prior to the effective date of the pilot. The tick pilot will consist of a control group of approximately 1,400 securities and three test groups with 400 securities in each selected by a stratified sampling. During the pilot: (i) pilot securities in the control group will be quoted at the current tick size increment of $0.01 per share and will trade at the currently permitted increments; (ii) pilot securities in the first test group will be quoted in $0.05 minimum increments, but will continue to trade at any price increment that is currently permitted; (iii) the second test group will be quoted in $0.05 minimum increments and will trade at $0.05 minimum increments, subject to a midpoint exception, a retail investor exception, and a negotiated trade exception; and (iv) pilot securities in the third test group will be subject to the same terms as the second test group and will also be subject to a "trade-at" requirement to prevent price matching by a venue not displaying at a price of a trading center's best "protected" bid or offer, unless an enumerated exception applies. The exchanges, including BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, and FINRA are required to submit their initial assessments on the tick pilot's impact 18 months after the pilot begins based on data generated during the first 12 months of its operation. The tick pilot will require BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA to devote additional significant resources to implement and report on the program, increasing our costs. In addition, for tick pilot test group securities where execution at price increments narrower than the permitted quote is permitted, the implementation of the tick pilot could incentivize additional trading away from the exchanges, reducing the volume of orders executed on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA.

        The continued growth of high frequency trading, and what, if any, response is appropriate, has also been the subject of extensive Congressional and regulatory consideration. High frequency trading generally refers to certain types of computer-executed automated trading strategies. A number of exchanges and other market participants have also been the subject of private litigation and regulatory enforcement actions alleging that high frequency trading firms have received unfair advantages at the expense of other traders. High frequency trading accounts for a significant percentage of the daily volume in the U.S. and European equity markets and these actions and other efforts to slow trading could lead to a reduction in trading volumes, negatively impacting all trading markets, including our business.

        Our customers are also highly regulated. The SEC, FINRA, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, the OCC, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, or FCA, and other regulatory authorities could impose regulatory changes that could adversely impact the attractiveness of, and the ability of our customers to use, our markets. Regulatory changes by the SEC, FINRA, CFTC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, FCA or other regulatory authorities could result in the loss of a significant number of customers or a reduction in trading activity on our markets.

        The implementation of MiFID II in Europe will result in an alteration of the existing MiFID structure that has encouraged competition among market centers in Europe. The impact of MiFID II and MiFIR, is likely to be significant, and could reduce trading volumes and trading fees, while increasing our costs of operating in Europe.

        For example, MiFID II and MiFIR introduce a number of new rules which apply directly to European trading venues such as our MTF and RM. These rules include provisions governing high frequency algorithmic trading and specific obligations on firms operating RMs to put in place systems, procedures and arrangements to ensure the trading venue is resilient, has sufficient capacity to cope with order flow, has effective business continuity arrangements, etc. In particular, there are new rules specifically governing tick sizes, synchronization of business clocks and the imposition of limits on the ratio of orders to transactions which RMs will need to implement.


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        MiFIR also introduces a much broader transparency regime for RMs and MTFs covering not only pre-and post-trade transparency for equities but also for equity-like instruments, derivatives and fixed income instruments. Waivers from transparency are subject to venue-specific and European-wide volume caps which may curtail participants' ability to conduct dark book trading.

        In addition to the new trading venue and transparency rules noted above, MiFID II introduces enhanced internal organizational and compliance monitoring requirements for RMs which will require the enhancement of internal compliance arrangements, processes and procedures.

        These additional requirements, individually and in aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business and cash flows, financial condition and results of our European operations. They imply additional implementation expenditure but potentially also additional ongoing compliance resources. They may also have an adverse impact on the volume of trading that takes place on our venues thereby potentially reducing revenue.

        MiFIR may also have an adverse impact on our U.S. listed cash equity operations as a result of the introduction of a mandatory equity trading rule which would require E.U. investment firms to trade equities which are either admitted to trading on an RM or traded on an E.U. trading venue only on RMs, MTFs with systematic internalisers or with third-country trading venues which have been specifically assessed to be equivalent. Since a significant number of U.S. listed cash equities can be traded on E.U. trading venues, E.U. investment firms may be required to undertake trades in such U.S. listed cash equities only on those European markets unless and until an equivalence assessment is made in respect of our U.S. exchanges.

        On February 14, 2013, the E.C. published a proposal for a directive for a common Financial Transaction Tax, or FTT, in Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia or the participating Member States.

        The proposed FTT has a broad scope and could, if introduced in the form originally proposed, apply to certain transactions relating to financial instruments (including secondary market transactions) in certain circumstances.

        Under the February 14, 2013 proposal, the FTT could apply in certain circumstances to persons both within and outside of the participating Member States. Generally, it would apply to certain transactions relating to financial instruments where at least one party is a financial institution (as defined therein), and at least one party is established in a participating Member State. A financial institution may be, or be deemed to be, "established" in a participating Member State in a broad range of circumstances, including (a) by transacting with a person established in a participating Member State or (b) where the financial instrument which is the subject of the transaction is issued in a participating Member State.

        The FTT proposal remains subject to negotiation between the participating Member States. Ten out of the eleven participating Member States agreed on certain core principles at their December 2015 meeting, Estonia having withdrawn from the group. The next key deadline for the resolution of remaining issues is in June 2016. The FTT proposal may be altered prior to any implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Additional E.U. Member States may decide to participate and/or certain of the participating Member States may decide to withdraw.

        Legislators in the U.S. have also sponsored bills to impose an FTT on certain financial market transactions, including transactions in securities on an exchange.

        If implemented, an FTT may, among other matters, make listing the affected financial instruments on an exchange less attractive for issuers than would be the case absent implementation of the FTT. By raising the cost of trading for our customers, an FTT may reduce the volume of transactions and the liquidity and market efficiency of the capital markets, reducing revenues.


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        In addition, Dodd-Frank will likely result in exchange or execution platform trading and clearing of many swaps, which could give greater liquidity and accessibility to derivatives that compete with options traded on our U.S. listed equity options markets. The Camp Tax Reform proposals, introduced as legislation in 2014 as a means to unifying taxthe taxation of derivatives could result in adverse tax consequences to market participants, which may lead to fewer investors using listed equity options to reduce the risks of owning stock or generating additional income from their stock holdings. The proposals, if adopted as proposed, may reduce the volume of transactions in the U.S. listed equity options market. Furthermore, the SEC continues to consider whether to impose a cap on transaction fees charged by options exchanges similar to the caps applied to equity exchanges. Transaction fee caps would limit the amount of fees that we can charge to access our liquidity and, accordingly, the payments we can pay to market participants to attract liquidity.

        In addition to its other SRO responsibilities, BZX, as an ETP listing market, also is responsible for overseeing each listed company's compliance with BZX's listing standards. Our listings department evaluates applications submitted by issuers interested in listing their securities on BZX to determine whether the quantitative and qualitative listing standards have been satisfied. Once securities are listed, our listings department monitors each issuer's ongoing compliance with BZX's continued listing standards. Failure to comply with these SRO responsibilities could result in potential sanctions or fines and a negative impact on our reputation or branding.

        The legislative and regulatory environment in which the FX market operates is evolving and has undergone significant changes in the recent past and there may be future regulatory changes in the FX industry. FX market participants have seen an increasing number of law enforcement actions and regulatory inquiries into their business practices. The governmental bodies and regulatory organizations that regulate parts of the FX market have enacted, proposed and may consider additional legislative and regulatory initiatives and may adopt new or revised laws and regulations. Changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations by these entities, or the adoption of new legal or regulatory requirements, may also adversely affect our FX business. For example, the New York State Department of Financial Services recently issued a consent order with Barclays Bank PLC, or Barclays, pursuant to which Barclays agreed, among other things, to pay a $150 million fine over the "last look" function in its electronic FX trading business. The Hotspot Platform contains "last look" functionality that may be used by certain platform participants. Changes in how "last look" is viewed by governmental bodies or regulatory organizations may have an adverse impact on the acceptance of "last look" functionality in the FX market generally as well as on our FX business.

We plan on expanding our FX business, which will expose us to additional risks, including increased regulatory oversight.

        In September 2015, BATSBats Hotspot launched a London matching engine to target specific currency pairs that are more active in Europe and attract more participation from Europe and Asia, complementing BATSBats Hotspot's New York area matching engine and giving investors two distinct pools of liquidity to drive price formation globally. This business expansion brings increased risk and potentially increased regulatory scrutiny.

        BATSBats Hotspot may launch a SEF. Launching the SEF would require BATSBats Hotspot to comply with additional regulatory obligations, as the SEF will be registered with and regulated by the CFTC. For example, under Dodd-Frank and CFTC rules, SEFs must establish and enforce trading and market monitoring procedures and maintain comprehensive business records, among other requirements. Similarly, BATSBats Hotspot may also launch an MTF or other venue in the United Kingdom that would be registered with and regulated by the FCA, and subject to corresponding obligations.


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Changes to the regulators and agencies governing European financial markets could adversely affect our business.

        A number of changes in the regulators and agencies governing European financial markets have been enacted or proposed since the financial crisis. In 2010, the U.K. Government announced plans to reform the U.K. regulatory regime by abolishing the Financial Services Authority and replacing it with two regulators, one covering prudential risks and the other covering conduct of business matters. Accordingly, on April 1, 2013, the FCA became the primary regulator of BATS Chi-XBats Europe. In addition, three independent European agencies now regulate the financial markets, banking and insurance industries, with the mandate of contributing to the stability of the European Union's financial system by ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency and orderly functioning of securities markets, as well as by enhancing investor protection. In particular, ESMA fosters supervisory convergence both among national securities regulators and across financial sectors by working closely with the other competent European Supervisory Authorities, or ESAs.

        Until such changes have been in effect for a longer period of time, we cannot fully estimate what long term effect they will have on the oversight and operation of our European market, clearing and other operations, but we do expect it to affect our business, potentially leading to increased regulation and oversight of our operations and the European capital markets generally.

Regulatory changes or future court rulings may have an adverse impact on our revenue from proprietary market data products.

        Regulatory and legal developments could reduce the amount of revenue that we earn from our proprietary market data products. In the United States, we generally are required to seek approval fromfile with the SEC forany changes to the fees that we charge for our securities market data products. In recent years, certain industry groups have objected to the ability of exchanges to charge for certain market data products. Specifically, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, or SIFMA, has filed a number of denial of access applications with the SEC to set aside proposed rule changes to establish or modify fees for BATSBats market data products and related services. Each application is being held in abeyance pending a decision on a separate SIFMA denial of access application currently before the SEC's Chief Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, regarding fees proposed by NASDAQ and NYSE for their respective market data products. An adverse ruling in that matter could cause the SEC to more closely examine exchange market data fees, which in turn could result in our having to reduce the fees we charge for market data. The SEC also has authority to undertake such review at its own discretion. If such an examination is conducted, and the results are detrimental to our U.S. securities exchanges' ability to charge for market data, there could be a negative impact on our revenues. We cannot predict how the ALJ will rule on the matter or whether, or in what form, any regulatory changes will be implemented, or their potential impact on our business. A determination by the SEC, for example, to link securities market data fees to marginal costs, to take a more active role in the market data rate-setting process, or to reduce the current levels of securities market data fees could have an adverse effect on our securities market data revenues.

        We believe BATS Chi-XBats Europe currently offers market data to customers on a non-discriminatory basis at a reasonable cost. As regulators determine how market data should be disaggregated and what is a reasonable commercial basis for providing market data, as set out in MiFID II and MiFIR, it could affect our ability to offer market data products in the same manner that we do today thereby causing an adverse effect on our European market data revenues. While MiFID II aims to encourage a commercial solution to a consolidated tape in Europe, should this fail to materialize, policy makers might be encouraged to implement a mandatory solution that could impact our ability to develop our own commercial offering.


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We have indirect exposure to the European sovereign debt crisis.

        BATS Chi-XBats Europe may from time to time hold cash reserves in U.K. sovereign government debt, commonly known as Gilts. In addition, many of its customers are banks who may hold investments in Euro-denominated sovereign debt. To the extent those customers are negatively impacted by those investments, they may be less able to pay amounts owed to us or renew service agreements with us. Such developments could negatively affect our business. Further, to the extent that sovereign debt concerns depress economic activity, it may negatively impact the number of transactions processed on our trading venues, resulting in lower revenue.

        In addition, an exit from the Euro by an E.U. Member State or an ongoing recession in the Euro zone and the related Euro crisis could lead to foreign exchange volatility and a potential loss of revenues if trading volumes are negatively impacted across all of our trading platforms. In particular, a referendum to vote on the United Kingdom's continued membership in the European Union is anticipated by the end of 2017.scheduled to take place on June 23, 2016. Should the United Kingdom vote to withdraw from the European Union, there may be an unfavorable business environment for companies with operations in the United Kingdom that do business in the European Union. In such a case, BATS Chi-XBats Europe may move some or all of its operations to the European Union and the related costs and expenses could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are dependent on the members of our senior management team and other key personnel.

        We are highly dependent upon our Chief Executive Officer and President, Chris Concannon, and the CEO of BATS Chi-XBats Europe, Mark Hemsley. Both of these individual'sindividuals' talents and leadership have been, and continue to be, critical to our success. The diminution or loss of the services of any one of these individuals for any reason, and any negative market or industry perception arising from that diminution or loss, would have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Our success also depends largely on the efforts and abilities of the other key members of our senior management team. Many of these individuals have worked together closely since our inception in 2005.

        Members of our senior management team are subject to employment agreements, each with a term of three years, with automatic one-year annual extensions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an employment agreement and the corresponding employment relationship between us and our senior management may be terminated at any time by either party with or without cause or advance notice. Accordingly, it is possible that one or more members of our senior management team could resign to work elsewhere. Because each member of our senior management team has a different area of specialization, the departure of any one of these individuals could create a deficiency in one of the core aspects of our business, particularly given our small number of employees relative to our competitors.

        We are also dependent on the efforts of our team of technology professionals, many of whom have been with us for several years, and on our ability to recruit and retain highly skilled and often specialized personnel, particularly in light of the rapid pace of technological advances. The level of competition in our industry for individuals with this level of experience or these skills is intense. Significant losses of key personnel, particularly to competitors, could make it difficult for us to compete successfully. In addition, we may be unable to attract and retain qualified management and personnel in the future, including in relation to any diversification of our product and service offerings into new asset classes and/or new geographic locations.

        We do not maintain "key person" life insurance policies on any of our executive officers, managers, key employees or technical personnel. The loss of the services of these persons for any reason, as well as any negative market or industry perception arising from those losses, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.


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We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological and other competitive changes affecting our industries, and we may be unable to further diversify our business.

        The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and regulations, frequent enhancements to existing products and services, the adoption of new services and products and changing customer demands and regulatory requirements. If our platforms fail to function as expected, our business would be negatively affected. In addition, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected if we cannot successfully develop, introduce and/or market new services and products or if we need to adopt costly and customized technology for our services and products. Further, our failure to anticipate or respond adequately to changes in technology, customer preferences and regulatory requirements or any significant delays in product development efforts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

        In addition, we will face significant challenges as we seek to diversify our product and service offerings. We may, for example, diversify our equities business by competing with NYSE, NASDAQ and other exchanges and non-exchange trading platforms for new asset classes and in new geographic locations and new or existing listings. We may also diversify our FX business by competing with ICAP plc (Electronic Booking System)(EBS BrokerTec), Thomson Reuters and others for new asset classes and in new geographic locations. We will face substantial competition from these market centers, some of which have greater brand recognition than we do and offer a broader range of services than we currently offer. Accordingly, we may not be able to increase our revenues, compete successfully by further diversifying our product and service offerings or meet ongoing and changing regulatory requirements.

We generate a significant percentage of our total revenues from, and are provided with significant liquidity in our markets by, customers who are affiliates of our principal investors, who are not contractually obligated to continue to use our services or purchase our products and who also use the services of our competitors.

        We earn a significant percentage of our revenue from customers who are affiliates of our principal investors. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 46.7% and 49.9% of our total transaction fees were generated by affiliates of our principal investors, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 45.1%, 43.2%, and 2012, 49.0%, 46.6% and 45.7%36.3% of our total transaction fees, respectively, were generated by affiliates of our principal investors. One of our principal investors accounted for 11%, 12% and 10% of our total transaction fees during the nine monthsyears ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and the years 2014 and 2013, respectively. None of our principal investors accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues during the 2012 year. In addition, affiliates of our principal investors also provide us with liquidity for which we provide them with a rebate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 52.4% and 53.8% of our total liquidity payments was generated by affiliates of our principal investors, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 52.2%, 51.5%, and 2012, 54.8%, 53.4% and 52.8%50.8% of our total liquidity payments, respectively, were generated by affiliates of our principal investors. For the nine monthsyears ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, none of our principal investors accounted for more than 10% of total liquidity rebates paid. For the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, an affiliate of one of our principal investorsinvestor accounted for 9%, 12% and 10%, respectively,11% of total liquidity rebates paid. None of our customers is contractually or otherwise obligated to continue to use our services or purchase our products. In addition, affiliates of our principal investors and our other customers have made, and may continue to make, investments in businesses that directly compete with us. Our customers also trade, and will continue to trade, on markets operated by our competitors. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, participation on our markets by these customers may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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We may not be able to successfully integrate BATSBats Hotspot, which may result in an inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition.

        Integrating BATSBats Hotspot's operations will involve complex technological, operational and personnel-related challenges. This process will be time-consuming and may disrupt the business of the combined company. Difficulties, costs and delays could be encountered with respect to:


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        For these reasons, we may not achieve the anticipated financial and strategic benefits, including cost savings from operational efficiencies and synergies, from the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot's businesses, and any actual cost savings and synergies may be lower than we currently expect and may take a longer time to achieve than we currently anticipate.

We may have difficulty executing our growth strategy and managing our growth effectively.

        We have experienced significant growth in our business since our inception in 2005, with material expansions into diverse businesses including European listed cash equity securities, U.S. listed equity options and global institutional spot FX trading. While our securities market share has increased, there is no guarantee this will continue in the future. Continuing to grow our businesses will require increased investment in our facilities, personnel and financial and management systems and controls. Unless our growth results in an increase in our revenues that is proportionate to the increase in our costs associated with this growth, our future profitability will be adversely affected. Furthermore, failure to successfully expand into new asset classes or new geographies may adversely affect our growth strategy and our future profitability.

        As part of our growth strategy, we intend to continue evaluating potential acquisition opportunities and strategic alliances. Any such transaction may be effected quickly, may occur at any time and may be significant in size relative to our existing assets and operations. The market for acquisition targets and strategic alliances is highly competitive, particularly in light of increasing consolidation in the securities trading industry and FX industry, which may adversely affect our ability to find acquisition candidates or strategic partners that fit our growth strategy and our investment parameters. These transactions involve numerous risks, including, among others:


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        Failure to successfully manage any acquisition or strategic alliance we may make in the future could adversely affect our growth strategy and our future profitability. Furthermore, future acquisitions or strategic alliances may require significant resources and may result in significant unanticipated losses, costs or liabilities.


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        Future acquisitions may be effected through the issuance of our common stock, which could substantially dilute the ownership percentage of our current stockholders.

If our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

        As a result of our acquisitions of Chi-X Europe on November 30, 2011, Direct Edge on January 31, 2014 and BATSBats Hotspot on March 13, 2015, we have recorded approximately $1,042.5 million of goodwill and other acquired intangible assets. We assess the potential impairment of goodwill at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances signal indicators of impairment are present. Adverse changes in economic conditions or our operations could affect the assumptions we use to calculate the fair value, which in turn could result in an impairment charge in future periods that would impact our results of operations and financial position.

The regulatory framework under which we operate and new regulatory requirements or new interpretations of existing regulatory requirements could require substantial time and resources for compliance, which could make it difficult and costly for us to operate our business.

        Our securities markets operate in a highly regulated industry and may be subject to regulatory actions or other legal proceedings that could lead to censures, fines or other penalties if we fail to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations or our customers fail to comply with their obligations. The securities trading industry is subject to significant regulatory oversight and could be subject to increased governmental and public scrutiny in the future in response to global conditions and events. In the United States, our markets are regulated by the SEC and our broker-dealer subsidiary is regulated by the SEC, FINRA and other applicable SROs. In the United Kingdom, our markets are subject to local and/or E.U. regulation. As a result, our RMs may be subject to audits, investigations, administrative proceedings and enforcement actions relating to compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

        In January 2015, the SEC completed two separate investigations into the development of order types: one related to BZX and BYX and another related to EDGX and EDGA. While the SEC concluded its investigation with no action taken with regards to BZX and BYX, the SEC accepted our offer of settlement with respect to EDGX and EDGA, which included a monetary penalty and an agreement to implement certain measures aimed at preventing future violations of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In the future, we could be subject to SEC or other regulatory investigations or enforcement proceedings that could result in substantial sanctions, including revocation of our operating licenses. Any such investigations or proceedings, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs, the diversion of resources, including management time, and potential harm to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, our exchanges could be required to modify or restructure their regulatory functions in response to any changes in the regulatory environment, or they may be required to rely on third parties to perform regulatory and oversight functions, each of which may require us to incur substantial expenses and may harm our reputation if our regulatory services are deemed inadequate.

        In addition, our registered broker-dealer subsidiary, BATSBats Trading, is subject to regulation by the SEC, FINRA and other SROs. As a registered broker-dealer, BATSBats Trading is subject to regulations concerning all aspects of its business, including trading practices, order handling, best execution, anti-money laundering, handling of material non-public information, safeguarding data, reporting, record retention, market access and the conduct of its officers, employees and other associated persons. In addition, BATSBats Trading is subject to regulatory requirements intended to ensure its general financial soundness and liquidity, which require that it comply with certain minimum capital requirements. The


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certain predefined criteria, dictate the ratio of debt to equity in the regulatory capital composition of a broker-dealer and constrain the ability of a broker-dealer to expand its business under certain circumstances. Additionally, the SEC's uniform net capital rule and FINRA rules impose certain requirements that may have the effect of prohibiting a broker-dealer from distributing or withdrawing capital and requiring prior notice to the SEC and FINRA for certain withdrawals of capital. Any failure to comply with applicable broker-dealer regulations could have a material adverse effect on the operation of our business, financial condition and operating results.

        Our European securities business is subject to regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom by the FCA, which through the "passporting" process provides authorization to carry on business in other EEA member states. The authorities may revoke this authorization if we do not suitably carry out our regulated business activities. The authorities are also entitled to request that we adopt measures in order to ensure that we continue to fulfill the authorities' requirements. Any failure by us to meet these requirements or any revocation by the authorities of our authorization to carry on business in other EEA member states would materially affect our ability to operate a trading venue on a pan-European basis and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We currently operate both an RIE and a routing broker in the United Kingdom.

        In addition, the regulatory authorities in certain foreign jurisdictions may require securities exchanges to be named on certain designated exchange lists maintained by such authorities. The failure of any of our exchanges to be named on any such list may make it difficult for certain foreign investors to invest, or prevent certain foreign investors from investing, in our listed securities, which may put our listings business in such jurisdictions at a competitive disadvantage compared to other securities exchanges that have been named on such designated exchange's lists. Failure to comply with the applicable foreign regulations may also subject us or our customers in such jurisdictions to regulatory actions or other legal proceedings that could lead to fines or other penalties.

We have self-regulatory obligations that may create conflicts of interests.

        We have obligations to regulate and monitor activities in our markets and ensure compliance with applicable law and the rules of our markets by market participants. In the United States, the SEC and others have expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest of "for-profit" markets performing the regulatory functions of an SRO. For example, we are responsible for identifying possible violations of the securities laws by our members and taking regulatory action against those members if such violations are confirmed. Although our U.S. exchanges outsource certain of their regulatory functions to FINRA, we could be conflicted in pursuing such regulatory actions against our customers because to do so could result in a loss of trading volumes on our markets. Any failure by us to diligently and fairly regulate our markets or to otherwise fulfill our regulatory obligations could significantly harm our reputation, prompt SEC scrutiny and adversely affect our business and reputation.

Our ability to implement or amend rules could be limited or delayed because of regulatory oversight, review or approval, which could negatively affect our ability to implement needed changes or expand our products or services.

        Our exchanges registered with the SEC must submit proposed rule changes to the SEC for its review and, in many cases, its approval. Even where a proposed rule change may be effective upon filing with the SEC, the SEC retains the right to suspend and disapprove such rule changes. The rule review process can be lengthy and can significantly delay the implementation of proposed rule changes that we believe are necessary to the operation of our markets. If the SEC delays or does not allow one of our exchanges to implement a rule change, this could negatively affect our ability to make needed changes or implement business activities. In addition, we must compete with ATSs that are not subject to the same SEC approval process and therefore may have lower regulatory and surveillance costs than us. There is a risk that other trading venues will be able to charge lower fees than us because they


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spend significantly less on regulation, attracting trading to those venues. The SEC has also been actively enforcing exchanges' compliance with these requirements, including entering an order against EDGX and EDGA for alleged failures to properly maintain SEC-approved rules relating to all of its order types. See "—Failures in our compliance systems could subject us to significant legal and regulatory costs. Furthermore, if our risk management methods are not effective, our business, reputation and financial results may be adversely affected."

        Similarly, the SEC must approve amendments to our exchange subsidiaries' certificates of incorporation and bylaws, as well as certain amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The SEC may decide not to approve a proposed amendment or may delay such approval in a manner


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that could negatively affect our ability to make a desired change, which could prevent or delay us from improving the operations of our markets or recognize income from new products.

We depend on third-party service providers for certain services that are important to our business. An interruption or cessation of such service by any third-party could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We depend on a number of service providers, including but not limited to, banking and clearing organizations such as the National Securities Clearing Corporation, or NSCC, and the OCC, and its member clearing firms; LCH.Clearnet Group, EuroCCP, SIX x-clear AG; data center providers such as Equinix, which hosts our primary data centers in the United States and Europe, and CenturyLink, which hosts our backup data center in the United States; the Consolidated Tape Association, or CTA, and the Options Price Reporting Authority, LLC, or OPRA; and various vendors of communications and networking products and services.

        We also rely on third-party broker-dealers for routing and clearing services in certain circumstances. Specifically, we may route an order from a customer away from our markets to another trading venue if there is insufficient liquidity on our markets to match the order and/or if the customer is utilizing one of our smart-order routing strategies. We may use a third-party broker-dealer to establish back-up connectivity to another exchange in the event that our connection to such exchange fails, because we do not have a direct connection to such exchange or to take advantage of tiered pricing rates at such exchange. Once we (or such third-party) fill an order on another market, the executed trade is sent to a clearing broker to match the details of the trade with the clearing broker for the other party to the trade. We rely on affiliates of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Wedbush Securities, Credit Suisse and Lime Brokerage, each of which is an affiliate of one of our principal investors, to route orders that are not routed directly by us and to clear certain trades routed to other markets.

        In addition, we currently rely on FINRA to perform certain regulatory functions on our behalf pursuant to a regulatory services agreement, or RSA, which we entered into in 2014. Under the RSA, we maintain ultimate responsibility for the regulatory activities.

        We cannot assure you that any of these providers will be able to continue to provide these services in an efficient manner or that they will be able to adequately expand their services to meet our needs. An interruption or malfunction in or the cessation of an important service by any third-party and our inability to make alternative arrangements in a timely manner, or at all, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Financial or other problems experienced by third parties could have an adverse effect on our business.

        We are exposed to credit risk from third parties, including customers, clearing agents and counterparties. For example, we are exposed to credit risk for transaction fees we bill to customers on a monthly basis in arrears. Our customers and other third parties may default on their obligations to us due to lack of liquidity, operational failure, bankruptcy or other reasons.


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        In addition, with respect to orders BATSBats Trading routes to other markets for execution on behalf of our customers, BATSBats Trading is exposed to some counterparty credit risk in the case of failure to perform on the part of our clearing firms, Wedbush Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley, as well as failure on the part of our routing brokers (e.g., Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, NASDAQ, Lime Brokerage and Bank of America Merrill Lynch) to pass back transactional rebates. Wedbush Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley guarantee trades until one day after the trade date, after which time NSCC provides a guarantee. Thus, BATSBats Trading is potentially exposed to credit risk to the counterparty to a trade routed to another market center between the trade date and one day after the trade date in the event that Wedbush Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley fails to perform.


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        With respect to U.S. equities, BATSBats Trading has counterparty credit risk exposure to Wedbush Securities and Morgan Stanley related to clearing until the day following the trade date. BATSBats Trading uses Wedbush Securities to clear trades routed through Credit Suisse as well as for trades routed directly to other exchanges and optionally dark pools. Morgan Stanley clears trades routed through the Morgan Stanley routing brokers and also clears executions routed to most dark pools. BATSBats Trading maintains counterparty credit risk exposure from routing brokers (i.e., Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, NASDAQ) with respect to rebates earned until completion of the routing brokers next invoice cycle following the execution.

        BATSBats Trading is subject to counterparty credit risk exposure from Wedbush Securities and Bank of America Merrill Lynch related to U.S. listed equity options until the day following the trade date. For U.S. listed equity options, BATSBats Trading uses Wedbush Securities to clear trades routed through Lime Brokerage as well as trades sent directly to another exchange. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is used to clear trades routed through its own routing broker. Counterparty credit risk also exists with respect to rebates earned from routing brokers (Lime Brokerage and Bank of America Merrill Lynch) until completion of the routing brokers' next invoice cycle has completed for an execution.

        Our exposure to credit risk may be further impacted by volatile securities markets that may affect the ability of our customers and other third parties to satisfy their contractual obligations to us. Moreover, we may not be successful in managing our credit risk through reporting and control procedures or by maintaining credit standards. Any losses arising from such defaults or other credit losses could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

        BATSBats Hotspot is not a counterparty to any FX transactions occurring on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform and it does not have any direct counterparty risk associated with such transactions. All transactions occurring on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform occur bilaterally between two banks or prime brokers as counterparties to the trade. While BATSBats Hotspot does not have direct counterparty risk, BATSBats Hotspot may suffer a decrease in transaction volume if a bank or prime broker experiences an event that causes other prime brokers to decrease or revoke the credit available to the prime broker experiencing the event. Therefore, BATSBats Hotspot may have risk that is related to the credit of the banks and prime brokers that trade FX on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform.

We may be required to inject further capital into EuroCCP.

        BATSBats Trading Limited owns 25% of EuroCCP, a Dutch domiciled clearing house. EuroCCP is one of three interoperable central counterparties, or CCPs, used to clear trades conducted on BATS Chi-XBats Europe. If EuroCCP were to experience financial difficulties, BATS Chi-XBats Europe might be required to inject further capital into it in order to maintain its working or regulatory capital. In a worst case scenario, EuroCCP might have its regulatory license suspended or withdrawn, or it might have to wind down. This would result in a loss to BATS Chi-XBats Europe of its investment in EuroCCP and a withdrawal of EuroCCP as a clearing house to the BATS Chi-XBats Europe markets.


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We may be required to assume ownership of a position in securities in connection with our order routing service, which could subject us to trading losses when we dispose of that position.

        We offer a smart-order routing service through our broker-dealer subsidiary, BATSBats Trading, which provides our customers with access to other market centers when we route their orders to those market centers for execution. In connection with this service, however, we may assume ownership of a position in securities. This may occur, for example, when a market center to which we have routed a customer's order experiences systems problems and is unable to determine the status of that order. When this happens, we may make a business decision to provide a cancellation notice to our customer, relieving our customer of any liability with respect to the order. We may be informed later, however, that the order was executed at the market center to which we routed it, in which case BATSBats Trading would be required to take ownership of that securities position. Our clearing brokers, Wedbush Securities, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, maintain error accounts on behalf of BATSBats Trading


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into which such positions settle, and we require the respective clearing broker to trade out of those positions as expeditiously as possible, which could result in our incurring trading losses.

Current economic conditions could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

        Our business performance is impacted by a number of factors, including general economic conditions and other factors that are generally beyond our control. A long-term continuation of challenging economic conditions is likely to negatively impact our business. Poor economic conditions may result in a decline in trading volume and a reduction in the demand for our products and could affect the ability of our customers to meet their obligations to us.

        Securities market data revenues may also be significantly affected by global market conditions. Adverse market conditions may cause reductions in the number of recipients of our market data.

        Securities and FX trading volume is directly affected by economic, political and market conditions, broad trends in business and finance, unforeseen market closures or other disruptions in trading, the level and volatility of interest rates, inflation, changes in price levels of securities and the overall level of investor confidence. In recent years, trading volumes across our markets have fluctuated significantly depending on market conditions and other factors beyond our control. In addition, trading volume in a particular stock could be negatively impacted by a significant reverse stock split which materially reduces the number of shares of such stock in the market. It is not possible to accurately forecast volatility or trading volumes. Because a significant percentage of our revenue is tied directly to the volume of securities traded on our markets, it is possible that a general decline in trading volumes could lower revenues and may adversely affect our operating results if we are unable to offset falling volumes through increased market share or other pricing actions.

        In Europe, countries such as Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain have been particularly affected by the recent financial and economic conditions. The European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have prepared rescue packages for some of the affected countries. Other Euro-zone countries have been forced to take actions to mitigate similar developments in their economies. We cannot predict with any certainty whether these packages or other rescue plans will ultimately be successful or the effect that they may have on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Fluctuations in our quarterly operating results may negatively affect the valuation of our common stock.

        Our business experiences seasonal fluctuations, reflecting reduced trading activity generally during the third quarter of each year and during the last month of theeach year. In addition, the financial services


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industry is risky and unpredictable and is directly affected by many national and international factors beyond our control, including:

        Any one of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results by causing a substantial decline in the financial services markets and reducing trading volumes. As a result, it is possible that our operating results or other operating metrics may fail to meet the expectations of stock market analysts and investors. If this happens, the market price of our common stock may be adversely affected.


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The occurrence or perception of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could harm our business.

        In the course of our business, we receive, process, transmit and store confidential information. Our treatment of such information is subject to contractual restrictions. While we take measures to protect against unauthorized access to such information, these measures may be inadequate, and any failure on our part to protect this information may subject us to contractual liability and damages, loss of business, penalties and unfavorable publicity. Even the mere perception of a security breach or inadvertent disclosure of confidential information could harm our reputation. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business.

Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights and claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.

        To protect our intellectual property rights, we rely on a combination of trademark and copyright laws in the United States and similar laws in other countries, trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements with our employees, customers and others. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or misappropriated, and any application for registration of such rights could be denied. We may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of our proprietary information or take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property adequately could harm our brand and affect our ability to compete effectively. Defending our intellectual property rights could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Further, the laws of certain countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology adequately against unauthorized third-party copying or use, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

        Although we own patents covering our proprietary business processes related to the BATSBats 1000 Index and our proprietary business processes related to our now defunct European market-on-close


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product, as well as having filed patent applications further covering the administration of the BATSBats 1000 Index, our national best bid or best offer, or NBBO, Setter and Joiner pricing, our primary market auction, the business process related to operating an exchange based on the net asset value of an ETP, our CLP Program and our retail price improvement, or RPI, Program, we do not anticipate relying upon patents as a primary means of protecting our rights in our intellectual property. In any event, there can be no assurance that our patent applications will be approved, that any issued patents will adequately protect our intellectual property or that such patents will not be challenged by third parties.

        Finally, third parties may claim that we or customers indemnified by us are infringing upon their intellectual property rights. Even if we believe that such claims are without merit, they can be time-consuming and costly to defend and divert management resources and attention. Successful claims of intellectual property infringement also might require us to redesign infringing technology, enter into costly settlement or license agreements, pay costly damage awards or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from using infringing technology. If we are found to be infringing and cannot, or do not, license the infringed technology on reasonable pricing terms or at all, or substitute similar technology from another source, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.


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Our use of open source software code may subject our software to general release or require us to re-engineer our software, which could harm our business.

        We have used open source software code to create our proprietary software for use in our business. Companies that incorporate open source software into their products have, from time to time, faced claims challenging the ownership of open source software. As a result, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software. In addition, some open source software licenses require users who distribute open source software as part of their software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code in their software and make any derivative works of the open source code available on unfavorable terms or at no cost. Open source license terms may be ambiguous, and many of the risks associated with usage of open source software cannot be eliminated. We believe that our use of open source software is in compliance with the relevant open source software licenses and does not require disclosure of any of our source code. However, if we were found to have inappropriately used open source software, we may be required to release our proprietary source code, re-engineer or discontinue use of our software or take other remedial action.

We are subject to risks relating to litigation, potential securities law liability and other liability.

        Many aspects of our business, including trading, market data services and listings, and the business of our members, potentially involve substantial liability risks. These risks include, among others, potential liability from disputes over terms of a trade and the claim that a system failure or delay caused monetary loss to a member or that an unauthorized trade occurred. For example, dissatisfied members that have traded on our electronic platform or those on whose behalf such members have traded, may make claims regarding the quality of trade execution, or allege improperly confirmed or settled trades, abusive trading practices, security and confidentiality breaches, mismanagement or even fraud against us or our members. In addition, because of the ease and speed with which sizable trades can be executed on our electronic platform, members can lose substantial amounts by inadvertently entering trade orders or by entering them inaccurately. A large number of significant error trades could result in member dissatisfaction and a decline in member willingness to trade in our electronic markets.

        In addition, SROs such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are required by federal law to perform a variety of functions that would otherwise be performed by a governmental agency. As such, and similar to sovereign immunity accorded to governments, U.S. federal courts have held that SROs are immune from civil damages for conduct undertaken as part of their statutorily delegated adjudicatory, regulatory and prosecutorial authority. This immunity, however, only covers certain of our activities in


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the United States, and we could be exposed to liability under national and local laws, court decisions and rules and regulations promulgated by regulatory agencies.

        Furthermore, in the United States, our securities markets are subject to oversight by the SEC. As a result, we could be subject to investigations and judicial or administrative proceedings that result in substantial penalties if we were found to be out of compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws. Any such liability or penalties could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have from time to time received inquiries and investigative requests from the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations as well as the SEC's Division of Enforcement seeking information about our and our members' compliance with the federal securities laws. For example, in January 2015, the SEC completed two separate investigations into the development of order types, one related to BZX and BYX and another related to EDGX and EDGA. While the SEC concluded its investigation with no action taken with regards to BZX and BYX, the SEC accepted our offer of settlement with respect to EDGX and EDGA which included a monetary penalty and an agreement to implement certain measures aimed at preventing future violations of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


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        From time to time we are also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. While we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal proceedings will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance.

        On April 18, 2014, the City of Providence, Rhode Island filed a securities class action lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against BATSBats and Direct Edge, as well as 14 other securities exchanges. The action purports to be brought on behalf of all public investors who purchased and/or sold shares of stock in the United States between April 18, 2009 and the present on a registered public stock exchange (Exchange Defendants) or a U.S.-based alternate trading venue and were injured as a result of the misconduct detailed in the complaint, which includes allegations that the defendants committed fraud through a variety of business practices associated with, among other things, what is commonly referred to as high frequency trading. On May 2, 2014 and May 20, 2014, American European Insurance Company and Harel Insurance Co., Ltd. each filed substantially similar class action lawsuits against the Exchange Defendants which were ultimately consolidated with the City of Providence, Rhode Island securities class action lawsuit. On June 18, 2015, Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York held oral argument on the pending Motion to Dismiss and thereafter, on August 26, 2015, the Court issued an Opinion and Order granting Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, dismissing the Complaint in full. Plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal of the dismissal on September 24, 2015 and its appeal brief on January 7, 2016. Respondent's brief will be due on or before April 7, 2016.

        On May 23, 2014 and May 30, 2014, Harold R. Lanier filed three class action lawsuits in the Southern District of New York against BATSBats and other securities exchanges. The complaints were identical in all substantive respects, but each related to the dissemination of market data under a different market system: (i) the NASDAQ Unlisted Trading Privileges, or UTP, Plan Market System; (ii) the OPRA Market System; and (iii) the Consolidated Quotation System, or CQS, and the Consolidated Tape System, or CTS. Each of the actions purported to be brought on behalf of all subscribers who entered into contracts with the exchanges for the receipt of market data and were injured as a result of the misconduct detailed in the complaints, which includes allegations that the defendants did not provide market data services in a non-discriminatory manner or provide subscribers with "valid" data (i.e., data that is accurate and not stale). On January 16, 2015, Judge Katherine Forrest of the Southern District of New York held oral argument on the pending Motion to Dismiss and thereafter, on April 28, 2015, the Court filed an Opinion and Order granting the Exchange Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, terminating all three class action lawsuits with prejudice. On May 20, 2015, Plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal of the dismissal and on September 1, 2015, Appellant filed its


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appeal brief. Respondent's brief was filed on November 24, 2015 and Appellant's reply brief was filed on December 8, 2015. Oral argument has been scheduled forarguments were held on March 3, 2016.

