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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Commission File No: 000-51103
GFI GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 80-0006224 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
| | |
55 Water Street, New York, NY | | 10041 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 968-4100
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer x |
| | |
Non-accelerated filer o | | Smaller reporting company o |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO x
The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding on October 31, 2013 was 123,028,840.
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Available Information
Our internet website address is www.gfigroup.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, the following reports as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing them with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): our Proxy Statements; Annual Reports on Form 10-K; Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; Current Reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of our directors and executive officers; and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
In addition, you may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549. You also may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains our reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding the Company that we file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Information relating to the corporate governance of the Company is also available on the Investor Relations page of our website, including information concerning our directors, board committees, including committee charters, our corporate governance guidelines, our code of business conduct and ethics for all employees and for senior financial officers and our compliance procedures for accounting and auditing matters. In addition, the Investor Relations page of our website includes certain supplemental financial information that we make available from time to time.
Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Assets | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 168,878 | | $ | 227,441 | |
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations | | 60,783 | | 47,494 | |
Commissions receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,803 and $1,710 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | | 94,905 | | 73,930 | |
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | | 647,029 | | 252,696 | |
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of depreciation and amortization of $184,018 and $169,663 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | | 63,149 | | 58,835 | |
Goodwill | | 267,771 | | 267,977 | |
Intangible assets, net | | 42,672 | | 48,492 | |
Other assets | | 186,563 | | 203,196 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 1,531,750 | | $ | 1,180,061 | |
| | | | | |
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | |
Accrued compensation | | $ | 63,045 | | $ | 79,195 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | 48,830 | | 36,674 | |
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | | 513,060 | | 164,935 | |
Payables to clearing services customers | | 136,215 | | 139,627 | |
Short-term borrowings | | 10,000 | | — | |
Long-term obligations | | 240,000 | | 250,000 | |
Other liabilities | | 85,511 | | 83,574 | |
Total Liabilities | | $ | 1,096,661 | | $ | 754,005 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 | | — | | — | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 140,310,036 and 134,689,148 shares issued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | | 1,403 | | 1,347 | |
Additional paid in capital | | 387,327 | | 374,798 | |
Retained earnings | | 120,224 | | 121,415 | |
Treasury stock, 17,491,081 and 17,313,686 shares of common stock at cost, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | | (75,439 | ) | (75,020 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | 137 | | 2,542 | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | 433,652 | | 425,082 | |
Non-controlling interests | | 1,437 | | 974 | |
Total Equity | | 435,089 | | 426,056 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 1,531,750 | | $ | 1,180,061 | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | |
Agency commissions | | $ | 109,365 | | $ | 112,239 | | $ | 358,413 | | $ | 380,276 | |
Principal transactions | | 41,841 | | 50,278 | | 143,468 | | 164,830 | |
Total brokerage revenues | | 151,206 | | 162,517 | | 501,881 | | 545,106 | |
Clearing services revenues | | 32,722 | | 30,545 | | 110,225 | | 88,307 | |
Interest income from clearing services | | 455 | | 422 | | 1,623 | | 1,325 | |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 1,566 | | 2,344 | | 6,925 | | 6,242 | |
Software, analytics and market data | | 22,472 | | 21,204 | | 66,438 | | 61,671 | |
Other income | | 4,012 | | 2,356 | | 12,011 | | 14,642 | |
Total revenues | | 212,433 | | 219,388 | | 699,103 | | 717,293 | |
Interest and transaction-based expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees on clearing services | | 31,620 | | 29,420 | | 106,952 | | 84,988 | |
