“We continued to execute our capital plan to support our strategy,re-allocating resources to significant growth opportunities. During the third quarter of 2018, we completed the remaining share repurchases funded by the divestiture of the Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses, and in October, announced an agreement to sell our 5% equity stake in LCH Group Holdings Limited,” saidMichael Ptasznik, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nasdaq. “We also commenced a tender offer to the shareholders and warrant holders of Cinnober, a capital markets technology supplier, in a proposed transaction expected to achieve both our stated investment return goals and advance our strategic direction as a technology and analytics provider.”
On a GAAP basis, net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $163 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared to $170 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017.
On anon-GAAP basis, net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $193 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, compared to $172 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017, representing a 14% increase innon-GAAP diluted earnings per share year over year.
At September 30, 2018, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $324 million and total debt of $3,880 million, resulting in net debt of $3,556 million. This compares to total debt of $4,207 million and net debt of $3,830 million at December 31, 2017.
Share repurchases totaled $54 million during the third quarter of 2018, and we have completed the return of the net proceeds of our divestiture. As of September 30, 2018, there was $332 million remaining under the board authorized share repurchase program.
UPDATING 2018NON-GAAP EXPENSE GUIDANCE1
The company is updating its 2018non-GAAP operating expense guidance to $1,310 to $1,325 million versus prior expense guidance of $1,310 to $1,335 million.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Market Services (37% of total net revenues) -Net revenues were $222 million in the third quarter of 2018, up $3 million, or 1%, when compared to the third quarter of 2017.
Equity Derivatives Trading and Clearing (11% of total net revenues) -Net equity derivative trading and clearing revenues were $68 million in the third quarter of 2018, up $6 million compared to the third quarter of 2017. The increase primarily reflects higher U.S. industry trading volumes and net capture rate, partially offset by lower U.S. market share.
Cash Equity Trading (11% of total net revenues) -Net cash equity trading revenues were $63 million in the third quarter of 2018, up $1 million from the third quarter of 2017. This increase primarily reflects higher U.S. industry trading volumes and higher U.S. market share, partially offset by a lower net capture rate.
Fixed Income and Commodities Trading and Clearing (3% of total net revenues) -Net fixed income and commodities trading and clearing revenues were $19 million in the third quarter of 2018, down $1 million from the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to a decline in revenues related to U.S. fixed income products and the unfavorable impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by higher net revenues at NFX.
1 | U.S. GAAP operating expense is not provided due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying certain amounts due to a variety of factors including the unpredictability in the movement in foreign currency rates, as well as future charges or reversals outside of the normal course of business. |
2