        In addition to potential sanctions, censure, monetary penalties and disruption of our business, an investigation, inquiry, regulatory enforcement action and the related publicity could impair our reputation and damage our brand name, particularly with our members and other market participants. This could result in a decrease of our share of total trading volumes relative to our competitors, which may make us less attractive to market participants as a source of liquidity and cause us to lose additional trading volume and associated fees, which would adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and operating results.

        Our European business is subject to regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom by the FCA, which through the "passporting" process provides authorization to carry on business in other EEA member states. In addition, our operations are regulated at the European Union level. If a regulatory authority makes a finding of non-compliance, conditional fines could be imposed, and our licenses could be revoked. Any such fine or revocation of a license could have a material adverse effect on our business.


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Failures in our compliance systems could subject us to significant legal and regulatory costs. Furthermore, if our risk management methods are not effective, our business, reputation and financial results may be adversely affected.

        Our ability to comply with all applicable laws and rules is largely dependent on our establishment and maintenance of compliance, audit, risk and reporting systems and procedures, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance, audit and risk management personnel. These systems and procedures may not be fully effective. We face the risk of intervention by regulatory authorities, including extensive examination and surveillance activity. In the case of actual or alleged non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to investigations and judicial or administrative proceedings that may result in substantial penalties, settlements or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages, which can be substantial. In the past, the SEC has brought actions against exchange operators for failing to fulfill their obligations to have an effective regulatory system. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and rules could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and operating results and, in extreme cases, our ability to conduct our business or portions thereof.

        Additionally, we have adopted policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage our risks. For example, our Global Policy for Enterprise Risk Management, or ERM, adopts a framework for identifying and managing risks in both our U.S. and European operations. In the U.S., the ERM framework is overseen by the U.S. exchanges' Audit Committee, as well as the company's Audit Committee, and ultimately the company's board of directors. The ERM framework is also periodically reviewed by the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations as part of routine inspections. The policy created a firm-wide risk committee that regularly reviews known and emerging risks, as well as the maintenance of the risk register. The European ERM framework is overseen by the BATSBats Trading Limited Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee as well as the company's Audit Committee, and ultimately the company's board of directors. The FCA has also reviewed and approved the framework and maintains continuous dialogue with European executive management on risk-related matters. The framework has been in place formally since January 2013 and, in addition to the policy and strategy, comprises a risk appetite statement and risk register. We also maintain a vendor management policy that is intended to both manage the business relationships and mitigate the risks associated with utilizing outside vendors and other third-party service providers. We employ a vendor risk tool to facilitate this process.


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        These policies and procedures, however, may not be fully effective. If our policies and procedures are not fully effective or we are not always successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed, our business, reputation, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Damage to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We believe one of our competitive strengths is our strong industry reputation. Various issues may give rise to reputational risk, including issues relating to:


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        Damage to our reputation could cause a reduction in the trading volume on our exchanges or cause us to lose customers. This, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Because we have operations outside of the United States, we are exposed to currency risk.

        We have operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Singapore. We therefore have significant exposure to exchange rate movements between the British pound, the Euro, the Singapore dollar and the U.S. dollar. Significant inflation or changes in foreign exchange rates with respect to one or more of these currencies could occur as a result of general economic conditions, acts of war or terrorism, changes in governmental monetary or tax policy or changes in local interest rates. These exchange rate differences will affect the translation of our non-U.S. results of operations and financial condition into U.S. dollars as part of our consolidated financial statements.

Changes in tax laws, regulations or policies could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

        Like other corporations, we are subject to taxes at the federal, state and local levels, as well as in non-U.S. jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws, regulations or policies could result in us having to pay higher taxes, which would in turn reduce our net income. For example, in 2015, our tax liability


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increased as a result of legislative changes in New York and New York City. In computing our tax obligation in federal, state and local and non-U.S. jurisdictions, we take various tax positions on matters that are not entirely free from doubt. We cannot assure you that upon review of these positions the applicable tax authorities will agree with our positions. A successful challenge by a tax authority could result in additional taxes being imposed on us.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management's attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.

        As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and BZX listing requirements. The requirements of these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and may also place undue strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. Our management will be required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to such internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and improve the


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effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, significant resources and management oversight will be required. As a result, management's attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could result in our not being able to accurately report our financial results, prevent or detect fraud or provide timely and reliable financial information pursuant to the reporting obligations we will have as a public company, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, it could cause our investors to lose confidence in the financial information we report, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

        These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified independent members of our board of directors. Additionally, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance. We may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage.

Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness

We have a substantial amount of debt and the cost of servicing those obligations could adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results and such risk could increase if we incur more debt. We may be required to prepay our obligations.

        We have a substantial amount of indebtedness and other liabilities. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, total liabilities were $924.8$937.0 million, of which $737.2$687.5 million represents long-term debt obligations, total assets were $1,288.8$1,316.9 million and total equity was $364.0$379.9 million. As of December 31, 2014, total liabilities were $702.4 million, of which $474.4 million represents long-term debt obligations, total assets were $1,006.6 million and total equity was $304.2 million. We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy all such obligations as a result of a variety of factors, some of which may be beyond our control. If the opportunity for a strategic acquisition arises, we may be required to incur additional debt for these purposes or to fund working capital needs, which we may not be able to obtain. The amount of debt we carry and the terms of our indebtedness could adversely affect us in several ways, including:


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        In the event that we fail to comply with the covenants in any current or future loan agreements, there could be an event of default under the applicable instrument. As a result, all amounts outstanding under our current or any future debt instruments may become immediately due and payable. If interest rates were to increase significantly or if we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, we may not be able to service debt under any current or future loan agreements and may have to refinance all or a portion of our debt, structure our debt differently, obtain additional financing or sell assets to repay such debt.


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        Restrictive covenants in our credit facility may adversely affect us. Our credit facility requires us not to have a debt to earnings ratio above certain amounts as set forth in the credit facility.

        Our ability to secure additional financing for growth or to refinance any of our existing debt is also dependent upon the availability of credit in the marketplace, which has experienced severe disruptions due to the recent economic crisis. If we are unable to secure additional financing or such financing is not available at acceptable terms, we may be unable to secure financing for growth or refinance our debt obligations, if necessary.

In the event that we need debt financing in the future, recent uncertainty in the credit markets could affect our ability to obtain debt financing on reasonable terms.

        In the event we were to require additional debt financing in the future, the ongoing uncertainty in the credit markets, including the European sovereign debt crisis, could materially impact our ability to obtain debt financing on reasonable terms. The inability to access debt financing on reasonable terms could materially impact our ability to make acquisitions, refinance existing debt or materially expand our business in the future.

Increases in interest rates will adversely impact our results of operations.

        For the approximately $800$700 million amount outstanding under our current credit facility, as well as borrowings incurred under our revolving credit facility, increases in variable interest rates will increase the amount of interest expense that we pay for our borrowings and have a negative impact on our results of operations. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, was 0.193%0.430%. Any increase in the LIBOR will increase our interest expense on approximately $737.2$121.9 million of debt. If the LIBOR were to exceed the floor interest rate of 1.00%, we would incur a negative impact of higher interest expense on the remaining balance of our debt.

Any reduction in our credit rating could increase the cost of our funding from the capital markets.

        Our long-term debt is currently rated speculative grade by two of the major rating agencies. These rating agencies regularly evaluate us and their ratings of our long-term debt are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength as well as factors not entirely within our control, including


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conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. There can be no assurance that we will maintain our current ratings. Our failure to maintain those ratings could adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain future funding and increase our cost of capital.

Risks Relating to an Investment in Our Common Stock

Volatility in our stock price could adversely affect your investment in our common stock.

        There has not been a public market for our stock prior to this offering. We cannot predict the extent to which a trading market for our common stock will develop or how liquid that market might become. If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will pay a price that was not established in the public trading markets. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us, the underwriters and the selling stockholders. You may not be able to resell your shares above the initial public offering price and may suffer a loss on your investment.

        Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Factors that could cause fluctuations in our stock price may include, among other things:


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We plan to list our security on our own market, BZX. Any technical failures or outages associated with that listing could negatively impact our stock and subject us to reputational harm and regulatory scrutiny, and a loss of business.

        Upon completion of the offering, we plan to list our security on our own exchange, BZX. Our security will be the first corporate listing on BZX and to the extent we suffer a technological failure or outage associated with that listing, we could suffer a loss of business, and incur reputational harm and regulatory scrutiny and potentially regulatory sanctions. In addition, such a failure or outage could result in the cancellation of the offering. For example, on March 23, 2012, we experienced a serious technical failure on BZX, forcing us to cancel our planned IPO. The failure resulted from a software bug that appeared during the BATSBats IPO auction. In addition to forcing us to cancel our IPO, the technological failure played a role in the halting of another issuer's stock for five minutes. Ultimately, the technological failure caused us to withdraw our IPO, which was a widely reported, high-profile event that damaged our reputation and resulted in increased regulatory scrutiny of the event by the


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SEC and other governmental authorities. We have since investigated that incident and adopted various policy and procedure enhancements, including implementation of an independent software quality assurance department, but there can be no guarantee that we will not suffer a similar failure in conjunction with this planned offering of securities. Moreover, we are inexperienced with overseeing the additional operational and regulatory issues associated with corporate listings. To the extent we suffer an operational or regulatory failure associated with our listing of BATSBats or another corporate listing, we could damage our reputation and subject ourselves to increased regulatory scrutiny by the SEC and other governmental authorities.

We will be controlled by our principal investors, whose interests may differ from those of other stockholders.

        Upon completion of this offering, our principal investors will collectively own approximately 72,000,805 shares of our common stock and 7,980,017 shares of our non-voting common stock, representing approximately %82.1% of the total voting power of our capital stock. We are not a party to any voting agreement with any of our stockholders, other than the Investor Rights Agreement dated as of January 31, 2014, among us and our stockholders (which, pursuant to its terms, will terminate upon consummation of this offering, except for the registration rights contained therein), which we refer to as the Investor Rights Agreement, and we are not aware of any other voting agreements among our principal investors; however, they may enter into voting agreements in the future or otherwise vote in a similar manner. To the extent that all of these principal investors vote similarly, they will be able, by virtue of their ability to elect our board of directors, to control our policies and operations, including, without limitation, the determination of our strategic plans, appointment of management, future


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issuances of our common stock or other securities, the payments of dividends on our capital stock, entering into extraordinary transactions and the approval of major financing decisions, and their interests may not in all cases be aligned with your interests. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

        Affiliates of our principal investors are also significant customers. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." As a result, the interests of these investors could conflict with your interests as holders of our common stock in a number of ways. For example:

        Accordingly, our principal investors may have different business objectives, any of which could adversely impact the market price of your shares of common stock.

Certain affiliates of the underwriters of this offering are our principal investors, some of which are also selling stockholders, and therefore, they have interests in this offering beyond customary underwriting discounts and commissions.

        Each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,


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Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Nomura Securities International, Inc., who are underwriters of this offering, is an affiliate of one of our principal investors. Certain affiliates of the underwriters of this offering are participating as selling stockholders in this offering. There may be a conflict of interest between their interests as selling stockholders (e.g., to maximize the value of their investment) and their respective interests as underwriters (e.g., in negotiating the initial public offering price) as well as your interest as a purchaser. As affiliates of participants in this offering that may seek to realize the value of their investment in us, these underwriters could have interests beyond customary underwriting discounts and commissions. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)." Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Jefferies LLC and Nomura Securities International, Inc., underwriters of this offering, or their affiliates (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121), will each receive more than 5% of net offering proceeds and will have a "conflict of interest" pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5)(C)(ii). Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5121, a "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121) must participate in the preparation of the prospectus and perform its usual standard of due diligence with respect to the prospectus. Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. has agreed to act as qualified independent underwriter for the offering and to perform a due diligence investigation and review and participate in the preparation of the prospectus. Although the qualified independent underwriter has participated in the preparation of the prospectus and conducted due diligence, we cannot assure you that this will adequately address any potential conflicts of interest. See "Underwriters (Conflicts of Interest)."


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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about us, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock, then our stock price and trading volume could decline.

        The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our industry and our markets. If no analyst elects to cover us and publish research or reports about us, the market for our common stock could be severely limited, and our stock price could be adversely affected. In addition, if one or more analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. If one or more analysts who elect to cover us adversely changes their recommendations regarding our common stock, our stock price could decline. In addition, SEC rules may make it impractical for analysts associated with some of our principal investors to cover us.

Our share price may decline due to the large number of shares eligible for future sale.

        Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the possibility of such sales, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These sales may also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the issuance of equity securities at a time and at a price we deem appropriate. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a discussion of possible future sales of common stock.

        Upon completion of this offering, we will have 87,699,410 shares of common stock and 7,980,017 shares of non-voting common stock outstanding. Shares of non-voting common stock are convertible into common stock at the option of the holder in connection with any "qualified transfer." See "Description of Capital Stock." Of these shares, the 11,200,000 shares of common stock sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our existing "affiliates," as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, all of our executive officers and directors and the holders of substantially all of our capital stock are subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters of this offering that restrict such persons' ability to transfer shares of our common stock for periods of at least 180 days, and for a portion of the shares, 360 and 540 days, from the date of this prospectus. The remaininglock-up agreements limit the number of shares of common stock that


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may be sold immediately following this offering. Approximately 35,014,040 shares will be availablebecome eligible for sale inupon expiration of the public market within 180 days or one year, as applicable.180-day lock-up period, approximately 27,659,993 additional shares will become eligible for sale upon expiration of the 360-day lock-up period and approximately 27,660,022 additional shares will become eligible for sale upon expiration of the 540-day lock-up period. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."

        In addition to outstanding shares eligible for sale, upon completion of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering all 6,984,754 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options or issuable pursuant to our stock option plans.equity incentive plans as of December 31, 2015. Shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market, subject to vesting restrictions and/or exercise and other restrictions. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Stock Options."

        Additionally, the Investor Rights Agreement provides for certain registration rights, including demand registration rights. For a more detailed description of these registration rights, see "Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights."

        Upon completion of this offering, our principal investors will collectively own approximately 72,000,805 shares of our common stock and 7,980,017 shares of our non-voting common stock, representing approximately %82.1% of the total voting power of our capital stock. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."

Your ownership of our company may be diluted if additional capital stock is issued to raise capital, to finance acquisitions, in connection with strategic transactions or pursuant to stock options or other equity compensation awards.

        We may seek to raise additional funds, finance acquisitions or develop strategic relationships by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, which would reduce the percentage ownership of existing stockholders. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, after giving effect to the reclassification and stock split, 668,7541,946,038 shares of common stock were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, and an aggregate of 811,655 shares6,984,754 of common stock were reserved for future issuance under our equity


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incentive plans. In addition, as of September 30,December 31, 2015, after giving effect to the reclassification and stock split, 32.8 million95,679,427 shares of common stock and non-voting common stock were outstanding, which included 275,586887,778 shares of unvested restricted stock. Shares of non-voting common stock are convertible into common stock at the option of the holder in connection with any "qualified transfer." See "Description of Capital Stock." Our board of directors has the authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, to issue all or any part of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock, non-voting common stock or preferred stock, including pursuant to stock options or other equity compensation awards. Following our reclassification and -for-1-for-2.91 stock split, 278,509,852 shares of common stock, 16,847,842 shares of non-voting common stock and 43,500,000 shares of preferred stock will be authorized and unissued under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Future issuances of common stock or non-voting common stock would reduce your influence over matters on which stockholders vote and would be dilutive to earnings per share, as applicable. In addition, any newly issued preferred stock could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock and non-voting common stock. Those rights, preferences and privileges could include, among other things, the establishment of dividends that must be paid prior to declaring or paying dividends or other distributions to holders of our common stock and non-voting common stock or greater or preferential liquidation rights, which could negatively affect the rights of holders of our common stock.


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Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, Delaware law and FINRA rules might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.

        Pending approval by the SEC of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws pursuant to the rule filing process under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, ourOur organizational documents will contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging or delaying a change in control of us or unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder might consider favorable. These provisions generally include:

        In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may delay or prevent a change in control of our company. Section 203 imposes certain restrictions on mergers, business combinations and other transactions between us and holders of 15% or more of our common stock. Anti-takeover


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provisions could depress the price of our common stock by acting to delay or prevent a change in control of our company.

        Further, BATSBats Trading is a member of FINRA and subject to FINRA rules, which could impede or delay a change of control. FINRA's NASD Rule 1017 generally provides that FINRA approval must be obtained in connection with any transaction resulting in a single person or entity acquiring, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of a FINRA member firm's or its parent company's equity. Our European subsidiaries, BATSBats Trading Limited and Chi-X Europe Limited, are also regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, as an RIE and an Authorised Firm, respectively, and are also subject to change in control rules. FCA approval must be obtained for any transaction that would result in a single person or entity acquiring, directly or indirectly, 20% of BATS Chi-XBats Europe or 10% of Chi-X Europe Limited, including through ownership of its parent company's equity.

        The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition. See "Description of Capital Stock—Certain Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws" for a discussion of these provisions.


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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees and may discourage these types of lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

We intend to pay dividends to our stockholders, but the decisions to declare future dividends on our capital stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors based upon a review of relevant considerations. Accordingly, there can be no guarantee that we will pay future dividends to our stockholders.

        In 2012, our board of directors declared two cash dividend payments of $4.42 and $13.20 per share of outstanding common stock, which were paid in August and December 2012, respectively. In 2014, in accordance with our merger agreement to acquire Direct Edge, we made working capital distributions to stockholders of the company who held shares prior to the acquisition of $3.38 and $0.07 per share, which were paid in January and April 2014, respectively. In addition, in 2014, our board of directors declared cash dividend payments of $4.07, $0.15 and $0.15 per share of outstanding common stock.stock, which were paid in February 2014, October 2014 and January 2015, respectively. In 2015, in accordance with our merger agreement to acquire Direct Edge, we paid a $7.0 million indemnification liability distribution to stockholders of the company who held shares prior to the acquisition. Our board of directors did not declare any dividend payments in 2015. Future declarations of dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by our board of directors.

        The board of directors is expected to adopt a policy with respect to the payment of dividends on capital stock following this offering. We currently expect that we will pay quarterly cash dividends following the offering, with the annual amount initially determined based on a payout ratio of earnings within a determined range.range of 30-40% of net income. Notwithstanding the current expectations for our future dividend policy, the timing, declaration, amount of, and payment of any dividends is within the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, corporate strategy, debt covenants, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. Any of these factors, individually or in combination, could restrict the company's ability to pay dividends. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the board of directors will not reduce the amount of dividends or cause the company to cease paying dividends altogether.


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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        We have made statements under the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and in other sections of this prospectus that are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the caption entitled "Risk Factors." You should specifically consider the numerous risks outlined under "Risk Factors."

        Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.


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RECENT ACQUISITIONS

Direct Edge Acquisition

        On January 31, 2014, we acquired 100% of the ownership interests of Direct Edge through a merger with former Direct Edge members receiving 30% of equity interest in the newly formed combined company, BATSBats Global Markets, Inc. The results of Direct Edge's operations have been reflected in the U.S. Equities segment since January 31, 2014.

        Direct Edge developed and operated electronic markets for the trading of listed cash equity securities in the United States. Direct Edge was headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey and only had operations in the United States. Direct Edge operated two national securities exchanges, EDGX and EDGA, and also operated a routing broker-dealer, Direct Edge ECN LLC, d/b/a DE Route, providing routed transaction services for listed cash equity securities for EDGX and EDGA.

        As of January 12, 2015, the EDGX and EDGA exchange operations were migrated onto the BATSBats technology platform, or Direct Edge Integration. In conjunction with the Direct Edge Integration, Direct Edge began routing all trades through the BATS'Bats' affiliated broker-dealer, BATSBats Trading, and no longer routed trades through DE Route, which is no longer registered as a broker-dealer and is no longer in operation.

        We believe that our combination with Direct Edge will further our position as a leading global exchange operator. We expect to continue to benefit from synergies as a result of the acquisition, including the Direct Edge Integration, which was completed in the first quarter 2015. We believe the combination has improved our competitive position, enhanced our profitability through scale and cost efficiencies and provides us with additional opportunities to influence market structure developments for the benefit of our customers.

BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition

        On March 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot from KCG Holdings, Inc. for $365 million in cash at closing and additional contingent consideration payments with an acquisition-date fair value of $62.6 million. KCG Holdings, Inc. is one of our principal investors. The operations of BATSBats Hotspot are reflected in the Global FX segment since March 13, 2015. BATSBats Hotspot provides institutional spot FX services through an electronic marketplace where buyers and sellers worldwide can trade directly and anonymously with each other.

        BATSBats Hotspot provides an independent, transparent electronic marketplace for institutional spot FX trading. The BATSBats Hotspot Platform includes true price competition with full depth of book display, centralized price discovery, tailored liquidity solutions to suit client needs, a diverse client base of banks, institutions, hedge funds, high frequency traders, corporates and Commodity Trading Advisors, direct and anonymous market access, multiple means of access and flexible real-time and historical market data services. BATSBats Hotspot's model provides full market transparency and greater control of the trading process, enabling better trade execution and lower execution costs. BATSBats Hotspot additionally offers separate, private pools of disclosed FX liquidity. Bats Hotspot was headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, and has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

        We believe that our acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot represents further expansion into non-equity trading businesses for BATSBats as it enters the world's largest asset class. Approximately half of the FX market is comprised of spot trading and the other half includes forwards, swaps and options. As BATSBats Hotspot only participates in the institutional spot market, product expansion into the other FX markets


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is a significant opportunity. Large financial institutions comprise a portion of the FX trading market. As these institutions face increased regulatory pressure to provide greater transparency to their clients and to reduce their risk exposure, we expect more trading volume will migrate to electronic platforms, including BATSBats Hotspot. We believe there are geographic expansion opportunities for BATSBats Hotspot, which when acquired, operated in a data center located in Jersey City, New Jersey. We have recently expanded its operations by adding trading operations in London, United Kingdom, which is the largest trading center for the FX market. We also recently moved our technology into a stronger trading environment located in Secaucus, New Jersey that hosts a significantly larger number of overall trading participants. In addition to the product and geographic expansion opportunities noted above, we plan to explore additional non-transactional revenue sources including market data and connectivity charges.


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UNAUDITED SELECTED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

        The following unaudited selected pro forma financial data and explanatory notes are intended to provide information about how the Direct Edge Acquisition and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition might have affected our historical consolidated statement of operations if they had it been consummated as of January 1, 2014.2015. An unaudited pro forma statement of financial condition as of September 30,December 31, 2015 is not presented, as Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot's statements of financial condition, including related acquisition adjustments, have already been included in our consolidated statement of financial condition and accompanying notes as of September 30,December 31, 2015 included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data is provided for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect our results of operations or financial position had the acquisition occurred as of the date indicated, nor should it be taken as necessarily indicative of our future results of operation or financial position. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.


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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of
Operations for the Nine MonthsYear Ended September 30,December 31, 2015 (under U.S. GAAP)


 BATS Global
Markets, Inc.
(Historical)
 KCG Hotspot FX
(Historical)(1)
 Pro Forma
Adjustments(2)
 BATS Global
Markets, Inc.
Pro Forma
  Bats Global
Markets, Inc.
(Historical)
 KCG Hotspot FX
(Historical)(1)
 Pro Forma
Adjustments(2)
 Bats Global
Markets, Inc.
Pro Forma
 

 (in millions, except per share data)
  (in millions, except per share data)
 

Revenues:

                  

Transaction fees

 $970.1 $9.0 $ $979.1  $1,290.2 $9.0 $ $1,299.2 

Regulatory transaction fees(3)

 207.0   207.0  275.7   275.7 

Market data fees

 99.4   99.4  131.0   131.0 

Other

 58.7 0.1  58.8  81.8 0.1  81.9 

Total revenues

 1,335.2 9.1  1,344.3  1,778.7 9.1  1,787.8 

Cost of revenues:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Liquidity payments

 805.7   805.7  1,070.7   1,070.7 

Section 31 fees(3)

 207.0   207.0  275.7   275.7 

Routing and clearing

 36.7   36.7  47.9   47.9 

Total cost of revenues

 1,049.4   1,049.4  1,394.3   1,394.3 

Revenues less cost of revenues

 285.8 9.1  294.9  384.4 9.1  393.5 

Operating expenses:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Compensation and benefits

 58.4 4.0 (0.6)(6) 61.8  79.7 4.0 (0.2)(3) 83.5 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 1.4 9.4(7) 39.3  40.8 1.4 1.9(4) 44.1 

Changes in fair value of contingent consideration liability

 1.7  1.1(8) 2.8 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability

 2.8  1.1(5) 3.9 

General and administrative

 62.2 0.7 (3.7)(6) 59.2  78.8 0.7 (4.5)(3) 75.0 

Total operating expenses

 150.8 6.1 6.2 163.1  202.1 6.1 (1.7) 206.5 

Operating income (loss)

 135.0 3.0 (6.2) 131.8 

Interest and investment expense

 (34.2)  (2.0)(9) (36.2)

Other income

 2.6  (1.0)(10) 1.6 

Operating income

 182.3 3.0 1.7 187.0 

Interest expense, net

 (46.6)  (1.8)(6) (48.4)

Other income (loss)

 3.0  (1.0)(7) 2.0 

Income (loss) before income tax provision

 103.4 3.0 (9.2) 97.2  138.7 3.0 (1.1) 140.6 

Income tax provision

 42.9 1.1 (3.8)(12) 40.2 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 56.5 1.1 (0.3)(8) 57.3 

Net income (loss)

 $60.5 $1.9 $(5.4)$57.0  $82.2 $1.9 $(0.8)$83.3 

Earnings per share:

                  

Basic

 $1.86  *  *$1.75  $2.53  *  *$2.56 

Diluted earnings per share

 $1.85  *  *$1.74 

Diluted

 $2.51  *  *$2.55 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                  

Basic

 32.5  *  * 32.5  32.5  *  * 32.5 

Diluted

 32.7  *  * 32.7  32.7  *  * 32.7 

*
Not meaningful.

See footnotes under "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (under U.S. GAAP)" below.


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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of
Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (under U.S. GAAP)

 
 BATS Global
Markets, Inc.
(Historical)
 Direct Edge
Holdings LLC
(Historical)(4)
 KCG Hotspot FX
(Historical)
 Pro Forma
Adjustments(2)
 BATS Global
Markets, Inc.
Pro Forma
 
 
 (in millions, except per share data)
 

Revenues:

                

Transaction fees

 $1,009.9 $38.8 $47.1 $(0.5)(5)$1,095.3 

Regulatory transaction fees(3)

  272.0  10.1    (0.1)(5) 282.0 

Market data fees

  110.3  4.0      114.3 

Other

  66.0  2.3  0.4    68.7 

Total revenues

  1,458.2  55.2  47.5  (0.6) 1,560.3 

Cost of revenues:

  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

Liquidity payments

  831.4  27.0      858.4 

Section 31 fees(3)

  272.0  10.1    (0.1)(5) 282.0 

Routing and clearing

  47.1  8.6    (0.5)(5) 55.2 

Other

  0.2        0.2 

Total cost of revenues

  1,150.7  45.7    (0.6) 1,195.8 

Revenues less cost of revenues

  307.5  9.5  47.5    364.5 

Operating expenses:

  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

Compensation and benefits

  87.0  29.1  19.7  (33.4)(6) 102.4 

Depreciation and amortization

  28.4  0.6  2.4  13.3(7) 44.7 

Changes in fair value of contingent consideration liability

        4.4(8) 4.4 

General and administrative

  72.5  10.2  5.3  (1.7)(6) 86.3 

Total operating expenses

  187.9  39.9  27.4  (17.4) 237.8 

Operating income (loss)

  119.6  (30.4) 20.1  17.4  126.7 

Interest and investment (expense) income

  (27.3)     (21.1)(9) (48.4)

Other (expense) income

  (12.0)     13.6(11) 1.6 

Income (loss) before income tax provision

  80.3  (30.4) 20.1  9.9  79.9 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  31.1  (9.0) 7.8  1.0(12) 30.9 

Net income (loss)

 $49.2 $(21.4)$12.3 $8.9 $49.0 

Earnings per share:

                

Basic

 $1.56   *  *  *$1.51 

Diluted

 $1.55   *  *  *$1.50 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                

Basic

  31.6   *  *  * 32.5 

Diluted

  31.8   *  *  * 32.6 

(1)
Reflects the historical results of operations of BATSBats Hotspot for the period from January 1, 2015 to March 12, 2015.

(2)
Represents the effect of the Bats Hotspot Acquisition as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015.

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(2)
Represents the effects of the Direct Edge Acquisition and the BATS Hotspot Acquisition as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2014.

(3)
As national securities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are assessed fees pursuant to Section 31 of the Exchange Act. Section 31 fees are assessed on the notional value traded and are designed to recover the costs to the government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. Section 31 fees are paid directly to the SEC, and our national securities exchanges then pass these costs along to our members as regulatory transaction fees, recognizing these amounts as incurred in cost of revenues and revenues, respectively.

(4)
Reflects the historical results of operations of Direct Edge from January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2014.

(5)
Represents revenue and cost of revenues recognized for routed transactions to BZX and BYX from EDGX and EDGA and routed transaction to EDGX and EDGA from BZX and BYX.

(6)
Represents all acquisition-related costs, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors and severance to employees, of $4.3$4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Expenses related to retention payments to employees of $0.4 million for us were not reflected in the pro forma adjustments as these expenses are not directly attributable to the Direct Edge Acquisition and the BATS Hotspot Acquisition.

Represents all acquisition-related costs, such as fees to investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors, equity award change in control payments and severance to employees, of $8.5 million and $26.6 million for us and Direct Edge, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Expenses related to retention payments to employees of $10.0 million for us were not reflected in the pro forma adjustments as these expenses are not directly attributable to the Direct Edge Acquisition.

2015.

(7)(4)
Represents annual amortization of identifiable intangible assets as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition. Amortization of identifiable intangible assets is based on the discounted cash flow method applied over the respective useful lives of the assets.

(8)(5)
Represents the effects of the fair market value adjustment of the contingent consideration liability recorded in connection with the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition. The fair market value is based on the discounted cash flow method of the probable future payment.

(9)(6)
Represents additional interest expense as a result of the modified and incremental debt issued to finance the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition.

(10)(7)
Eliminates the gain recognized upon payment of the revolving credit facility in connection with the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition.

(11)
Eliminates the loss on extinguishment of debt that was recognized in connection with the Direct Edge Acquisition.

(12)(8)
Represents the incremental income tax provisionbenefit of the pro forma adjustments.

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Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
(unaudited)

1.     Basis of Presentation

        The Direct Edge Acquisition and the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition areis accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 805-10, "Business Combinations—Overall," or ASC 805-10. We have accounted for the transactionstransaction by using our historical information and accounting policies and adding the assets and liabilities of Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot as of the respective acquisition datesdate at their respective fair values. Pursuant to ASC 805-10, under the acquisition method, the total purchase price (consideration transferred), as described in Note 3,Purchase Price Allocation, is measured at the acquisition closing date. The assets and liabilities of Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot have been measured based on various estimates and valuations using assumptions that our management believes are reasonable utilizing information currently available. Use of different estimates and judgments could yield different results.

        The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows and developing appropriate discount rates. The excess of the purchase price (consideration transferred) over the estimated amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities of Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot as of the respective effective datesdate of the acquisition was allocated to goodwill in accordance with ASC 805-10.

        Under ASC 805-10, acquisition-related transaction costs (e.g., investment banking, advisory, legal, valuation, and other professional fees) are not included as a component of consideration transferred but are required to be expensed as incurred.

2.     Accounting Policies

        Upon completion of the acquisitions,acquisition, we reviewed Direct Edge's and BATSBats Hotspot's respective accounting policies and identified differences between thein accounting policies of the two companies.policies. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations reflects adjustments to conform Direct Edge's and BATSBats Hotspot's respective results to record certain referral fees.

3.     Purchase Price Allocation

        The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $386.2 million, which consisted of the following (in millions):

Cash paid at closing

 $12.5 

Fair value of share outlay

  344.5(a)

Change in control payments

  29.2 

Total consideration to former Direct Edge members

 $386.2 

(a)
Based on a third-party valuation as of January 31, 2014. We issued 9.8 million shares of common stock as partial consideration for the acquisition.

        Under the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase price for the Direct Edge Acquisition is allocated to acquired tangible and intangible assets based on their respective fair values


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as of the acquisition date as determined by us and a third-party valuation firm. The allocation of the purchase price and the estimated useful life of the acquired intangible assets is as follows:

 
 Purchase Price
Allocation
(in millions)
 Estimated
Useful Life
(in years)
 

Customer relationships

 $43.0  16 

Trade name

  1.6  1 

Non-compete agreements

  3.9  2 

Licenses and registration

  71.9  Infinite 

Total acquired intangible assets

  120.4    

Goodwill

  253.5    

Total intangible assets

  373.9    

Current assets

  131.6    

Property and equipment

  10.4    

Liabilities

  (129.7)   

Total cost of acquisition

 $386.2    

        Of the total purchase price, approximately $12.3 million has been allocated to net tangible assets and working capital acquired, and approximately $48.5 million has been allocated to amortizable intangible assets acquired. The amortization related to the amortizable intangible assets is reflected as a pro forma adjustment to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated statement of operations.

        Of the total estimated purchase price, approximately $253.5 million has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets.

        The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $430.1 million, which consisted of the following (in millions):

Cash paid at closing

 $365.0  $365.0 

Contingent consideration liability

 62.6(a) 62.6(a)

Working capital payment

 2.5  2.5 

Total consideration to former BATS Hotspot stockholders

 $430.1 

Total consideration to former Bats Hotspot stockholders

 $430.1 

(a)
Consistent with ASC 805, we estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration liability based on an evaluation of alternative scenarios relating to the probability of the company generating sufficient taxable income to reorganize the tax benefits and the likelihood that the settlement option would be exercised after three years. The evaluation of these factors resulted in a probability-weighted forecast of the contingent consideration liability, which was then discounted to present value using an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk associated with the cash flows. The sum of the present value of the contingent consideration liability amounts represented our estimate of the fair value of the contingent consideration.

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        Under the purchase method of accounting, the total purchase price for the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition is allocated to acquired tangible and intangible assets based on their respective fair values


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as of the acquisition date as determined by us and a third-party valuation firm. The allocation of the purchase price and the estimated useful life of the acquired intangible assets is as follows:


 Purchase Price
Allocation
(in millions)
 Estimated
Useful Life
(in years)
  Purchase Price
Allocation
(in millions)
 Estimated
Useful Life
(in years)
 

Customer relationships

 $81.2 18  $81.2 18 

Technology

 12.6 6  12.6 6 

Non-compete agreements

 1.9 1  1.9 1 

Trade name

 15.3 Infinite  15.3 Indefinite 

Total acquired intangible assets

 111.0    111.0   

Goodwill

 308.2    308.2   

Total intangible assets

 419.2    419.2   

Current assets

 11.8    11.8   

Property and equipment

 0.3    0.3   

Liabilities

 (1.2)    (1.2)   

Total cost of acquisition

 $430.1    $430.1   

        Of the total purchase price, approximately $11.0$10.9 million has been allocated to net tangible assets and working capital acquired, and approximately $95.7 million has been allocated to amortizable intangible assets acquired. The amortization related to the amortizable intangible assets is reflected as a pro forma adjustment to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated statementsstatement of income.operations.

        Of the total estimated purchase price, approximately $308.2 million has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets.

        In accordance with ASC 350,Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but instead is tested for impairment on an annual basis and whenever events or circumstances dictate. In the event that we determine that the value of goodwill has become impaired, we will incur an accounting charge for the amount of impairment during the fiscal quarter in which the determination is made.


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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $           million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $          per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us of $           million. We intend to use the net proceeds received by us in connection with this offering to pay down our Amended 2014 Loan in the amount of $        and for general corporate purposes, including funding potential future strategic alliances or acquisitions that are complementary to our business or that enable us to enter new markets or provide new products or services. We are not currently a party to any agreements or commitments for any such alliances or acquisitions, and we have no current understandings with respect to any such transactions.

        For information on the interest rate and maturity date of our Amended 2014 Loan, see Note 8 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included herein.

        Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our Amended 2014 Loan and will receive net proceeds from this offering in connection with the repayment in part of our Amended 2014 Loan.

        We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering.offering, including any shares sold by certain of the selling stockholders in connection with the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares.


DIVIDEND POLICY

        The board of directors is expected to adopt a policy with respect to the payment of dividends on capital stock following this offering. We currently expect that we will pay quarterly cash dividends following the offering, with the annual amount initially determined based on a payout ratio of earnings within a determined range.range of 30-40% of net income. Notwithstanding the current expectations for our future dividend policy, the timing, declaration, amount, and payment of any dividends is within the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, corporate strategy, debt covenants, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, ability to access capital markets and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors.

        In 2012, our board of directors declared two cash dividend payments of $4.42 and $13.20 per share of outstanding common stock, which were paid in August and December 2012, respectively. In 2014, in accordance with our merger agreement to acquire Direct Edge, we made working capital distributions to stockholders of the company who held shares prior to the acquisition of $3.38 and $0.07 per share, which were paid in January and April 2014, respectively. In addition, in 2014, our board of directors declared cash dividend payments of $4.07, $0.15 and $0.15 per share of outstanding common stock.stock, which were paid in February 2014, October 2014 and January 2015, respectively. In 2015, in accordance with our merger agreement to acquire Direct Edge, we paid a $7.0 million indemnification liability distribution to stockholders of the company who held shares prior to the acquisition. Our board of directors did not declare any dividend payments in 2015. Future declarations of dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by our board of directors.


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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents, financial investments and capitalization as of September 30,December 31, 2015:


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        This table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.


 September 30, 2015  December 31, 2015 

 Actual Pro Forma(1) Pro
Forma As
Adjusted(1)(2)
  Actual Pro Forma(1) 

 (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

 (in millions, except
share data)

  (in millions, except share data)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $77.9 $77.9    $75.1 $75.1 

Financial investments

 0.5 0.5    47.7 47.7 

Debt

 $737.2 $737.2    $687.5 $687.5 

Stockholders' equity:

            

Common stock, $0.01 par value: 55,000,000 shares authorized, 25,613,507 shares issued and 25,502,356 shares outstanding, actual; 125,000,000 shares authorized, 28,593,070 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; 125,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

 0.3 0.3   

Non-Voting Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized, 3,090,714 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

     

Non-Voting Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,176,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

     

Non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value: no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,176,000 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; 10,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

     

Common stock, $0.01 par value: 55,000,000 shares authorized, 25,770,322 shares issued and 25,612,852 shares outstanding, actual; 362,500,000 shares authorized, 83,985,615 shares issued and 83,527,269 outstanding on a pro forma basis

 0.3 0.3 

Non-Voting Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized, 3,090,714 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

   

Non-Voting Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,176,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

   

Non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value: no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; 29,000,000 shares authorized, 12,152,158 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis

   

Treasury stock

 (4.4) (4.4)    (6.5) (6.5)

Additional paid-in capital

 268.8 268.8    271.3 271.3 

Retained earnings

 103.2 103.2    125.0 125.0 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 (3.9) (3.9)    (10.2) (10.2)

Total stockholders' equity

 364.0 364.0    379.9 379.9 

Total capitalization

 $1,101.2 $1,101.2    $1,067.4 $1,067.4 

(1)
In conjunction withImmediately prior to the completion of this offering and before effecting the stock split, we intend to reclassify each share of our Class A non-voting common stock as one share of common stock. We also intend to reclassify each share of our Class B non-voting common stock as one share of non-voting common stock. We then intend to effect a -for-1-for-2.91 stock split. Each share of common stock will be entitled to one vote per share. Non-voting common stock will not be entitled to vote, except as required by applicable law. See "Prospectus Summary—Reclassification and Stock Split" and "Description of Capital Stock."


Table

See "Prospectus Summary—The Offering" for a description of Contents

(2)
A $1.00 increase/(decrease)those shares that are or are not reflected as outstanding shares on a pro forma basis in the assumed IPO price of $        per share, which is the mid-point of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase/(decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each share of common stock in treasury and total capitalization by approximately $          million, assuming that the number of shares offered, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.table above.

        The above table does not include:

    668,754 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2015 with a weighted average exercise price of $27.84 per share; and

    an aggregate of 811,655 additional shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans as of September 30, 2015.