Transaction fees on brokerage services | | 4,430 | | 5,734 | | 15,572 | | 18,012 | |
Interest expense from clearing services | | 143 | | 82 | | 390 | | 680 | |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 36,193 | | 35,236 | | 122,914 | | 103,680 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 176,240 | | 184,152 | | 576,189 | | 613,613 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | 121,109 | | 130,499 | | 392,737 | | 421,927 | |
Communications and market data | | 13,747 | | 15,269 | | 41,077 | | 46,629 | |
Travel and promotion | | 7,380 | | 7,973 | | 23,298 | | 27,347 | |
Rent and occupancy | | 7,901 | | 7,083 | | 22,152 | | 20,759 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 8,320 | | 9,246 | | 24,962 | | 27,502 | |
Professional fees | | 5,712 | | 5,925 | | 18,824 | | 17,470 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 7,612 | | 6,738 | | 22,475 | | 20,080 | |
Other expenses | | 5,615 | | 8,586 | | 24,138 | | 23,730 | |
Total other expenses | | 177,396 | | 191,319 | | 569,663 | | 605,444 | |
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,156 | ) | (7,167 | ) | 6,526 | | 8,169 | |
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,127 | ) | 1,638 | | (5,267 | ) | 6,699 | |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | (29 | ) | (8,805 | ) | 11,793 | | 1,470 | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | 432 | | (112 | ) | 889 | | 51 | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | $ | (461 | ) | $ | (8,693 | ) | $ | 10,904 | | $ | 1,419 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) earnings per share available to common stockholders | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 0.09 | | $ | 0.01 | |
Diluted | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 0.09 | | $ | 0.01 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | 120,331,179 | | 115,541,373 | | 118,138,756 | | 116,073,488 | |
Diluted | | 120,331,179 | | 115,541,373 | | 126,858,459 | | 123,570,110 | |
Dividends declared per share of common stock | | $ | 0.05 | | $ | 0.05 | | $ | 0.10 | | $ | 0.15 | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | $ | (29 | ) | $ | (8,805 | ) | $ | 11,793 | | $ | 1,470 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 7,722 | | 6,041 | | (3,074 | ) | 7,721 | |
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax(1) | | 316 | | 343 | | 748 | | 266 | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | | 8,038 | | 6,384 | | (2,326 | ) | 7,987 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) including non-controlling stockholders | | 8,009 | | (2,421 | ) | 9,467 | | 9,457 | |
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling stockholders | | 595 | | (111 | ) | 968 | | 62 | |
GFI’s comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | 7,414 | | $ | (2,310 | ) | $ | 8,499 | | $ | 9,395 | |
(1) Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $97 and $116 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $227 and $79 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | $ | 11,793 | | $ | 1,470 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 24,962 | | 27,502 | |
Share-based compensation expense | | 22,414 | | 24,666 | |
Tax expense related to share-based compensation | | 1,877 | | 2,141 | |
Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans | | 19,904 | | 19,727 | |
Benefit from deferred taxes | | (12,155 | ) | (5,536 | ) |
Losses (gains) on foreign exchange derivative contracts, net | | 1,516 | | (3,327 | ) |
Earnings from equity method investments, net | | (1,931 | ) | (319 | ) |
Amortization of deferred financing fees | | 1,649 | | 1,633 | |
Impairment of investments | | — | | 5,362 | |
Mark-to-market of future purchase commitment | | (2,203 | ) | (9,098 | ) |
Translation gain on liquidation of foreign subsidiary | | (1,645 | ) | — | |
Other non-cash charges, net | | 257 | | 2,472 | |
(Increase) decrease in operating assets: | | | | | |
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations | | (13,289 | ) | (25,223 | ) |
Commissions receivable | | (21,460 | ) | 1,651 | |
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | | (394,333 | ) | (361,284 | ) |
Other assets | | 15,098 | | (21,377 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: | | | | | |
Accrued compensation | | (16,150 | ) | (57,989 | ) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | 12,006 | | (15,093 | ) |
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | | 348,125 | | 273,254 | |
Payables to clearing services customers | | (3,412 | ) | 142,776 | |
Other liabilities | | 4,235 | | 7,710 | |
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | $ | (2,742 | ) | $ | 11,118 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Proceeds from other investments | | 3,030 | | 1,106 | |
Purchases of other investments | | (14,779 | ) | (3,121 | ) |
Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements | | (10,213 | ) | (3,964 | ) |
Payments for internally developed software | | (7,525 | ) | (8,679 | ) |
Proceeds on foreign exchange derivative contracts | | 1,377 | | 5,774 | |
Payments on foreign exchange derivative contracts | | (2,445 | ) | (2,201 | ) |
