“We continue to execute on our clear capital priorities, investing in the businesses central to our strategy, while continuing our track record of returning significant capital to shareholders, including $228 million in the third quarter of 2019,” saidMichael Ptasznik, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nasdaq. “In line with our strategy, our business is becoming more scalable as we expand our technology and analytics offerings.”
On a GAAP basis, net income in the third quarter of 2019 was $150 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.90, compared to net income of $163 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018.
On anon-GAAP basis, net income in the third quarter of 2019 was $212 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $189 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018.
At September 30, 2019, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $304 million and total debt of $3,478 million, resulting in net debt of $3,174 million. This compares to total debt of $3,831 million and net debt of $3,286 million at December 31, 2018. As of September 30, 2019, there was $132 million remaining under the board authorized share repurchase program. In October 2019, the board authorized an additional $500 million under Nasdaq’s existing share repurchase program, bringing the aggregate authorized amount to $632 million as of October 22, 2019.
In September 2019, Nasdaq initiated the transition of certain technology platforms to advance the company’s strategic opportunities as a technology and analytics provider and continue there-alignment of certain business areas. In connection with these restructuring efforts, Nasdaq is retiring certain elements of our marketplace infrastructure and technology product offerings as we implement the Nasdaq Financial Framework internally and externally. As a result of these actions, Nasdaq expects to incur $65 million to $75 million inpre-tax charges over a two year period (including $30 million in the third quarter of 2019) related primarily tonon-cash items such as asset write-downs, accelerated depreciation as well as third-party consulting costs. The impacts of the restructuring plan will be excluded from ournon-GAAP reporting.
UPDATING 2019NON-GAAP EXPENSE AND TAX GUIDANCE1
The company is updating its 2019non-GAAP operating expense guidance to a range of $1,285 to $1,295 million. Nasdaq continues to expect its 2019non-GAAP tax rate to be in the range of 26% to 27%.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Market Services (36% of total net revenues)—Net revenues were $226 million in the third quarter of 2019, up
$4 million, or 2%, when compared to the third quarter of 2018.
Equity Derivative Trading and Clearing (12% of total net revenues)—Net equity derivative trading and clearing revenues were $75 million in the third quarter of 2019, up $7 million from the third quarter of 2018. The increase primarily reflects higher U.S. industry trading volumes and U.S. revenue capture, partially offset by lower U.S. market share.
Cash Equity Trading (10% of total net revenues)—Net cash equity trading revenues were $63 million in the third quarter of 2019, unchanged from the third quarter of 2018. Higher U.S. industry volumes were offset by a lower U.S. net capture rate due to higher matched market share executed on Nasdaq’s exchanges, driving customers to reach higher volume tiers.
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