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DILUTION

        Dilution is the amount by which the portion of the offering price paid by the purchasers of our common stock in this offering exceeds the net tangible book valuedeficit per share of our common stock after the offering. Our net tangible book valuedeficit as of September 30,December 31, 2015 was $$(600.4) million, or $$(6.28) per share of common stock.stock after giving effect to the reclassification and 1-for-2.91 stock split to be consummated immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Pro forma net tangible book valuedeficit per share is determined by dividing our tangible net worth (total tangible assets less total liabilities) by the aggregate number of shares of common stock and non-voting common stock outstanding upon the consummation of the offering after giving effect to our reclassification and 1-for-2.91 stock split to be consummated immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our pro forma net tangible book valuedeficit at September 30,December 31, 2015 would have been $$(600.4) million or $$(6.28) per share. This represents dilution to new investors of $$24.28 per share. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

Assumed initial public offering price per share of common stock

$

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2015

$

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors

Pro forma net tangible book value per share after offering

Dilution in net tangible book value per share of common stock to new investors

Assumed initial public offering price per share of common stock

    $18.00 

Pro forma net tangible book deficit per share as of December 31, 2015

 $(6.28)   

Reduction in pro forma net tangible book deficit per share attributable to new investors

      

Pro forma net tangible book deficit per share after offering

    $(6.28)

Dilution in net tangible book deficit per share of common stock to new investors

    $24.28 

        Dilution is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book valuedeficit per share of common stock after the offering from the initial public offering price per share of common stock.

        The following table sets forth, on a pro forma basis, as of September 30,December 31, 2015, the number of shares of common stock purchased, the total consideration paid, or to be paid, and the average price per share paid, or to be paid, by existing stockholders and by the new investors, at an assumed initial public offering price of $$18.00 per share of common stock, the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses:




Total
Consideration


Shares Purchased

Average Price
Per Share

NumberPercentAmountPercent

Existing stockholders

New investors

 
  
  
 Total
Consideration
  
 
 
 Shares Purchased  
 
 
 Average Price
Per Share
 
 
 Number Percent Amount Percent 

Existing stockholders

  95,679,427  89.5%$817,120,969  77.5%$8.54 

New investors

  11,200,000  10.5% 201,600,000  22.5%$18.00 

        Sales by the selling stockholders in this offering will reduce the number of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders to ,84,479,427, or approximately %,88.3%, and will increase the number of shares of common stock to be purchased by new investors to 11,200,000 or approximately %,11.7%, of the total shares of common stock outstanding after the offering. In addition, existing stockholders will hold 100% of the non-voting common stock.

        As of September 30,December 31, 2015, after giving effect to the reclassification and -for-1-for-2.91 stock split, 668,7541,946,038 shares of common stock were subject to outstanding options, which represents stock options outstanding as of September 30,December 31, 2015 with a weighted average exercise price of $27.84$8.65 per share. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, after giving effect to the reclassification and stock split, 32.8 million87,699,410 shares of common stock were outstanding, which included 275,586887,778 shares of unvested restricted stock. To the extent these options are exercised there will be further dilution to new investors. See "Executive Compensation—Description of Equity Incentive Plans" and Note 1718 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.


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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

        The following selected financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the consolidated statement of financial condition data as of September 30, 2015 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 20122013 and the consolidated statementstatements of financial condition data as of December 31, 20142015 and 20132014 from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the consolidated statementstatements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and 2010the consolidated statements of financial condition data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this prospectus. We have prepared our unaudited information on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and have included, in our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of this financial information.


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 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010  2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 

 (in millions, except per share data)
  (in millions, except per share data)
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

                          

Revenues:

                          

Transaction fees

 $970.1 $707.7 $1,009.9 $612.8 $645.3 $695.4 $668.3  $1,290.2 $1,009.9 $612.8 $645.3 $695.4 

Regulatory transaction fees(1)

 207.0 186.5 272.0 127.4 148.1 156.4 111.0  275.7 272.0 127.4 148.1 156.4 

Market data fees

 99.4 81.2 110.3 59.4 60.3 55.4 46.0  131.0 110.3 59.4 60.3 55.6 

Port fees and other

 58.7 49.0 66.0 41.9 31.0 19.4 9.5  81.8 66.0 41.9 31.0 19.2 

Total revenues

 1,335.2 1,024.4 1,458.2 841.5 884.7 926.6 834.8  1,778.7 1,458.2 841.5 884.7 926.6 

Cost of revenues:

                          

Liquidity payments

 805.7 578.5 831.4 474.7 508.2 566.1 541.7  1,070.7 831.4 474.7 508.2 566.1 

Section 31 fees(1)

 207.0 186.5 272.0 127.4 148.1 156.4 111.0  275.7 272.0 127.4 148.1 156.4 

Routing, clearing and other fees

 36.7 35.6 47.3 42.6 51.5 76.1 82.9 

Routing and clearing

 47.9 47.3 42.6 51.5 76.1 

Total cost of revenues

 1,049.4 800.6 1,150.7 644.7 707.8 798.6 735.6  1,394.3 1,150.7 644.7 707.8 798.6 

Revenues less cost of revenues

 285.8 223.8 307.5 196.8 176.9 128.0 99.2  384.4 307.5 196.8 176.9 128.0 

Operating expenses:

                          

Compensation and benefits

 58.4 66.2 87.0 41.5 48.4 42.9 30.6  79.7 87.0 41.5 48.4 42.9 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 20.9 28.4 15.2 17.0 8.4 6.5  40.8 28.4 15.2 17.0 8.4 

Systems and data communication

 21.4 16.9 23.5 9.6 11.9 10.1 10.9  27.2 23.5 9.6 11.9 10.1 

Occupancy

 2.4 2.6 4.2 1.9 2.3 1.5 1.4  3.1 4.2 1.9 2.3 1.5 

Professional and contract services

 8.9 5.0 6.5 8.1 9.2 10.3 3.1  11.1 6.5 8.1 9.2 10.3 

Regulatory costs

 8.6 8.7 12.1 5.4 5.7 5.5 4.5  11.1 12.1 5.4 5.7 5.5 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability

 1.7    12.4 0.3   2.8   12.4 0.3 

Impairment of assets

    3.5 0.2      3.5 0.2  

General and administrative

 20.9 19.2 26.2 10.0 10.5 10.7 7.4  26.3 26.2 10.0 10.5 10.7 

Total operating expenses

 150.8 139.5 187.9 95.2 117.6 89.7 64.4  202.1 187.9 95.2 117.6 89.7 

Operating income

 135.0 84.3 119.6 101.6 59.3 38.3 34.8  182.3 119.6 101.6 59.3 38.3 

Interest and investment (expense) income

 (34.2) (20.3) (27.3) (25.8) (0.6) 0.1 0.3 

Interest (expense) income, net

 (46.6) (27.3) (25.8) (0.6) 0.1 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  (13.6) (13.6)       (13.6)    

Equity in earnings in EuroCCP

 1.0 0.8 1.1      1.2 1.1    

Other income (expense)

 1.6 0.4 0.5 (0.2) (0.6) (0.1) (0.1) 1.8 0.5 (0.2) (0.6) (0.1)

Income before income tax provision

 103.4 51.6 80.3 75.6 58.1 38.3 35.0  138.7 80.3 75.6 58.1 38.3 

Income tax provision

 42.9 20.7 31.1 28.8 26.5 14.8 15.2  56.5 31.1 28.8 26.5 14.8 

Net income

 $60.5 $30.9 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6 $23.5 $19.8  $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6 $23.5 

Earnings per share:

                          

Basic

 $1.86 $0.98 $1.56 $2.07 $1.40 $1.29 $1.11  $2.53 $1.56 $2.07 $1.40 $1.29 

Diluted

 $1.85 $0.98 $1.55 $2.06 $1.39 $1.26 $1.08  $2.51 $1.55 $2.06 $1.39 $1.26 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                          

Basic

 32.5 31.4 31.6 22.6 22.5 18.2 17.8  32.5 31.6 22.6 22.5 18.2 

Diluted

 32.7 31.5 31.8 22.7 22.7 18.7 18.3  32.7 31.8 22.7 22.7 18.7 

Distributions per share

 $0.31 $7.67 $7.82 $ $17.62 $ $  $ $7.82 $ $17.62 $ 

(1)
As national securities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are assessed fees pursuant to Section 31 of the Exchange Act. Section 31 fees are assessed on the notional value traded and are designed to recover the costs to the government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. Section 31 fees are paid

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    directly to the SEC, and our national securities exchanges then pass these costs along


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    to our members as regulatory transaction fees, recognizing these amounts as incurred in cost of revenues and revenues, respectively.


  
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 

 As of
September 30,
2015
  2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 

 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010  (in millions)
 

 (in millions)
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Data:

             

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Data:

           

Assets:

                        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $77.9 $122.2 $87.2 $82.5 $99.4 $150.0  $75.1 $122.2 $87.2 $82.5 $99.4 

Financial investments

 0.5 68.4 25.2 29.8 151.7 27.3  47.7 68.4 25.2 29.8 151.7 

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 993.7 598.2 247.0 251.9 246.9   980.3 598.2 247.0 251.9 246.9 

Total assets

 $1,288.8 $1,006.6 $456.9 $469.6 $594.9 $256.5  $1,316.9 $1,006.6 $456.9 $469.6 $594.9 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:

                        

Long-term debt

 $737.2 $474.4 $246.0 $287.6 $ $  $687.5 $474.4 $246.0 $287.6 $ 

Total liabilities

 924.8 702.4 316.9 381.9 148.3 57.8  937.0 702.4 316.9 381.9 148.3 

Total stockholders' equity

 364.0 304.2 140.0 87.7 446.6 198.7  379.9 304.2 140.0 87.7 446.6 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $1,288.8 $1,006.6 $456.9 $469.6 $594.9 $256.5  $1,316.9 $1,006.6 $456.9 $469.6 $594.9 

Selected Operating Data

        The following table presents selected operating data for U.S. Equities, European Equities, U.S. Options and Global FX for the periods presented. Direct Edge, which is reported in our U.S. Equities segment, was acquired in January 2014. BATSBats Hotspot, which is reported in our Global FX segment, was acquired in March 2015. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of our future operations and should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions except for trading days, percentages and as noted below)
  (in billions except for
trading days, percentages
and as noted below)

 

U.S. Equities:

                  

Average daily volume (ADV) (in billions of shares):

       

Matched shares

 1.5 1.2 0.6 

Routed shares

 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Total touched shares

 1.6 1.3 0.7 

Market ADV

 6,864.8 6,214.0 6,414.2 6,187.0 6,437.2  6.9 6.4 6.2 

Number of trading days

 188 188 252 252 250  252 252 252 

Net capture per one hundred touched shares(1)

 $0.021 $0.022 $0.022 $0.024 $0.023  $0.021 $0.022 $0.024 

Market share(2)

 21.1% 18.9% 19.4% 10.4% 11.9% 21.1% 19.4% 10.4%

European Equities:

                  

Market ADNV

 52,394.2 38,124.1 39,659.3 32,613.6 30,857.6 

Matched and touched ADNV (in billions)

 12.4 8.6 7.5 

Market ADNV (in billions)

 50.8 39.7 32.6 

Number of trading days

 192 192 256 256 257  257 256 256 

Net capture per matched notional value (in basis points)(1)

 0.132 0.164 0.162 0.167 0.113  0.133 0.162 0.167 

Market share(2)

 24.2% 21.3% 21.6% 23.1% 24.6% 24.4% 21.6% 23.1%

U.S. Options:

                  

Market ADV (in thousands of contracts)

 16,271.1 16,281.5 16,586.3 15,934.2 15,651.6 

ADV (in millions of contracts):

       

Matched contracts

 1.5 0.8 0.6 

Routed contracts

 0.1   

Total touched contracts

 1.6 0.8 0.6 

Market ADV

 16.1 16.6 15.9 

Number of trading days

 188 188 252 252 250  252 252 252 

Net capture per touched contract(1)

 $0.024 $0.049 $0.046 $0.058 $0.063  $0.030 $0.046 $0.058 

Market share(2)

 9.9% 4.2% 4.8% 3.7% 3.3% 9.6% 4.8% 3.7%

Global FX:

                  

ADNV (in billions)

 $27.8         *         *         *         * $25.8         *         *

Number of trading days

 194  *  *  *  * 209  *  *

Net capture per one million dollars traded(1)

 $3.01         *         *         *         * $2.95         *         *

*
Not meaningful

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(1)
Please see the glossary for our definitions of "net capture per one hundred touched shares," "net capture per matched notional value," "net capture per touched contract" and "net capture per one million dollars traded."

(2)
Please see the glossary for our definition of "market share."


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010  2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 

 (in millions except for percentages and exchange rates)
  (in millions except for percentages, earnings per share and exchange rates)
 

Other Data:

                          

EBITDA(1)

 $166.1 $92.8 $136.0 $116.6 $75.7 $46.6 $41.2  $226.1 $136.0 $116.6 $75.7 $46.6 

EBITDA margin(2)

 58.1% 41.5% 44.2% 59.2% 42.8% 36.4% 41.5% 58.8% 44.2% 59.2% 42.8% 36.4%

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $172.5 $121.0 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3 $60.3 $42.4  $235.3 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3 $60.3 

Normalized EBITDA margin(3)

 60.4% 54.1% 54.7% 63.1% 57.3% 47.1% 42.7% 61.2% 54.7% 63.1% 57.3% 47.1%

Non transaction revenue as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues(4)

 55.3% 58.2% 57.3% 51.5% 51.6% 58.4% 55.9%

Adjusted earnings(4)

 $103.6 $75.2 $55.1 $49.1 32.1 

Adjusted earnings margin(5)

 27.0% 24.5% 28.0% 27.8% 25.1%

Diluted Adjusted earnings per share(6)

 $3.17 $2.37 $2.42 $2.16 $1.71 

Non-transaction revenue as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues(7)

 55.4% 57.3% 51.5% 51.6% 58.4%

Capital expenditures

 $12.3 $17.6 $25.2 $3.6 $6.9 $9.6 $6.4  $13.9 $25.2 $3.6 $6.9 $9.6 

Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 $1.5322 $1.6691 $1.6476 $1.5643 $1.5847 $1.6039 $1.5458  $1.5283 $1.6476 $1.5643 $1.5847 $1.6039 

Average Euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 $1.1155 $1.3559 $1.3290 $1.3280 $1.2858 $1.3924 $1.3275  $1.1101 $1.3290 $1.3280 $1.2858 $1.3924 

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.7280 £0.8122 £0.8062 £0.8489 £0.8112 £0.8678 £0.8583  £0.7263 £0.8062 £0.8489 £0.8112 £0.8678 

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss of extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges, gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013. EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered as, alternatives to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA because we consider them important supplemental measures of our performance and believe that they are frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. In addition, we use Normalized EBITDA as a measure of operating performance for preparation of our forecasts, evaluating our leverage ratio for the debt to earnings covenant included in our outstanding credit facility and calculating employee and executive bonuses. Other companies may calculate EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA differently than we do. EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

    The following is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010  2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income

 $60.5 $30.9 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6 $23.5 $19.8  $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6 $23.5 

Interest

 34.2 20.3 27.3 25.8 0.6 (0.1) (0.3) 46.6 27.3 25.8 0.6 (0.1)

Income tax provision

 42.9 20.7 31.1 28.8 26.5 14.8 15.2  56.5 31.1 28.8 26.5 14.8 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 20.9 28.4 15.2 17.0 8.4 6.5  40.8 28.4 15.2 17.0 8.4 

EBITDA

 166.1 92.8 136.0 116.6 75.7 46.6 41.2  226.1 136.0 116.6 75.7 46.6 

Acquisition-related costs

 6.4 14.6 18.5 5.2 19.3 11.4   8.2 18.5 5.2 19.3 11.4 

IPO costs

 0.5   0.6 6.3 2.3 1.2  1.5  0.6 6.3 2.3 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  13.6 13.6       13.6    

Other one-time items

 (0.5)   1.7    

Impairment of intangible assets

   3.5   

Debt restructuring

 0.5     

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

 (1.0)     

Regulatory assessment

   (1.8)   

Normalized EBITDA

 $172.5 $121.0 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3 $60.3 $42.4  $235.3 $168.1 $124.1 $101.3 $60.3 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(3)
Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(4)
"Non transactionAdjusted earnings" is defined as net income adjusted for amortization, net of tax and other items, including acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges, gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013, net of tax. Adjusted earnings does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented Adjusted earnings because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and we use it as the basis for monitoring our own core operating financial performance relative to other operators of electronic exchanges. We

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    also believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. We believe that investors may find this non-GAAP measure useful in evaluating our performance compared to that of peer companies in our industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted earnings differently than we do. Adjusted earnings has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

    The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted earnings:

 
 Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income

 $82.2 $49.2 $46.8 $31.6 $23.5 

Amortization

  26.9  10.3  5.9  6.7  0.4 

Tax effect of amortization

  (11.0) (4.0) (2.2) (3.1) (0.2)

Acquisition-related costs

  8.2  18.5  5.2  19.3  11.4 

IPO costs

  1.5    0.6  6.3  2.3 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    13.6       

Impairment of intangible assets

      3.5     

Debt restructuring

  0.5         

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

  (1.0)        

Regulatory assessment

      (1.8)    

Tax effect of other items

  (3.7) (12.4) (2.9) (11.7) (5.3)

Adjusted earnings

 $103.6 $75.2 $55.1 $49.1 $32.1 
(5)
Adjusted earnings margin represents Adjusted earnings divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(6)
Diluted Adjusted earnings per share represents Adjusted earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

(7)
"Non-transaction revenue as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues" is defined as all revenue not directly related to transaction fees divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this prospectus. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. See "Risk Factors" and "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" above.

Overview

        We are a leading global operator of securities exchanges and other electronic markets enabled by world-class technology. We provide trade execution, market data, trade reporting, connectivity and risk management solutions to brokers, market makers, asset managers and other market participants, ultimately benefiting retail and institutional investors across multiple asset classes. Our principal objective is to improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk for market participants. Our asset class focus currently comprises listed cash equity securities in the United States and Europe, listed equity options in the United States and institutional spot FX globally, as well as ETPs, including ETFs, in the United States and Europe. Trade execution comprised 44.7%44.6% of our revenues less cost of revenues, and market data and connectivity, or non-transaction revenues, comprised 55.3%55.4% of our revenues less cost of revenues for the nineyear ended December 31, 2015.

        We are the second largest exchange operator in U.S. listed cash equity securities trading by market share, the largest exchange operator of ETFs and other ETPs by market share, and the largest European exchange operator as measured by notional value traded as of December 31, 2015. In addition, for each of the six consecutive months ended September 30, 2015.December 31, 2015, excluding the Chinese exchanges, we were the largest equities market operator globally as measured by notional value traded. Moreover, during 2015 we operated the fastest growing market in the United States for exchange traded options as measured by market share.

        We improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk, in part by offering low-cost, innovativemarket-leading pricing and low-latency trade execution enabled by resilient and robust proprietary technology. For example, during the three monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our net capture, including auctions, in the U.S. equities market was approximately 40%42% of the rate reported by NASDAQ Group's U.S. equities operations and Intercontinental Exchange's NYSE operations, while our net capture, including auctions, in the European listed equity securities market was approximately 54%94% of the rate reported by the London Stock Exchange's European equities operations. During the third quarter ofyear ended December 31, 2015, our net capture in the U.S. listed equity options market was 6%8% to 20%19% of the rate reported by CBOE, NYSE Arca, NYSE MKT, NASDAQ Options Market and NASDAQ PHLX. We offer the same low-cost, market-leading pricing for our market data products. During the year ended December 31, 2015, our pricing for market data for the U.S. equities market was a combined $12,500 per month for data from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. This is approximately 8% of the prices reported by NYSE and NASDAQ operations to receive data for all of their respective markets during the same period. Our market data pricing in Europe was €59.50 per month for pan-European data during the year ended December 31, 2015. This is approximately 11% of the cost of receiving data from the other exchanges across Europe during the same period. Participants can also purchase our FX market data for $5,000 per month. This is approximately 8% of the price currently charged by EBS Market.

        We develop, own and operate the BATSBats trading platforms, which deploy our proprietary technology designed to offer some of the fastest and most reliable trading systems available. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 21.1% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 22.4% share of the trading of ETPs and a 9.9%9.6% share of the U.S. equity options market. In Europe, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,


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December 31, 2015, we had a 24.2%24.4% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on BATS Chi-XBats Europe. In addition, we had $27.8$25.8 billion ADNV in our Global FX segment from the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition onfrom March 13, 2015 to September 30,December 31, 2015. Globally, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had an 11.5%11.1% share of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market, as reported by BATSBats Hotspot, ICAP and Thomson Reuters. Pro forma for the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we would have derived 77.0%77.6% of our total revenues from the trading of U.S. listed cash equities securities, 13.9%13.5% of our total revenues from the trading of U.S. listed equity options, 6.7%6.6% of our total revenues from the trading of European listed cash equities securities and 2.4%2.3% of our total revenues from trading globally of institutional spot FX.

        Our revenue is primarily tied to the volume of securities traded on our markets and our market share of trading in the overall U.S. and European equity markets, the U.S. equity options market and the global FX market. Trading volume on our markets can be influenced by a number of factors, including overall market volatility. Our revenue increased from $834.8$926.6 million in 20102011 to $1,458.2$1,778.7 million in 2014.2015. This revenue growth is attributable to our increased market share and


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increased overall market volume, the introduction of new products and services, and strategic acquisitions of Chi-X Europe, Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot.

        For the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 21.4% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 24.5% share of the trading of ETPs and a 10.2% share of the U.S. equity options market. For ETPs, during the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had 13 new listings, or 50.0% of all newly listed ETPs in the United States. We also had 69 total listings as of February 29, 2016, or 3.7% of all listings in the United States. In Europe, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 24.3% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on Bats Europe. In addition, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had $31.7 billion ADNV in our Global FX segment and 12.0% of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market.

        Our revenue consists primarily of transaction fees, regulatory fees, market data fees and port fees. On a consolidated basis, our revenues less cost of revenues were $285.8$384.4 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, which represents a 27.7%25.0% increase from the $223.8$307.5 million generated for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Non-transaction revenues were 55.3%55.4% of revenues less cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. On a consolidated basis, we generated $307.5 million in revenues less cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. Adjusting for growth through acquisitions, our organic compound annual growth rate of revenues less cost of revenue for the last four years was 12.8%12.4%. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our Normalized EBITDA margin was 60.4%61.2%, an increase from 54.1%compared to 54.7% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. We also use the non-GAAP measure of Normalized EBITDA margin to measure our performance. Normalized EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that is reconciled to net income in the section titled "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data."

History

        We were formed in 2005 as an alternative to the NYSE and NASDAQ in response to increased consolidation among U.S. listed cash equity market centers. In January 2006, we launched our ECN, a type of ATS, which initially focused on the trading of NASDAQ-listed securities and in May 2006 we expanded to include trading of American Stock Exchange (now NYSE MKT)-listed securities. In February 2007, we expanded to include trading of NYSE-listed securities.

        In November 2008, we converted our ECN to a national securities exchange, BZX, which allowed us to participate in and earn market data fees from the U.S. tape plans, reduce our clearing costs and operate a primary listings business. In order to grow our market share of the U.S. equity market, we launched BYX, a national securities exchange, in October 2010. Like BZX, BYX offers trading in listed cash equity securities and ETPs, such as ETFs, but BYX targets different market segments than BZX by offering alternative pricing. In January 2014, we acquired Direct Edge, which operated two national securities exchanges, EDGX and EDGA. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our exchanges


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combined had a 21.1% share of the U.S. equity market, and we were the second largest exchange operator in the United States after Intercontinental Exchange (operator of the NYSE).

        In February 2010, in the United States, we began trading U.S. listed equity options on BZX. In order to grow our market share of the U.S. listed equity options market, we launched an additional options exchange on EDGX in November 2015. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 9.9%9.6% share of the U.S. options market.

        Seeking to compete on a pan-European basis against competing national exchanges, we launched our European MTF in October 2008. In November 2011, we acquired Chi-X Europe, then the operator of the largest pan-European MTF. The merged entity became an RIE in May 2013, operating both an MTF and an RM. BATS Chi-XBats Europe offers secondary trading in over four thousand European listed cash equity securities, in addition to ETFs, exchange-traded commodities and international depositary receipts. In December 2013, we acquired a 25% interest in EuroCCP. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, BATS Chi-XBats Europe had a 24.2%24.4% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on BATS Chi-XBats Europe and was the largest pan-European equities exchange in terms of notional market share. BATS Chi-XBats Europe also offer BATS Exchange Traded Reports,Bats Europe Trade Reporting, or BXTR, the largest European OTC equities trade reporting facility.facility launched in 2013.

        In March 2015, we acquired BATSBats Hotspot and entered into the institutional spot FX market with a New York area based matching engine. In September 2015, we launched a second FX matching engine near London, complementing BATSBats Hotspot's New York area matching engine and giving


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investors two distinct pools of liquidity to drive price formation globally. From the acquisition date of March 13, 2015 to September 30,December 31, 2015, our ADNV on the BATSBats Hotspot market was $27.8$25.8 billion.

Business Segments

        We currently operate along four business segments. Our management allocates resources, assesses performance and manages our business according to these segments:


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Significant Recent TransactionTransactions Affecting Our Results of Operations

        On December 19, 2012, we entered into (i) a term loan agreement in the amount of $300 million and (ii) revolving loans not to exceed $50 million, which we refer to collectively as the 2012 Loan. The proceeds received from the term loan were used to pay a $298.9 million dividend, or $13.20 per share, to all stockholders of BATSBats Global Markets, Inc. during the fourth quarter of 2012. The term of the loan was six years ending on December 19, 2018 with a variable interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with a floor of 125 basis points) plus a spread of 575 basis points. The original issue discount was $12.5 million, or approximately 4.2%. The revolving loans had similar interest rates and a three-year term, ending on December 19, 2015. We incurred $7.1 million of debt issuance costs, which was capitalized and was being amortized over the term of the loans. The 2012 Loan was extinguished with proceeds from the 2014 Loan described below.


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        On January 31, 2014, we acquired 100% of the ownership interests of Direct Edge, which we refer to as the Direct Edge Acquisition. We expect to benefit from various synergies as a result of the acquisition, including compensation and benefits expenses and systems and data communication expenses as a result of our recent technology integration migrating the trading platform of the Direct Edge legacy exchanges to the BATSBats technology, which occurred in January 2015. We also intend to benefit from the ability to offer a wider range of pricing options and more valuable market data as our market share increased with the acquisition. We incurred approximately $0.8 million and $18.5 million in acquisition-related costs during the yearyears ended December 31, 2014.2015 and 2014, respectively.

        Upon consummation of the Direct Edge Acquisition on January 31, 2014, we entered into (i) a term loan agreement in the amount of $470 million and (ii) revolving loans not to exceed $100 million, which we refer to collectively as the 2014 Loan. The proceeds received from the 2014 Loan were used to extinguish the 2012 Loan, pay a $132.9 million dividend, or $4.07 per share, to our stockholders and for other corporate purposes. The 2012 Loan, related debt issuance costs and debt discount were extinguished, resulting in a loss of $13.6 million that was recorded in non-operating expense on the statement of income. The term of the 2014 Loan is six years ending on January 31, 2020 with variable interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with floor of 100 basis points) plus a spread of 400 basis points (375 if leverage ratio falls below 2.25). The original issue discount was $1.2 million, or approximately 0.25%. The revolving loans have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points and a three-year term, ending on January 31, 2017. The fee on the undrawn portion of the revolver is 0.5% and principal payments on outstanding balances are made on a quarterly basis. We incurred $8.3 million of debt issuance costs, which was capitalized and is being amortized over the term of the loans.

        Upon consummation of the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition, we amended our 2014 Loan or the Amended(the "Amended 2014 Loan.Loan"). The Amended 2014 Loan increased the spread on the variable interest rate from 400 basis points to 475 basis points and required a 25 basis point amendment fee. The required annual amortization also increased from 5.0% per annum to 7.5% per annum. In addition, under the Amended 2014 Loan, we entered into (i) a new $150 million three-year term loan, or the 2015 Term Loan B-1, and (ii) a new $228 million five-year term loan, or the 2015 Term Loan B-2, both of which were funded immediately prior to the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition. The 2015 Term Loan B-1 has an


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interest rate based on one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 375 basis points and a 100 basis point original issue discount.discount, or $1.5 million. The 2015 Term Loan B-2 has an interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with a floor of 100 basis points) plus a spread of 475 basis points and a 100 basis point original issue discount.discount, or $2.3 million. In addition, we entered into a new $100 million revolving credit facility with an interest rate based on one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 350 basis points and an undrawn fee of 50 basis points, replacing the revolving credit facility under the 2014 Loan.

        Affiliates of certain of our principal investors are lenders under our Amended 2014 Loan.

        On March 13, 2015, we completed the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot from KCG Holding, Inc. for $365 million in cash at closing and additional contingent consideration payments with an acquisition-date fair value of $62.6 million. We expect to benefit from various synergies as a result of cost savings from consolidation of technology, operations, compensation and occupancy. We also expect to diversify our revenue, while implementing new products and geographies to the Global FX business. We have incurred approximately $6.4$7.4 million in acquisition-related costs during the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.


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        As of the acquisition dates, Direct Edge's and BATSBats Hotspot's assets, liabilities and operations, including amortization and depreciation expenses, are reported under our U.S. Equities and Global FX segments, respectively. As a result of these acquisitions, we acquired goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets of approximately $648.9 million that will be assessed for impairment under ASC 350—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We also have approximately $231.4 million in identifiable acquired intangible assets, which will result in approximately $22.3 million in amortization expense in 2016. In addition, pursuant to the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition agreement, a contingent consideration payment will be payable to the former owner of BATSBats Hotspot to account for a portion of certain tax benefits realized by us from the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition. The payments are contingent on the company generating sufficient taxable income to recognize the tax benefit. We and the former owner have an option to early terminate the contingent consideration arrangement in 2018 for a one-time payment of $50 million from us to the former owner. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability will be reassessed each reporting period, and any change in such liability will be recorded in our results of operations.


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Acquisition Synergies

        In the Chi-X Europe acquisition in 2011, we realized approximately $14 million in annualized synergies through December 31, 2012. With the Direct Edge Acquisition, we realized approximately $28 million in annualized synergies through December 31, 2015, and with the Hotspot Acquisition, we realized approximately $4 million in annualized synergies through December 31, 2015. We expect to realize an additional $19 million and $5 million in annualized synergies through December 31, 2016 from the Direct Edge and Hotspot Acquisitions, respectively. The following summarizes the total synergies realized or expected, as applicable, listed by expense category, for each of our acquisitions for the time periods indicated:

 
 Chi-X Europe Direct Edge Hotspot 
 
 Realized
as of
12/31/15
 Realized
as of
12/31/15
 Additional
Expected
through
12/31/16
 Realized
as of
12/31/15
 Additional
Expected
through
12/31/16
 

Compensation and benefits

 $9.7 $22.1 $2.2 $4.3 $4.9 

Depreciation

  0.1         

Systems and data communication

  4.1  0.3  7.6     

Occupancy

  0.5  (0.3) 0.6     

Professional fees

    1.1  (0.7)    

Regulatory costs

    (1.3) 0.8     

General and administrative

    6.3  8.0     

 $14.4 $28.2 $18.5 $4.3 $4.9 

Our Model

        Like many of our listed cash equity securities and listed equity options competitors, we have adopted a price/time priorityprice-time-priority system, where the first order to our book takes priority. We use both "maker-taker" and "taker-maker" pricing models on our exchanges. The maker-taker pricing model is designed to incentivize market makers to provide liquidity on a continuous basis. Participants are attracted to markets that have continuous and deep liquidity, which provides more opportunity to buy and sell equities immediately and with minimal adverse effect on prices. Because market makers supply a valuable service to markets by providing liquidity, maker-taker pricing rewards them with a rebate.

        Under our maker-taker pricing model, on BZX (for both listed cash equity securities and listed equity options), EDGX (for listed cash equity securities and listed equity options, which was launched in November 2015) and on BATS Chi-XBats Europe, a customer posting an order on our book, which we refer to as the liquidity maker or liquidity provider, is paid a rebate for an execution occurring against that order, and a customer executing against an order resting on our book, which we refer to as the liquidity taker or liquidity remover, is charged a fee. We generate a substantial portion of our operating income from the difference between the "maker" rebate and the "taker" fee. We believe this type of fee schedule is attractive to customers who regularly provide liquidity. Although customers must pay a fee to access that liquidity, that fee is explicitly disclosed and charged to all customers on a non-discriminatory basis.

        The BYX and EDGA listed cash equity securities "taker-maker" pricing model provides that a liquidity taker will be paid a rebate for executing against an order resting on our book, and the liquidity provider will be charged a fee for posting such an order. In this case, we generate revenues less cost of revenues from the difference between the "maker" fee and the "taker" rebate. Currently, both the fee and the rebate are significantly less than the rebates and fees in place on BZX and EDGX. We believe this appeals to market participants who are primarily interested in the most cost-effective means of accessing resting liquidity, but less concerned about the depth of liquidity available


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on the market. In addition, we believe this model appeals to market participants trading lower-priced securities.

        Like two-thirds of the listed equity options market, we have adopted a "pro rata" model on listed equity options trading on EDGX. The pro rata model is based on customer priority and pro rata allocations model, meaning orders are given priority based on price, size and capacity rather than simply on price and time. Our EDGX options market will also utilize payment for order flow fees where market makers can incent other members to trade.


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        For unfilled orders, we also provide our customers a smart-order routing service, enabling the onward routing of unfilled orders to other market centers. In the United States, this is facilitated through our wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary, BATSBats Trading. In Europe, BATS Chi-XBats Europe operates an order routing facility through our wholly-owned subsidiary Chi-X Europe Limited and is one of the few market centers in Europe that provides such routing services.

        The BATSBats Hotspot Platform uses a price/time priorityprice-time-priority model. The BATSBats Hotspot Platform consists of a mixture of both firm and non-firm liquidity provided by both clients and dedicated liquidity providers and enables BATSBats Hotspot to offer its clients customized liquidity solutions. BATSBats Hotspot clients are charged either a flat or tiered commission rate based upon the notional amount traded on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform. These rates are expressed as U.S. dollars per million notional U.S. dollars traded. The flat commission rate or tiers applicable to each client are determined on a client-by-client basis by management in light of market forces and client activity.

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

        In broad terms, our business performance is impacted by a number of drivers including macroeconomic events affecting the risk and return of financial assets, investor sentiment, the regulatory environment for capital markets, and changing technology, particularly in the financial services industry. Our future revenues and net income will continue to be influenced by a number of domestic and international economic trends including:

        Currently our business drivers are defined by investors' and companies' cautiously optimistic outlook about the pace of global economic recovery. The U.S. and European listed cash equity securities markets have historically experienced growth in trading volumes. From time to time, however, volumes have declined due to economic performance, volatility and other related factors.

        Although some major U.S. market indices reached record levels in 2014, European equity markets have not performed as well and many remain below their pre-financial crisis highs. Since a number of significant structural and political issues continue to confront the global economy, instability could


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return at any time, resulting in an increased level of market volatility, oscillating trading volumes and a return of market uncertainty. In contrast, many of the largest customers of our transactional businesses continue to adapt their business models as they address the implementation of regulatory changes initiated following the global financial crisis.

        With the acquisitions of Chi-X Europe in 2011 and Direct Edge in 2014, we significantly increased our presence in the European and U.S. listed cash equity securities markets. This lets us compete more readily with other large exchanges in Europe and the United States and better manage the macroeconomic factors and industry pressures discussed above. We operate the largest pan-European


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equity exchange by notional value traded and the second largest U.S. cash equities exchange by market share. With the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition in 2015, we entered the market for the world's largest asset class, FX, to further diversify our product offerings.

Components of Revenues

        Total transaction fees during a period are variable, based on trading volume and pricing per share on our U.S. listed cash equity markets, pricing as a percentage of notional value on our European listed cash equities market, pricing per contract on our U.S. listed equity options market and pricing per million U.S. dollars traded on our institutional spot FX market.

        Transaction fees consist of "taker" fees (or in the case of BYX and EDGA, "maker" fees) and routing fees charged on securities that are routed out to another market center. Transaction fees are considered earned upon the execution of the trade and are recognized on a trade-date basis. The "taker" fees (or in the case of BYX and EDGA, "maker" fees) from transactions executed through our markets are recorded on a gross basis in revenues, with "maker" rebates (or in the case of BYX and EDGA, "taker" rebates) recorded on a gross basis in cost of revenues. Transaction fee revenues accounted for 72.7% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 201572.5%, 69.3% and 69.3%, 72.8% and 72.9% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, respectively. Transaction fees from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA were 31.1%30.3%, 10.5%10.6%, 27.0%28.2% and 3.6%3.8%, respectively, of our total transaction fees for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and 51.0%, 8.3%, 29.6% and 5.0%, respectively, of our total transaction fees for the year ended December 31, 2014. The differences are based on the individual pricing strategies for each exchange and the specific customers to which it is tailored.


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        Transaction fees for all of our markets are primarily dependent on overall market volume and our market share thereof. Each of our markets have historically experienced growth in trading volumes. From time to time, however, volumes have declined due to economic performance, volatility and other related factors.

        We strive to keep our pricing as competitive and innovativemarket-leading as possible. We generally assess prices on a per-share basis in our U.S. listed cash equities markets, as a percentage of notional value traded in our European listed cash equity securities market, on a per-contract basis in our U.S. listed equity options market and per million U.S. dollars traded in our foreign currency market.

        In order to remain competitive in the U.S. listed cash equity securities market, we have historically maintained a competitively lower net capture spread between our "taker" fee (or in the case of BYX and EDGA, "maker" fee) and our "maker" rebate (or in the case of BYX and EDGA, "taker" rebate) when compared to competing exchanges. In Europe, we also use a low net capture spread "maker-taker" pricing model. We regularly monitor the pricing and net capture spread of our competitors and our relative position, and may make pricing changes to reach market share or other targets. Any changes we make to our pricing may significantly impact our revenues and cost of revenues.

        BATSBats Hotspot clients are charged either a flat or tiered commission rate expressed as U.S. dollars per million notional U.S. dollars traded. Rates are determined on a client-by-client basis by BATSBats Hotspot management and sales in light of market forces and client activity in order to maximize revenue and volume. Additionally, from time to time BATSBats Hotspot may offer certain special limited duration pricing programs such as free trading of spot gold and silver pairs or free trading for all transactions on BATSBats Hotspot's London-based matching engine.


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        BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, as national securities exchanges, are assessed fees pursuant to Section 31 of the Exchange Act. BATS Chi-XBats Europe and BATSBats Hotspot are not assessed any Section 31 fees because they are not U.S. national securities exchanges. BATS Chi-XBats Europe's regulatory fees are assessed by reference to the oversight costs of the FCA relating to RIEs. Section 31 fees are assessed on the notional value of equities and options traded and are designed to recover the costs to the U.S. government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. These fees are paid directly to the SEC by our four exchanges. Our exchanges, in turn,


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collect regulatory transaction fees from our customers that equal the Section 31 fees that we pay to the SEC and recognize these amounts as incurred in revenues and costs of revenues, respectively. We are paid these Section 31 fees as principal, and therefore these fees are reported gross in our consolidated statements of income. Regulatory transaction fees received are included in cash and cash equivalents and financial investments in our consolidated statements of financial condition. As required by law, the amounts due to the SEC are remitted semiannually in March and September. Because we hold the cash received until payment is remitted to the SEC, we earn interest on the related cash balances. Regulatory transaction fees accounted for 15.5% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015,, 18.7% and 18.7%, 15.1% and 16.7% of our total revenues in 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, respectively.

        We earn market data fees from U.S. tape plans, including the UTP Plan, CTA Plan, CQS Plan and OPRA. Fees, net of plan costs, from UTP, CTA and CQS are allocated and distributed to plan participants according to their share of tape fees based on a formula, required by Regulation NMS, that takes into account both trading and quoting activity. Market data fees from OPRA are allocated based upon the share of total options transactions cleared for each of the OPRA members.

        We also charge data subscribers directly for proprietary market data of our U.S. equities, U.S. options and European equities markets. The proprietary market data fees are recognized as the service is provided. Market data fees accounted for 7.4% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 7.6% and 7.6%, 7.1% and 6.8% of total revenues in 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, respectively.