Other investing activities, net | | (624 | ) | — | |
Cash used in investing activities | | $ | (31,179 | ) | $ | (11,085 | ) |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands)
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Proceeds from short-term borrowings | | 125,000 | | 185,000 | |
Repayment of short-term borrowings | | (115,000 | ) | (185,000 | ) |
Repurchase and retirement of a portion of long-term borrowings | | (9,385 | ) | — | |
Purchases of treasury stock | | — | | (9,939 | ) |
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders | | (12,095 | ) | (17,761 | ) |
Cash dividends paid to non-controlling interests | | (231 | ) | (256 | ) |
Payment of debt issuance costs | | (870 | ) | (134 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 662 | | — | |
Shares withheld for taxes on vested restricted stock units | | (8,679 | ) | (9,182 | ) |
Payment of contingent consideration liabilities | | (350 | ) | (478 | ) |
Payment of future purchase commitment | | (798 | ) | — | |
Tax expense related to share-based compensation | | (1,877 | ) | (2,141 | ) |
Cash used in financing activities | | $ | (23,623 | ) | $ | (39,891 | ) |
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | (1,019 | ) | 3,738 | |
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | (58,563 | ) | (36,120 | ) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | 227,441 | | 245,879 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 168,878 | | $ | 209,759 | |
| | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE: | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 25,687 | | $ | 24,094 | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | $ | 10,189 | | $ | 9,649 | |
Cash received from income tax refunds | | $ | 2,382 | | $ | 1,512 | |
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
The Company did not have any non-cash investing and financing activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid In Capital | | Treasury Stock | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss | | Total Stockholders’ Equity | | Non- Controlling Interests | | Total Equity | |
Balance, January 1, 2013 | | $ | 1,347 | | $ | 374,798 | | $ | (75,020 | ) | $ | 121,415 | | $ | 2,542 | | $ | 425,082 | | $ | 974 | | $ | 426,056 | |
Issuance of treasury stock | | — | | 418 | | (419 | ) | — | | — | | (1 | ) | — | | (1 | ) |
Issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units | | 43 | | 619 | | — | | — | | — | | 662 | | — | | 662 | |
Withholding of restricted stock units in satisfaction of tax requirements | | — | | (8,679 | ) | — | | — | | — | | (8,679 | ) | — | | (8,679 | ) |
Tax expense associated with share-based awards | | — | | (1,877 | ) | — | | — | | — | | (1,877 | ) | — | | (1,877 | ) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (3,153 | ) | (3,153 | ) | 79 | | (3,074 | ) |
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax | | — | | — | | — | | | | 748 | | 748 | | — | | 748 | |
Dividends to stockholders | | — | | — | | — | | (12,095 | ) | — | | (12,095 | ) | (231 | ) | (12,326 | ) |
Share-based compensation | | — | | 22,061 | | — | | — | | — | | 22,061 | | — | | 22,061 | |
Issuance of contingently issuable shares | | 13 | | (13 | ) | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Other, net | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | | (274 | ) | (274 | ) |
Net income | | — | | — | | — | | 10,904 | | — | | 10,904 | | 889 | | 11,793 | |
Balance, September 30, 2013 | | $ | 1,403 | | $ | 387,327 | | $ | (75,439 | ) | $ | 120,224 | | $ | 137 | | $ | 433,652 | | $ | 1,437 | | $ | 435,089 | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of GFI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “GFI” or the “Company”). The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides wholesale brokerage and trade execution services, clearing services and trading system software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity products. The Company complements its brokerage and trade execution capabilities with value-added services, such as market data and analytical software products for trader and back-office support, which it licenses primarily to companies in the financial services industry. As of September 30, 2013, Jersey Partners, Inc. (“JPI”) owned approximately 38% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The Company’s executive chairman, Michael Gooch, is the controlling shareholder of JPI.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation—The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain estimates and assumptions relate to the accounting for acquired goodwill and intangible assets, fair value measurements, compensation accruals, tax assets and liabilities, and the potential outcome of litigation matters. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Certain amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. References to the Company’s “2012 Form 10-K” are to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The condensed consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2012 presented in this Form 10-Q has been derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements not included herein.
These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Interim period operating results may not be indicative of the operating results for a full year.
Consolidation Policies
General—The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries that are treated as such and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. For consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, equity interests that are not owned by the Company are referred to as non-controlling interests. The portion of net income attributable to non-controlling interests for such subsidiaries is presented as Net income attributable to non-controlling interests on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the portion of the stockholders’ equity of such subsidiaries is presented as Non-controlling interests in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Variable Interest Entities—The Company determines whether it holds any interests in entities deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the following characteristics (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The Company has a controlling financial interest and will consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary.
The primary beneficiary is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant.
As of September 30, 2013, the company holds interests in certain VIEs. One of these VIEs is consolidated because it was determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because (1) the Company provided the majority of the VIE’s start-
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
up capital and (2) the Company has consent rights regarding those activities that the Company believes would most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity. The remaining VIEs are not consolidated as it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary based on the level of equity ownership and voting power. The Company reassesses its evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain events occur, such as changes in economic ownership and voting power. The Company reassesses its determination of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances. See Note 15 for disclosures on Variable Interest Entities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities, when purchased, of three months or less.
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal and Other Regulations—The Company holds cash and securities representing funds received in connection with customer trading activities. The Company’s subsidiaries are required to satisfy regulations mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or equivalent securities to satisfy regulations, promulgated to protect customer assets.
Commissions Receivable—Commissions receivable represents amounts due from brokers, dealers, banks and other financial and nonfinancial institutions for the execution of securities, commodities, foreign exchange and other derivative brokerage transactions. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers the length of time receivables are past due and historical experience. In addition, if the Company is aware of a client’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific provision for doubtful accounts is recorded in the amount of the estimated losses that will result from the inability of that client to meet its financial obligation.
Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations—Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations primarily represent: (i) principal transactions for which the stated settlement dates have not yet been reached, (ii) principal transactions which have not settled as of their stated settlement dates, (iii) cash, including deposits, held at clearing organizations and exchanges in support of the Company’s clearing business and to facilitate settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions and (iv) the spread on matched principal transactions that have not yet been remitted from/to clearing organizations and exchanges.
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements—Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method, generally over three to seven years. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the respective lease to which they relate or the remaining useful life of the leasehold improvement. Internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining computer software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three years. General and administrative costs related to developing or obtaining such software are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price allocation over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. The goodwill associated with each business combination is allocated to the related reporting units, which are determined based on how the Company’s businesses are managed and how they are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker. Other intangible assets are recorded at their fair value upon completion of a business combination or certain other transactions.
In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are periodically tested for impairment. The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment on an annual basis as of November 1 of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. See Note 5 for further information.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Prepaid Bonuses and Forgivable Employee Loans—Prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans to employees are stated at historical value net of amortization when the agreement between the Company and the employee provides for the return of proportionate amounts of the bonus or loan outstanding if employment is terminated in certain circumstances prior to the end of the term of the agreement. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the term of the contract, which is generally two to four years, and is recorded in Compensation and employee benefits. The Company generally expects to recover the unamortized portion of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans when employees voluntarily terminate their employment or if their employment is terminated for cause prior to the end of the term of the agreement. The prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans are included in Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had prepaid bonuses of $25,833 and $31,847, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had forgivable employee loans and advances to employees of $26,009 and $31,655, respectively. Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable employee loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $19,904 and $19,727, respectively and is included within Compensation and employee benefits.