        Port fees and other revenues consist primarily of logical and physical port fees, which represent fees paid for connectivity to our equities and options markets. Revenues for providing access to our markets are recognized when the service is provided. Port fees and other revenues accounted for 4.6%, 4.4% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 4.4%, 5.0% and 3.6% of our total revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Components of Cost of Revenues

        Liquidity payments are directly correlated to the volume of securities traded on our markets. As mentioned above, we record the liquidity rebate paid to market participants providing liquidity, in the case of BZX, EDGX and BATS Chi-XBats Europe, as cost of revenue. BYX and EDGA offer a pricing model pursuant to which we rebate liquidity takers for executing against an order resting on our book, which is also recorded as a cost of revenue.


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        Routing and clearing are also correlated to the volume of securities routed to other market venues. We offer a multitude of order routing strategies to our customers. These strategies allow our customers to access other markets through the use of our smart-order routing tools. Most of these strategies first seek to trade against orders resting on our order books and, if filled in full, are not routed to other markets. Therefore, total routing expenses are inversely correlated to the depth on our order books because as the volume of securities traded by our customers that are matched by us against orders resting on our books increases, routing expenses decrease. In Europe, we are one of the few market centers that provides such routing services to lit venues.


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        Also, BATSBats Trading, the routing facility for our U.S. listed cash equities and listed equity options markets, incurs clearing fees on all activity routed to other market centers because it relies on third-party clearing firms to provide this service. We continue to seek low cost initiatives for reaching other market centers and periodically negotiate new pricing contracts and methods to reach those markets.

        BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are assessed fees pursuant to the Exchange Act designed to recover the costs to the U.S. government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. We treat these fees as a pass-through charge to customers executing eligible listed cash equities and listed equity options trades on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. Accordingly, we recognize the amount that we are charged under Section 31 as a cost of revenues and the corresponding amount that we charge our customers as regulatory transaction fees revenue. Since the regulatory transaction fees recorded in revenues are equal to the Section 31 fees recorded in cost of revenues, there is no impact on our operating income.

        Given that BATS Chi-XBats Europe and BATSBats Hotspot are not U.S. national securities exchanges, they do not pay Section 31 fees.

        Other costs of revenues are mostly isolated in nature and non-recurring in the normal course of our business.

Components of Operating Expenses

        Compensation and benefits represent our largest operating expense and tend to be driven by our staffing requirements and the general dynamics of the employment market. Additional operating expenses generally support the infrastructure of our markets and technology platforms and are primarily fixed in nature. While these expenses do not vary as a direct result of trading volume, they may increase over time as we enhance capacity and improve performance. As a public corporation, we expect general and administrative and professional costs to increase as we satisfy our obligations under the U.S. securities laws and comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, among others. The increases could include, but are not limited to, an increase in staffing levels to provide support in meeting the operational and regulatory requirements of a public corporation, additional professional fees paid to external auditors, consultants and outside counsels, additional executive risk insurance costs and fees paid to a third-party institution to provide transfer agency services for the maintenance of stockholder records.

Interest and Investment Expense, Net

        Interest and investment expense, net represents the interest expense related to our long-term debt, offset by interest income on the investment of excess cash. We invest our excess cash in highly liquid, capital-preserving and short-term financial investments, such as U.S. Treasury securities.

Other Income (Expense)

        Other income (expense) primarily consists of foreign currency gains (losses) and our earnings from equity method investments. Foreign currency gains (losses) are recognized by us, as the functional currency of BATS Chi-XBats Europe and the Hotspot Europe entities is the British pound. The functional currency


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of Bats Hotspot Asia Pte. Ltd. is the Singapore dollar. Earnings from equity method investments represents our ownership in EuroCCP.


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Income Taxes

        We have elected to treat BATSBats Trading Limited and Chi-X Europe as branches for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the taxable income or loss of BATS Chi-XBats Europe and Chi-X Europe is included in our consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. For U.K. tax purposes, BATS Chi-XBats Europe and Chi-X Europe previously incurred tax losses which are expected to bewere fully utilized in 2015. Any U.K. income taxes accrued beginning in 2015 were and will be available to offset our U.S. income taxes as a foreign tax credit. BATSBats Hotspot Europe Limited and BATSBats Hotspot Asia Pte. Ltd. are corporations operating in the United Kingdom and Singapore, respectively. Income generated by both companies is considered indefinitely reinvested and is deferred from U.S. tax until repatriated.


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Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for each of the periods indicated as a percentage of total revenues:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012  2015 2014 2013 

Revenues:

                  

Transaction fees

 72.7% 69.1% 69.3% 72.8% 72.9% 72.5% 69.3% 72.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

 15.5% 18.2% 18.7% 15.1% 16.7% 15.5% 18.7% 15.1%

Market data fees

 7.4% 7.9% 7.6% 7.1% 6.8% 7.4% 7.6% 7.1%

Other

 4.4% 4.8% 4.4% 5.0% 3.6% 4.6% 4.4% 5.0%

Total revenues

 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Cost of revenues:

                  

Liquidity payments

 60.3% 56.5% 57.0% 56.4% 57.4% 60.2% 57.0% 56.4%

Section 31 fees

 15.5% 18.2% 18.7% 15.1% 16.7% 2.7% 18.7% 15.1%

Routing and clearing

 2.8% 3.5% 3.2% 5.1% 5.9% 15.5% 3.2% 5.1%

Other

      

Total cost of revenues

 78.6% 78.2% 78.9% 76.6% 80.0% 78.4% 78.9% 76.6%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 21.4% 21.8% 21.1% 23.4% 20.0% 21.6% 21.1% 23.4%

Operating expenses:

                  

Compensation and benefits

 4.4% 6.5% 6.0% 4.9% 5.5% 4.5% 6.0% 4.9%

Depreciation and amortization

 2.1% 2.0% 1.9% 1.8% 1.9% 2.3% 1.9% 1.8%

Systems and data communication

 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.1% 1.3% 1.5% 1.6% 1.1%

Occupancy

 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.2%

Professional and contract services

 0.7% 0.5% 0.4% 1.0% 1.0% 0.6% 0.4% 1.0%

Regulatory costs

 0.6% 0.8% 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.8% 0.6%

Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability

 0.1%    1.4% 0.2%   

Impairment of assets

    0.4%     0.4%

General and administrative

 1.6% 1.9% 1.9% 1.3% 1.3% 1.5% 1.9% 1.3%

Total operating expenses

 11.3% 13.6% 12.9% 11.3% 13.3% 11.4% 12.9% 11.3%

Operating income

 10.1% 8.2% 8.2% 12.1% 6.7% 10.2% 8.2% 12.1%

Interest and investment expense

 (2.6)% (2.0)% (1.9)% (3.1)% (0.1)%

Interest expense, net

 (2.6)% (1.9)% (3.1)%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  (1.3)% (0.9)%     (0.9)%  

Other income (expense)

 0.2% 0.1% 0.1%   

Other income

 0.2% 0.1%  

Income before income tax provision

 7.7% 5.0% 5.5% 9.0% 6.6% 7.8% 5.5% 9.0%

Income tax provision

 3.2% 2.0% 2.1% 3.4% 3.0% 3.2% 2.1% 3.4%

Net income

 4.5% 3.0% 3.4% 5.6% 3.6% 4.6% 3.4% 5.6%

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Comparison of Nine MonthsYears Ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014

        The following summarizes changes in financial performance for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014:


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 

 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
  Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions, except percentages and as noted below)
  (in millions, except percentages, trading days, earnings per share and as noted below)
 

Total revenues

 $1,335.2 $1,024.4 $310.8 30.3% $1,778.7 $1,458.2 $320.5 22.0%

Total cost of revenues

 1,049.4 800.6 248.8 31.1% 1,394.3 1,150.7 243.6 21.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 285.8 223.8 62.0 27.7% 384.4 307.5 76.9 25.0%

Total operating expenses

 150.8 139.5 11.3 8.1% 202.1 187.9 14.2 7.6%

Operating income

 135.0 84.3 50.7 60.1% 182.3 119.6 62.7 52.4%

Income before income tax provision

 103.4 51.6 51.8 100.4% 138.7 80.3 58.4 72.7%

Income tax provision

 42.9 20.7 22.2 107.2% 56.5 31.1 25.4 81.7%

Net income

 $60.5 $30.9 $29.6 95.8% $82.2 $49.2 $33.0 67.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $166.1 $92.8 $73.3 79.0% $226.1 $136.0 $90.1 66.3%

EBITDA margin(2)

 58.1% 41.5% 16.6%  * 58.8% 44.2% 14.6%  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $172.5 $121.0 $51.5 42.6% $235.3 $168.1 $67.2 40.0%

Normalized EBITDA margin(3)

 60.4% 54.1% 6.3%  * 61.2% 54.7% 6.5%  *

Market ADV:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

U.S. Equities (in millions of shares)

 6,864.8 6,214.0 650.8 10.5%

BATS ETPs (in millions of shares)

 361.7 246.3 115.4 46.9%

BATS ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 7 2 5 250.0%

BATS ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 35 25 10 40.0%

European Equities (in millions of ADNV)

 52,394.2 38,124.1 14,270.1 37.4%

U.S. Options (in thousands of contracts)

 16,271.1 16,281.5 (10.4) (0.1)%

Global FX (in billions of notional value)

 $27.8  *  *  *

Adjusted earnings(4)

 $103.6 $75.2 $28.4 37.8%

Adjusted earnings margin(5)

 27.0% 24.5% 2.5%  *

Diluted Adjusted earnings per share(6)

 $3.17 $2.37 $.8 33.8%

U.S. Equities:

         

ADV:

         

Matched shares ADV (in billions)

 1.5 1.2 0.3 25.0%

Routed shares ADV (in billions)

 0.1 0.1   

Total touched shares (in billions)

 1.6 1.3 0.3 23.1%

Market ADV (in billions)

 6.9 6.4 0.5 7.8%

Trading days

 252 252   

Bats ETPs (in billions of shares)

 0.4 0.3 0.1 33.3%

Bats ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 26 5 21 420.0%

Bats ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 56 28 28 100.0%

European Equities:

         

ADNV:

         

Matched and touched ADNV (in billions)

 12.4 8.6 3.8 44.2%

Market ADNV (in billions)

 50.8 39.7 11.1 28.0%

Trading days

 257 256 1 0.4%

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.7263 £0.8062 £(0.0799) (9.9)%

U.S. Options:

         

ADV:

         

Matched contracts ADV

 1.5 0.8 0.7 87.5%

Routed contracts ADV

 0.1  0.1 * 

Total touched contracts

 1.6 0.8 0.8 100.0%

Market ADV

 16.1 16.6 (0.5) (3.0)%

Trading days

 252 252   

Global FX:

         

ADNV (in billions)

 $25.8 * * * 

Trading days

 209 * * * 

Market share:

                  

U.S. Equities

 21.1% 18.9% 2.2%  * 21.1% 19.4% 1.7%  *

ETPs

 22.4% 22.3% 0.1%  * 22.4% 22.2% 0.2%  *

ETPs: launches

 3.4% 1.3% 2.1%  * 10.1% 2.5% 7.6%  *

ETPs: listings

 2.0% 1.5% 0.5%  * 3.1% 1.7% 1.4%  *

European Equities

 24.2% 21.3% 2.9%  * 24.4% 21.6% 2.8%  *

U.S. Options

 9.9% 4.2% 5.7%  * 9.6% 4.8% 4.8%  *

Maker-taker exchanges(4)

 9.8% 4.2% 5.6%  *

Net capture:

                  

U.S. Equities (net capture per one hundred touched shares)

 $0.021 $0.022 $(0.001) (4.5)% $0.021 $0.022 $(0.001) (4.5)%

European Equities (net capture per matched notional value in basis points)

 0.132 0.164 (0.032) (19.5)% 0.133 0.162 (0.029) (17.9)%

U.S. Options (net capture per touched contract)

 $0.024 $0.049 $(0.025) (51.0)% $0.030 $0.046 $(0.016) (34.8)%

Global FX (net capture per one million dollars traded)

 $3.01  *  *  * $2.95  *  *  *

Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 1.5322 1.6691 (0.1369) (8.2)% $1.5283 $1.6476 $(0.1652) (7.2)%

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss of extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, such as debt restructuring costs, and foreign currency gains.

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The following is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income

 $60.5 $30.9  $82.2 $49.2 

Interest

 34.2 20.3  46.6 27.3 

Income tax provision

 42.9 20.7  56.5 31.1 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 20.9  40.8 28.4 

EBITDA

 166.1 92.8  226.1 136.0 

Acquisition-related costs

 6.4 14.6  8.2 18.5 

IPO costs

 0.5   1.5  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  13.6   13.6 

Other one-time items

 (0.5)  

Debt restructuring

 0.5  

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

 (1.0)  

Normalized EBITDA

 $172.5 $121.0  $235.3 $168.1 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(3)
Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(4)
Maker-taker exchanges are"Adjusted earnings" is defined as BZX, NASDAQ Options Market, ISE Gemininet income adjusted for amortization, net of tax and C2 Options Exchange.other items, including acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, debt restructuring costs and gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility, net of tax. Adjusted earnings does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented Adjusted earnings because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and we use it as the basis for monitoring our own core operating financial performance relative to other operators of electronic exchanges. We also believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. We believe that investors may find this non-GAAP measure useful in evaluating our performance compared to that of peer companies in our industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted earnings differently than we do. Adjusted earnings has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

 
 Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2015 2014 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income

 $82.2 $49.2 

Amortization

  26.9  10.3 

Tax effect of amortization

  (11.0) (4.0)

Acquisition-related costs

  8.2  18.5 

IPO costs

  1.5   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    13.6 

Debt restructuring

  0.5   

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

  (1.0)  

Tax effect of other items

  (3.7) (12.4)

Adjusted earnings

 $103.6 $75.2 
(5)
Adjusted earnings margin represents Adjusted earnings divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(6)
Diluted Adjusted earnings per share represents Adjusted earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

        Total revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $1,335.2$1,778.7 million, an increase of $310.8$320.5 million, or 30.3%22.0%, compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014, reflecting, in part, higher transaction fees due to higher market share, up to 9.9%9.6%, in our U.S. Options segment and a 10.5% increase in market volumesup to 21.1% in our U.S. Equities segment. The incremental revenue from the Bats Hotspot Acquisition of


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$31.8 million also contributed to the increase. The following summarizes changes in revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014:


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 

 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
  Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions, except percentages)
  (in millions, except percentages)
 

Transaction fees

 $970.1 $707.7 $262.4 37.1% $1,290.2 $1,009.9 $280.3 27.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

 207.0 186.5 20.5 11.0% 275.7 272.0 3.7 1.4%

Market data fees

 99.4 81.2 18.2 22.4% 131.0 110.3 20.7 18.8%

Other

 58.7 49.0 9.7 19.8%

Port fees and other

 81.8 66.0 15.8 23.9%

Total revenues

 $1,335.2 $1,024.4 $310.8 30.3% $1,778.7 $1,458.2 $320.5 22.0%

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        Transaction fees increased $262.4$280.3 million, or 37.1%27.8%, to $970.1$1,290.2 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 72.7%72.5% of total revenues, compared with $707.7$1,009.9 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 69.1%69.3% of total revenues. This increase in transaction fees was largely driven by our U.S. Options segment where transaction fees increased $98.0$108.0 million due to increased market share, from 4.2%4.8% in 2014 to 9.9%9.6% in 2015. The U.S. Equities segment contributed $124.0$122.5 million to the increase driven by the additional month of Direct Edge activitya 7.8% increase in 2015 compared to 2014 and a 10.5% increase market volumes. The European Equities segment's transaction fees increased $17.2$18.0 million in 2015 as market ADNV increased 37.4%28.2% over 2014. The Global FX segment also contributed $23.2$31.8 million to 2015 due to the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition in March 2015.

        Regulatory transaction fees increased $20.5$3.7 million, or 11.0%1.4%, to $207.0$275.7 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 15.5% of total revenues, compared with $186.5$272.0 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 18.2%18.7% of total revenues. This increase was largely driven by the additional month of Direct Edge activity in 2015 compared to 2014 and a 10.5%7.8% increase in U.S. Equities market ADV. Additionally, with the increased market share in U.S. Options, additional regulatory fees of $2.6$2.8 million were recognized. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in the Section 31 rate charged, from $22.10 per million notional value traded beginning in the first quarter 2014 to $18.40 per million notional value traded beginning in first quarter 2015.

        Market data fees increased $18.2$20.7 million, or 22.4%18.8%, to $99.4$131.0 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 7.4% of total revenues, compared with $81.2$110.3 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 7.9%7.6% of total revenues. This increase was largely driven by an additional month of Direct Edge activity recorded in 2015 and an 8.1%7.2% increase in the U.S. tape plan pool size from 2014 to 2015 primarily due to price increases in January 2015, contributing $3.6 million and $5.6$6.7 million to the increase, respectively. We also received approximately $3.1 million in audit recoveries from the U.S. tape plans in 2015. The U.S. Options segment also contributed $2.9$3.6 million to the increase as market share increased to 9.9%9.6% in 2015 from 4.2%4.8% in 2014.

        Port fees and other revenues increased $9.7$15.8 million, or 19.8%23.9%, to $58.7$81.8 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $49.0$66.0 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. This increase was driven by a U.S. Equities pricing change to logical ports in second quarter 2015 contributing $6.4$12.3 million in 2015. Also contributing to the increase was $2.1 million of additional revenue recorded due to the additional month of Direct Edge activity included in 2015.


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        Cost of revenues increased $248.8$243.6 million, or 31.1%21.2%, to $1,049.4$1,394.3 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 from $800.6$1,150.7 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to a 10.5%7.8% increase in U.S. equities market ADV in 2015 and the increase in our U.S. Equities segment market share from 18.9%19.4% in 2014 to 21.1% in 2015. Our U.S. Options segment market share also increased from 4.2%4.8% in 2014 to 9.9%9.6% in 2015, increasing liquidity payments. The


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following summarizes changes in cost of revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to the prior-year period:prior year:


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 

 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
  Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions, except percentages)
  (in millions, except percentages)
 

Liquidity payments

 $805.7 $578.5 $227.2 39.3% $1,070.7 $831.4 $239.3 28.8%

Section 31 fees

 207.0 186.5 20.5 11.0% 275.7 272.0 3.7 1.4%

Routing and clearing

 36.7 35.6 1.1 3.1% 47.9 47.3 0.6 1.3%

Total

 $1,049.4 $800.6 $248.8 31.1% $1,394.3 $1,150.7 $243.6 21.2%

        Liquidity payments increased $227.2$239.3 million, or 39.3%28.8%, to $805.7$1,070.7 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 60.3%60.2% of total revenues, compared with $578.5$831.4 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 56.5%57.0% of total revenues. The U.S. Equities segment contributed $116.5$118.3 million to the increase, driven by $23.5 million from the additional month of Direct Edge activity and a 10.5%7.8% increase in U.S. equities market volumes. The U.S. Options segment liquidity payments increased $94.8$103.0 million, primarily driven by increased rebate payments due to increased market share. The European Equities segment liquidity payments increased $15.9$18.0 million driven by a 37.4%28.0% increase in market ADNV.

        Section 31 fees increased $20.5$3.7 million, or 11.0%1.4%, to $207.0$275.7 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 15.5% of total revenues, compared with $186.5$272.0 million for the prior-year periodprior year or 18.2%18.7% of total revenues for the reasons stated previously under "—Components of Revenues—Regulatory Transaction Fees."

        Routing and clearing fees increased $1.1$0.6 million, or 3.1%1.3%, to $36.7$47.9 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 2.8%2.7% of total revenues, compared with $35.6$47.3 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 3.5%3.2% of total revenues. This decrease in routing and clearing fees was driven by a decrease of the routed percentage on our U.S. Equities markets from 7.7%7.4% in 2014 to 6.4%6.3% in 2015 and a 3.7%an 8.9% decrease in routed fees per contract in the U.S. Options segment.

        Revenues less cost of revenues increased $62.0$76.9 million, or 27.7%25.0%, to $285.8$384.4 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to $223.8$307.5 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition contributing $23.2$31.8 million to revenues less cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2015 and an increase in market data revenue in the U.S. Equities segment, driven by U.S. tape plan pricing increases put into effect in January 2015 and an increase in market share from 18.9%19.4% in 2014 to 21.1% in 2015 primarily driven by the Direct Edge Acquisition on January 31, 2014.


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        The following summarizes the components of revenues less cost of revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, presented as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues and compared to the prior-year period:prior year:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
  
 

Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs

 $127.7 $93.6 36.4% 44.7% 41.8% $171.6 $131.2 30.8% 44.6% 42.7%

Market data fees

 99.4 81.2 22.4% 34.8% 36.3% 131.0 110.3 18.8% 34.1% 35.9%

Port fees and other revenues less other cost of revenues

 58.7 49.0 19.8% 20.5% 21.9%

Port fees

 81.8 66.0 23.9% 21.3% 21.4%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $285.8 $223.8 27.7% 100.0% 100.0% $384.4 $307.5 25.0% 100.0 100.0%

        Fluctuations in revenues less cost of revenues are driven by various factors. Volume variances are driven by changes in overall industry volume and our share of those volumes, while net capture variances are driven primarily by pricing changes. The following summarizes the fluctuations in revenues less cost of revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and attributes the fluctuations to various sources:


 Total Percentage of
Total
  Total Percentage of
Total
 

 (in millions)
  
  (in millions)
  
 

Market volume

 $16.4 26.5% $17.2 22.4%

Market share

 37.3 60.2% 41.1 53.4%

Net capture

 (20.4) (32.9)% (24.1) (31.3)%

BATS Hotspot Acquisition

 23.2 37.4%

Bats Hotspot Acquisition

 31.8 41.4%

Other

 5.5 8.8% 10.9 14.1%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $62.0 100.0% $76.9 100.0%

        Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs increased $34.1$40.4 million, or 36.4%30.8%, to $127.7$171.6 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 44.7%44.6% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $93.6$131.2 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 41.8%42.7% of revenues less cost of revenues. The increase was primarily driven by Global FX revenue of $23.2$31.8 million due to the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot in first quarter 2015, an increase in our market share in the U.S. Equities segment from 18.9%19.4% in 2014 to 21.1% in 2015, and a 10.5%7.8% increase in market ADV in U.S. Equities that contributed $9.0$6.5 million and increased market share in the U.S. Options segment that contributed $1.1$9.2 million. This was offset by decreased net capture in U.S. Options and European Equities with a $7.4$6.6 million and $10.4$12.1 million impact, respectively. U.S. Options net capture decreased 51.0%34.8% from $0.049$0.046 per touched contract in 2014 to $0.024$0.030 per touched contract in 2015. European Equities net capture per matched notional value decreased 19.5%17.9% from 0.164 basis points in 2014 to 0.1320.133 basis points in 2015, as higher market volumes and market share lifted customers into higher rebate tiers.


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        Market data fees increased $18.2$20.7 million, or 22.4%18.8%, to $99.4$131.0 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 34.8%34.1% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $81.2$110.3 million


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for the prior-year period,prior year, or 36.3%35.9% of revenues less cost of revenues. For purposes of calculating these percentages, we have not attributed any incremental costs associated with providing trading and quoting information to the U.S. tape plans. This increase was driven primarily by an 8.1%a 7.2% increase in the U.S. tape plan pool size due to a price increase in January 2015, along with increased U.S. Equities and U.S. Options market share, up from 18.9%19.4% in 2014 to 21.1% in 2015 and up from 4.2%4.8% in 2014 to 9.9%9.6% in 2015, respectively.

        Other revenues less other cost of revenuesPort fees increased $9.7$15.8 million, or 19.8%23.9%, to $58.7$81.8 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 20.5%21.3% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $49.0$66.0 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 21.9%21.4% of revenues less cost of revenues. This increase was due to the U.S. Equities logical port fee pricing changes for logical ports in second quarter 2015 along with an additional month of Direct Edge activity.

        Total operating expenses increased $11.3$14.2 million, or 8.1%7.6%, to $150.8$202.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $139.5$187.9 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The increase over the prior-year periodprior year was primarily due to the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot, contributing $27.2$38.4 million in operating expenses in 2015. Offsetting this increase was a $17.5$31.2 million decrease in operating expenses in the U.S. Equities segment due to realized synergies in 2015 from the Direct Edge Acquisition. The following summarizes changes in operating expenses for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared to the prior-year period:prior year:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 

 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
  Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
 

Operating Expenses:

                  

Compensation and benefits

 $58.4 $66.2 $(7.8) (11.8)% $79.7 $87.0 $(7.3) (8.4)%

Depreciation and amortization

 28.5 20.9 7.6 36.4% 40.8 28.4 12.4 43.7%

Systems and data communication

 21.4 16.9 4.5 26.6% 27.2 23.5 3.7 15.7%

Occupancy

 2.4 2.6 (0.2) (7.7)% 3.1 4.2 (1.1) (26.2)%

Professional and contract services

 8.9 5.0 3.9 78.0% 11.1 6.5 4.6 70.8%

Regulatory costs

 8.6 8.7 (0.1) (1.1)% 11.1 12.1 (1.0) (8.3)%

Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability

 1.7  1.7  * 2.8  2.8  *

General and administrative

 20.9 19.2 1.7 8.9% 26.3 26.2 0.1 0.4%

Total operating expenses

 $150.8 $139.5 $11.3 8.1% $202.1 $187.9 $14.2 7.6%

        Compensation and benefits decreased by $7.8$7.3 million, or 11.8%8.4%, to $58.4$79.7 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, representing 4.4%4.5% of total revenues, compared with $66.2$87.0 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 6.5%6.0% of total revenues. This decrease was driven by severance and retention expense recognized in 2014 related to the Direct Edge Acquisition, and having fewer employees, offset by annual merit increases in fourth quarter 2014 and the additional Global FX


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compensation of $10.9$14.5 million driven by the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition in March 2015. As a result of the Direct Edge technology integration in January 2015, 57 employees were terminated in first quarter 2015.

        Depreciation and amortization increased by $7.6$12.4 million, or 36.4%43.7%, to $28.5$40.8 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $20.9$28.4 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014,


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primarily reflecting the additional amortization recorded for the intangible assets acquired with the Direct Edge Acquisition in January 2014 and the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition in March 2015 of $1.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively.$12.3 million.

        Systems and data communication costs increased by $4.5$3.7 million, or 26.6%15.7%, to $21.4$27.2 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $16.9$23.5 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to a $4.1 million acceleration of expense for the legacy Direct Edge data center agreement terminated early in 2015.

        Occupancy expenses stayed relatively flat, decreasing $0.2decreased $1.1 million, or 7.7%26.2%, to $2.4$3.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $2.6$4.2 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily driven by the termination of the lease of the Direct Edge office space in the fourth quarter of 2014.

        Professional and contract services fees increased by $3.9$4.6 million, or 78.0%70.8%, to $8.9$11.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $5.0$6.5 million for the prior-year period.prior year. The increase was primarily due to professional fees incurred in 2015 related to the BATSBats Hotspot acquisition.Acquisition and the services rendered in preparation of being a public company.

        Regulatory costs also stayed relatively flat, decreasing $0.1decreased $1.0 million to $8.6$11.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared with $12.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30, 2014.December 31, 2014 driven by the end of the transition of regulatory service agreement vendors.

        Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability was $1.7$2.8 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, due to the fair value adjustment of the contingent consideration liability recorded with the acquisition of BATSBats Hotspot in March 2015.

        General and administrative expenses increased by $1.7$0.1 million, or 8.9%0.4%, to $20.9$26.3 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $19.2$26.2 million for the prior-year period.prior year. This increase was due primarily to the $6.0 million accelerated expense of legacy Direct Edge servers that are no longer being used after the Direct Edge technology integration in January 2015 and a $1.2 million reserve for sale taxes for certain physical and logical ports, offset by a $1.5 million value-added tax, or VAT, credit received in 2015. The remaining decrease is primarily a result of the synergies achieved from the Direct Edge Integration in 2015.


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        As a result of the items above, operating income for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was $135.0$182.3 million, or 47.2%47.4% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $84.3$119.6 million, or 37.7%38.9% of revenues less cost of revenues, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of $50.7$62.7 million, or 60.1%52.4%.

        Interest and investment expense, net increased by $13.9$19.3 million to $34.2$46.6 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared with $20.3$27.3 million for the prior-year period.prior year. This was due to the additional debt issued in March 2015.


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        Other income (expense) increased by $1.2$15.0 million to $1.6$3.0 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to $0.4$(12.0) million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. This increase was due to the foreign currency gain on the revolving credit facility when it was extinguished in March 2015.2015, offset by the loss on the extinguishment of debt that was repaid in January 2014.

        As a result of the above, income before income tax provision for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was $103.4$138.7 million compared to $51.6$80.3 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of $51.8$58.4 million.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the income tax provision was $42.9$56.5 million compared with $20.7$31.1 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The effective tax rate for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was 41.5%40.7%, compared to 40.1%38.7% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2015 compared to 2014 was due to legislative changes in New York and New York City in 2015.2015 and a higher rate attributable to foreign earnings.

        As a result of the items above, net income for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was $60.5$82.2 million, or 21.2%21.4% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $30.9$49.2 million, or 13.8%16.0% of revenues less cost of revenues, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of $29.6$33.0 million.


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Segment Operating Results

        The following summarizes our total revenues by segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $1,034.6 $870.2 18.9% 77.6% 84.9% $1,386.8 $1,234.5 12.3% 78.0% 84.7%

European Equities

 90.1 72.5 24.3% 6.7% 7.1% 117.9 99.1 19.1% 6.6% 6.8%

U.S. Options

 187.3 81.7 129.3% 14.0% 8.0% 242.2 124.6 94.4% 13.6% 8.5%

Global FX

 23.2   * 1.7%   31.8   * 1.8%  

Total revenues

 $1,335.2 $1,024.4 30.3% 100.0% 100.0% $1,778.7 $1,458.2 22.0% 100.0% 100.0%

        The following summarizes our revenues less cost of revenues by segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues
Less Cost of
Revenue
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues
Less Cost of
Revenue
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $193.8 $162.8 19.0% 67.8% 72.7% $259.4 $224.3 15.6% 67.4% 72.9%

European Equities

 50.9 49.2 3.5% 17.8% 22.0% 67.1 66.4 1.2% 17.5% 21.6%

U.S. Options

 17.9 11.8 51.7% 6.3% 5.3% 26.1 16.8 55.4% 6.8% 5.5%

Global FX

 23.2   * 8.1%   31.8   * 8.3%  

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $285.8 $223.8 27.7% 100.0% 100.0% $384.4 $307.5 25.0% 100.0% 100.0%

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        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Equities segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions, except
percentages and as
noted below)

  
  
  
  (in millions, except
percentages and as
noted below)

  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                      

Transaction fees

 $699.5 $575.5 21.5% 52.5% 56.2% $938.8 $816.2 15.0% 52.7% 56.0%

Regulatory transaction fees

 202.4 184.5 9.7% 15.2% 18.0% 269.6 268.7 0.3% 15.2% 18.5%

Market data fees

 86.7 71.8 20.8% 6.5% 7.0% 114.1 97.6 16.9% 6.5% 6.7%

Port fees and other

 46.0 38.4 19.8% 3.4% 3.7% 64.3 52.0 23.7% 3.6% 3.5%

Total revenues

 1,034.6 870.2 18.9% 77.6% 84.9% 1,386.8 1,234.5 12.3% 78.0% 84.7%

Cost of revenues:

                      

Liquidity payments

 605.0 488.5 23.8% 45.3% 47.7% 814.1 695.8 17.0% 45.8% 47.7%

Section 31 fees

 202.4 184.5 9.7% 15.2% 18.0% 269.6 268.7 0.3% 15.2% 18.5%

Routing and clearing payments

 33.4 34.4 (2.9)% 2.5% 3.4%

Routing and clearing

 43.7 45.7 (4.4)% 2.4% 3.1%

Total cost of revenues

 840.8 707.4 18.9% 63.0% 69.1% 1,127.4 1,010.2 11.6% 63.4% 69.3%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 193.8 162.8 19.0% 14.5% 15.8% 259.4 224.3 15.6% 14.6% 15.4%

Operating expenses

 86.9 104.4 (16.8)% 6.5% 10.2% 110.2 141.3 (22.1)% 6.2% 9.7%

Operating income

 $106.9 $58.4 83.0% 8.0% 5.6% $149.2 $83.0 79.8% 8.4% 5.7%

EBITDA(1)

 $120.8 $72.9 65.7% 9.0% 7.1% $168.0 $103.4 62.5% 9.4% 7.1%

EBITDA margin(2)

 62.3% 44.8%  *  *  * 64.8% 46.1%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $120.8 $87.5 38.1% 9.0% 8.5% $168.7 $121.9 38.4% 9.5% 8.4%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 62.3% 53.7%  *  *  * 65.1% 54.3%  *  *  *

Non-transaction net revenue as percentage of net revenue

 68.5% 67.7%  *  *  *

ADV (in billions):

           

Matched shares

 1.5 1.2 25.0%  *  *

Routed shares

 0.1 0.1   *  *

Total touched shares

 1.6 1.3 23.1%  *  *

Market ADV

 6,864.8 6,214.0 10.5%  *  * 6.9 6.4 7.8%     

BATS ETPs (in millions of shares)

 361.7 246.3 46.9%  *  *

BATS ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 7 2 250.0%  *  *

BATS ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 33 23 43.5%  *  *

Trading days

 252 252   *  *

Bats ETPs (in billions of shares)

 0.4 0.3 33.3%  *  *

Bats ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 26 5 420.0%  *  *

Bats ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 56 28 100.0%  *  *

Market share

 21.1% 18.9%  *  *  * 21.1% 19.4%  *  *  *

Net capture per one hundred touched shares

 $0.021 $0.022 (4.5)%  *  * $0.021 $0.022 (4.5)%  *  *

*
Not meaningful

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, such as debt restructuring costs and foreign currency gains. Pro Forma EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before recent acquisition costs, had the recent acquisitions been completedgain on January 1, 2014. EBITDA, Normalizedextinguishment of revolving credit facility. EBITDA and Pro FormaNormalized EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered as, alternatives to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. We have presented

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 Nine Months Ended September 30,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Global
FX
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total  U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Global
FX
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income (loss)

 $106.4 $26.8 $7.2 $(3.6)$(76.3)$60.5 $43.2 $22.7 $5.7 $(40.7)$30.9  $85.8 $18.3 $9.8 $(6.3)$(25.4)$82.2 $40.2 $37.7 $8.3 $(37.0)$49.2 

Interest

  (0.1)   34.3 34.2  (0.1)  20.4 20.3   (0.1)   46.7 46.6  (0.1)  27.4 27.3 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 0.6    42.3 42.9 15.5   5.2 20.7  63.6 14.8  0.1 (22.0) 56.5 43.3 (6.1)  (6.1) 31.1 

Depreciation and amortization

 13.8 6.2 1.4 7.1  28.5 14.2 6.0 0.7  20.9  18.6 8.3 1.6 12.3  40.8 19.9 7.6 0.9  28.4 

EBITDA

 120.8 32.9 8.6 3.5 0.3 166.1 72.9 28.6 6.4 (15.1) 92.8  168.0 41.3 11.4 6.1 (0.7) 226.1 103.4 39.1 9.2 (15.7) 136.0 

Acquisition-related costs

    6.4  6.4 14.6    14.6  0.7   7.5  8.2 18.5    18.5 

IPO costs

     0.5 0.5           1.5 1.5      

Loss on extinguishment of debt

          13.6 13.6           13.6 13.6 

Other one-time items

     (0.5) (0.5)      

Debt restructuring

     0.5 0.5      

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

     (1.0) (1.0)      

Normalized EBITDA

 $120.8 $32.9 $8.6 $9.9 $0.3 $172.5 $87.5 $28.6 $6.4 $(1.5)$121.0  $168.7 $41.3 $11.4 $13.6 $0.3 $235.3 $121.9 $39.1 $9.2 $(2.1)$168.1 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues while Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, U.S. Equities operating income increased $48.5$66.2 million, to $106.9$149.2 million. The increase in revenues less cost of revenues is driven by an additional month of Direct Edge activityincreased market share in 2015 compared to 2014 and a 10.5%7.8% increase in market ADV from 2014 to 2015. The decrease in operating expenses is driven by a decrease in compensation due to the severance and retention related to the Direct Edge Acquisition recorded in 2014 offset by accelerations of expense in 2015 of $6.0 million for legacy Direct Edge servers and $4.1 million for legacy Direct Edge data center space.


Table of Contents

        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our European Equities segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions except for
percentages and
exchange rates)

  
  
  
  (in millions except for
percentages and
exchange rates)

  
  
  
 

Revenues

 $90.1 $72.5 24.3% 6.7% 7.1%

Cost of revenues

 39.2 23.3 68.2% 2.9% 2.3%

Revenues:

           

Transaction fees

 $97.8 $79.9 22.4% 5.5% 5.5%

Market data fees

 9.3 8.7 6.9% 0.5% 0.6%

Port fees and other

 10.8 10.5 2.9% 0.6% 0.7%

Total revenues

 117.9 99.1 19.0% 6.6% 6.8%

Cost of revenues:

           

Liquidity payments

 50.6 32.6 55.2% 2.8% 2.2%

Routing and clearing

 0.2 0.1 100.0% 0.1%  

Total cost of revenues

 50.8 32.7 55.4% 2.9% 2.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 50.9 49.2 3.5% 3.8% 4.8% 67.1 66.4 1.2% 3.7% 4.6%

Operating expenses

 25.1 27.3 (8.1)% 1.9% 2.7% 35.2 36.0 (2.2)% 2.0% 2.5%

Operating income

 $25.8 $21.9 17.8% 1.9% 2.1% $31.9 $30.4 4.9% 1.7% 2.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $32.9 $28.6 15.0%      $41.3 $39.1 5.6% 2.3% 2.7%

EBITDA margin(2)

 64.6% 58.1%  *  *  * 61.5% 58.9%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $32.9 $28.6 15.0%      $41.3 $39.1 5.6% 2.3% 2.7%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 64.6% 58.1%  *  *  * 61.5% 58.9%  *  *  *

ADNV (in billions):

           

Matched and touched ADNV

 12.4 8.6 44.2%  *  *

Market ADNV

 52,394.2 38,124.1 37.4%  *  * 50.8 39.7 28.0%  *  *

Trading days

 257 256 0.4%  *  *

Market share

 24.2% 21.3%  *  *  * 24.4% 21.6%  *  *  *

Net capture per matched notional value (in basis points)

 0.132 0.164 (19.5)%  *  * 0.133 0.162 (17.9)%  *  *

Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 $1.5322 $1.6691 (8.2)%  *  * $1.5283 $1.6476 (7.2)%  *  *

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.7263 £0.8062 (9.9)%  *  *

*
Not meaningful

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

Table of Contents

        To illustrate the growth without the effect of the exchange rates in our European Equities segment the following table shows revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating loss for our European Equities segment in British pounds:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  (in millions)
  
 

Transaction fees

 £64.0 £48.6 31.7%

Market data

 6.0 5.2 15.4%

Other

 7.1 6.4 10.9%

Revenues

 £58.8 £43.5 35.2% 77.1 60.2 28.1%

Liquidity payments

 33.1 19.8 67.2%

Routing and clearing

 0.1 0.1  

Cost of revenues

 25.6 13.9 84.2% 33.2 19.9 66.8%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 33.2 29.6 12.2% 43.9 40.3 8.9%

Operating expenses

 16.4 16.4   23.0 21.8 5.5%

Operating income

 £16.8 £13.2 27.3% £20.9 £18.5 13.0%

EBITDA(1)

 £21.5 £17.2 25.0% £27.0 £23.8 13.4%

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 £21.5 £17.2 25.0% £27.0 £23.8 13.4%

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA. See below for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA in British pounds:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014  2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  (in millions)
  
 

Net income (loss)

 £17.4 £13.6 27.9%

Net income

 £16.2 £19.2 (15.6)%

Interest

     0.1  * 

Income tax provision (benefit)

    

Income tax provision

 5.3  * 

Depreciation and amortization

 4.1 3.6 13.9% 5.4 4.6 17.4%

EBITDA

 21.5 17.2 25.0% 27.0 23.8 13.4%

Acquisition-related costs

       * 

IPO costs

       * 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

       * 

Other one-time items

    

Debt restructuring

   * 

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

   * 

Normalized EBITDA

 £21.5 £17.2 25.0% £27.0 £23.8 13.4%

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the European Equities segment's operating income increased $3.9$1.5 million to $25.8$31.9 million compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. This was driven by a 37.4%28.0% increase in market ADNV offset by a 19.5%17.9% decrease in net capture and an 8.2%a 7.2% decline in the average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate. Operating expenses decreased $2.2$0.7 million driven by the $1.5 million VAT credit received in second quarter 2015 and the $0.3 million VAT credit received in the third quarter 2015.