Investments— When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-10”). Significant influence generally exists when the Company owns 20% to 50% of the entity’s common stock or in-substance common stock. The Company initially records the investment at cost and adjusts the carrying amount each period to recognize its share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on the percentage of ownership. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had equity method investments with a carrying value of $37,057 and $26,743, respectively, included within Other assets. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to certain of these equity method investees.
Investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies are generally accounted for using the cost method of accounting in accordance with ASC 325-10, Investments—Other (“ASC 325-10”). At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had cost method investments of $5,064 and $4,671, respectively, included within Other assets. The fair value of the Company’s cost method investments are not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value. The Company monitors its equity and cost method investments for indicators of impairment each reporting period.
The Company accounts for its marketable equity securities and its debt securities in accordance with ASC 320-10, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. Investments that are owned by the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported in net income. Investments designated as available-for-sale that are owned by the Company’s non broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income, net of tax. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was $4,354 and $3,355 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and is included within Other assets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—In accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”), the Company estimates fair values of financial instruments using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment in interpreting market data and, accordingly, changes in assumptions or in market conditions could adversely affect the estimates. The Company also discloses the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as set forth by ASC 820-10. See Note 13 for further information.
Fair Value Option—In accordance with ASC 825-10-25, Financial Instruments - Recognition, upon the acquisition of The Kyte Group Limited and Kyte Capital Management Limited (collectively “Kyte”), the Company elected the fair value option to account for its then future commitment to purchase the remaining 30% equity interest in Kyte. See Note 4 for further discussion regarding this future purchase commitment.
The fair value option election allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities. Any change in fair value for assets and liabilities for which the election is made is to be recognized in earnings as they occur. The fair value option election is permitted on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.
The primary reason for electing the fair value option on the then future commitment to purchase the remaining 30% equity interest in Kyte was to timely reflect economic events in earnings, as management’s assessment of the future purchase commitment value was driven by Kyte’s earnings or losses subsequent to the initial acquisition date and net present value at a specific point in time.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company enters into derivative transactions for a variety of reasons, including managing its exposure to risk arising from changes in foreign currency, facilitating customer trading activities and, in certain instances, to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account. Derivative assets and liabilities are carried on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Contracts entered into to manage risk arising from changes in foreign currency are recognized in Other income and contracts entered into to facilitate customer transactions and principal trading are recognized in Principal transactions. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements. See Note 14 for further information.
Payables to Clearing Services Customers—Payables to clearing services customers include amounts due on cash and margin transactions, including futures contracts, executed on behalf of customers.
Brokerage Transactions—The Company provides brokerage services to its clients in the form of either agency or principal transactions.
Agency Commissions—In agency transactions, the Company charges commissions for executing transactions between buyers and sellers. Agency commission revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis.
Principal Transactions—Principal transactions revenue is primarily derived from matched principal and principal trading transactions. Principal transactions revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. The Company earns revenue from principal transactions on the spread between the buy and sell price of the security that is brokered. In matched principal transactions, the Company simultaneously agrees to buy instruments from one customer and sell them to another customer.
In the normal course of its matched principal and principal trading businesses, the Company may hold security positions overnight. These positions are marked to market on a daily basis.
Clearing Services Revenues—The Company charges fees to customers for clearing services provided for cash and derivative transactions. Clearing services revenues are recorded on a trade date basis as customer transactions occur and are presented net of any customer negotiated rebates.
Software, Analytics and Market Data Revenue Recognition—Software revenue consists primarily of fees charged for Trayport electronic trading software, which are typically billed on a subscription basis and are recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to five years. Analytics revenue consists primarily of software license fees for Fenics® pricing tools which are typically billed on a subscription basis, and is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which is generally three years. Market data revenue primarily consists of subscription fees and fees from customized one-time sales. Market data subscription fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to two years. Market data revenue from customized one-time sales is recognized upon delivery of the data.
The Company markets its software, analytics and market data products through its direct sales force and, in some cases, indirectly through resellers. In general, the Company’s license agreements for such products do not provide for a right of return.
Other Income—Included within Other income on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are revaluations of foreign currency derivative contracts, realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses on certain foreign currency denominated items, and gains and losses on certain investments, and interest income earned on short-term investments.