Table of Contents

        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Options segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                      

Transaction fees

 $172.3 $74.3 131.9% 12.9% 7.2% $221.8 $113.8 94.9% 12.5% 7.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

 4.6 2.0 130.0% 0.3% 0.2% 6.1 3.3 84.8% 0.3% 0.2%

Market data fees

 5.7 2.8 103.6% 0.4% 0.3% 7.6 4.0 90.0% 0.4% 0.3%

Other

 4.7 2.6 80.8% 0.4% 0.3%

Port fees and other

 6.7 3.5 91.4% 0.4% 0.2%

Total revenues

 187.3 81.7 129.3% 14.0% 8.0% 242.2 124.6 94.4% 13.6% 8.5%

Cost of revenues:

                      

Liquidity payments

 161.6 66.8 141.9% 12.1% 6.5% 206.0 103.0 100.0% 11.6% 7.1%

Section 31 fees

 4.6 2.0 130.0% 0.3% 0.2% 6.1 3.3 84.8% 0.3% 0.2%

Routing and clearing payments

 3.2 1.1 190.9% 0.3% 0.1%

Routing and clearing

 4.0 1.5 166.7% 0.2% 0.1%
���

Total cost of revenues

 169.4 69.9 142.3% 12.7% 6.8% 216.1 107.8 100.5% 12.1% 7.4%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 17.9 11.8 51.7% 1.3% 1.2% 26.1 16.8 55.4% 1.5% 1.1%

Operating expenses

 10.7 6.1 75.4% 0.8% 0.6% 16.3 8.5 91.8% 0.9% 0.6%

Operating income

 $7.2 $5.7 26.3% 0.5% 0.6% $9.8 $8.3 18.1% 0.6% 0.5%

EBITDA(1)

 $8.6 $6.4 34.4% 0.6% 0.6% $11.4 $9.2 23.9% 0.6% 0.6%

EBITDA margin(2)

 48.0% 54.2%  *  *  * 43.7% 54.8%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $8.6 $6.4 34.4% 0.6% 0.6% $11.4 $9.2 23.9% 0.6% 0.6%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 48.0% 54.2%  *  *  * 43.7% 54.8%  *  *  *

Market ADV (in thousands of contracts)

 16,271.1 16,281.5 (0.1)%  *  *

ADV (in millions):

           

Matched contracts

 1.5 0.8 87.5%  *  *

Routed contracts

 0.1   *  *  *

Total touched contracts

 1.6 0.8 100.0%  *  *

Market ADV

 16.1 16.6 (3.0)%  *  *

Trading days

 252 252   *  *

Market share

 9.9% 4.2%  *  *  * 9.6% 4.8%  *  *  *

Net capture per touched contract

 $0.024 $0.049 (51.0)%  *  * $0.030 $0.046 (34.8)%  * ��*

*
Not meaningful

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the U.S. Options segment's operating income increased $1.5 million to $7.2$9.8 million compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Revenues less cost of revenues increased $6.1$9.3 million primarily driven by increased market share, from 4.2%4.8% in 2014 to 9.9% 9.6%


Table of Contents

in 2015. Operating expenses increased $4.6$7.8 million driven by increases in compensation due to the preparation of the second Options book (EDGX Options) launched in the November 2015.


Table of Contents

        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our Global FX segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  
 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Year Ended
December 31,
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2015 2014 2015 2014  2015 2014 2015 2014 

 (in millions, except as noted below)
  
  
  
  (in millions, except as noted below)
  
  
  
 

Revenues

 $23.2   * 1.7%  *

Revenues (transaction fees)

 $31.8   * 1.8%  *

Cost of revenues

      *      *

Revenues less cost of revenues

 23.2   * 1.7%  * 31.8   * 1.8%  *

Operating expenses

 27.2   * 2.0%  * 38.4   * 2.2%  *

Operating loss

 $(4.0)   * (0.3)%  * $(6.6)   * (0.4)%  *

EBITDA(1)

 $3.5   * 0.3%  * $6.1   * 0.3%  *

EBITDA margin(2)

 15.1%   *  *  * 19.2%   *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $9.9   * 0.7%  * $13.6   * 0.8%  *

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 42.7%   *  *  * 42.8%   *  *  *

ADNV (in billions)

 
$

27.8
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
$

25.8
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
*

Net capture per one million dollars traded

 $3.01  *  *  *  * $2.95  *  *  *  *

Trading days

 209  *  *  *  *

*
Not meaningful

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the Global FX segment's operating loss was $4.0$6.6 million. This was primarily driven by the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition in March 2015 and the amortization on the intangible assets acquired.


Table of Contents

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

        The following summarizes changes in financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013:


 Year Ended December 31,  
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 

 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
  Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 

 2014 2013  2014 2013 

 (in millions, except percentages and items noted below)
  
  (in millions, except percentages, trading days, earnings per share and items noted below)
 

Total revenues

 $1,458.2 $841.5 $616.7 73.3% $1,458.2 $841.5 $616.7 73.3%

Total cost of revenues

 1,150.7 644.7 506.0 78.5% 1,150.7 644.7 506.0 78.5%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 307.5 196.8 110.7 56.3% 307.5 196.8 110.7 56.3%

Total operating expenses

 187.9 95.2 92.7 97.4% 187.9 95.2 92.7 97.4%

Operating income

 119.6 101.6 18.0 17.7% 119.6 101.6 18.0 17.7%

Interest and investment income

 (27.3) (25.8) (1.5) 5.8%

Other income (expenses)

 (12.0) (0.2) (11.8)  *

Interest expense, net

 (27.3) (25.8) (1.5) 5.8%

Other expenses

 (12.0) (0.2) (11.8)  *

Income before income tax provision

 80.3 75.6 4.7 6.2% 80.3 75.6 4.7 6.2%

Income tax provision

 31.1 28.8 2.3 8.0% 31.1 28.8 2.3 8.0%

Net income

 $49.2 $46.8 $2.4 5.1% $49.2 $46.8 $2.4 5.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $136.0 $116.6 $19.4 16.6% $136.0 $116.6 $19.4 16.6%

EBITDA margin(2)

 44.2% 59.2%      44.2% 59.2%     

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $168.1 $124.1 $44.0 35.5% $168.1 $124.1 $44.0 35.5%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 54.7% 63.1%      54.7% 63.1%     

Total market ADV:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

U.S. Equities (in millions of shares)

 6,414.2 6,187.0 227.2 3.7%

BATS ETPs (in millions of shares)

 268.7 264.2 4.5 1.7%

BATS ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 5 6 (1) (16.7)%

BATS ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 28 23 5 21.7%

European Equities (in millions of ADNV)

 €39,659.3 €32,613.6 €7,045.7 21.6%

U.S. Options (in thousands of contracts)

 16,586.3 15,934.2 652.1 4.1%

Adjusted earnings(3)

 $75.2 $55.1 $20.1 36.5%

Adjusted earnings margin(4)

 24.5% 28.0% (3.5)%  *

Diluted Adjusted earnings per share(5)

 $2.37 $2.42 $(0.05)$(2.07)%

U.S. Equities:

         

ADV:

         

Matched shares ADV (in billions)

 1.2 0.6 0.6 100.0%

Routed shares ADV (in billions)

 0.1 0.1   

Total touched shares (in billions)

 1.3 0.7 0.6 85.7%

Market ADV (in billions)

 6.4 6.2 0.2 3.2%

Trading days

 252 252   

Bats ETPs (in billions of shares)

 0.3 0.3  0%

Bats ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 5 6 (1) (16.7)%

Bats ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 28 23 5 21.7%

European Equities:

         

ADNV:

         

Matched and touched ADNV (in billions)

 8.6 7.5 1.1 14.7%

Market ADNV (in billions)

 39.7 32.6 7.1 21.8%

Trading days

 256 256   

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.8062 £0.8489 £(0.0427) (5.0)%

U.S. Options:

         

ADV:

         

Matched contracts ADV

 0.8 0.6 0.2 33.3%

Routed contracts ADV

     

Total touched contracts

 0.8 0.6 0.2 33.3%

Market ADV

 16.6 15.9 0.7 4.4%

Trading days

 252 252   

Market share:

                  

U.S. Equities

 19.4% 10.4%      19.4% 10.4%     

ETPs

 22.2% 22.9% (0.7)%  * 22.2% 22.9% (0.7)%  *

ETPs: launches

 2.5% 3.9% (1.4)%  * 2.5% 3.9% (1.4)%  *

ETPs: listings

 1.7% 1.5% 0.2%  * 1.7% 1.5% 0.2%  *

European Equities

 21.6% 23.1%      21.6% 23.1%     

U.S. Options

 4.8% 3.7%      4.8% 3.7%     

Maker-taker exchanges(3)

 4.7% 3.7% 1.0%  *

Net capture:

                  

U.S. Equities (net capture per one hundred touched shares)

 $0.022 $0.024 $(0.002) (8.3)% $0.022 $0.024 $(0.002) (8.3)%

European Equities (net capture per matched notional value in basis points)

 0.162 0.167 (0.005) (3.0)% 0.162 0.167 (0.005) (3.0)%

U.S. Options (net capture per touched contract)

 $0.046 $0.058 $(0.012) (20.7)% $0.046 $0.058 $(0.012) (20.7)%

*
Not meaningful


Table of Contents

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, IPO costs, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013. EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered as, alternatives to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in

Table of Contents


 Year Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2014 2013  2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income

 $49.2 $46.8  $49.2 $46.8 

Interest

 27.3 25.8  27.3 25.8 

Income tax provision

 31.1 28.8  31.1 28.8 

Depreciation and amortization

 28.4 15.2  28.4 15.2 

EBITDA

 136.0 116.6  136.0 116.6 

Acquisition-related costs

 18.5 5.2  18.5 5.2 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 13.6   13.6  

IPO costs

  0.6   0.6 

Other one-time items

  1.7 

Impairment of intangible assets

  3.5 

Regulatory assessment

  (1.8)

Normalized EBITDA

 $168.1 $124.1  $168.1 $124.1 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(3)
Maker-taker exchanges are"Adjusted earnings" is defined as BZX, NASDAQ Options Market, ISE Gemininet income adjusted for amortization, net of tax and C2 Options Exchange.other items, including acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013, net of tax. Adjusted earnings does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented Adjusted earnings because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and we use it as the basis for monitoring our own core operating financial performance relative to other operators of electronic exchanges. We also believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. We believe that investors may find this non-GAAP measure useful in evaluating our performance compared to that of peer companies in our industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted earnings differently than we do. Adjusted earnings has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

 
 Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2014 2013 

Net income

 $49.2 $46.8 

Amortization

  10.3  5.9 

Tax effect of amortization

  (4.0) (2.2)

Acquisition-related costs

  18.5  5.2 

IPO costs

    0.6 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  13.6   

Impairment of intangible assets

    3.5 

Regulatory assessment

    (1.8)

Tax effect of other items

  (12.4) (2.9)

Adjusted earnings

 $75.2 $55.1 
(4)
Adjusted earnings margin represents Adjusted earnings divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(5)
Diluted Adjusted earnings per share represents Adjusted earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

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        Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $1,458.2 million, an increase of $616.7 million, or 73.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, driven primarily by the acquisition of Direct Edge Acquisition in January 2014. The following summarizes changes in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
 

Transaction fees

 $1,009.9 $612.8 $397.1  64.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

  272.0  127.4  144.6  113.5%

Market data fees

  110.3  59.4  50.9  85.7%

Port fees and other

  66.0  41.9  24.1  57.5%

Total revenues

 $1,458.2 $841.5 $616.7  73.3%

        Transaction fees increased $397.1 million, or 64.8%, to $1,009.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 69.3% of total revenues, compared with $612.8 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 72.8% of total revenues. This increase in transaction fees was driven by a 3.7%3.2% increase in U.S. equities market ADV and the Direct Edge Acquisition resulting in a market share increase from 10.4% in 2013 to 19.4% in 2014, which combined added $348.9 million in transaction


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fees. European Equities transaction fees increased $8.4 million in 2014 as European equities market ADNV increased 21.6%21.8% over 2013, offset by a decrease in market share from 23.1% in 2013 to 21.6% in 2014. U.S. Options transaction fees increased $30.8 million due to an increase in transaction fees per touched contract from $0.547 for 2013 to $0.563 for 2014 and a market share increase from 3.7% in 2013 to 4.8% in 2014.

        Regulatory transaction fees increased $144.6 million, or 113.5%, to $272.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 18.7% of total revenues, compared with $127.4 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 15.1% of total revenues. This increase was driven by the Direct Edge Acquisition, which contributed $113.5 million to the increase. The remaining increase was driven by a Section 31 rate increase. The SEC periodically adjusts the assessment rate, which affects the amount of fees that are passed through to members by national securities exchanges. During the first quarter 2014, the rate increased from $17.40 per million dollars traded to $22.10 per million dollars traded.

        Market data fees increased $50.9 million, or 85.7%, to $110.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 7.6% of total revenues, compared with $59.4 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 7.1% of total revenues. This increase was primarily driven by our increase in market share from 10.4% in 2013 to 19.4% in 2014 due to the Direct Edge Acquisition, which added $44.3 million to the 2014 results and proprietary market data fees as a result of BZX and BYX equity exchanges beginning to charge for proprietary market data in the third quarter 2014 and inclusion of EDGX and EDGA proprietary market data revenue as of the date of the Direct Edge Acquisition.

        Other revenues increased $24.1 million, or 57.5%, to $66.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase is primarily due to the Direct Edge Acquisition, which contributed $22.7 million to the 2014 results. The remaining increase is primarily driven by European Equities as it began charging for certain ports in the third quarter of 2013.


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        Cost of revenues increased $506.0 million, or 78.5%, to $1,150.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $644.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, driven primarily by the Direct Edge Acquisition and a change to the Section 31 rate in 2014. The following summarizes changes in cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the prior-year period:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
 

Liquidity payments

 $831.4 $474.7 $356.7  75.1%

Section 31 fees

  272.0  127.4  144.6  113.5%

Routing and clearing

  47.3  42.6  4.7  11.0%

Total

 $1,150.7 $644.7 $506.0  78.5%

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        Liquidity payments increased $356.7 million, or 75.1%, to $831.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 57.0% of total revenues, compared with $474.7 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 56.4% of total revenues. This increase was primarily driven by the Direct Edge Acquisition, which added $281.8 million to the 2014 results. In addition, BYX liquidity payments increased $57.3 million over 2013 due to pricing changes in the second quarter 2014 and increased market share from 2.0% in 2013 to 3.1% in 2014. European Equities liquidity payments increased $3.8 million, driven by a 21.6%21.8% increase in European equities market ADNV. Finally, U.S. Options liquidity payments increased $30.0$29.9 million, driven by a pricing increase and more members receiving higher rebates for achieving volume tiers.

        Section 31 fees increased $144.6 million, or 113.5%, to $272.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 18.7% of total revenues, compared with $127.4 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 15.1% of total revenues for the reasons stated previously under "—Components of Revenues—Regulatory Transaction Fees."

        Routing and clearing fees increased $4.7 million, or 11.0%, to $47.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 3.2% of total revenues, compared with $42.6 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 5.1% of total revenues. This increase was primarily driven by the increase in routed transactions as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition offset by a decrease in U.S. Equities fees per 100 routed shares from $0.252 for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $0.181 per routed shares for the year ended December 31, 2014 as pricing changes were made in the second quarter of 2014.

        Revenues less cost of revenues increased to $307.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $196.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 56.3% primarily as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition. The following summarizes the components of revenues less cost


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of revenues in 2014, presented as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues and compared to the prior-year period:prior year:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues
   
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues
 

 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 

 Percent
Change
Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues
 Percent
Change
Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of
Revenues

 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013

 (in millions)
  
  
  
 (in millions)
  
  
  

Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs

 $131.2 $95.5 37.4% 42.7% 48.5% $131.2 $95.5 37.4% 42.7% 48.5%

Market data fees

 110.3 59.4 85.7% 35.9% 30.2% 110.3 59.4 85.7% 35.9% 30.2%

Regulatory transaction fees less Section 31 fees

            

Port fees and other revenues less other cost of revenues

 66.0 41.9 57.5% 21.4% 21.3%

Port fees

 66.0 41.9 57.5% 21.4% 21.3%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $307.5 $196.8 56.3% 100.0% 100.0% $307.5 $196.8 56.3% 100.0% 100.0%

        Fluctuations in revenues less cost of revenues are driven by various factors. Volume variances are driven by changes in overall industry volume and our share of those volumes, while net capture variances are driven by pricing changes. The following summarizes the fluctuations in revenues less cost


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of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 and attributes the fluctuations to various sources:

 
 Total Percentage of
Total
 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Market volume

 $11.2  10.1%

Market share

  76.1  68.7%

Net capture

  (10.0) (9.0)%

Routing volume

  2.1  1.9%

Other

  31.3  28.3%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $110.7  100.0%

        Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs increased $35.7 million, or 37.4%, to $131.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 42.7% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $95.5 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 48.5% of revenues less cost of revenues. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $30.6 million in U.S. Equities and $4.5 million in European Equities. U.S. Equities market share increased from 10.4% in 2013 to 19.4% in 2014 as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition along with U.S. equities market ADV increasing by 3.7%3.2% over the prior year. European Equities increased as a result of an increase in European equities market ADNV of 21.6%21.8% for 2014 over the prior year.

        Market data fees increased $50.9 million, or 85.7%, to $110.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 35.9% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $59.4 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 30.2% of revenues less cost of revenues. For purposes of calculating these percentages, we have not attributed any incremental costs associated with providing trading and quoting information to the U.S. tape plans. This increase was largely driven by U.S. Equities market share as it increased from 10.4% in 2013 to 19.4% in 2014 as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition thus


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increasing our share of the U.S. tape plan market data revenue. Also contributing to the increase was a $7.5 million increase in proprietary market data driven by the Direct Edge Acquisition, which added $3.2 million in 2014, and BZX and BYX charging for proprietary market data in third quarter 2013 that contributed $3.0 million to the increase in 2014.

        Port fees and other revenues less other cost of revenues increased to $66.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 21.4% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $41.9 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 21.3% of revenues less cost of revenues. This increase is due to the acquisition of Direct Edge Acquisition, which added $22.7 million in 2014. The remaining increase was driven by European Equities charging for Spin and GAP ports in the third quarter of 2013.

        Total operating expenses increased $92.7 million, or 97.4%, to $187.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $95.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase


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was primarily due to the acquisition of Direct Edge.Edge Acquisition. The following summarizes changes in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the prior-year period:prior year:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Operating expenses:

             

Compensation and benefits

 $87.0 $41.5 $45.5  109.6%

Depreciation and amortization

  28.4  15.2  13.2  86.8%

Systems and data communication

  23.5  9.6  13.9  144.8%

Occupancy

  4.2  1.9  2.3  121.1%

Professional and contract services

  6.5  8.1  (1.6) (19.8)%

Regulatory costs

  12.1  5.4  6.7  124.1%

Impairment of assets

    3.5  (3.5) (100.0)%

General and administrative

  26.2  10.0  16.2  162.0%

Total operating expenses

 $187.9 $95.2 $92.7  97.4%

        Compensation and benefits increased by $45.5 million, or 109.6%, to $87.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 6.0% of total revenues, compared with $41.5 million for the prior-year period,prior year, or 4.9% of total revenues. This increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of Direct Edge Acquisition, which added 132 employees at the time of acquisition and $41.0 million in expense in 2014. During 2014, severance and retention expense related to the Direct Edge Acquisition was $16.7 million. The remaining increase was due to increased non-acquisition-related net headcount, along with an annual merit increase of approximately 5% effective in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

        Depreciation and amortization increased by $13.2 million, or 86.8%, to $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily reflecting the added tangible and intangible assets acquired as a result of the Direct Edge Acquisition that contributed $16.0 million in depreciation and amortization in 2014. This was offset by


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an impairment charge in 2013 of $3.5 million of the strategic alliance intangible asset acquired in the Chi-X Europe acquisition in 2011.

        Systems and data communication costs increased by $13.9 million, or 144.8%, to $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Direct Edge as a result of increased data center space in New Jersey and Illinois.

        Occupancy expenses increased by $2.3 million, or 121.1%, to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as a result of the lease assumed in New Jersey related to the Direct Edge Acquisition.


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        Professional and contract services fees decreased by $1.6 million, or 19.8%, to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $8.1 million for the prior-year period.prior year. The decrease was primarily due to professional fees incurred in 2013 and 2014 related to the Direct Edge Acquisition.

        Regulatory costs increased by $6.7 million, or 124.1%, to $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the Direct Edge Acquisition and transition costs associated with a change in regulatory service providers during 2014.

        Impairment of assets decreased $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. In December 2013, we wrote off an intangible asset acquired with the Chi-X Europe acquisition as we determined not to use the asset going forward.

        General and administrative expenses increased by $16.2 million, or 162.0%, to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $10.0 million for the prior-year period.prior year. This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Direct Edge.Edge Acquisition. Direct Edge leased its data center equipment and used independent contractors significantly more than the legacy BATSBats operations.

        As a result of the items above, operating income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $119.6 million, or 38.9% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $101.6 million, or 51.6% of revenues less cost of revenues, for the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $18.0 million, or 17.7%.

        Interest and investment expense, net increased by $1.5 million to $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $25.8 million for the prior-year period.prior year. This decreaseincrease was primarily due to the additional debt issued in January 2014.

        Other expenses increased by $11.8 million to $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $0.2 million for the prior-year period, primarily driven by the $13.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt recorded in connection with the debt issued in January 2014. This was offset by the equity earnings of the EuroCCP investment of $1.1 million.

        As a result of the above, income before income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $80.3 million compared to $75.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $4.7 million.


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        For the year ended December 31, 2014, the income tax provision was $31.1 million compared with $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our income tax provision increased due to increased earnings before income tax. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 38.7%, compared to 38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was due to a discrete benefit recognized in 2013 associated with the release of income tax reserves.

        As a result of the items above, net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $49.2 million, or 16.0% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $46.8 million, or 23.8% of revenues less cost of revenues, in the year ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $2.4 million.

Segment Operating Results

        The following summarizes our total revenues by segment:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total Revenues
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $1,234.5 $662.8  86.3% 84.7% 78.8%

European Equities

  99.1  86.4  14.7% 6.8% 10.3%

U.S. Options

  124.6  92.3  35.0% 8.5% 10.9%

Total revenues

 $1,458.2 $841.5  73.3% 100.0% 100.0%

        The following summarizes our revenues less cost of revenues by segment:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of Revenues
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $224.3 $123.9  81.0% 72.9% 62.9%

European Equities

  66.4  57.6  15.3% 21.6% 29.3%

U.S. Options

  16.8  15.3  9.8% 5.5% 7.8%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $307.5 $196.8  56.3% 100.0% 100.0%

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        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Equities segment:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions, except percentages and as noted below)
  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                

Transaction fees

 $816.2 $458.3  78.1% 56.0% 54.5%

Regulatory transaction fees

  268.7  124.7  115.5% 18.5% 14.8%

Market data fees

  97.6  48.5  101.2% 6.7% 5.8%

Port fees and other

  52.0  31.3  66.1% 3.5% 3.7%

Total revenues

  1,234.5  662.8  86.3% 84.7% 78.8%

Cost of revenues:

                

Liquidity payments

  695.8  372.8  86.6% 47.7% 44.3%

Section 31 fees

  268.7  124.7  115.5% 18.5% 14.8%

Routing and clearing payments

  45.7  41.4  10.4% 3.1% 4.9%

Total cost of revenues

  1,010.2  538.9  87.5% 69.3% 64.0%

Revenues less cost of revenues

  224.3  123.9  81.0% 15.4% 14.8%

Operating expenses

  141.3  46.6  203.2% 9.7% 5.5%

Operating income

 $83.0 $77.3  7.4% 5.7% 9.3%

EBITDA(1)

 $103.4 $81.7  26.6% 7.1% 9.7%

EBITDA margin(2)

  46.1% 65.9%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $121.9 $85.0  43.4% 8.4% 10.1%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

  54.3% 68.6%  *      

Market ADV:

  6,414.2  6,187.0  3.7%  *  *

BATS ETPs (in millions of shares)

  268.7  264.2  1.7%  *  *

BATS ETPs: launches (number of launches)          

  5  6  (16.7)%  *  *

BATS ETPs: listings (number of listings)

  28  23  21.7%  *  *

Market share

  19.4% 10.4%  *  *  *

Net capture per one hundred touched shares

 $0.022 $0.024  (8.3)%  *  *

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013. EBITDA, Normalized EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. We have presented EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA because we consider them important supplemental measures of our performance and believe that they are frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. Other companies may calculate EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA differently than we do. EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in

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 Year Ended December 31, 
 
 2014 2013 
 
 U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income (loss)

 $40.2 $37.7 $8.3 $(37.0)$49.2 $45.1 $11.9 $8.4 $(18.6)$46.8 

Interest

    (0.1)   27.4  27.3    (0.1)   25.9  25.8 

Income tax provision (benefit)

  43.3  (6.1)   (6.1) 31.1  32.2  5.4    (8.8) 28.8 

Depreciation and amortization

  19.9  7.6  0.9    28.4  4.4  9.9  0.9    15.2 

EBITDA

  103.4  39.1  9.2  (15.7) 136.0  81.7  27.1  9.3  (1.5) 116.6 

Acquisition-related costs

  18.5        18.5  4.4  0.8      5.2 

IPO costs

            0.6        0.6 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

        13.6  13.6           

Other one-time items

            (1.7) 3.4      1.7 

Normalized EBITDA

 $121.9 $39.1 $9.2 $(2.1)$168.1 $85.0 $31.3 $9.3 $(1.5)$124.1 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, U.S. Equities operating income increased $5.7 million to $83.0 million. This was driven by the Direct Edge Acquisition.


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        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our European Equities segment:

 
  
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 
 
 Year Ended December 31,  
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

Revenues

 $99.1 $86.4  14.7% 6.8% 10.3%

Cost of revenues

  32.7  28.8  13.5% 2.2% 3.4%

Revenues less cost of revenues

  66.4  57.6  15.3% 4.6% 6.9%

Operating expenses

  36.0  40.2  (10.4)% 2.5% 4.8%

Operating income

 $30.4 $17.4  74.7% 2.1% 2.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $39.1 $27.1  44.3% 2.7% 3.2%

EBITDA margin(2)

  58.9% 47.0%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $39.1 $31.3  24.9% 2.7% 3.7%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

  58.9% 54.3%  *  *  *

Market ADNV

 

  39,659.3
 

  32,613.6
  
21.6

%
 
*
 
*

Market share

  21.6% 23.1%  *  *  *

Net capture per matched notional value (in basis points)

  0.162  0.167  (3.0)%  *  *

Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 $1.6476 $1.5643  5.3%  *  *

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

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        To illustrate the growth without the effect of the exchange rates in our European Equities segment the following table summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our European Equities segment in British pounds:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Revenues

 £60.2 £55.2  9.1%

Cost of revenues

  19.9  18.4  8.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

  40.3  36.8  9.5%

Operating expenses

  21.8  25.5  (14.5)%

Operating income

 £18.5 £11.3  63.7%

EBITDA(1)

 £23.8 £17.4  36.8%

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 £23.8 £20.2  17.8%

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA. See below for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA in British pounds:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 

Net income (loss)

 £19.2 £11.1  73.0%

Interest

       *

Income tax provision (benefit)

       *

Depreciation and amortization

  4.6  6.3  (27.0)%

EBITDA

  23.8  17.4  36.8%

Acquisition-related costs

    0.5  (100.0)%

IPO costs

       *

Loss on extinguishment of debt

       *

Other one-time items

    2.3  (100.0)%

Normalized EBITDA

 £23.8 £20.2  17.8%

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, European Equities operating income increased $13.0 million to $30.4 million. This increase was driven by a 21.6% increase in market ADNV, pricing changes to port fees and increased market data revenue. Also included in the increase was the $1.1 million of equity in earnings from the EuroCCP investment added in 2014.


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        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Options segment:

 
  
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 
 
 Year Ended December 31,  
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2014 2013 2014 2013 
 
 (in millions and as noted below)
  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                

Transaction fees

 $113.8 $83.0  37.1% 7.8% 9.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

  3.3  2.7  22.2% 0.2% 0.3%

Market data fees

  4.0  3.7  8.1% 0.3% 0.4%

Port fees and other

  3.5  2.9  20.7% 0.2% 0.4%

Total revenues

  124.6  92.3  35.0% 8.5% 10.9%

Cost of revenues:

                

Liquidity payments

  103.0  73.1  40.9% 7.1% 8.7%

Section 31 fees

  3.3  2.7  22.2% 0.2% 0.3%

Routing and clearing payments

  1.5  1.2  25.0% 0.1% 0.2%

Total cost of revenues

  107.8  77.0  40.0% 7.4% 9.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

  16.8  15.3  9.8% 1.1% 1.7%

Operating expenses

  8.5  6.9  23.2% 0.6% 0.8%

Operating income

 $8.3 $8.4  (1.2)% 0.5% 0.9%

EBITDA(1)

 $9.2 $9.3    0.6% 1.1%

EBITDA margin(2)

  54.8% 60.8%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $9.2 $9.3    0.6% 1.1%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

  54.8% 60.8%  *  *  *

Market ADV (in thousands of contracts)

  
16,586.3
  
15,934.2
  
4.1

%
 
*
 
*

Market share

  4.8% 3.7%  *  *  *

Net capture per touched contract

 $0.046 $0.058  (20.7)%  *  *

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, U.S. Options operating income was flat, decreasing $0.1 million to $8.3 million. Net revenue increased $1.5 million, primarily driven by increased market share, from 3.7% in 2013 to 4.8% in 2014. However, operating expenses increased $1.6 million, driven by increases in regulatory fees based on a new RSA and an increase in compensation expenses.


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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

        The following summarizes changes in financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:

 
 Year Ended December 31,  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions, except percentages and as noted below)
  
 

Total revenues

 $841.5 $884.7 $(43.2) (4.9)%

Total cost of revenues

  644.7  707.8  (63.1) (8.9)%

Revenues less cost of revenues

  196.8  176.9  19.9  11.2%

Total operating expenses

  95.2  117.6  (22.4) (19.0)%

Operating income

  101.6  59.3  42.3  71.3%

Interest and investment expense

  (25.8) (0.6) (25.2) (4200.0)%

Other income (expenses)

  (0.2) (0.6) 0.4  66.7%

Income before income tax provision

  75.6  58.1  17.5  30.1%

Income tax provision

  28.8  26.5  2.3  8.7%

Net income

 $46.8 $31.6 $15.2  48.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $116.6 $75.7 $40.9  54.0%

EBITDA margin(2)

  59.2% 42.8%      

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $124.1 $101.3 $22.8  22.5%

Normalized EBITDA margin(3)

  63.1% 57.3%      

Total market ADV:

  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

U.S. Equities (in millions of shares)

  6,187.0  6,437.2  (250.2) (3.9)%

BATS ETPs (in millions of shares)          

  264.2  244.5  19.7  8.1%

BATS ETPs: launches (number of launches)

  6  17  (11) (64.7)%

BATS ETPs: listings (number of listings)

  23  17  6  35.3%

European Equities (in millions of ADNV)

   32,613.6   30,857.6   1,756.0  5.7%

U.S. Options (in thousands of contracts)

  15,934.2  15,651.6  282.6  1.8%

Market share:

             

U.S. Equities

  10.4% 11.9%      

ETPs

  22.9% 21.4% 1.5%  *

ETPs: launches

  3.9% 10.4% (6.5)%  *

ETPs: listings

  1.5% 1.2% 0.3%  *

European Equities

  23.1% 24.6%      

U.S. Options

  3.7% 3.3%      

Net capture:

             

U.S. Equities (net capture per one hundred touched shares)

 $0.024 $0.023 $0.001  4.3%

European Equities (net capture per matched notional value in basis points)

  0.167  0.113  0.054  47.8%

U.S. Options (net capture per touched contract)

 $0.058 $0.063 $(0.005) (7.9)%

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before IPO costs, acquisition-related costs and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013. EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered as, alternatives to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in

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 Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income

 $46.8 $31.6 

Interest

  25.8  0.6 

Income tax provision

  28.8  26.5 

Depreciation and amortization

  15.2  17.0 

EBITDA

  116.6  75.7 

IPO costs

  0.6  6.3 

Acquisition-related costs

  5.2  19.3 

Other one-time items

  1.7   

Normalized EBITDA

 $124.1 $101.3 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

(3)
Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $841.5 million, a decrease of $43.2 million, or 4.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, reflecting lower overall U.S. Equities market activity and lower market share in U.S. Equities and European Equities and a decline in the Section 31 fee assessment rate. The following summarizes changes in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Transaction fees

 $612.8 $645.3 $(32.5) (5.0)%

Regulatory transaction fees

  127.4  148.1  (20.7) (14.0)%

Market data fees

  59.4  60.3  (0.9) (1.5)%

Port fees and other

  41.9  31.0  10.9  35.2%

Total revenues

 $841.5 $884.7 $(43.2) (4.9)%

        Transaction fees decreased $32.5 million, or 5.0%, to $612.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 72.8% of total revenues, compared with $645.3 million for the prior-year period, or 72.9% of total revenues. This decrease in transaction fees was largely driven by a decrease in U.S. Equities market share from 11.9% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2013 and a decrease in


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European Equities market share from 24.6% in 2012 to 23.1% in 2013. These decreases were offset by the $13.2 million increase in U.S. Options due to an increased market share from 3.3% in 2012 to 3.7% in 2013. Also contributing to U.S. Options increased transaction revenue was an increase in net capture per touched contract from $0.534 per touched contract in 2012 to $0.547 per touched contract in 2013 as a result of pricing changes in 2013.

        Regulatory transaction fees decreased $20.7 million, or 14.0%, to $127.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 15.1% of total revenues, compared with $148.1 million for the prior-year period, or 16.7% of total revenues. This decrease was largely driven by a decrease in the Section 31 fee assessment rate, as established by the SEC. The SEC periodically adjusts the assessment rate, which affects the amount of fees that are passed through to members by national securities exchanges. The Section 31 rate decreased from $22.40 per million notional value traded to $17.40 per million notional value traded in May 2013. Also driving the decrease was a decline in ADV in our U.S. Equities segment by 3.9%.

        Market data fees decreased $0.9 million, or 1.5%, to $59.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 7.1% of total revenues, compared with $60.3 million for the prior-year period, or 6.8% of total revenues. The decrease was driven by a $7.9 million decrease in the market data revenue earned from the U.S. consolidated tape plans as a result of U.S. Equities market share decreasing from 11.9% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2013. Offsetting this decrease was the introduction of proprietary market data fees in European Equities during the fourth quarter of 2012 and proprietary market data fees in U.S. Equities in the third quarter of 2013, which contributed $7.2 million and $3.2 million in 2013, respectively.

        Port fees and other revenues increased $10.9 million, or 35.2%, to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 5.0% of total revenues compared with $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase is due to the introduction of port fees in the third quarter of 2012 on BYX and the introduction of secondary datacenter port fees on BZX, which in total contributed $4.8 million to the increase. We also changed the port fee pricing structure in our U.S. Options segment in the second quarter 2013, resulting in an increase in revenue of $0.9 million. The European Equities segment began charging for all physical ports in the second quarter 2012, which contributed an increase of approximately $3.2 million for 2013. The remainder of the increase is due to a $1.8 million regulatory assessment recorded in 2013.

        Cost of revenues decreased $63.1 million, or 8.9%, to $644.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $707.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in rebate pricing in the European Equities segment in January 2013 and a decrease in the Section 31 rate from $22.40 per million notional value traded in 2012 to $17.40 per


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million notional value traded in 2013. The following summarizes changes in cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior-year period:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Liquidity payments

 $474.7 $508.2 $(33.5) (6.6)%

Section 31 fees

  127.4  148.1  (20.7) (14.0)%

Routing and clearing

  42.6  51.5  (8.9) (17.3)%

Total

 $644.7 $707.8 $(63.1) (8.9)%

        Liquidity payments decreased $33.5 million, or 6.6%, to $474.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 56.4% of total revenues, compared with $508.2 million for the prior-year period, or 57.4% of total revenues. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in our U.S. Equities segment of $28.6 million due to decreased market share, down to 10.4% in 2013 from 11.9% in 2012 and an overall decrease in market volumes of 3.9%. Offsetting the decrease was an increase in U.S. Equities liquidity fees from $0.202 per 100 shares in 2012 to $0.222 per 100 shares in 2013, mainly due to volume mix between BZX and BYX and pricing changes on BZX in fourth quarter of 2013. European Equities liquidity payments decreased $17.9 million as the pricing was changed in January 2013. The liquidity rebate decreased from 0.186 basis points in 2012 to 0.112 basis points in 2013. Offsetting this decrease was a $13.0 million increase in U.S. Options liquidity payments, driven by increased market share, from 3.3% in 2012 to 3.7% in 2013 and an increase in market volumes of 1.8%.

        Section 31 fees decreased $20.7 million, or 14.0%, to $127.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 15.1% of total revenues, compared with $148.1 million for the prior-year period, or 16.7% of total revenues, for the reasons stated previously under "Regulatory Transaction Fees."

        Routing and clearing fees decreased $8.9 million, or 17.3%, to $42.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 5.0% of total revenues, compared with $51.5 million for the prior-year period, or 5.8% of total revenues. This decrease in routing and clearing fees was driven by a 16.0% decrease, in the total shares routed in the U.S. Equities segment, which represented 97.2% of total routing and clearing fees for the year ended December 31, 2013.

        Revenues less cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues increased to 23.4% in the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 20.0% for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of the additional port fees introduced across all segments. See the discussion under "Port fees and other" above. Also contributing to the increase was increased transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs, as net capture increased in Europe by 47.8% due to pricing changes in the first quarter of 2013.


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        The following summarizes the components of revenues less cost of revenues in 2013, presented as a percentage of revenues less cost of revenues and compared to the prior year period:

 
  
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues
Less Cost of
Revenues
 
 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 
 
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2013 2012 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs

 $95.5 $85.6  11.6% 48.5% 48.4%

Regulatory transaction fees less Section 31 fees

           

Market data fees

  59.4  60.3  (1.5)% 30.2% 34.1%

Port fees and other revenues less other cost of revenues

  41.9  31.0  35.2% 21.3% 17.5%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $196.8 $176.9  11.2% 100.0% 100.0%

        Fluctuations in revenues less cost of revenues are driven by various factors. Volume variances are driven by changes in overall industry volume and our share of those volumes, while net capture variances are driven by pricing changes. The following summarizes the fluctuations in revenues less cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and attributes the fluctuations to various sources:

 
 Total Percentage of
Total
 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Market volume

 $0.8  4.0%

Market share

  (12.6) (63.3)%

Net capture

  15.1  75.9%

Routing volume

  (1.4) (7.0)%

Other

  18.0  90.4%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $19.9  100.0%

        Transaction fees less liquidity payments and routing and clearing costs increased $9.9 million, or 11.6%, to $95.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 48.5% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $85.6 million for the prior-year period, or 48.4% of revenues less cost of revenues. The increase was primarily due to an increased net capture per matched notional value from 0.113 basis points during 2012 to 0.167 basis points in 2013 as a result of pricing changes made in the January 2013 in the European Equities segment that added $13.4 million to net revenue. In addition, net capture per one hundred touched shares in U.S. Equities increased 4.3% to $0.024 in 2013 from $0.023 in 2012, contributing $2.6 million to revenues less cost of revenues. However, U.S. Equities and European Equities market share dropped, from 11.9% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2013 for U.S. Equities and from 24.6% in 2012 to 23.1% in 2013 for European Equities, which offset transaction fee net revenue by $6.9 million. Lower market volumes in U.S. Equities also decreased net transaction revenue by $1.3 million, while higher market volumes in European Equities increased net transaction revenue by $1.9 million. In the U.S. Options segment, market share increased from 3.3% in 2012 to 3.7% in 2013, adding $1.2 million to net revenue, while net capture fell from $0.063 per touched contract in 2012 to $0.058 per touched contract in 2013, decreasing net transaction fees by $0.8 million.


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        Market data fees decreased $0.9 million, or 1.5%, to $59.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 30.2% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $60.3 million for the prior-year period, or 34.1% of revenues less cost of revenues. For purposes of calculating these percentages, we have not attributed any incremental costs associated with providing trading and quoting information to the U.S. tape plans. This decrease was largely driven by the decrease in our U.S. Equities market share from 11.9% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2013. Offsetting the decline in market share was the introduction of proprietary market data fees in Europe and the U.S. in the fourth quarter 2012 and third quarter 2013, respectively.

        Port fees and other revenues less other cost of revenues increased $10.9 million, or 35.2%, to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 21.3% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared with $31.0 million for the prior-year period, or 17.5% of revenues less cost of revenues. This increase was due to the introduction of port fees on BYX in third quarter 2012 and the introduction of fees for all physical ports following the Chi-X Europe technology convergence to the BATS trading platform in European Equities in the second quarter of 2012, resulting in an increase of $3.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The remaining increase was driven by the introduction of secondary datacenter port fees on BZX in third quarter 2012.

        Total operating expenses decreased $22.4 million, or 19.0%, to $95.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $117.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the $12.4 million change in the fair value of the contingent consideration owed to the former Chi-X Europe stockholders recorded in 2012. The remaining decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in compensation due to severance and retention bonuses recorded in 2012 in connection with the Chi-X Europe acquisition in 2011 and a decrease in systems and data communication costs as the Chi-X Europe platform was migrated to BATS technology in the second quarter of 2012. The following summarizes changes in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the prior-year period:

 
 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  
 
 
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 Percent
Change
 
 
 2013 2012 
 
 (in millions)
  
 

Compensation and benefits

 $41.5 $48.4 $(6.9) (14.3)%

Depreciation and amortization

  15.2  17.0  (1.8) (10.6)%

Systems and data communication

  9.6  11.9  (2.3) (19.3)%

Occupancy

  1.9  2.3  (0.4) (17.4)%

Professional and contract services

  8.1  9.2  (1.1) (12.0)%

Regulatory costs

  5.4  5.7  (0.3) (5.3)%

Change in contingent consideration

    12.4  (12.4) (100.0)%

Impairment of assets

  3.5  0.2  3.3  1650.0%

General and administrative

  10.0  10.5  (0.5) (4.8)%

Total operating expenses

 $95.2 $117.6 $(22.4) (19.0)%

        Compensation and benefits decreased by $6.9 million to $41.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing 4.9% of total revenues, compared with $48.4 million for the prior-year


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period, or 5.5% of total revenues. The decrease was driven by the $6.3 million of severance and retention bonuses recorded in 2012 in conjunction with the Chi-X Europe acquisition. Incremental stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.5 million was recorded in 2012 due to the accelerated vesting of unvested stock options as our registration statement on Form S-1 was declared effective in the first quarter of 2012. Offsetting those decreases were increases in headcount in the U.S. and Europe and annual merit raises in October 2013.

        Depreciation and amortization decreased $1.8 million, or 10.6%, to $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $17.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily reflecting certain equipment and intangible assets becoming fully depreciated and amortized in 2012.

        Systems and data communication costs decreased $2.3 million, or 19.3%, to $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the migration of the Chi-X Europe platform onto BATS technology in the second quarter of 2012. As a result of that migration, the European Equities segment reduced the number of datacenters from three to two and terminated the Chi-X Europe platform license fee. The remainder of the decrease resulted by our move from a New Jersey secondary datacenter to a Chicago secondary datacenter.

        Occupancy expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 17.4%, to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was driven by incremental occupancy expense in Europe as the Chi-X Europe transition was completed in 2012 and a $0.3 million acceleration of rent expense for the former European office space in 2012.

        Professional and contract services fees decreased $1.1 million, or 12.0%, to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $9.2 million for the prior-year period. The decrease was primarily due to $4.4 million of failed IPO expenses in 2012. This decrease was offset by $4.4 million and $0.6 million of legal and consulting fees in connection with the acquisitions of Direct Edge and EuroCCP, respectively, in 2013.

        Regulatory costs decreased $0.3 million, or 5.3%, to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the resolution of the cases handled by our regulatory service provider in 2013.

        Impairment of assets increased $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as we wrote off an intangible asset acquired with the Chi-X Europe acquisition. It was determined the asset would not be used going forward.


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        General and administrative expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 4.8%, to $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $10.5 million for the prior-year period. This decrease was due primarily to failed IPO costs recorded in 2012.

        As a result of the items above, operating income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $101.6 million, or 51.6% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $59.3 million, or 33.5% of revenues less cost of revenues, for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $42.3 million, or 71.3%.

        Interest and investment expense increased by $25.2 million to $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with $0.6 million for the prior-year period. This increase was primarily due to interest expense on the 2012 Loan.

        Other expenses decreasedincreased by $0.4$11.8 million to $0.2$12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013,2014, compared with $0.6$0.2 million for the prior-year period asprior year, primarily driven by the result$13.6 million loss on extinguishment of losses on disposaldebt recorded in connection with the debt issued in January 2014. This was offset by the equity earnings of equipment in 2012.the EuroCCP investment of $1.1 million.

        As a result of the above, income before income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 20132014 was $75.6$80.3 million compared to $58.1$75.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2012,2013, an increase of $17.5$4.7 million.

        For the year ended December 31, 2013,2014, the income tax provision was $28.8$31.1 million compared with $26.5$28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.2013. Our income tax provision increased due to increased incomeearnings before income tax offset by a reduction of tax reserves due to the recognition of New York and New York City reserves for all open years in 2012.tax. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 20132014 was 38.1%38.7%, compared to 45.6%38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2012.2013. The increase was due to a discrete benefit recognized in 2013 associated with the release of income tax reserves.

        As a result of the items above, net income for the year ended December 31, 20132014 was $46.8$49.2 million, or 23.8%16.0% of revenues less cost of revenues, compared to $31.6$46.8 million, or 17.9%23.8% of revenues less cost of revenues, in the year ended December 31, 2012,2013, an increase of $15.2$2.4 million.


Table of Contents

Segment Operating Results

        The following summarizes our total revenues by segment:


 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total Revenues
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012 2013 2012  2014 2013 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
  (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $662.8 $723.2 (8.4)% 78.8% 81.8% $1,234.5 $662.8 86.3% 84.7% 78.8%

European Equities

 86.4 82.8 4.3% 10.3% 9.3% 99.1 86.4 14.7% 6.8% 10.3%

U.S. Options

 92.3 78.7 17.3% 10.9% 8.9% 124.6 92.3 35.0% 8.5% 10.9%

Total revenues

 $841.5 $884.7 (4.9)% 100.0% 100.0% $1,458.2 $841.5 73.3% 100.0% 100.0%

        The following summarizes our revenues less cost of revenues by segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Revenues
Less Cost of
Revenues
 

 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Revenues Less
Cost of Revenues
 

 Percent
Change
Percentage of
Revenues
Less Cost of
Revenues
 Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012 2013 2012 2014 2013 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  
  
  
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

U.S. Equities

 $123.9 $127.1 (2.5)% 62.9% 71.8% $224.3 $123.9 81.0% 72.9% 62.9%

European Equities

 57.6 35.7 61.3% 29.3% 20.2% 66.4 57.6 15.3% 21.6% 29.3%

U.S. Options

 15.3 14.1 8.5% 7.8% 8.0% 16.8 15.3 9.8% 5.5% 7.8%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 $196.8 $176.9 11.2% 100.0% 100.0% $307.5 $196.8 56.3% 100.0% 100.0%

Table of Contents

        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Equities segment:


 Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Percent
Change
  Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012 2013 2012  2014 2013 2014 2013 

 (in millions, except
percentages and as noted below)

  
  
  
  (in millions, except
percentages and as
noted below)

  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                      

Transaction fees

 $458.3 $500.1 (8.4)% 54.5% 56.5% $816.2 $458.3 78.1% 56.0% 54.5%

Regulatory transaction fees

 124.7 145.1 (14.1)% 14.8% 16.4% 268.7 124.7 115.5% 18.5% 14.8%

Market data fees

 48.5 53.3 (9.0)% 5.8% 6.0% 97.6 48.5 101.2% 6.7% 5.8%

Port fees and other

 31.3 24.7 26.7% 3.7% 2.9% 52.0 31.3 66.1% 3.5% 3.7%

Total revenues

 662.8 723.2 (8.4)% 78.8% 81.8% 1,234.5 662.8 86.3% 84.7% 78.8%

Cost of revenues:

                      

Liquidity payments

 372.8 401.4 (7.1)% 44.3% 45.3% 695.8 372.8 86.6% 47.7% 44.3%

Section 31 fees

 124.7 145.1 (14.1)% 14.8% 16.4% 268.7 124.7 115.5% 18.5% 14.8%

Routing and clearing payments

 41.4 49.6 (16.5)% 4.9% 5.7%

Routing and clearing

 45.7 41.4 10.4% 3.1% 4.9%

Total cost of revenues

 538.9 596.1 (9.6)% 64.0% 67.4% 1,010.2 538.9 87.5% 69.3% 64.0%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 123.9 127.1 (2.5)% 14.8% 14.4% 224.3 123.9 81.0% 15.4% 14.8%

Operating expenses

 46.6 44.0 5.9% 5.5% 5.0% 141.3 46.6 203.2% 9.7% 5.5%

Operating income

 $77.3 $83.1 (7.0)% 9.3% 9.4% $83.0 $77.3 7.4% 5.7% 9.3%

EBITDA(1)

 $81.7 $87.5 (6.6)% 9.7% 9.9% $103.4 $81.7 26.6% 7.1% 9.7%

EBITDA margin(2)

 65.9% 68.8%  *  *  * 46.1% 65.9%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 85.0 90.1 (5.7)% 10.1% 10.2% $121.9 $84.9 43.6% 8.4% 10.1%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 68.6% 70.9%  *  *  * 54.3% 68.6%  *     

ADV (in billions):

           

Matched shares

 1.2 0.6 100.0%  *  *

Routed shares

 0.1 0.1   *  *

Total touched shares

 1.3 0.7 85.7%  *  *

Market ADV

 6,187.0 6,437.2 (3.9)%  *  * 6.4 6.2 3.2%  *  *

ETPs (in millions of shares)

 264.2 244.5 8.1%  *  *

ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 6 17 (64.7)%  *  *

ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 23 17 35.3%     

Trading days

 252 252   *  *

Bats ETPs (in billions of shares)

 0.3 0.3   *  *

Bats ETPs: launches (number of launches)

 5 6 (16.7)%  *  *

Bats ETPs: listings (number of listings)

 28 23 21.7%  *  *

Market share

 10.4% 8.9%  *  *  * 19.4% 10.4%  *  *  *

Net capture per one hundred touched shares

 $0.024 $0.023 4.3%  *  * $0.022 $0.024 (8.3)%  *  *

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset impairment charges and an unusually large regulatory assessment charged to a member in 2013. EBITDA, Normalized EBITDA dodoes not represent, and should not be considered as, alternativesan alternative to net income or cash flows from operations, each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. We have presented EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA because we consider them important supplemental measures of our performance and

Table of Contents


Table of Contents


 Year Ended December 31,  Year Ended December 31, 

 2013 2012  2014 2013 

 U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total  U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total U.S.
Equities
 European
Equities
 U.S.
Options
 Corporate
items and
eliminations
 Total 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income (loss)

 $45.1 $11.9 $8.4 $(18.6)$46.8 $44.2 $(16.9)$7.7 $(3.4)$31.6  $40.2 $37.7 $8.3 $(37.0)$49.2 $45.1 $11.9 $8.4 $(18.6)$46.8 

Interest

  (0.1)  25.9 25.8 (0.2) (0.1)  0.9 0.6   (0.1)  27.4 27.3  (0.1)  25.9 25.8 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 32.2 5.4  (8.8) 28.8 39.1 (8.8)  (3.8) 26.5  43.3 (6.1)  (6.1) 31.1 32.2 5.4  (8.8) 28.8 

Depreciation and amortization

 4.4 9.9 0.9  15.2 4.4 11.5 1.1  17.0  19.9 7.6 0.9  28.4 4.4 9.9 0.9  15.2 

EBITDA

 81.7 27.1 9.3 (1.5) 116.6 87.5 (14.3) 8.8 (6.3) 75.7  103.4 39.1 9.2 (15.7) 136.0 81.7 27.1 9.3 (1.5) 116.6 

Acquisition-related costs

 4.4 0.8   5.2  19.3   19.3  18.5    18.5 4.4 0.8   5.2 

IPO costs

 0.6    0.6 2.6 0.5  3.2 6.3       0.6    0.6 

Other one-time items

 (1.7) 3.4   1.7      

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    13.6 13.6      

Impairment of intangible assets

       3.5   3.5 

Regulatory assessment

      (1.8)    (1.8)

Normalized EBITDA

 $85.0 $31.3 $9.3 $(1.5)$124.1 $90.1 $5.5 $8.8 $(3.1)$101.3  $121.9 $39.1 $9.2 $(2.1)$168.1 $84.9 $31.4 $9.3 $(1.5)$124.1 
(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the year ended December 31, 2013,2014, U.S. Equities operating income decreased $5.8increased $5.7 million to $77.3$83.0 million. Revenues less cost of revenues decreased $3.2 million in 2013 as market share decreased from 11.9% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2013 and volumes decreased 3.9%. Operating expenses increased $2.6 millionThis was driven by professional fees recorded in 2013 for the Direct Edge Acquisition.


Table of Contents

        The following table showssummarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income (loss) for our European Equities segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Year Ended December 31,  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 

 Percent
Change
Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012 2013 2012 2014 2013 2014 2013 

 (in millions except percentages and exchange rates)
  
  
  
 (in millions)
  
  
  
 

Revenues

 $86.4 $82.8 4.3% 10.3% 9.3% $99.1 $86.4 14.7% 6.8% 10.3%

Cost of revenues

 28.8 47.1 (38.9)% 3.4% 5.3% 32.7 28.8 13.5% 2.2% 3.4%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 57.6 35.7 61.3% 6.9% 4.0% 66.4 57.6 15.3% 4.6% 6.9%

Operating expenses

 40.2 60.9 (34.0)% 4.7% 6.9% 36.0 40.2 (10.4)% 2.5% 4.8%

Operating income (loss)

 $17.4 $(25.2) 169.0% 2.2% (2.9)%

Operating income

 $30.4 $17.4 74.7% 2.1% 2.1%

EBITDA(1)

 $27.1 $(14.3) 289.5% 3.2% (1.6)% $39.1 $27.1 44.3% 2.7% 3.2%

EBITDA margin(2)

 47.0% (40.1)%  *  *    58.9% 47.0%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 $31.3 $5.5 469.1% 3.7% 0.6% $39.1 $31.4 24.5% 2.7% 3.7%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 54.3% 15.4%  *  *  * 58.9% 54.3%  *  *  *

ADNV (in billions):

           

Matched and touched

 8.6 7.5 14.7%  *  *

Market ADNV

 32,613.6 30,857.6 5.7%  *  * 39.7 32.6 21.8%  *  *

Trading days

 256 256   *  *

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.8062 £0.8489 (5.0)%  *  *

Market share

 23.1% 24.6%  *  *  * 21.6% 23.1%  *  *  *

Net capture per matched notional value (in basis points)

 0.167 0.113 47.8%  *  * 0.162 0.167 (3.0)%  *  *

Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate

 $1.5643 $1.5847 (1.3)%  *  * $1.6476 $1.5643 5.3%  *  *

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

Table of Contents

        To illustrate the growth without the effect of the exchange rates in our European Equities segment the following table showssummarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating lossincome for our European Equities segment in British pounds:


 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 

 Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
  Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012  2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  
  (in millions)
  
 

Transaction fees

 £48.6 £45.7 6.3%

Market data

 5.2 4.6 13.0%

Other

 6.4 4.9 30.6%

Revenues

 £55.2 £52.3 5.5% 60.2 55.2 9.1%

Liquidity payments

 19.8 18.4 7.6%

Routing and clearing

 0.1  * 

Cost of revenues

 18.4 29.7 (38.0)% 19.9 18.4 8.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 36.8 22.6 62.8% 40.3 36.8 9.5%

Operating expenses

 25.5 38.4 (33.6)% 21.8 25.5 (14.5)%

Operating income

 £11.3 £(15.8) 171.5% £18.5 £11.3 63.7%

EBITDA(1)

 £17.4 £(8.9) 295.5% £23.8 £17.4 36.8%

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 £20.2 £4.2 381.0% £23.8 £20.2 17.8%

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a definitionreconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA. See below for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA in British pounds:


 Year Ended
December 31,
  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 

 Percent Change  Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012  2014 2013 

Net income (loss)

 £11.1 £(16.1) 168.9%

 (in millions)
  
 

Net income

 £19.2 £11.1 73.0%

Interest

  0.1  *    *

Income tax provision (benefit)

    *    *

Depreciation and amortization

 6.3 7.1 (11.3)% 4.6 6.3 (27.0)%

EBITDA

 17.4 (8.9) 295.5% 23.8 17.4 36.8%

Acquisition-related costs

 0.5 12.8 (96.1)%  0.5 (100.0)%

IPO costs

  0.3 (100.0)%    *

Loss on extinguishment of debt

        �� *

Other one-time items

 2.3   *

Impairment of intangible assets

  2.3 (100.0)%

Regulatory assessment

    *

Normalized EBITDA

 £20.2 £4.2 381.0% £23.8 £20.2 17.8%

        For the year ended December 31, 2013, the2014, European Equities segment's operating income increased $42.6$13.0 million to $17.4$30.4 million. This increase was driven by a 21.8% increase in market ADNV, pricing changes to port fees and increased market data revenue. Also included in the first quarterincrease was the $1.1 million of 2013 andequity in earnings from the addition of proprietary market data fees and port fees. Operating expenses also decreased, driven by the $12.4 million changeEuroCCP investment added in fair value of the contingent consideration owed to the former Chi-X Europe stockholders recorded in 2012.2014.


Table of Contents

        The following summarizes revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and operating income for our U.S. Options segment:


  
  
  
 Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 

 Year Ended December 31,  
  Year Ended
December 31,
  
 Percentage of
Total
Revenues
 

 Percent
Change
Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 Percent
Change
 

 2013 2012 2013 2012 2014 2013 2014 2013 

 (in millions except percentages and as noted below)
  
  
  
 (in millions, except
for trading days
and as
noted below)

  
  
  
 

Revenues:

                      

Transaction fees

 $83.0 $69.8 18.9% 9.8% 7.9% $113.8 $83.0 37.1% 7.8% 9.8%

Regulatory transaction fees

 2.7 3.0 (10.0)% 0.3% 0.3% 3.3 2.7 22.2% 0.2% 0.3%

Market data fees

 3.7 4.0 (7.5)% 0.4% 0.5% 4.0 3.7 8.1% 0.3% 0.4%

Port fees and other

 2.9 1.9 52.6% 0.4% 0.2% 3.5 2.9 20.7% 0.2% 0.4%

Total revenues

 92.3 78.7 17.3% 10.9% 8.9% 124.6 92.3 35.0% 8.5% 10.9%

Cost of revenues:

                      

Liquidity payments

 73.1 60.0 21.8% 8.7% 6.8% 103.0 73.1 40.9% 7.1% 8.7%

Section 31 fees

 2.7 3.0 (10.0)% 0.3% 0.3% 3.3 2.7 22.2% 0.2% 0.3%

Routing and clearing payments

 1.2 1.6 (25.0)% 0.2% 0.2%

Routing and clearing

 1.5 1.2 25.0% 0.1% 0.2%

Total cost of revenues

 77.0 64.6 19.2% 9.2% 7.3% 107.8 77.0 40.0% 7.4% 9.2%

Revenues less cost of revenues

 15.3 14.1 8.5% 1.7% 1.6% 16.8 15.3 9.8% 1.1% 1.7%

Operating expenses

 6.9 6.4 7.8% 0.8% 0.7% 8.5 6.9 23.2% 0.6% 0.8%

Operating income

 $8.4 $7.7 9.1% 0.9% 0.9% $8.3 $8.4 (1.2)% 0.5% 0.9%

EBITDA(1)

 $9.3 $8.8 5.7% 1.1% 1.0% $9.2 $9.3 (1.1)% 0.6% 1.1%

EBITDA margin(2)

 60.8% 62.4%  *  *  * 54.8% 60.8%  *  *  *

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 9.3 8.8 5.7% 1.1% 1.0% $9.2 $9.3 (1.1)% 0.6% 1.1%

Normalized EBITDA margin(2)

 60.8% 62.4%  *  *  * 54.8% 60.8%  *  *  *

Market ADV (in thousands of contracts)

 15,934.2 15,651.6 1.8%  *  *

ADV (in millions):

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Matched contracts

 0.8 0.6 33.3%  *  *

Routed contracts

    *  *  *

Total touched contracts

 0.8 0.6 33.3%  *  *

Market ADV

 16.6 15.9 4.4%  *  *

Trading days

 252 252   *  *

Market share

 3.7% 3.3%  *  *  * 4.8% 3.7%  *  *  *

Net capture per touched contract

 $0.058 $0.063 (7.9)%  *  * $0.046 $0.058 (20.7)%  *  *

(1)
See footnote (1) to the table under "—U.S. Equities" above for a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Normalized EBITDA.

(2)
EBITDA margin represents EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues, and Normalized EBITDA margin represents Normalized EBITDA divided by revenues less cost of revenues.

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, U.S. Options operating income was flat, decreasing $0.1 million to $8.3 million. Net revenue increased $1.5 million, primarily driven by increased market share, from 3.7% in 2013 to 4.8% in 2014. However, operating expenses increased $1.6 million, driven by increases in regulatory fees based on a new RSA and an increase in compensation expenses.


Table of Contents

Quarterly Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our quarterly unaudited consolidated statement of income data for each of the eight quarters in the period ended September 30,December 31, 2015. In management's opinion, the data has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and reflects all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of this data. The results of historical periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year or any future period.


 For the Quarter Ended  For the Quarter Ended 

 September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,  December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 

 2015 2014 2013  2015 2014 

 (in millions, except per share data and as noted below)
  (in millions, except trading days, per share data and as noted below)
 

Statement of Income Data:

                                  

Total revenues

 $492.0 $418.2 $425.0 $433.8 $347.5 $356.2 $320.7 $197.1  $443.5 $492.0 $418.2 $425.0 $433.8 $347.5 $356.2 $320.7 

Total cost of revenues

 388.0 319.2 342.2 350.1 270.3 278.9 251.4 150.8  344.9 388.0 319.2 342.2 350.1 270.3 278.9 251.4 

Revenues less cost of revenues

 104.0 99.0 82.8 83.7 77.2 77.3 69.3 46.3  98.6 104.0 99.0 82.8 83.7 77.2 77.3 69.3 

Total operating expenses

 49.1 50.4 51.3 48.4 48.8 50.0 40.7 26.2  51.3 49.1 50.4 51.3 48.4 48.8 50.0 40.7 

Operating income

 54.9 48.6 31.5 35.3 28.4 27.3 28.6 20.1  47.3 54.9 48.6 31.5 35.3 28.4 27.3 28.6 

Income before income tax provision

 42.5 36.2 24.7 28.7 22.1 20.9 8.6 13.5  35.3 42.5 36.2 24.7 28.7 22.1 20.9 8.6 

Income tax provision

 17.2 15.8 9.9 10.4 9.4 7.2 4.1 4.9  13.6 17.2 15.8 9.9 10.4 9.4 7.2 4.1 

Net income

 $25.3 $20.4 $14.8 $18.3 $12.7 $13.7 $4.5 $8.6  $21.7 $25.3 $20.4 $14.8 $18.3 $12.7 $13.7 $4.5 
��

Net income per share:

                                  

Basic

 $0.77 $0.63 $0.46 $0.56 $0.41 $0.43 $0.16 $0.38  $0.66 $0.78 $0.63 $0.46 $0.56 $0.41 $0.43 $0.16 

Diluted

 $0.77 $0.63 $0.45 $0.56 $0.40 $0.43 $0.16 $0.38  $0.66 $0.77 $0.63 $0.45 $0.56 $0.40 $0.43 $0.16 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                                  

Basic

 32.5 32.5 32.5 32.5 32.4 32.5 29.1 22.6  32.5 32.5 32.5 32.5 32.5 32.4 32.5 29.1 

Diluted

 32.8 32.8 32.7 32.6 32.6 32.6 29.3 22.7  32.7 32.7 32.7 32.7 32.6 32.6 32.6 29.3 

Other Data:

                                  

EBITDA(1)

 $65.9 $59.6 $40.6 $43.0 $36.6 $35.2 $21.2 $23.6  $60.0 $65.9 $59.6 $40.6 $43.0 $36.6 $35.2 $21.2 

Normalized EBITDA(1)

 67.3 60.0 45.2 47.0 42.0 40.8 38.3 27.6  62.8 67.3 60.0 45.2 47.0 42.0 40.8 38.3 

Adjusted earnings(2)

 $28.6 $30.3 $24.6 $20.1 $22.6 $17.4 $19.2 $16.0 

Diluted Adjusted earnings per share(3)

 0.87 0.93 0.75 0.62 0.70 0.53 0.59 0.55 

Capital expenditures

 (2.1) (6.6) (3.6) (7.6) (6.2) (4.9) (6.5) (0.7) 1.6 2.1 6.6 3.6 7.6 6.2 4.9 6.5 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 (57.9) 107.8 (41.8) 115.2 (85.8) 104.7 (34.8) 43.2 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 108.5 (54.7) (351.6) (83.0) 101.8 (75.4) (2.0) (20.2)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 81.4 (57.9) 107.7 (41.7) 115.2 (85.8) 104.7 (34.8)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 (48.8) 108.5 (54.7) (351.6) (83.0) 101.8 (75.4) (2.0)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 (32.5) (49.7) 322.3 (17.4) (5.9) (0.9) 22.0 (11.3) (53.3) (32.5) (49.7) 332.2 (17.4) (5.9) (0.9) 22.0 

U.S. Equities ADV(2)

 7,320.9 6,352.0 6,915.8 7,002.1 5,677.4 6,052.6 6,943.8 6,375.2 

European Equities ADNV(3)

 49,715.8 52,915.2 54,679.0 44,265.1 35,455.4 37,428.2 41,615.7 33,338.5 

U.S. Options contracts(4)

 17,833.2 15,010.5 15,934.0 17,481.6 15,921.8 15.455.8 17,511.6 16,157.2 

Global FX ADNV(5)

 $25.9 $27.0  *  *  *  *  *  *

U.S. Equities:

                 

Matched shares ADV (in billions)

 1.5 1.6 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.2 

Routed shares ADV (in billions)

 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Total touched shares ADV (in billions)

 1.6 1.7 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.3 

Market ADV (in billions)

 7.1 7.3 6.4 6.9 7.0 5.7 6.1 6.9 

Trading days

 64 64 63 61 64 64 63 61 

European Equities:

                 

Matched and touched ADNV (in billions)

 11.6 12.1 13.0 13.0 9.9 7.7 7.8 9.0 

Market ADNV (in billions)

 46.3 49.7 52.9 54.7 44.3 35.4 37.4 41.6 

Trading days

 65 66 63 63 64 66 63 63 

Average Euro/British pound exchange rate

 £0.7217 £0.7178 £0.7220 £0.7436 £0.7887 £0.7937 £0.8148 £0.8278 

U.S. Options:

                 

Matched contracts ADV (in millions)

 1.4 1.9 1.5 1.4 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.6 

Routed contracts ADV (in millions)

  0.1       

Total touched contracts ADV (in millions)

 1.4 2.0 1.5 1.4 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.6 

Market ADV (in millions)

 15.6 17.8 15.0 15.9 17.5 15.9 15.5 17.5 

Trading days

 64 64 63 61 64 64 63 61 

Global FX ADNV (in billions)(7)

 $23.5 $25.9 $27.0  *  *  *  *  *

(1)
"EBITDA" is defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Normalized EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other significant one-time items not expected to be recurring, including debt restructuring costs, intangible asset

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 For the Quarter Ended 
 
 December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 
 
 2015 2014 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net income

 $21.7 $25.3 $20.4 $14.8 $18.3 $12.7 $13.7 $4.5 

Interest

  12.4  12.9  13.2  8.1  6.9  6.9  6.9  6.6 

Income tax provision

  13.6  17.2  15.8  9.9  10.4  9.4  7.2  4.1 

Depreciation and amortization

  12.3  10.5  10.2  7.8  7.4  7.6  7.4  6.0 

EBITDA

  60.0  65.9  59.6  40.6  43.0  36.6  35.2  21.2 

Acquisition-related costs

  1.8  0.9  0.4  5.1  4.0  5.4  5.6  3.5 

IPO costs

  1.0  0.5             

Loss on extinguishment of debt

                13.6 

Debt restructuring

        0.5         

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

        (1.0)        

Normalized EBITDA

 $62.8 $67.3 $60.0 $45.2 $47.0 $42.0 $40.8 $38.3 
(2)
"Adjusted earnings" is defined as net income adjusted for amortization, net of tax and other items, including acquisition-related costs, IPO costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, debt restructuring costs and intangible asset impairment charges and gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility, net of tax. Adjusted earnings does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have presented Adjusted earnings because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and we use it as the basis for monitoring our own core operating financial performance relative to other operators of electronic exchanges. We also believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies. We believe that investors may find this non-GAAP measure useful in evaluating our performance compared to that of peer companies in our industry. Other companies may calculate Adjusted earnings differently than we do. Adjusted earnings has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

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 For the Quarter Ended  For the Quarter Ended 

 September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,  December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 

 2015 2014 2013  2015 2014 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net income

 $25.3 $20.4 $14.8 $18.3 $12.7 $13.7 $4.5 $8.6  $21.7 $25.3 $20.4 $14.8 $18.3 $12.7 $13.7 $4.5 

Interest

 12.9 13.2 8.1 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.6 6.4 

Income tax provision

 17.2 15.8 9.9 10.4 9.4 7.2 4.1 4.9 

Depreciation and amortization

 10.5 10.2 7.8 7.4 7.6 7.4 6.0 3.7 

EBITDA

 65.9 59.6 40.6 43.0 36.6 35.2 21.2 23.6 

Amortization

 8.5 7.1 7.1 4.2 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.2 

Tax effect of amortization

 (3.3) (2.9) (3.1) (1.7) (1.0) (1.1) (0.9) (1.0)

Acquisition-related costs

 0.9 0.4 5.1 4.0 5.4 5.6 3.5 0.6  1.8 0.9 0.4 5.1 4.0 5.4 5.6 3.5 

IPO costs

 0.5         1.0 0.5       

Loss on extinguishment of debt

       13.6          13.6 

Other one-time items

   (0.5)     3.4 

Debt restructuring

    0.5     

Gain on extinguishment of revolving credit facility

    (1.0)     

Tax effect of other items

 (1.1) (0.6) (0.2) (1.8) (1.4) (2.3) (1.9) (6.8)

Normalized EBITDA

 $67.3 $60.0 $45.2 $47.0 $42.0 $40.8 $38.3 $27.6 

Adjusted earnings

 $28.6 $30.3 $24.6 $20.1 $22.6 $17.4 $19.2 $16.0 
(2)(3)
Diluted Adjusted earnings per share represents Adjusted earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

(4)
Market matched ADV of shares in millions.billions.

(3)(5)
Market matched ADNV in Euros in millions.billions.

(4)(6)
Market matched average daily volume of option contracts in thousands.millions.

(5)(7)
Market ADNV in dollars in billions.

Seasonality

        In the securities and FX industries, quarterly revenue fluctuations are common and are due primarily to seasonal variations in trading volumes, as well as competition and technological and regulatory changes. Our business experiences seasonal fluctuations, reflecting reduced trading activity generally during the third quarter of each year and during the last month of the year. As a result, our operating results for the third or fourth quarter of any year may not be indicative of the results we expect for the full year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Historically, we have financed our operations, capital expenditures, dividend payments and other cash needs through cash generated from operations augmented by private placements of our common stock and issuance of debt.

        On December 19, 2012, we entered into the 2012 Loan, which comprised (i) a term loan agreement in the amount of $300 million and (ii) revolving loans not to exceed $50 million. The proceeds received from the term loan were used to pay a $298.9 million dividend, or $13.20 per share, to all of our stockholders during the fourth quarter of 2012. The term of the loan was six years ending on December 19, 2018, with a variable interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with a floor of 125 basis points), plus a spread of 575 basis points. The original issue discount was $12.5 million, or approximately 4.2%. The revolving loans had similar interest rates, including a 0.50% fee on the unused portion, and a three-year term, ending on December 19, 2015. We incurred $7.1 million of debt issuance costs, which was capitalized and was being amortized over the term of the 2012 Loan.


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        Upon consummation of the Direct Edge Acquisition on January 31, 2014, we entered into the 2014 Loan, which comprised (i) a term loan agreement in the amount of $470 million and (ii) revolving loans not to exceed $100 million. We used the proceeds received from the 2014 Loan to extinguish the 2012 Loan, pay a $132.9 million dividend, or $4.07 per share, to our stockholders, and for other general corporate purposes. The 2012 Loan, related debt issuance costs and debt discount were extinguished


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when we entered into the 2014 Loan, resulting in a loss of $13.6 million that was recorded in non-operating expense on the statement of income. The term of the 2014 Loan is six years ending on January 31, 2020, with a variable interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with a floor of 100 basis points), plus a spread of 400 basis points (which lowers to 375 basis points if the leverage ratio falls below 2.25). The original issue discount was $1.2 million, or approximately 0.25%. The revolving loans have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points and a three-year term, ending on January 31, 2017. The fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving loans is 0.50%. Principal payments on outstanding balances are made on a quarterly basis. We incurred $8.3 million of debt issuance costs, which was capitalized and is being amortized over the term of the 2014 Loan.

        Upon consummation of the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition, we amended our 2014 Loan. The Amended 2014 Loan increased the spread on the variable interest rate from 400 basis points to 475 basis points and required a 25 basis point amendment fee. The required annual amortization also increased from 5.0% per annum to 7.5% per annum. In addition, under the Amended 2014 Loan, we entered into (i) a new $150 million three-year term loan, or the 2015 Term Loan B-1, and (ii) a new $228 million five-year term loan, or the 2015 Term Loan B-2, both of which were funded immediately prior to the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition. The 2015 Term Loan B-1 has an interest rate based on one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 375 basis points and a 100 basis point original issue discount.discount, or $1.5 million. The 2015 Term Loan B-2 has an interest rate based on one-month LIBOR (with a floor of 100 basis points) plus a spread of 475 basis points and a 100 basis point original issue discount.discount, or $2.3 million. In addition, we entered into a new $100 million revolving credit facility with an interest rate based on one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 350 basis points and an undrawn fee of 50 basis points, replacing the revolving credit facility under the 2014 Loan. Debt issuance costs related to the new and restructured debt were $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, of which $0.2 million was expensed immediately and $6.6 million and $9.7 million were capitalized as debt issuance costs and additional debt discount, respectively, and are being amortized over the term of the loans.

        In the near term, we expect that our operations and availability under our revolving credit facility will meet our cash needs to fund our operations, capital expenditures, debt repayments and any dividends.

        Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and all non-restricted, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30,December 31, 2015 decreased $44.3$47.1 million from December 31, 2014 primarily due to payments of Section 31 feeslong-term debt, offset by net income. Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014 increased $35.0 million from December 31, 2013 primarily due to net cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by net cash used in investing activities and financing activities. See "—Cash Flow" below for further discussion.

        Our cash and cash equivalents held outside of the United States in various foreign subsidiaries totaled $37.2$32.8 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and $31.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The remaining balance was held in the United States and totaled $40.7$42.3 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and $90.9 million as of December 31, 2014. Cash and cash equivalents held outside of the United States in December 31, 2014 was $28.2 million in December 31, 2013. The remaining balance was held in the United States and totaled $59.0 million as of December 31, 2013. Unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside of the United States are used to finance our international operations and are generally considered to be indefinitely reinvested. It is not our current intent to change this position. However, the majority of cash held outside the United States is available for repatriation, but under current law, could subject us to additional United States income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits.


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        Our financial investments include investments with original or acquired maturities longer than three months but that mature in less than one year from the statement of financial condition date and are recorded at fair value. For the periods ending September 30,As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and December 31, 2014 and 2013, financial investments primarily consisted of U.S. Treasury securities.


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        The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012:2013:


 For the Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
 For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 $8.1 $(14.0)$99.3 $63.1 $65.1 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 (297.8) 24.4 (58.6) (9.8) 94.5 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $89.5 $99.3 $63.1 

Net cash used in investing activities

 (346.6) (58.6) (9.8)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 239.6 15.4 (2.2) (46.7) (175.0) 196.7 (2.2) (46.7)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 5.8 (6.1) (3.5) (1.9) (1.4) 13.3 (3.5) (1.9)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 $(44.3)$19.7 $35.0 $4.7 $(16.8) $(47.1)$35.0 $4.7 

        During the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, net cash used inprovided by operating activities was $52.4$7.3 million lessgreater than net income. The primary adjustments were a decrease of $83.5$29.2 million in Section 31 feesaccounts payable and accrued liabilities and depreciation and amortization of $28.5$40.8 million.

        During the nine monthsyear ended September 30, 2014, net cash used in operating activities was $44.9 million lower than net income. The primary adjustments were a decrease in SectionDecember 31, fees payable of $57.9 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $22.8 million, offset by non-cash adjustments for depreciation and amortization of $20.9 million, and the loss on the early extinguishment of debt for $13.6 million.

        In 2014, net cash provided by operating activities was $50.1 million higher than net income. The primary adjustments were non-cash adjustments for depreciation and amortization of $28.4 million and the loss on the early extinguishment of debt for $13.6 million.

        InDuring the year ended December 31, 2013, net cash provided by operating activities was $16.3 million higher than net income. The primary adjustments were adjustments to reconcile net income to cash of $27.6 million offset by a $14.5 million decrease in Section 31 fees payable.

        In 2012, net cash provided by operating activities was $33.5 million higher than net income. The primary adjustments were a non-cash adjustment for depreciation and amortization of $17.0 million and the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded with the Chi-X Europe acquisition of $12.4 million.

        Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were ($297.8) million and $24.4 million, respectively, and primarily represented the acquisition of BATS Hotspotused in 2015 for $360.9 million and changes in net purchases and redemptions of available-for-sale securities of $61.4 million in 2015 and $18.2 million in 2014. Purchases of property and equipment were $12.3 million and $17.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In 2015, our capital expenditures related to the acquisition of BATS Hotspot and building new datacenter space to house the BATS Hotspot trading platform. In 2014, we built out the datacenter spaces and migrated the EDGX and EDGA exchanges onto BATS technology.


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        Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and 2012 were ($58.6)$346.6 million, ($9.8)$58.6 million and $94.5$9.8 million, respectively, and primarily represented changes in net purchases and redemptions of available-for-sale securities of $14.2 million in 2015, $43.2 million in 2014 and $4.1 million in 2013 and $98.1 million in 2012.2013. Purchases of property and equipment were $13.9 million, $25.2 million $3.6 million and $6.9$3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, respectively. In 2014, we built out the datacenter spaces and completed the migration of the EDGX and EDGA exchanges onto BATSBats technology in January 2015. In 2013, and 2012, the majority of these capital expenditures were for the enhancement or the expansion of our trading technology and applications. We continually invest in technology to support our trading platform. See "Business—Technology."

        For the remainder of 2015, we expect to spend between $2.0 million and $4.0 million in capital expenditures. We expect to spend $14.0$15.0 million to $18.0$20.0 million in capital expenditures in 2016 primarily for the general maintenance and ongoing enhancement of our data and telecommunications infrastructure and disaster recovery sites.


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        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, $373.8 million was received in proceeds from long-term debt, offset by $102.4$153.1 million in payments of long-term debt. Debt issuance cost was $19.3$16.5 million. We received $0.7 million from the employee stock purchase plan which was offset by $1.5$3.6 million in treasury stock purchases.

        In 2014, in connection with the acquisition of Direct Edge Acquisition, $499.9 million of long-term debt was issued, offset by the payment of the previous loan and additional principal payments made in 2014 of $277.6 million. This was also offset by $215.0 million in dividends paid to our stockholders, $8.3 million of debt issuance cost paid and $1.1 million in purchases of treasury stock.

        The following summarizes our financial assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:


 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 For the Year
Ended
December 31,
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2015 2014 2014 2013  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $77.9 $106.9 $122.2 $87.2  $75.1 $122.2 $87.2 

Financial investments

 0.5 9.0 68.4 25.2  47.7 68.4 25.2 

Adjusted Cash(1)

 78.4 114.6 112.3 85.2  54.9 112.3 85.2 

(1)
Adjusted Cash represents cash and cash equivalents plus financial investments minus cash collected for Section 31 fees. We have presented Adjusted Cash because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our liquidity and believe that it is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies.