Compensation and Employee Benefits—The Company’s compensation and employee benefits have both a fixed and variable component. Base salaries and benefit costs are primarily fixed for all employees while bonuses constitute the variable portion of compensation and employee benefits. The Company may pay certain performance bonuses in restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The Company also may grant sign-on and retention bonuses for certain newly-hired or existing employees who agree to long-term employment agreements.
Share-Based Compensation—The Company’s share-based compensation consists of RSUs. The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation— Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). This accounting guidance requires measurement of compensation expense for equity-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. In all periods presented, the only share-based compensation expense recognized by the Company has been RSUs. The Company determines the fair value of RSUs based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock, measured as of the closing price on the date of grant. See Note 10 for further information.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Income Taxes— In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), the Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards that result from events that have been recognized either in the financial statements or the income tax returns, but not both. The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws. Valuation allowances are recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management applies the more likely than not criteria prior to recognizing a financial statement benefit for a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and other expense, respectively.
The Company normally determines its interim provision for or benefit from income taxes using an estimated annual effective tax rate methodology as required by ASC 740. However, the Company has utilized a discrete period method to calculate taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 based on actual results. The Company has determined that the calculation of an annual effective tax rate would not represent a reliable estimate due to the sensitivity of this estimated rate to minimal changes in the forecasted pre-tax income (loss) for the fourth quarter of 2013. Under the discrete method, the Company determines its provision for or benefit from income taxes based on the actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as if this interim period were an annual period.
The decrease in the Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to: (i) changes in the geographic mix of profits, (ii) a tax benefit under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 related to taxes previously provided for, (iii) a tax benefit arising from a change in the Company’s view about the deductibility of a reserve previously deemed nondeductible, as a result of new information received in the first quarter of 2013, and (iv) the release of a tax liability in a foreign subsidiary where the statute of limitations has now expired.
Treasury Stock—The Company accounts for Treasury stock using the cost method. Treasury stock held by the Company may be reissued with respect to vested RSUs in qualified jurisdictions. The Company’s policy is to account for these shares as a reduction of Treasury stock on a first-in, first-out basis.
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions— Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at the period end rates of exchange, and revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating the foreign currency financial statements are reflected in foreign currency translation adjustments and are reported as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The revaluation of asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the business unit involved in such transactions is reflected in Other Income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net gains (losses) resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances were $2,212 and $(1,113) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1,757 and $(3,835) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company reclassified a $1,645 foreign currency translation gain out of Accumulated other comprehensive income and into the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The amount was included within Other income and was reclassified during the current period due to the substantial liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, to which this gain was related. The reclassification had no effect on the benefit from income taxes on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires additional disclosure about financial instruments and derivatives instruments that are subject to netting arrangements to assist users of the financial statements in understanding the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. In January 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to ASU 2011-11, ASU No. 2013-01 Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosure about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2013-01”). ASU 2013-01 clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815- Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transaction that are either offset in accordance with Balance Sheet (Topic 210) guidance, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) guidance, or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The new disclosures were required for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, including retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 14 for disclosures.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance does not change current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, it requires companies to present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety during the same reporting period. Presentation should occur either on the face of the income statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. See Accounting Policy on Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions for impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless such tax loss or credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In the event that the tax position is disallowed or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods, and is to be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2013-11 on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3. RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS
Amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consisted of the following:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | | | | | |
Contract value of fails to deliver | | $ | 520,516 | | $ | 164,090 | |
Receivables from and deposits with clearing organizations and financial institutions | | 123,048 | | 87,348 | |
Net pending trades | | 3,465 | | 1,258 | |
Total | | $ | 647,029 | | $ | 252,696 | |
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | | | | | |
Contract value of fails to receive | | $ | 486,445 | | $ | 158,256 | |
Payables to clearing organizations and financial institutions | | 26,615 | | 6,679 | |
Total | | $ | 513,060 | | $ | 164,935 | |
Substantially all fail to deliver and fail to receive balances at September 30, 2013 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts. All fail to deliver and fail to receive balances at December 31, 2012 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts.