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        The following summarizes our debt obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:


 For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30
 For the Year
Ended
December 31
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2015 2014 2014 2013  2015 2014 2013 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Term loans outstanding

 $737.2 $457.3 $446.4 $246.0  $687.5 $446.4 $246.0 

Revolving credit facility

  29.2 28.0    28.0  

Current portion of long-term debt

 (98.0) (37.3) (44.2) (17.4) (87.1) (44.2) (17.4)

Long-term debt

 $639.2 $449.2 $430.2 $228.6  $600.4 $430.2 $228.6 

        At September 30,December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants of our debt agreements.

        In addition to the debt outstanding, as of September 30,December 31, 2015 we had an additional $100.0 million available through our revolving credit facility. Together with Adjusted Cash, we had $178.4$154.9 million available to fund our operations, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, debt repayments and any dividends as of September 30,December 31, 2015.

        Our principal office is located at 8050 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, Kansas, where we lease approximately 39,000 square feet of space. The lease on this space expires in February 2025 and


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contains two five-year renewal options, as well as a one-time option to terminate in November 2019 if certain contingencies under the lease are met. We have an office located at 17 State Street, New York, New York, where we lease approximately 21,000 square feet of space, which expires in April 2024. We have an office at 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, where we lease approximately 200 square feet of space, which expires in June 2016. We have an office located at 16 Collyer Quay, Singapore, where we lease approximately 200 square feet of space, which expires July 2016. In addition, following our acquisition of ETF.com, we now have an office located at 222 Sutter Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, California where we lease approximately 2,500 square feet of space, which expires June 30, 2016. The disaster recovery sites in the United States are located in Kansas City, Missouri and Secaucus, New Jersey. In addition, we have agreements with a primary data center in Secaucus, New Jersey and a secondary data center in Chicago, Illinois. Our principal offices in the United Kingdom are at 10 Lower Thames Street, London, where we lease approximately 9,100 square feet of office space, which expires in December 2017. Total rent expense related to these lease obligations for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was $2.4$3.1 million. In the United States, we have an agreement for our primary data center in Secaucus, New Jersey and our secondary data center in Chicago, Illinois. This agreement was effective in January 2014 and is included in the table below. In Europe, our primary data center is in Slough, England. The disaster recovery site for BATS Chi-XBats Europe is in Park Royal, London. Our work area recovery space is available on invocation with a specialist provider.

        In addition to our lease obligations, we have contractual obligations related to certain operating leases, data and telecommunications agreements, equipment leases and our long-term debt outstanding.


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Future minimum payments under these leases and agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2014:2015:

 
 Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations
 Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 4-5 years More than
5 years
 
 
  
  
 (in millions)
  
  
 

Operating leases

 $19.7 $2.6 $4.9 $4.3 $7.9 

Principal payments of long-term debt

  447.4  44.5  161.7  53.5  187.7 

Interest payments on long-term debt

  78.6  21.4  46.3  10.9   

Payment of outstanding revolver

  28.0        28.0 

Data and telecommunications agreements

  6.4  3.0  2.7  0.7   

Equipment agreements(1)

  6.5  3.7  2.8     

Total

 $586.6 $75.2 $218.4 $69.4 $223.6 

(1)
In January 2015, we came to an agreement with the equipment vendor that settled our obligation with the vendor for $6.0 million.
 
 Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations
 Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 4-5 years More than
5 years
 
 
  
  
 (in millions)
  
  
 

Operating leases

 $16.2 $2.3 $4.4 $3.3 $6.2 

Principal payments of long-term debt

  698.7  90.7  211.8  396.2   

Interest payments on long-term debt

  116.4  36.9  56.8  22.7   

Data and telecommunications agreements

  2.4  1.0  1.4     

Equipment agreements

  2.8  2.1  0.7     

Total

 $836.5 $133.0 $275.1 $422.2 $6.2 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

        As of September 30,December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Guarantees

        We use Wedbush Securities and Morgan Stanley to clear our routed cash equities transactions in our U.S. Equities segment. Wedbush Securities and Morgan Stanley guarantee the trade until one day after the trade date, after which time the NSCC provides a guarantee. In the case of failure to perform on the part of one of our clearing firms, Wedbush Securities or Morgan Stanley, we provide the guarantee to the counterparty to the trade. The OCC acts as a central counterparty on all transactions in listed equity options in our U.S. Options segment, and as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our options transactions. We believe that any potential requirement for us to make payments under these guarantees is remote and accordingly, have not recorded any liability in the consolidated financial statements for these guarantees.


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Critical Accounting Policies

        The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the following:

        Transaction fees are recognized on a trade-date basis. Pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC, 605-45,Revenue Recognition: Principal Agent Consideration, revenues from transactions executed through us are recorded on a gross basis in revenues and expenses. Transaction fees also include fees on shares routed out to another market center.


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        As discussed above, we earn market data fees from the U.S. tape plans, including the UTP, CTA, CQS and OPRA. Fees, net of plan costs, from UTP, CTA and CQS are allocated and distributed to plan participants according to their share of tape fees based on a formula, required by Regulation NMS, that takes into account both trading and quoting activity. Fees from the U.S. tape plans other than OPRA are estimated and recognized on a monthly basis and received quarterly. Market data fees from OPRA are allocated based upon our share of total options transactions cleared, recognized on a monthly basis and received quarterly. We also charge data subscribers directly for proprietary market data in our U.S. Equities and European Equities segments. The proprietary market data fees are recognized on a monthly basis.

        In addition, our national securities exchanges are assessed fees pursuant to Section 31 of the Exchange Act. As discussed above, Section 31 fees are designed to recover the costs to the government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. As BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are SEC-registered national securities exchanges, these fees are paid directly to the SEC. The exchanges then pass these costs along to members. The exchanges collect the fees as a pass-through charge from members executing eligible trades and recognize these amounts in revenues and cost of revenues as incurred.

        Our acquisitions of Chi-X Europe, Direct Edge and BATSBats Hotspot resulted in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets. In accordance with ASC 350—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, we test the carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances signal indicators of impairment are present. We perform our annual impairment test of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, using the December 1 carrying values. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level in accordance with ASC 350-20. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess. If the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the difference. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2015 and determined that no impairment existed.

        We have historically granted stock-based compensation to our employees in the form of stock options and restricted stock. We record the related compensation expense based on the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with the authoritative guidance issued by FASB. We recognize these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.


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        We estimate the grant date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock-based compensation expense related to awards of restricted stock is based on the fair value at the grant date. We recognized compensation expense of approximately $4.2$5.9 million, $1.9 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1.9 million, $2.2 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, respectively. This expense is included in the compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income. Assumptions used to estimate compensation expense are determined as follows and have not significantly changed during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012:2013:


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        No stock options were granted during the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

Grant Date
 Number of
Shares
Granted
 Exercise
Price
 Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 Aggregate
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

December 1, 2014

  219,538 $36.44 $13.50 $2,963,763 

        During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we granted stock options and restricted stock based on market transactions of our common stock, if available. We believe that the best indication of value to price these grants is a current market-based transaction of our common stock, e.g., the purchase or sale of our common stock by independent, non-distressed parties. If a market-based transaction of our common stock is not available, then we obtain a fair value of our common stock based on independent third-party valuation. Each valuation reflected on equal weighting of two valuation analysis techniques: (1) discounted cash flow analysis based on management assumptions and (2) valuation multiples (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and earnings per share) observed from publicly traded companies in a similar industry, a peer group. A combination of factors led to the changes in the fair value of the underlying common stock, including but not limited to, our operating performance, revenues and expenses associated with the entrance into new markets, historical and forecasted industry volumes, market share, pricing within each asset class we operate, amount of debt outstanding and changes in the valuation multiples of the established peer group.

        In 2013, we granted 4,751 shares of restricted stock valued at $31.57 per share based on an independent third-party valuation as of April 2013 and 83,855 shares of restricted stock valued at $34.07 per share based on an independent third-party valuation as of October 2013. The April 2013 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 7.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 8.0 times EBITDA and 12.5 times price-earnings ratio of 2013 forecasted earnings, net of $288.8 million of outstanding debt. The October 2013 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 8.0 times and comparable public company multiples of 9.5 times EBITDA and 15.0 times price-earnings ratio of 2013 forecasted earnings and 8.5 times EBITDA and 12.5 times price-earnings ratio of 2014 forecasted earnings, net of $266.3 million of outstanding debt.

        In 2014, we granted 51,222 shares of restricted stock valued at $35.14 per share based on an independent third-party valuation as of January 2014, 3,559 shares of restricted stock valued at $33.71 per share based on a third-party valuation as of April 2014, 157,279 shares of restricted stock valued at $36.44


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$36.44 per share based on a third-party valuation as of October 2014 and 219,538 stock options with an exercise price of $36.44 per share based on an independent third-party valuation of our common stock as of October 2014. The January 2014 valuation was based on discounted cash flow exit multiple of 9.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 9.4 times EBITDA and a 15.3 times price-earnings ratio of 2014 forecasted earnings, net of $376.6 million of outstanding debt and Direct Edge Acquisition closing obligations. The April 2014 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 9.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 9.8 times EBITDA and 15.7 times price-earnings ratio of 2014 forecasted earnings, offset by $499.7 million of outstanding debt. The October 2014 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 9.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 9.4 times EBITDA and 15.3 times price-earnings ratio of 2014 forecasted earnings and 8.5 times EBITDA and 14.5 times price-earnings ratio of 2015 forecasted earnings, net of $487.5 million of outstanding debt.

        In 2015, we granted 8,582 restricted stock valued at $45.44 per share based on an independent third-party valuation as of April 2015. In 2015 and to date in 2016, we granted 157,715 shares and


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236,504 shares, respectively, of restricted stock valued at $45.93 per share based on market transactions between existing stockholders and a third-party valuation as of October 2015. The April 2015 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 9.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 10.6 times EBITDA and 16.2 times price-earnings ratio of 2015 forecasted earnings and 9.8 times EBITDA and 14.5 times price-earnings ratio of 2016 forecasted earnings, net of $856.9 million of outstanding debt and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition contingent consideration. The market transactions were agreed to between existing stockholders at a fair value of $45.25 in December 2015 and closed in December 2015 and Januarythrough February 2016. We included a blockageblock trade discount of 1.5% to the market transaction based on a range from an independent third-party analysis. The October 2015 valuation was based on a discounted cash flow exit multiple of 9.5 times and comparable public company multiples of 10.6 times EBITDA and 16.6 times price-earnings ratio of 2015 forecasted earnings and 9.8 times EBITDA and 14.0 times price-earnings ratio of 2016 forecasted earnings, net of $814.2 million of outstanding debt and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition contingent consideration.

        Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets, generally ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the related lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets.

        Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed to determine whether any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. We base the evaluation on such impairment indicators as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets, any historical or future profitability measurements, as well as other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present that would indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis of assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. In the event of impairment, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated value of the asset as measured using quoted market prices or, in the absence of quoted market prices, a discounted cash flow analysis.

        Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences


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between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our opinion, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

        The functional currency of BATS Chi-XBats Europe and certain BATSBats Hotspot operations is the British pound. Certain BATSBats Hotspot operations also use the Singapore dollar as functional currency. We also bill our European customers in their local currencies, which are primarily Euros, but also include Swiss Francs, Norwegian Kroners, Swedish Kronas and Danish Kroners. The assets and liabilities of BATS Chi-XBats Europe and certain BATSBats Hotspot operations are translated from British pounds and Singapore dollars into U.S. dollars using the relevant exchange rate in effect as of each statement of financial condition date. Statements of income and cash flow amounts are translated using the average exchange rate during the period. The cumulative effects of translating the statement of


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financial condition accounts from the functional currency into the U.S. dollar at the applicable exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of income and have historically not been material.

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        As a result of our operating activities, we are exposed to market risks such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, equity risk and credit risk. We have implemented policies and procedures to measure, manage and monitor and report risk exposures, which are reviewed regularly by management and our board of directors.

        With operations in Europe and Asia, we are subject to currency translation risk as revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound, Singapore dollar and the Euro. We also have de minimis exposure to other foreign currencies, including the Swiss Franc, Norwegian Kroner, Swedish Krona and Danish Kroner.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our exposure to foreign-denominated revenues and expenses is presented by primary foreign currency in the following table:

 
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
 
 Euro(1) British
Pound(1)
 
 
 (in millions, except
percentages)

 

Foreign denominated % of:

       

Revenues

  3.6% 2.1%

Cost of revenues

  (0.6) (0.2)

Operating expenses

  (0.7)  

Impact of 10% adverse currency fluctuation on:

       

Revenues

 $(5.3)$(3.1)

Cost of revenues

  0.6  0.3 

Operating expenses

  0.1   

(1)
An average foreign exchange rate to the U.S. dollar for the period was used.

        For the year ended December 31, 2014, our exposure to foreign-denominated revenues and expenses is presented by primary foreign currency in the following table:


 Year Ended
December 31, 2014
  Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 

 Euro(1) British
Pound(1)
  Euro(1) British
Pound(1)
 

 (in millions, except
percentages)

  (in millions, except
percentages)

 

Foreign denominated % of:

          

Revenues

 2.9% 2.6% 3.4% 2.4%

Cost of revenues

 (0.6) (0.4) 2.7% 0.5%

Operating expenses

 (0.9)   0.8%  

Impact of 10% adverse currency fluctuation on:

          

Revenues

 $(4.2)$(3.9) 6.0 4.1 

Cost of revenues

 0.7 0.5  3.7 0.8 

Operating expenses

 0.2   0.2  

(1)
An average foreign exchange rate to the U.S. dollar for the period was used.

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        Our investment in European operations is exposed to volatility in currency exchange rates through translation of our net assets or equity to U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of our European business are denominated in British pounds. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may create volatility in our reported results as we are required to translate foreign currency reported statements of financial condition and operational results into U.S. dollars for consolidated reporting. The translation of these non-U.S. dollar statements of financial condition into U.S. dollars for consolidated reporting results in a cumulative translation adjustment, which is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) within stockholders' equity on our consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Our primary exposure to this equity risk as of September 30,December 31, 2015 is presented by foreign currency in the following table:

 
 British
Pound(1)
 
 
 (in millions)
 

Net equity investment in BATS Chi-X Europe

 $274.0 

Impact on consolidated equity of a 10% adverse currency fluctuation

  (27.4)

(1)
Converted to U.S. dollars using the foreign exchange rate of British pounds into U.S. dollars as of September 30, 2015.

        Our primary exposure to this equity risk as of December 31, 2014 is presented by foreign currency in the following table:


 British
Pound(1)
  British
Pound(1)
 

 (in millions)
  (in millions)
 

Net equity investment in BATS Chi-X Europe

 $278.2 

Net equity investment in Bats Europe

 $259.3 

Impact on consolidated equity of a 10% adverse currency fluctuation

 (27.8) $25.9 

(1)
Converted to U.S. dollars using the foreign exchange rate of British pounds into U.S. dollars as of December 31, 2014.2015.

        We are exposed to credit risk from third parties, including customers, counterparties and clearing agents. These parties may default on their obligations due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. We limit our exposure to credit risk by rigorously selecting the counterparties with which we make investments and execute agreements. While we provide markets for trading listed cash equity securities in the United States and Europe and listed equity options in the United States, we do not trade securities for our own account. We invest available cash in highly liquid, short-term investments, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Our investment policy is to preserve capital and liquidity. We do not believe there is significant risk associated with these short-term investments.

        We do not have counterparty credit risk with respect to trades matched on BZX, BYX, EDGX, EDGA and BATS Chi-XBats Europe. With respect to listed cash equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to NSCC without taking on counterparty risk for those trades. NSCC acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched equity trades. Similarly, with respect to U.S. listed equity options, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the OCC, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on BZX and EDGX and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched options trades.


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        In addition, with respect to orders BATSBats Trading routes to other markets for execution on behalf of our customers, BATSBats Trading is exposed to some counterparty credit risk in the case of failure to perform on the part of our clearing firms, Wedbush Securities or Morgan Stanley. Wedbush Securities and Morgan Stanley guarantee trades until one day after the trade date, after which time NSCC provides a guarantee. Thus, BATSBats Trading is potentially exposed to credit risk to the counterparty to a trade routed to another market center between the trade date and one day after the trade date in the event that Wedbush Securities or Morgan Stanley fails. We believe that any potential requirement for us to make payments under these guarantees is remote and accordingly, have not recorded any liability in the consolidated financial statements for these guarantees.


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        Similarly, with respect to orders in U.S. listed equity options, we route orders for execution to other national securities exchanges through either BATSBats Trading or through affiliates of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Wedbush Securities, as discussed above. For orders in U.S. listed equity options routed through Bank of America Merrill Lynch or Wedbush Securities and executed on another national securities exchange, BATSBats Trading has counterparty credit risk exposure to Bank of America Merrill Lynch or Wedbush Securities until a trade settles (generally one day after the trade date). For orders in U.S. listed equity options routed directly by BATSBats Trading to, and executed on, another national securities exchange, BATSBats Trading also has counterparty credit exposure to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which acts as BATSBats Trading's options clearing firm on such transactions. We believe that any potential requirement for us to make payments under these guarantees is remote. Accordingly, we have not recorded any liability in our consolidated financial statements for these guarantees.

        Historically, we have not incurred any liability due to a customer's failure to satisfy its contractual obligations as counterparty to a system trade. Credit difficulties or insolvency, or the perceived possibility of credit difficulties or insolvency, of one or more larger or visible market participants could also result in market-wide credit difficulties or other market disruptions.

        We do not have counterparty credit risk with respect to institutional spot FX trades occurring on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform because BATSBats Hotspot is not a counterparty to any FX transactions. All transactions occurring on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform occur bilaterally between two banks or prime brokers as counterparties to the trade. While BATSBats Hotspot does not have direct counterparty risk, BATSBats Hotspot may suffer a decrease in transaction volume if a bank or prime broker experiences an event that causes other prime brokers to decrease or revoke the credit available to the prime broker experiencing the event. Therefore, BATSBats Hotspot may have risk that is related to the credit of the banks and prime brokers that trade FX on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform.

        We also have credit risk related to transaction fees that are billed in arrears to customers on a monthly basis. Our potential exposure to credit losses on these transactions is represented by the receivable balances in our consolidated statements of financial condition. Our customers are financial institutions whose ability to satisfy their contractual obligations may be impacted by volatile securities markets.

        On a regular basis, we review and evaluate changes in the status of our counterparties' creditworthiness. Credit losses such as those described above could adversely affect our consolidated financial position and results of operations. Any such effects to date have been minimal.


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BUSINESS

Overview

        We are a leading global operator of securities exchanges and other electronic markets enabled by world-class technology. We provide trade execution, market data, trade reporting, connectivity and risk management solutions to brokers, market makers, asset managers and other market participants, ultimately benefiting retail and institutional investors across multiple asset classes. Our principal objective is to improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk for market participants. Our asset class focus currently comprises listed cash equity securities in the United States and Europe, listed equity options in the United States and institutional spot FX globally, as well as ETPs, including ETFs, in the United States and Europe. Trade execution comprised 44.7%44.6% of our revenues less cost of revenues, and market data and connectivity, or non-transaction revenues, comprised 55.3%55.4% of our revenues less cost of revenues for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

        We are the second largest exchange operator in U.S. listed cash equity securities trading by market share, the largest exchange operator of ETFs and other ETPs by market share, and the largest European exchange operator as measured by notional value traded.traded as of December 31, 2015. In addition, for each of the six consecutive months ended December 31, 2015, excluding the Chinese exchanges, we were the largest equities market operator globally as measured by notional value traded. Moreover, during 2015 we operated the fastest growing market in the United States for exchange traded options as measured by market share.

        We improve markets by maximizing efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk, in part by offering low-cost, innovativemarket-leading pricing and low-latency trade execution enabled by resilient and robust proprietary technology. For example, during the three monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our net capture, including auctions, in the U.S. equities market was approximately 40%42% of the rate reported by NASDAQ Group's U.S. equities operations and Intercontinental Exchange's NYSE operations, while our net capture, including auctions, in the European listed equity securities market was approximately 54%94% of the rate reported by the London Stock Exchange's European equities operations. During the third quarter ofyear ended December 31, 2015, our net capture in the U.S. listed equity options market was 6%8% to 20%19% of the rate reported by CBOE, NYSE Arca, NYSE MKT, NASDAQ Options Market and NASDAQ PHLX. We offer the same low-cost, market-leading pricing for our market data products. During the year ended December 31, 2015, our pricing for market data for the U.S. equities market was a combined $12,500 per month for data from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. This is approximately 8% of the prices reported by NYSE and NASDAQ operations to receive data for all of their respective markets during the same period. Our market data pricing in Europe was €59.50 per month for pan-European data during the year ended December 31, 2015. This is approximately 11% of the cost of receiving data from the other exchanges across Europe during the same period. Participants can also purchase our FX market data for $5,000 per month. This is approximately 8% of the price currently charged by EBS Market.

        We develop, own and operate the BATSBats trading platforms, which deploy our proprietary technology designed to offer some of the fastest and most reliable trading systems available. Our diverse exchange platforms are designed to facilitate price discovery by encouraging the quoting of competitive lit prices but also offer opportunities to post dark trading interest on our U.S. and European order books. In the United States, we operate four national securities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. All four BATSBats exchanges trade listed cash equity securities and ETPs, while offering different pricing alternatives. BZX also serves as a listing destination for ETPs, and each of BZX and EDGX also operate a market for trading listed equity options. BZX Options is a pure price/time priorityprice-time-priority market, while EDGX Options offers a customer priority, "pro rata" model. We also operate a broker-dealer in the United States, BATSBats Trading, which provides routed transaction services for listed cash equities for BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA and listed equity options for BZX and EDGX.


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        In Europe, BATS Chi-XBats Europe operates both an MTF and RM under its RIE status. BATS Chi-XBats Europe operates two lit books, a periodic auctions book and two dark books on its MTF, and operates one lit book and one dark book on its RM. On these books we offer trading in listed cash equity securities from within 23 European indices and 15 major European markets, in addition to ETFs, exchange-traded commodities and international depositary receipts. With regard to FX, we operate separate New York and London area matching engines that offer access to trading in more than 60 currency pairs and gold and silver bullion. Our platforms are designed to facilitate price discovery by encouraging the quoting of competitive, lit prices but also offer opportunities to post dark


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trading interest on our U.S. and European order books. We also operate a broker-dealer in Europe, Chi-X Europe Limited, which provides routed transaction services for listed cash equities within the European markets solely for BATS Chi-XBats Europe.

        Our BATSBats Hotspot Platform offers an independent, transparent electronic marketplace structure where institutional buyers and sellers worldwide can trade FX directly, andeither anonymously or on a disclosed basis with each other.

        For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 21.1% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 22.4% share of the trading of ETPs and a 9.9%9.6% share of the U.S. equity options market. In Europe, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had a 24.2%24.4% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on BATS Chi-XBats Europe. In addition, we had $27.8$25.8 billion ADNV in our Global FX segment from the BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition on March 13, 2015 to September 30,December 31, 2015. Globally, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we had an 11.5%11.1% share of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market.

        For the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 21.4% share of the overall U.S. equity market, a 24.5% share of the trading of ETPs and a 10.2% share of the U.S. equity options market. For ETPs, during the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had 13 new listings, or 50.0% of all newly listed ETPs in the United States. We also had 69 total listings as of February 29, 2016, or 3.7% of all listings in the United States. In Europe, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had a 24.3% share of European trading in the securities available for trading on Bats Europe. In addition, for the two months ended February 29, 2016, we had $31.7 billion ADNV in our Global FX segment and 12.0% of the publicly reported institutional spot FX market.

        Our revenue consists primarily of transaction fees, regulatory fees, market data fees and port fees. On a consolidated basis, our revenues less cost of revenues were $285.8$384.4 million for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, which represents a 27.7%25.0% increase from the $223.8$307.5 million generated for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Non-transaction revenues were 55.3%55.4% of revenues less cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. On a consolidated basis, we generated $307.5 million in revenues less cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.2015. Adjusting for growth through acquisitions, our organic compound annual growth rate of revenues less cost of revenue for the last four years was 12.8%12.4%. For the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, our Normalized EBITDA margin was 60.4%61.2%, an increase from 54.1%compared to 54.7% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014. We use the non-GAAP measure of Normalized EBITDA margin to measure our performance. Normalized EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that is reconciled to net income in the section titled "Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data."


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        The charts below show our share of the U.S. equity market, European equity market, U.S. equity options market and institutional spot FX market for the time periods shown:


BZX, BYX(1), EDGX and EDGA(2) Combined
Share of U.S. Equity Market by Quarter

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:
Data as published through the UTP Plan and CTA Plan feeds.

(1)
BYX began trading listed cash equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2010.

(2)
EDGX and EDGA data included as of Direct Edge Acquisition on January 31, 2014.

        In connection with launching new markets, we have often offered pricing specials which may generate short-term losses, but generally result in significant growth in short- and long-term market share as customers have continued to use our markets even after pricing specials end. For example, we began trading listed cash equity securities and ETPs on BYX during the fourth quarter of 2010 using an inverted pricing model and did not lose market share in BZX as a result of the launch of BYX or when the inverted pricing model was reversed on BYX to provide positive net capture. With the Direct Edge Acquisition, we have implemented diverse pricing alternatives to attract a broader customer group and drive market share in our U.S. Equities segment. Our U.S. Equities market share increased from 18.9%19.4% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014 to 21.1% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.


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BATS Chi-XBats Europe(1)
Share of European Equity Market by Quarter

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:
Data internally compiled by us utilizing direct feeds from European trading venues and third-party market data vendors.

(1)
Chi-X Europe data included as of its acquisition on November 30, 2011.


BZX and EDGX(1) Combined
Share of U.S. Equity Options Market by Quarter

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:
Data as published by OPRA.

(1)
EDGX began trading listed equity options during the fourth quarter of 2015.

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        Our market share has significantly increased from the launch of our first options exchange in 2010 to the thirdfourth quarter of 2015. This was primarily a result of increased sales and business efforts, competitive pricing changes, strategic pricing of tiers, movement to a strategic data center and increased customer affinity. As a result of our increased market share, more customers hit our highest pricing tiers, and our net capture per touched contract has decreased from $0.049$0.046 per contract to $0.027$0.030 per contract for the three monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.


Global FX(1)
Share of Institutional Spot FX Market by Quarter

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:
Data internally compiled by us utilizing publicly reporting institutional spot FX venues. Fastmatch is included in those venues beginning in the first quarter of 2013.

(1)
We acquired BATSBats Hotspot in JanuaryMarch 2015. Market share presented as if BATSBats Hotspot had been acquired as of January 1, 2010 to provide a context of historical performance.

        Our BATSBats Hotspot Platform offers an independent, transparent electronic marketplace structure where institutional buyers and sellers worldwide can trade FX directly and anonymously with each other. The BATSBats Hotspot Platform includes true price competition with full depth of book display, centralized price discovery and tailored liquidity solutions. BATSBats Hotspot's model provides full market transparency and greater control of the trading process, enabling better trade execution and lower execution costs. The BATSBats Hotspot Platform uses a price/time priorityprice-time-priority model. The BATSBats Hotspot Platform consists of a mixture of both firm and non-firm liquidity provided by both clients and dedicated liquidity providers and enables BATSBats Hotspot to offer its clients customized liquidity solutions. BATSBats Hotspot clients are charged either a flat or tiered commission rate based upon the notional amount traded on the BATSBats Hotspot Platform. These rates are expressed as U.S. dollars per million notional U.S. dollars traded. The flat commission rate or tiers applicable to each client are determined on a client by client basis by BATSBats Hotspot management and sales in light of market forces and client activity.

        All of the BATSBats trading platforms deploy our proprietary technology designed to offer some of the fastest and most reliable trading systems available. They provide market participants with the ability to access, process, display and execute orders on each of our markets and were internally developed by our team of industry market structure and technology professionals with the goal of maximizing


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efficiency and mitigating trade execution risk for market participants. Specifically, our securities platform provides access to, and a comprehensive display of, trading interest by market participants at the highest price at which a customer is willing to buy a security, or the best bid, and the lowest price at which a customer is willing to sell that security, or the best offer. In addition, our securities platform provides access to and the display of orders ranked in price/time priorityprice-time-priority at prices lower than the best bid and higher than the best offer. Also known as "depth of book," these orders reflect the size of displayed trading interest available at each successive price increment lower than the best bid and higher than the best offer. Our securities platform also offers opportunities to post dark trading interest on our U.S. and European lit integrated order books. These dark orders, which are often at prices better than the best displayed bids and offers, can provide price improvement to investors seeking to access our markets. Price improvement occurs, for example, when an investor submits an incoming order seeking to sell against the displayed best bid but instead executes against a hidden order that is willing to buy at a higher price than the highest displayed bid on the book. In addition, dark orders can also reduce the potential market impact to investors seeking to trade large orders by providing them the ability to enter those orders into the market without advertising such trading interest to others. Moreover, in Europe, we operate two dark books on our MTF and one dark book on our RM.

Our History

        We were formed in 2005 as an alternative to the NYSE and the NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, in response to increased consolidation among U.S. listed cash equity market centers. Since our founding, we have achieved the following milestones:


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Our Trading Model

        Like many of our competitors, we have adopted "maker-taker" and "taker-maker" pricing models in our markets instead of charging a transaction fee for each party to a trade. The maker-taker pricing model is designed to incentivize market makers to provide liquidity on a continuous basis. Participants are attracted to markets that have continuous, deep liquidity, which provides more opportunity to buy and sell equities immediately and with minimal adverse effect on prices. Because market makers supply a valuable service to markets by providing liquidity, maker-taker pricing rewards them with a rebate.

        Under our maker-taker pricing model, on BZX (for both listed cash equity securities and listed equity options) and EDGX (for listed cash equity securities and listed equity options) and on certain order books of BATS Chi-XBats Europe, a customer posting an order on our book, which we refer to as the liquidity maker or liquidity provider, is paid a rebate for an execution occurring against that order, and a customer executing against an order resting on our book, which we refer to as the liquidity taker or liquidity remover, is charged a fee. We generate a substantial portion of our operating income from the difference between the maker rebate and the taker fee. We believe this type of fee schedule is attractive to customers who regularly provide liquidity. Although customers must pay a fee to access that liquidity, that fee is explicitly disclosed and charged to all customers.

        The BYX and EDGA taker-maker pricing model provides that a liquidity taker will be paid a rebate for executing against an order resting on our book, and the liquidity provider will be charged a fee for posting such an order. In this case, we generate operating income from the difference between the maker fee and the taker rebate. Currently, both the fee and the rebate on each of BYX and EDGA are significantly less than the rebates and fees in place on BZX and EDGX. We believe this appeals to market participants who are primarily interested in the most cost-effective means of accessing resting liquidity, but less concerned about the depth of liquidity available on the market. In addition, we believe this model appeals to market participants trading lower-priced securities.

        For unfilled orders, we also provide our customers a smart-order routing service, enabling the onward routing of unfilled orders to other market centers. In the United States, this is facilitated through an order routing facility, our wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary, BATSBats Trading. In Europe, BATS Chi-XBats Europe uses a similar approach through its broker-dealer subsidiary, Chi-X Europe Limited, and is one of the few market centers in Europe that provides such routing services to its customers. All orders routed away from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are sent to BATSBats Trading for routing, which may, in turn, use a third-party broker-dealer to establish back-up connectivity to another exchange in the event that BATSBats Trading's connection to such exchange fails, because BATSBats Trading does not have a direct connection to such exchange or to take advantage of tiered pricing rates at such exchange. We rely on Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and affiliates of Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Lime Brokerage, each of which is an affiliate of one of our principal investors, to route orders that are not routed directly by BATSBats Trading. Once BATSBats Trading (or such third-party broker-dealer) fills an order on another market, it sends the executed trade to a clearing broker to match the details of the trade with the clearing broker for the other party to the trade. We rely on Wedbush Securities and Morgan Stanley, both of which are affiliates of our principal investors and members of NSCC, to clear trades in U.S. listed cash equity securities routed by us to other markets; and we rely on Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Wedbush Securities, also affiliates of principal investors and clearing members of the OCC, to clear trades in U.S. listed equity options that


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we route to other markets. On the settlement date of the trade, our clearing broker will deliver or receive the matched amount of securities or funds to settle the trade with the other party to the trade.

        In addition, in the United States, we derive a substantial portion of our revenue from market data fees from U.S. tape plans, including UTP, CTA, CQS and the OPRA. Fees, net of plan costs, from


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UTP, CTA and CQS are allocated and distributed to plan participants like us according to their share of tape fees based on a formula, required by Regulation NMS, which takes into account both trading and quoting activity.

Our Listing Model

        BZX and BATS Chi-XBats Europe serve as listing destinations for ETPs. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, BZX had 3556 listings and BATS Chi-XBats Europe had nine listings. In October 2015, we launched on BZX an innovativea market-leading pricing model for issuers called the BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program, as part of the unveiling of the BATSBats ETF Marketplace. Under the traditional model issuers pay an application fee as well as an annual listings fee to an exchange for the listing of each security and the annual listing fee increases as the product grows (as measured by total shares outstanding). When listing on BZX, issuers pay no application fee and no annual fee for listing. Instead, under the BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program, BZX pays the issuer an annual incentive for each security it lists on BZX, and the amount BZX pays increases as the product grows (as measured by CADV), from $3,000 per year up to $400,000 per year. The payments made under the BATSBats ETP Issuer Incentive Program are funded by the increased trading fees BZX receives as the issuer's ADV increases. BZX shares that revenue directly with the issuer in form of an annual rebate.

        Both BZX and BATS Chi-XBats Europe also offer issuers the choice of a more traditional market maker program referred to as the BATSBats LMM program on BZX and the BATS Chi-XBats Europe Liquidity Provider Program, or LPP on BATS Chi-XBats Europe. Under the LMM program, a single market marker is selected by the issuer to be its LMM on BZX. The LMM has certain quoting obligations that it must adhere to and BZX pays the LMM an enhanced rebate for executions against its displayed orders in the issuer's security and charges a reduced fee when the LMM executes against other orders in the issuer's security on the BZX book. Under the LPP, BATS Chi-XBats Europe offers two programs designed for participants that wish to provide liquidity by posting and maintaining executable quotes within certain set parameters with the result of providing liquidity on a regular and ongoing basis. The main differences between the two programs relate to the specified price and required time commitments. The minimum term requirement is 30 days. No additional fees or rebates apply to the LPP. BATS Chi-XBats Europe also offers a competitive liquidity program, which is a rebate-based scheme designed to encourage quoting activity and therefore increase liquidity in issuer-sponsored ETFs on BATS'Bats' RM.

        Both BZX and BATS Chi-XBats Europe also offer an innovative market maker program for their listed securities, called the CLP program. The CLP program is a supplemental, rewards-based program designed to encourage quoting competition among market makers in securities listed on BZX or BATS Chi-XBats Europe. On both BZX and BATS Chi-XBats Europe the CLP program is funded by the issuer. On BZX, the issuer can choose to fund the CLP program in an annual amount between $5,000 and $100,000; on BATS Chi-XBats Europe, the issuer can choose to fund the CLP program in any amount. The CLP program provides a daily reward to the two or three market makers (depending on the annual amount the issuer commits to the CLP program) quoting the greatest size throughout the trading day at the NBBO. The total daily reward divided between the market makers in each security on BZX ranges between approximately $20 and $400, depending on the annual amount the issuer commits to the CLP program, and on BATS Chi-XBats Europe the total daily reward generally ranges between €100 and €300.


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Industry Overview

        Several regulatory developments, together with innovations in technology and improvements in the speed of communication, have fundamentally changed the way U.S. listed cash equity markets operate over the last 20 years. In 1996, the SEC adopted the "order handling" rules which facilitated the growth of ECNs as alternatives to national securities exchanges for displaying and executing orders.


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Under the order handling rules, a market maker may pass an order to an ECN for public display and execution. This "ECN display alternative" provided the basis for ECNs to be viable competitors to national securities exchanges for displaying and executing orders.

        In 1998, the SEC adopted Rule 3b-16 and Regulation ATS under the Exchange Act. Rule 3b-16 defines the circumstances under which an ATS constitutes a securities exchange requiring registration, and Regulation ATS provides an exemption from exchange registration for ATSs that comply with certain conditions. After the adoption of Regulation ATS, trading venues like our original ECN were provided the choice of registering as a national securities exchange or an ATS.

        Beginning in 2000, the SEC also required trading venues posting to the consolidated tape to move to decimal pricing, or the quoting of stock prices in dollars and cents rather than in dollars and fractions of a dollar. Decimal pricing resulted in narrower trading spreads, providing automated market makers with an advantage over traditional market makers.

        Furthermore, the SEC adopted Regulation NMS in 2005 to protect the quality of trade executions. Regulation NMS provides price protection for each exchange's best displayed quotes that are electronically accessible for immediate trade execution and resulted in a dramatic shift to electronic trading as exchanges automated their trading systems to take advantage of this price protection. See "Regulation."

        In addition, the SEC published a concept release in early 2010 that focused on equity market structure,structure; in 2012, the SEC adopted a rule requiring FINRA and the national securities exchanges to create a CAT,CAT; and in 2015, the SEC formed an Equity Market Structure Advisory Committee of industry experts to advise the SEC on possible regulatory changes. See "Regulation—Recent Developments."

        As in the United States, the market for listed cash equities in Europe has changed in response to both regulatory and technological developments. In particular, MiFID marked a fundamental change in the European market for trading listed cash equity securities. To create competition among markets, MiFID abolished the "concentration rule," which required firms to route orders only to national stock exchanges, and extended the concept of "passporting," which allows firms authorized to carry on business in one EEA member state to carry on business in other EEA member states. Abolition of the concentration rule and the extension of passporting paved the way for new entrants to compete against other national stock exchanges from a single location within the European Union. For example, the LSE, which represented 99.5% of on-order book, on-exchange trading in LSE-listed cash equity securities for 2007, has seen its share of on-order book trading in LSE-listed cash equity securities decline to between 50-60%40%-50% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and its overall share in European cash equity securities was approximately 19.2%18.9% for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

        MiFID is currently in the process of being updated. The new legislation, known as MiFID II and MiFIR, is currently scheduled to apply from January 3, 2017, although there is a potentialproposal for a delay until January 2018, and will generally tighten the requirements placed on both exchanges and


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investment firms. In particular, use of certain waivers from pre-trade transparency will be capped as a percentage of total market volume and a general trading obligation will require almost all equity trades to be conducted on a duly registered trading venue. Furthermore, MiFID II will apply mandatory, equity-like transparency requirements to non-equity markets, such as fixed income.

        The market for listed equity options, which includes index and multi-listed options, is part of a large and growing global derivatives industry. In general, derivatives trade either through a national securities exchange, another execution facility or OTC (depending on the derivative). One of the most fundamental differences between the U.S. listed cash equities market and the U.S. listed equity options


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market is that while listed cash equities trading can be conducted "off-exchange," all U.S. listed equity options trading must take place "on-exchange." As of September 30, 2015,the date of this prospectus, there were thirteenfourteen authorized U.S. options exchanges and(not including a fourteenth currentlysecond U.S. options exchange of Miami International Holdings, Inc., planned for launch in the third quarter of 2016, pending approval.SEC approval).

        The most significant changes within the U.S. listed equity options market have been the move to penny-increment price quotes for many options and the shift away from the traditional pricing model, pursuant to which both sides pay a fee, for executing trades. In January 2007, prices for options on several different stocks and ETFs began to be quoted in penny increments as part of an industry-wide pilot program approved by the SEC, called the penny pilot. Additional options classes have been added over time to the penny pilot since the initial rollout. For the month of SeptemberDecember 2015, approximately 72.9%71% of options volume traded in penny increments. The conversion of the U.S. listed equity options market from nickel- or dime-increment price quotes to penny-increment price quotes has contributed to significant growth in overall options market volume as the industry expanded from a total volume of 1.8 billion contracts in 2006 to 16.316.1 billion in 2015.

        We began trading listed equity options on BZX in February 2010 and leveraged our experience in the U.S. listed cash equities market to capitalize on these industry developments, and had a 10.9%an 8.9% market share for the thirdfourth quarter of 2015. We began trading listed equity options on EDGX in November 2015.

        The U.S. multi-listed options volume can be segregated into three segments: pro-rata; price-time; and complex orders. In a pro-rata model, customer orders are traded before non-customer orders resting at the same price, and non-customer orders are allocated based on their size. In a price-time model, all resting orders at the same price are allocated according to their time of arrival. Complex orders allow trading of multi-leg options strategies such as spread, straddles and covered calls. As shown in the graph below, from August 2015 through December 2015, we believe that 28% of the total U.S. multi-listed options volume traded with price-time allocation, 43% of the total U.S. multi-listed options volume traded with pro-rata allocation model and 29% of the total U.S. multi-listed options volume traded as complex orders. Auction orders comprise a significant percentage of the pro-rata volume.


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GRAPHICGRAPHIC

                          Source: Trade Alert, OPRA data, August 2015-December 2015

        BZX Options currently only competes with exchanges operating with a price-time model. Based on the data above, BZX Options operated the largest exchange with a price-time model, with a market share of the U.S. multi-listed options price-time volume was 39% for the period from August 2015 through December 2015. Our newly launched options


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exchange, EDGX Options, is designed to compete with exchanges operating with a pro-rata allocation model. In addition, we plan to offer auctions and complex orders in the future to compete for all U.S. options volumes.

        While the global institutional spot FX market remains largely unregulated, the enactment of Dodd-Frank and its related regulations in the United States. and the ongoing implementation of MiFID II and MiFIR in Europe have impacted the regulatory landscape for currency derivative products. For example, certain standardized currency derivative products are expected to be required to trade on an organized trading venue such as an SEF or DCM in the United States or on an MTF or OTF in Europe. Trading on these venues has also been enabled by technological developments that facilitate the electronic trading of spot FX and currency derivatives. Moreover, this movement is highlighted by the recent publication of the Fair and Effective Markets Review Final Report and the March 2015 Global Preamble: Codes of Best Market Practice and Shared Global Principles, which may lead to additional oversight and regulation in the global FX market.

        Market participants now have multiple venues for the execution of orders. Although many of the initial ATSs and ECNs were absorbed or acquired by competing exchanges, a number of other off-exchange venues developed, including "dark pools." Dark pools appeal to participants that wish to minimize the market impact of their orders. However, dark pools generally have higher clearing costs than national securities exchanges and, like ATSs and ECNs, are not eligible to share directly in proceeds of the sale of consolidated market data. Examples of dark pools include crossing networks such as Liquidnet and internal matching engines belonging to individual broker-dealers. By matching a trade internally rather than submitting the trade to an exchange, a broker-dealer can retain more of the spread. The increase in volume of off-exchange trades is shown in the table below by the increase in


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trades reported to the trade reporting facilities, which report all off-exchange trades as required by FINRA regulations.

        The table below shows the relative market share of the U.S. listed cash equities market of each of the following group of trading venues in 2010 compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 Increase/
(Decrease)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 

BATS

 21.1% 15.3%(1) 5.8%

Bats

 21.1% 15.3%(1) 5.8%

NYSE

 24.0% 27.7% (3.7)% 24.1% 27.7% (3.6)%

NASDAQ

 19.0% 22.1% (3.1)% 18.8% 22.1% (3.3)%

FINRA Trade Reporting Facility

 35.3% 33.9% 1.4% 35.4% 33.9% 1.5%

Other

 0.6% 1.0% (0.4)% 0.6% 1.0% (0.4)%

Source:
Data as published through the UTP Plan and CTA Plan feeds.

(1)
BATS'Bats' market share for the year ended December 31, 2010 is presented on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Direct Edge Acquisition and BATSBats Hotspot Acquisition.

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        The market for execution services in Europe has become significantly more competitive following the introduction of MiFID. We expect that competition in pan-European trading will continue to increase in the near term, though MiFID II and MiFIR will place more onerous conditions on trading venues and investment firms and restrict certain types of trading activity.


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        The table below shows the relative market share of the European listed cash equities market of each of the following trading venues in 2011 compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 Increase/
(Decrease)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 

BATS Chi-X Europe

 24.2% 24.2%(1)  

Bats Europe

 24.4% 24.2%(1) 0.2%

LSE and Borsa Italiana

 19.2% 20.2% (1.0)% 18.9% 20.2% (1.3)%

Euronext

 14.7% 15.9% (1.2)% 14.7% 15.9% (1.2)%

Xetra and Deutsche Börse(2)

 10.2% 12.7% (2.5)% 10.2% 12.7% (2.5)%

Turquoise

 9.1% 5.1% 4.0% 9.0% 5.1% 3.9%

SIX Swiss Exchange

 6.8% 6.1% 0.7% 6.8% 6.1% 0.7%

NASDAQ OMX

 5.5% 6.0% (0.5)% 5.5% 6.0% (0.5)%

Bolsa de Madrid

 4.2% 5.7% (1.5)% 4.2% 5.7% (1.5)%

Other

 6.1% 4.1% 2.0% 6.3% 4.1% 2.2%

Source:

 Data internally compiled by us utilizing direct feeds from European trading venues and third-party market data vendors.
(1)
Market share for BATS Chi-XBats Europe for the year ended December 31, 2011 is pro forma for the acquisition of Chi-X Europe.

(2)
Market shares for Xetra and Deutsche Börse are presented on a combined basis.

        The market for the trading of U.S. listed equity options is intensely competitive and is in the midst of significant evolution, driven primarily by the recent regulatory changes discussed above, acquisitions of options exchanges by cash equities exchanges and the recent authorization by the SEC of several new options exchanges. For example, in November 2015, we launched our second options exchange, EDGX Options, and ISE intends to launchlaunched a third options exchange, referred to as ISE Mercury, in the near future, pending regulatory approval.February 2016. Today, several U.S. cash equity exchanges operate at least one options market that utilizes maker-taker pricing. As a result of these changes, the U.S. options market is beginning to look more like the U.S. listed cash equity securities market.


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        The table below shows the relative market share of the U.S. listed equity options market of each of the following trading venues in 2011 compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 Increase/
(Decrease)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2011
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 

BATS

 9.9% 3.0% 6.9%

Bats

 9.6% 3.0% 6.6%

NASDAQ

 24.4% 26.3% (1.9)% 24.2% 26.3% (2.1)%

CBOE

 22.2% 26.0% (3.8)% 23.5% 26.0% (2.5)%

NYSE

 18.3% 24.6% (6.3)% 18.2% 24.6% (6.4)%

ISE

 15.7% 17.1% (1.4)% 15.3% 17.1% (1.8)%

Boston Options Exchange

 2.9% 3.0% (0.1)% 2.7% 3.0% (0.3)%

Miami Stock Exchange

 6.6%  6.6% 6.5%  6.5%

Source:

 Data as published by OCC.

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        The institutional spot FX market is fragmented and highly competitive, with transparent automated marketplaces such as BATSBats Hotspot challenging ICAP plc (Electronic Booking System)(EBS BrokerTec) and Thomson Reuters (Reuters Matching, FXall). While the institutional spot FX market recently has been experiencing a shift from other competing interbank platforms to ECNs, the electronification of institutional spot FX may encounter resistance from clients that still prefer to utilize the phone, Reuters Conversational Dealing, Instant Bloomberg Chat, Bloomberg terminals and key banking relationships for price discovery and trading. Furthermore, electronification of FX appears to be experiencing more resistance outside the U.S. The electronic FX market is also intensely competitive, with ICAP plc (Electronic Booking System)(EBS BrokerTec), Thomson Reuters (Reuters Matching, FXall), State Street (Currenex, FX Connect, CME Group, Currenex, 360T,Connect), Deutsche Börse (360T), Bloomberg, FastMatch, Gain GTX, CME Group and others competing for market share. Additionally, exchange operators are actively expanding into the global FX market. For example, Deutsche Börse has recently completed its acquisition of 360T and NASDAQ has announced its plans to launch an FX trading market.360T. Moreover, the current market may experience consolidation, such as the recent acquisition of Molten Markets by ICAP plc (Electronic Booking System)(EBS BrokerTec).

        The table below shows the relative market share of the publicly reporting trading venues in 2010 compared to the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015:


 Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 Increase/
(Decrease)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 Increase/
(Decrease)
 

BATS Hotspot(1)

 11.5% 6.0% 5.4%

Bats Hotspot(1)

 11.1% 6.0% 5.1%

EBS

 39.8% 49.0% (9.2)% 39.4% 49.0% (9.6)%

Thomson Reuters

 46.0% 45.0% 1.0% 46.0% 45.0% 1.0%

Fastmatch

 2.7% 0.0% 2.7% 3.5% 0.0% 3.5%

Source:

 Data internally compiled by us utilizing publicly reporting institutional spot FX venues.
(1)
We acquired BATSBats Hotspot in March 2015. Market share presented as if BATSBats Hotspot had been acquired as of January 1, 2010.

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Our Competitive Strengths

        As a result of these industry developments, newer trading centers like ours are better able to compete against competing exchanges based on technology, price and customer experience. We believe that the following competitive strengths position us well to capitalize on these industry dynamics:


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Our Growth Strategies

        We believe that we are well positioned to leverage our competitive strengths to enhance our market position, develop new products and services and continue expanding into new asset classes and geographies. We continually analyze new opportunities and, in particular, intend to pursue the following growth strategies:


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Our Markets


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U.S. Equity Market
Nine MonthsYear Ended September 30,December 31, 2015

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:

 Data as published through the UTP Plan and CTA Plan feeds.

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        The notional value of ETP volume traded in the U.S. is significant and has generally been increasing during the last two years and into the first quarter of 2016.


U.S. ETP Notional Value as a Percentage of U.S. Equity Notional Value 2014-2015

GRAPHIC


*    through March 23, 2016.

Source:

Bloomberg, L.P.


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        As the largest venue for ETP trading, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of this trend as more volume gravitates to ETPs.


U.S. ETP Market
The Period July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

GRAPHIC


Source:

Data as published through the UTP Plan and CTA Plan feeds.

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European Equity Market
Nine MonthsYear Ended September 30,December 31, 2015

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:

 Data internally compiled by us utilizing direct feeds from European trading venues and third-party market data vendors. Data excludes OTC trades.
(1)
Market share for Xetra and Deutsche Börse are presented on a combined basis.

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U.S. Equity Options Market
Nine MonthsYear Ended September 30,December 31, 2015

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:

 Data as published by OPRA.

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Global FX Market
Nine MonthsYear Ended September 30,December 31, 2015

GRAPHICGRAPHIC


Source:

 Data internally compiled by us utilizing publicly reporting spot FX venues.

Marketing

        Our marketing strategy is focused primarily on educating market participants about our value proposition and raising brand awareness through selected media. Through our website and targeted communications aimed at reaching current and potential customers, as well as our presence at industry trade shows and participation in industry forums, we focus on educating customers about the changing dynamics of our industry and the benefits of using our markets.

        This is often accomplished through our senior executives via conversations with the media and appearances at major industry events. We are also focused on raising brand awareness through our sponsorship of a major league baseball team, the Kansas City Royals. We believe enhancing brand awareness within the financial community and among current and potential customers is an important part of our marketing effort.

        We also developed and now publish a market volume page on our website that provides extensive detail about trading volume on the various execution venues in the United States and Europe. We believe that our market volume pages have become an important resource for market participants to track execution volumes across trading venues and, as a result, have enhanced our brand awareness. In addition, in October 2015, we launched The BATSBats ETF Marketplace, specifically structured and designed for ETF issuers and their investors. The BATSBats ETF Marketplace provides market participants with unique ETF market data and analytics, information on issuers with ETPs listed on BZX and valuable information about issuer and market maker incentive programs offered for ETPs listed on BZX.

Technology

        The technology powering our matching engine and our smart-order routing service was created in-house, is wholly-owned and maintained by BATSBats and supports trading on all of our markets. As


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demonstrated by our rapid entry into European listed cash equities and U.S. listed equity options trading, our technology platform is extremely adaptable to new geographies and asset classes within a short period of time.


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Our Customers

        Our equities and options customers in the United States include members of BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, which are SEC-registered broker-dealers, and the sponsored access clients of those broker-dealers. Similarly, our equities customers in Europe are FCA-registered brokerage firm participants of BATS Chi-XBats Europe, as well as sponsored access clients of these brokerage firms and certain unregistered direct access participants. Our institutional spot FX customers include banks, broker-dealers, institutions, hedge funds, asset managers, proprietary trading firms, Commodity Trading Advisors and corporates. In the United States as of September 30,December 31, 2015, we had 188180 members of BZX, 140139 members of BYX, 123 members of EDGX and 130 members of EDGA. BATS Chi-XBats Europe has approximately 184 participants from 17 countries. BATSBats Hotspot has 174181 clients from around the world.

        As mentioned above, various affiliates of our principal investors are significant customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 45.1%, 43.2%, and 2012, approximately 46.7%, 49.0%, 46.6% and 45.7%36.3% of our total transaction fees, respectively, were generated by affiliates of our principal investors. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 52.2%, 51.5% and 2012, approximately 52.4%, 54.8%, 53.4% and 52.8%50.8% of total liquidity payments, respectively, were generated by affiliates of our principal investors. For a description of revenues received and payments made to these affiliates, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximatelynone of our principal investors accounted for more than 10%, 9%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of total liquidity payments were paid to an affiliate of one ofrebates paid. For the year ended December 31, 2013, our principal investors.investor accounted for 11% of total liquidity rebates paid. Affiliates of our principal investors also make up a significant portion of the volume traded on our equities trading platform. For example, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2015, affiliates of all thirteen strategic investors ranked in the top 25 of all members trading on our U.S. equities trading platform (based on volume), with their trades representing 55.7%45.8% of the total volume traded for the quarter ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, one customer accounted for 10%11%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of our transaction fees. For the year ended December 31, 2012, no customer accounted for more than 10% of our transaction fees.

Intellectual Property

        We own, have filed applications for or have licensed from third parties rights to trade names, trademarks, community trademarks, domain names and service marks that we use in conjunction with our operation and services. We have registered, or have filed applications pending registration for, many of our most important trademarks in the United States and in the United Kingdom, including, for example, "BATS,"Bats," "BATS"Bats Global Markets," "Making Markets Better," "BATS"Bats Trading, Inc." "BYX," "BZX," "EDGA," "EDGX," and "Hotspot FX".


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        We own patents covering our proprietary business processes related to the BATSBats 1000 Index and our proprietary business processes related to our now defunct European market-on-close product, and we have filed patent applications covering our NBBO Setter and Joiner pricing, our auction processes


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associated with our primary listings business, the business process related to operating an exchange based on the net asset value of an ETP, our CLP Program and our RPI Program. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights and claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business" for a discussion of the risk factors associated with our intellectual property.

Competition

        The market for execution services is intensely competitive in the asset classes and geographies in which we operate. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We face intense competition and compete with a broad range of market participants globally. Further consolidation and alliances among our securities trading competitors could impair our competitive position."

        Securities market participants now have multiple venues for the execution of orders. In addition to national securities exchanges, in the United States, these venues include numerous ATSs, many of which operate as "dark pools" owned by our principal investors and broker-dealers who internalize orders for execution. In Europe, these alternate venues include MTFs that operate "lit" books and/or "dark pools," broker crossing networks and other broker-dealers who internalize orders for execution.

        We compete in the U.S. listed cash equity securities market against Intercontinental Exchange's NYSE, NASDAQ, other regional exchanges and several ATSs. In Europe, our major competitors include LSE, Turquoise, Euronext, Deutsche Börse, NASDAQ OMX, SIX Swiss Exchange and BME. We compete in the United States in listed equity options against CBOE, NYSE, NASDAQ, ISE, MIAX and BOX. We compete in the institutional spot FX market against EBS, Reuters Matching, FXall, FX Connect, CME Group, Currenex, 360T, Bloomberg, FastMatch and Gain GTX, among others.

        We face competition based on technology, customer experience and price. We also face competition based on products and services offered, such as order types and risk management tools. We believe that we compete favorably with respect to these factors. However, many of our current and potential competitors are more established and substantially larger than we are, and have a substantially greater market presence, as well as greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources. In addition, many of our competitors have broader name recognition, offer a wider range of services and products and have a larger customer base than we do. Some of them may be able to respond more quickly to new or evolving opportunities, technologies and customer requirements than we can and may be able to undertake more extensive promotional activities.

Corporate Culture and Employees

        We pride ourselves on fostering a corporate culture that encourages our employees to work together to meet our corporate goals and to be active participants in the community. As a result, we actively encourage teamwork in part through our compensation structure, which entitles all employees to quarterly bonuses if we meet certain corporate goals, and in part through less formal practices, such as our weekly all-staff meetings during which our employees are kept informed of recent business and regulatory developments and priorities. Moreover, we believe that people are attracted to organizations that focus on more than just financial incentives. As a result, we fully support our employees' pursuit of community and charitable causes, including through paid leave for community service, a corporate charity matching program and a wellness program. In addition, we are a strong believer in the importance of good corporate citizenship and support a variety of charitable causes.

        As of September 30,December 31, 2015, we employed 284286 employees 212globally, 211 of whom are based in the United States, 7073 of whom are located in London, and two of whom are located in Singapore. None of


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our employees is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Overall, we consider our relations with our employees to be good.


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Facilities

        Our principal office is located at 8050 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, Kansas, where we lease approximately 39,000 square feet of space. The lease on this space expires in February 2025 and contains two five-year renewal options, as well as a one-time option to terminate in November 2019 if certain contingencies under the lease are met. We have an office located at 17 State Street, New York, New York, where we lease approximately 21,000 square feet of space, which expires in April 2024. We have an office at 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, where we lease approximately 200 square feet of space, which expires in June 2016. We have an office located at 16 Collyer Quay, Singapore, where we lease approximately 200 square feet of space, which expires July 2016. In addition, following our acquisition of ETF.com, we now have an office located at 222 Sutter Street, Suit 700, San Francisco, California where we lease approximately 2,500 square feet of space, which expires June 30, 2016. The disaster recovery sites in the United States are located in Kansas City, Missouri and Secaucus, New Jersey. In addition, we have agreements with a primary data center in Secaucus, New Jersey and a secondary data center in Chicago, Illinois. Our principal offices in the United Kingdom are at 10 Lower Thames Street, London, where we lease approximately 9,100 square feet of office space, which expires in December 2017. Our work area recovery space is available on invocation with a specialist provider. In Europe, our primary data center is in Slough, England. The secondary data center for BATS Chi-XBats Europe is in Park Royal, London. We operate a back-up location for our London operations in the United Kingdom.

        We believe that our properties are in good operating condition and adequately serve our current business operations. We also anticipate that suitable additional or alternative space will be available at commercially reasonable terms for future expansion to the extent necessary.

Legal Proceedings

        On April 18, 2014, the City of Providence, Rhode Island filed a securities class action lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against BATSBats and Direct Edge, as well as 14 other securities exchanges. The action purports to be brought on behalf of all public investors who purchased and/or sold shares of stock in the United States between April 18, 2009 and the present on a registered public stock exchange (Exchange Defendants) or a U.S.-based alternate trading venue and were injured as a result of the misconduct detailed in the complaint, which includes allegations that the defendants committed fraud through a variety of business practices associated with, among other things, what is commonly referred to as high frequency trading. On May 2, 2014 and May 20, 2014, American European Insurance Company and Harel Insurance Co., Ltd. each filed substantially similar class action lawsuits against the Exchange Defendants which were ultimately consolidated with the City of Providence, Rhode Island securities class action lawsuit. On June 18, 2015, Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York held oral argument on the pending Motion to Dismiss and thereafter, on August 26, 2015, the Court issued an Opinion and Order granting Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, dismissing the Complaint in full. Plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal of the dismissal on September 24, 2015 and its appeal brief on January 7, 2016. Respondent's brief will be due on or before April 7, 2016.

        On May 23, 2014 and May 30, 2014, Harold R. Lanier filed three class action lawsuits in the Southern District of New York against BATSBats and other securities exchanges. The complaints were identical in all substantive respects, but each related to the dissemination of market data under a different market system: (i) the NASDAQ UTP Plan Market System; (ii) the OPRA Market System; and (iii) the CQS and the CTS. Each of the actions purported to be brought on behalf of all subscribers who entered into contracts with the exchanges for the receipt of market data and were injured as a result of the misconduct detailed in the complaints, which includes allegations that the


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defendants did not provide market data services in a non-discriminatory manner or provide subscribers with "valid" data (i.e., data that is accurate and not stale). On January 16, 2015, Judge Katherine Forrest of the Southern District of New York held oral argument on the pending Motion to Dismiss and thereafter, on April 28, 2015, the Court filed an Opinion and Order granting the exchange defendants' Motion to Dismiss, terminating all three class action lawsuits with prejudice. On May 20, 2015, Plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal of the dismissal and on September 1, 2015, Appellant filed its


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appeal brief. Respondent's brief was filed on November 24, 2015 and Appellant's reply brief was filed on December 8, 2015. Oral argument has been scheduled forarguments were held on March 3, 2016.

        From time to time we are also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these reviews, inspections or other legal proceedings will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance.

        As a self-regulatory organization under the jurisdiction of the SEC, we are subject to reviews and inspections by the SEC, and BATSBats Trading is subject to reviews and inspections by FINRA. We have from time to time received inquiries and investigative requests from the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations as well as the Division of Enforcement seeking information about our compliance with the federal securities laws as well as our members' compliance with the federal securities laws. In addition, while BATSBats Trading Limited and Chi-X Europe Limited have not been the subject of any material litigation or regulatory investigation in the past, there is always the possibility of such action in the future. As both companies are domiciled in the United Kingdom, it is likely that any action would be taken in the U.K. courts in relation to litigation or by the FCA in relation to any regulatory enforcement action.


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REGULATION

United States

        Effective regulatory oversight is important to our reputation. U.S. stock exchanges and European MTFs must run fair, well-regulated marketplaces, and broker-dealers seek to trade on markets that are fair and orderly. Our trading platforms are designed to facilitate fair and orderly markets, and we deploy cutting-edge regulatory surveillance technology in the United States and Europe to monitor our customers' trading. We are committed to maintaining strong and effective regulation, and we are active participants in ongoing dialogue regarding regulatory and market structure issues in both the United States and Europe. Each of our national securities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, has its own board of directors. A majority of directors of each exchange's board are non-industry directors in accordance with each exchange's bylaws. These boards of directors are primarily responsible for overseeing our national securities exchanges' discharging of their regulatory responsibilities.

        U.S. federal securities laws have established a two-tiered system for the regulation of securities markets and market participants. The first tier consists of the SEC, which has primary responsibility for enforcing federal securities laws and regulations. The second tier consists of SROs, which include national securities exchanges, such as BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. To the extent common rules and common members exist between SROs, these supervisory duties can be delegated by SEC-approved plans among SROs. An SRO can also contractually outsource these supervisory duties to another SRO through an RSA; however, in such cases, the SRO outsourcing the duties remains ultimately responsible and liable for the performance of the supervisory duties. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are SROs and are registered with and subject to oversight by the SEC.

        Exchanges are an essential component of the regulatory scheme of the Exchange Act for providing fair and orderly markets and protecting investors. To be registered as a national securities exchange, an exchange must successfully undergo a rigorous application and review process with the SEC before beginning operations. Among other things, the SEC must determine that the exchange has the capacity to carry out the purposes of the Exchange Act. A national securities exchange must comply with the Exchange Act and have the ability to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its members with the provisions of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the rules of the exchange.

        Virtually all facets of our exchange operations are subject to SEC oversight. The Exchange Act and the rules thereunder impose on us many regulatory and operational responsibilities, including the day-to-day responsibilities for market and broker-dealer oversight, such as evaluating and authorizing broker-dealer applicants for exchange membership, conducting automated surveillance of trading occurring on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, performing on-site examinations of members, conducting investigations when potential misconduct is identified, bringing disciplinary actions against members when warranted and providing a forum for investors and members to arbitrate disputes in connection with securities transactions. In connection with these responsibilities and obligations, we are potentially subject to regulatory and/or legal action by the SEC or other interested parties. The SEC also has broad enforcement powers to censure, fine, issue cease-and-desist orders, prohibit us from engaging in some of our businesses, suspend or revoke BZX's, BYX's, EDGX's or EDGA's designation as a registered securities exchange or remove or censure any of our officers or directors who violate applicable laws or regulations.

        We are also subject to the record-keeping requirements of Section 17 of the Exchange Act, including the requirement pursuant to Section 17(b) of the Exchange Act to make records available to the SEC for examination. In addition, BZX, BYX, EDGX, EDGA and BATSBats Trading are each subject to periodic inspection by staff of the SEC and, in the case of BATSBats Trading, FINRA, and will continue to


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to be subject to such inspection in the future. To the extent such reviews and inspections result in adverse findings, we may be required to modify the manner in which we conduct our business, which may adversely affect our competitive position.

        Under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the terms of our organizational documents, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA must submit to the SEC proposed changes to any of their respective rules, policies and practices, including certain revisions of the certificates of incorporation or bylaws of each of BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, BATSBats Global Market, Inc., and each intermediate holding company.

        The SEC will typically publish the proposal for public comment, after which the SEC may approve or disapprove the proposed rule change. The SEC's review is designed to ensure that each national securities exchange's rules, policies and practices are consistent with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Certain changes can be designated as effective upon filing with the SEC, but the SEC retains the ability to suspend or reject such filings within a prescribed period of time.

        BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are parties to RSAs with FINRA, pursuant to which FINRA performs certain regulatory functions on their behalf, including for our U.S. listed equity options markets. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA retain ultimate responsibility for the regulatory activities performed under these agreements. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA remain responsible for surveillance and enforcement with respect to trading activities or practices involving their markets. We operate a cutting-edge, real-time surveillance system that conducts all aspects of the daily surveillance of trading and market activities, including monitoring trading on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA. Our automated system produces alerts established by pre-defined criteria and ad hoc reports, which our Chief Regulatory Officer and our Chief Regulatory Officer's regulatory team analyze and review. We refer investigations into potential violations of BZX, BYX, EDGX or EDGA rules and federal securities laws to FINRA. We also refer investigations to FINRA based on customer complaints.

        To avoid conflicts of interest that can arise from "self-listing," upon initial listing and throughout our continued listing, BZX will file a quarterly report with the SEC detailing our trading and BZX's monitoring of our compliance with BZX's listings requirements. This report will include a summary of any related surveillance alerts, complaints, regulatory referrals, trades cancelled or adjusted, investigations, examinations, formal and informal disciplinary actions, exception reports and trading data of our publicly listed security. In addition, on an annual basis, BZX will engage an independent accounting firm to review and prepare a report on our publicly listed security to ensure that we are in compliance with the BZX listings requirements, and BZX will provide the SEC with a copy of such report.

        Section 6 of the Exchange Act requires national securities exchanges to provide fair representation to their members. To comply with this requirement, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA have adopted structural and governance standards, including that their bylaws require a certain number of directors to be representatives of their members.

        In addition to its other SRO responsibilities, BZX, as an ETP listing market, also is responsible for overseeing each listed company's compliance with BZX's listing standards. Our listings department evaluates applications submitted by issuers interested in listing their securities on BZX to determine whether the quantitative and qualitative listing standards have been satisfied. Once securities are listed, our listings department monitors each issuer's ongoing compliance with BZX's continued listing standards.

        While the global institutional spot FX market is largely unregulated, the enactment of the Dodd-Frank and its related regulations in the United States and the ongoing implementation of MiFID II in Europe have impacted the regulatory landscape for currency derivative products. For example, certain standardized currency derivative products are expected to be required to trade on a


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Europe. Expansion into such derivative FX products and the operation of regulated trading venues would potentially require registration with and supervision by the CFTC and/or the FCA, as the case may be.

        Section 17(d) of the Exchange Act and the related Exchange Act rules permit SROs to allocate among themselves certain regulatory responsibilities to avoid duplicative oversight and regulation. Under Exchange Act Rule 17d-1, the SEC designates one SRO to be the Designated Examining Authority, or DEA, for each broker-dealer that is a member of more than one SRO. The DEA is responsible for the regulatory oversight of the financial aspects of that broker-dealer. None of BZX, BYX, EDGX or EDGA is a DEA for any of its members.

        Exchange Act Rule 17d-2 permits SROs to enter into agreements which are approved by the SEC and concern the enforcement of laws and rules applicable to all of those SROs and relating to members those SROs have in common. In September 2008, the SEC approved a Rule 17d-2 agreement for the surveillance, investigation and enforcement of common insider trading rules among all equity marketplaces for all NYSE MKT-, NYSE Arca-, NYSE- and NASDAQ-listed stocks and Chicago Stock Exchange solely-listed stocks. The agreement has been amended from time to time, including in December 2011 to also cover all stocks listed on BZX. In addition, the participants entered into associated RSAs, the Insider Trading RSAs, with FINRA to provide for investigations and enforcement against certain broker-dealers and their associated persons. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are participants in these agreements solely in relation to their respective activities.

        In addition, we have entered into Rule 17d-2 agreements with FINRA under which FINRA has examination and enforcement responsibility relating to compliance by BZX, BYX, EDGX or EDGA members that are also FINRA members with the rules of the exchanges that are substantially similar to the applicable rules of FINRA, as well as certain provisions of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

        All of the options exchanges and FINRA are party to an Options Sales Practices Agreement, originally approved in September 1983, as amended from time to time, which we refer to as the Options Sales Practice 17d-2 Agreement and which is a Rule 17d-2 agreement. Under the Options Sales Practice 17d-2 Agreement, FINRA is the only SRO responsible for enforcing rules related to options sales practices for any options exchange member that is a member of FINRA. Under the Options Sales Practice 17d-2 Agreement, BZX and EDGX are relieved of regulatory responsibility for their members with respect to options sales practices covered by the Options Sales Practice 17d-2 Agreement.

        In December 2007, the SEC approved a different Rule 17d-2 agreement, the Options Surveillance 17d-2 Agreement, entered into by all of the options exchanges and FINRA, which allocated responsibility to each of the participants for ensuring that their allocated common members complied with the rules governing the submission of expiring exercise declarations. The Options Surveillance 17d-2 Agreement has been amended from time to time, for example, to cover rules governing options position limits, large options position reporting and position adjustments.

        In December 2010, the SEC approved a Rule 17d-2 agreement, the Regulation NMS 17d-2 Agreement, that allocates certain responsibilities under Regulation NMS to FINRA or, in some cases, to an SRO member's DEA, subject to conditions. In October 2015, the SEC approved an amendment to the Regulation NMS 17d-2 Agreement, which added Regulation NMS Rules 606, 607 and 611(c) and (d) to the scope of the Regulation NMS 17d-2 Agreement. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are all party to the Regulation NMS 17d-2 Agreement.


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        In addition to the regulations described above, one of our subsidiaries, BATSBats Trading, is a registered broker-dealer regulated by the SEC, FINRA, other SROs of which it is a member and various state securities regulators.

        BATSBats Trading currently operates as our routing broker-dealer for sending orders from BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA to other venues for execution, which we refer to as outbound routing, including routing orders among BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA, which we refer to as inbound routing. BATSBats Trading is considered a "facility" of BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA as that term is defined in the Exchange Act. As such, in one sense its activities are legally considered activities of our twofour national securities exchanges. The consequence of this is that BATSBats Trading's permissible conduct is defined by the rules of our exchanges and any expansion or contraction of that conduct, or changes to fees charged for its services, require SEC approval of rule filings submitted to the SEC by BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA.EDGA to submit rule filings with the SEC and, in many cases, obtain approval of such filings.

        The inbound routing function of BATSBats Trading is subject to specific BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA rules designed to ensure that BATSBats Trading is not given preferential treatment as a routing broker-dealer over other members of BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA offering competing services. While BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are responsible for enforcing BATSBats Trading's compliance with these specific rules, those rules also require us to enter into a RSA with a non-affiliated SRO and further require BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA to provide that non-affiliated SRO with any automated surveillance information indicating that BATSBats Trading may have violated the rules of the exchanges or the federal securities laws. BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA have entered into an RSA with FINRA in connection with fulfilling this obligation.

        The SEC, FINRA and other SROs of which BATSBats Trading is a member adopt rules and examine broker-dealers and require strict compliance with their rules and regulations. The SEC, SROs and state securities commissions may conduct administrative proceedings which can result in censures, fines, the issuance of cease and desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer, its officers or employees. The SEC and state securities regulators may also institute proceedings against broker-dealers seeking an injunction or other sanction. The SEC and SRO rules cover many aspects of a broker-dealer's business, including capital structure and withdrawals, sales methods, trade practices among broker-dealers, use and safekeeping of customers' funds and securities, recordkeeping, the financing of customers' purchases, broker-dealer and employee registration and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. All broker-dealers have an SRO that is assigned by the SEC as the broker-dealer's DEA. The DEA is responsible for examining a broker-dealer for compliance with the SEC's financial responsibility rules. FINRA is the current DEA for BATSBats Trading.

        As a registered broker-dealer, BATSBats Trading is subject to regulations concerning all aspects of its business, including trading practices, order handling, best execution, anti-money laundering, handling of material non-public information, safeguarding data, reporting, record retention, market access and the conduct of its officers, employees and other associated persons. In addition, BATSBats Trading is subject to regulatory requirements intended to ensure its general financial soundness and liquidity, which require that it comply with certain minimum capital requirements. The SEC and FINRA impose rules that require notification when a broker-dealer's net capital falls below certain predefined criteria, dictate the ratio of debt to equity in the regulatory capital composition of a broker-dealer and constrain the ability of a broker-dealer to expand its business under certain circumstances. Additionally, the SEC's uniform net capital rule and FINRA rules impose certain requirements that may have the effect of prohibiting a broker-dealer from distributing or withdrawing capital and requiring prior notice to the SEC and FINRA for certain withdrawals of capital. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, BATSBats Trading was in compliance with all of the applicable capital requirements.


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        On June 5, 2006, the SEC approved a national market system plan named the Options Regulatory Surveillance Authority, or ORSA, Plan. The purpose of the ORSA Plan is to permit the U.S. securities options exchanges to act jointly in the administration, operation and maintenance of a regulatory system for the surveillance, investigation and detection of the unlawful use of undisclosed, material information in trading in one or more of their markets. Through the sharing of the costs of these regulatory activities and the sharing of the regulatory information generated under the ORSA Plan, the ORSA Plan is intended to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which the exchanges regulate their respective markets and the national market system for options and to avoid duplication of certain regulatory efforts. The ORSA policy committee had previously delegated the operation of the surveillance and investigative facility contemplated by the ORSA Plan to CBOE. The exchanges also entered into an RSA with CBOE, as service provider, pursuant to which CBOE performed certain regulatory and surveillance functions under the ORSA Plan and used its automated insider trading surveillance system to perform these functions on behalf of the exchanges. Effective January 1, 2015, however, the ORSA policy committee delegated the operation of the ORSA Plan facility to FINRA, and FINRA became the service provider under the RSA.

        BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA participate in the CTA Plan, the CQS Plan and the UTP Plan, which disseminate certain core trading information, such as last sale reports and quotations for the U.S. equities markets. NYSE Technologies, formerly the Securities Industry Automation Corporation, acts as the "processor" for CTA and the CQS Plan. Intercontinental Exchange owns NYSE Technologies. NASDAQ acts as the processor for the UTP Plan. We are also a member of OPRA, the designated securities information processor for market information that is generated through the trading of exchange-listed securities options in the United States. OPRA disseminates certain core trading information, such as last sale reports and quotations. The OPRA agreement, which has been approved by the SEC, sets forth a system for reporting options information that is administered by the member exchanges through OPRA, a limited liability company consisting of representatives of the member exchanges. NYSE Technologies acts as the processor for OPRA.

        The options markets were linked pursuant to an agreement of the exchanges in the Options Intermarket Linkage Plan, which we refer to as the Linkage Plan, approved by the SEC in 2000. The Linkage Plan facilitated the routing of orders between exchanges in furtherance of a national market system. One of the principal purposes of a national market system is to assure that brokers may execute investors' orders at the best market price. The Linkage Plan generally was designed to preclude options exchanges and their members from executing a trade at a price inferior to the best price displayed by any of the options exchanges, referred to as a trade-through, by providing exchange market makers with electronic access to the automatic execution systems of the other options exchanges.

        The options exchanges, through the Intermarket Linkage Committee, have developed a new linkage plan, which was approved by the SEC on July 30, 2009 and launched on August 31, 2009 and which replaced the original Linkage Plan. The new linkage plan replaced a centralized inter-exchange order routing hub with private order routing linkages established through broker-dealers and introduced new requirements to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to assure orders are executed at the best market price.


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        We are a party to the Options Listing Procedures Plan, which sets forth the procedures that the options exchanges must follow to list new options, and a party to the National Market System Plan for the selection and reservation of securities symbols.

Europe

        The current United Kingdom regulatory system was created by the Financial Services Act 2012, or FSA12, which amended the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA. The legislation replaced the previous financial services regulator, the Financial Services Authority, with three new bodies: The Financial Policy Committee, or FPC, The Prudential Regulation Authority, or PRA and the FCA. The FPC is a committee of the Bank of England and sets policy for financial regulation. It is made up of the Governor and other senior figures within the Bank, along with the chief executives of the PRA and FCA and senior industry figures. The PRA is responsible for the prudential regulation of banks, insurance companies and other systemically important institutions. Financial conduct of markets, including activity on, and the operation of, is regulated by the FCA, which is an independent non-governmental body, given statutory powers by the FSA12. The FCA has three statutory objectives: to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; to protect and enhance the integrity of the U.K. financial system; and to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers in the markets for financial services. The FCA is accountable to Her Majesty's Treasury Ministers and, through them, to Parliament.

        FSMA, as amended by FSA12, governs the regulation of financial services and markets in the U.K. Under Section 19 of FSMA, any person who carries on a regulated activity in the U.K. must be authorized by the appropriate authority or exempt. Recognised Bodies, which include exchanges and clearing houses, are exempt. Breach of Section 19 may be a criminal offence and punishable on indictment by a maximum term of two years imprisonment and/or a fine. The FSMA (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 which is secondary legislation under FSMA, details regulated activities and specified investments.

        Once a firm is authorized or recognized by the FCA, it is required to meet the standards set out in its Handbook of Rules and Guidance and to supply the FCA with information so that the FCA can monitor the firm's business. The FCA supervises the firm according to the risks that it poses to the FCA's statutory objectives.

        Much of the U.K. financial services regulation originates in the European Union. On November 1, 2007, MiFID, which replaced the Investment Services Directive came into force, and was implemented by EEA member states. MiFID aims to harmonize European financial services businesses by setting out provisions governing organizational and conduct of business requirements that apply to firms and the requirements applicable to RMs (for example, stock exchanges) and MTFs. MiFID also aims to facilitate cross-border business by extending the concept of "passporting," which allows firms authorized to carry on business in one EEA member state to carry on business in other EEA member states.

        As an RIE that operates both an RM and an MTF, BATSBats Trading Limited (trading as BATS Chi-XBats Europe) is required to comply with the relevant U.K. requirements as set out in the FCA Handbook, including where applicable relevant European Directives and Regulations, as implemented, or which apply directly in the U.K. These requirements include organizational requirements, capital resources requirements and the specific requirements for RMs and MTFs. MiFID sets out requirements for RMs and MTFs with respect to the establishment of transparent and non-discretionary rules and procedures governing access and for fair and orderly trading and the efficient execution of orders, as well as to facilitate the efficient settlement of transactions conducted on RMs and MTFs and monitoring compliance with the rules. The regulatory functions required of BATS Chi-XBats Europe by MiFID are performed by in-house staff. BATS Chi-XBats Europe utilizes the same state-of-the-art, real-time surveillance


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state-of-the-art, real-time surveillance system that we use to monitor trading and market activities on BZX, BYX, EDGA, EDGX, BZX Options and EDGX Options.

        The onward routing service offered by BATS Chi-XBats Europe is performed by Chi-X Europe Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BATS Chi-XBats Europe that is authorized as an investment firm with agency broker permissions.

        MiFID is currently in the process of being updated and the new legislation, known as MiFID II and MiFIR is currently scheduled to apply from January 3, 2017, although there is a potentialproposal for a delay until January 2018. MiFID II and MiFIR will generally tighten the requirements placed on both exchanges and investment firms. In particular, use of certain waivers from pre-trade transparency will be capped as a percentage of total market volume and a general trading obligation will require almost all equity trades to be conducted on a duly registered trading venue. Furthermore, MiFID II will extend mandatory transparency requirements to non-equity markets, such as fixed income.

Recent Developments

        Policy makers, including legislators and regulatory agencies in both the United States and Europe, are responsible for enacting laws and regulations that govern the manner in which we operate our businesses and the market structure under which we operate. Policy reviews of these laws and regulations and market structures are on-going and we cannot predict the final outcome of these reviews or their impact on our businesses. Since the financial crisis of 2008, the focus on many of these laws and regulations as well as overall market structure has intensified, resulting in several new policy proposals and initiatives. Although we are an active participant in communicating our views on these issues to the relevant policy makers, we cannot predict the final outcome of any pending initiatives, including the rule proposals discussed below, or fully assess the potential impact on our businesses of any future rules. However, it is possible that the costs and other effects of the proposals discussed below could negatively impact trading volumes, which could, in turn, have a negative impact on our business. Some recent regulatory developments in the United States and Europe include:


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