In addition to the balances above, the Company had Payables to clearing services customers of $136,215 and $139,627 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These amounts represent cash payable to the Company’s clearing customers that is held at the Company’s third-party general clearing members and are included within Cash and cash equivalents, Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations or Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations as follows:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | — | | $ | 27,623 | |
Cash segregated under federal and other regulations | | 60,598 | | 47,300 | |
Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations | | 75,617 | | 64,704 | |
Total | | $ | 136,215 | | $ | 139,627 | |
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
4. ACQUISITIONS
The Kyte Group Limited and Kyte Capital Management Limited
On July 1, 2010, the Company acquired a 70% equity ownership interest in each of The Kyte Group Limited and Kyte Capital Management Limited (collectively “Kyte”). At the time of the acquisition, the Company agreed to purchase the residual 30% interest for a cash payment three years following the closing (the “Future Purchase Commitment”) with the price to be determined based on certain performance metrics for Kyte during this three year period. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company and the selling shareholders of Kyte determined that the purchase price for the residual 30% equity interest was zero. Kyte has been included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as a wholly-owned subsidiary since the acquisition date, with a liability recorded for the Future Purchase Commitment. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the Future Purchase Commitment were recorded in Other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Included as part of the initial purchase price was £5,000 (or approximately $7,592) that was deposited into an escrow account with a third-party escrow agent and 1,339,158 contingently issuable shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company was also required to pay an additional cash amount to the selling shareholders of Kyte equal to the total cash dividends the selling shareholders would have received if the 1,339,158 contingently issuable shares had been outstanding as of the initial purchase date of July 1, 2010. The escrow funds, additional cash payment and contingently issuable shares were paid and issued to the selling shareholders of Kyte during the third quarter of 2013 in connection with the final determination of the Future Purchase Commitment and the waiver of certain conditions relating to one of Kyte’s investments in a third party.
5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill—Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
| | December 31, 2012 | | Goodwill Acquired | | Foreign currency translation | | September 30, 2013 | |
Goodwill | | | | | | | | | |
Americas Brokerage | | $ | 83,289 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 83,289 | |
EMEA Brokerage | | 14,397 | | — | | (48 | ) | 14,349 | |
Asia Brokerage | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Clearing and Backed Trading | | 41,600 | | — | | (158 | ) | 41,442 | |
All Other | | 128,691 | | — | | — | | 128,691 | |
| | $ | 267,977 | | $ | — | | $ | (206 | ) | $ | 267,771 | |
Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. All of the Company’s goodwill is allocated to its reporting units and the goodwill impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit level. The Company determined Americas Brokerage, EMEA Brokerage, Asia Brokerage, Clearing and Backed Trading, Trayport, and Fenics to be its reporting units. Based on the results of the most recent annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 2012, no goodwill impairment was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2012. Subsequent to December 31, 2012, no events or changes in circumstances occurred which would indicate any goodwill impairment.
Intangible Assets—Intangible assets consisted of the following:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | Gross amount | | Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation | | Net carrying value | | Gross amount | | Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation | | Net carrying value | |
Intangible assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships | | $ | 78,896 | | $ | 41,492 | | $ | 37,404 | | $ | 77,426 | | $ | 35,597 | | $ | 41,829 | |
Trade names | | 8,951 | | 6,565 | | 2,386 | | 8,951 | | 6,181 | | 2,770 | |
Core technology | | 6,400 | | 6,400 | | — | | 6,400 | | 5,835 | | 565 | |
Non-compete agreements | | 4,204 | | 3,806 | | 398 | | 3,874 | | 3,656 | | 218 | |
Favorable lease agreements | | 620 | | 560 | | 60 | | 620 | | 500 | | 120 | |
Patents | | 3,131 | | 1,097 | | 2,034 | | 3,131 | | 723 | | 2,408 | |
Other | | 647 | | 257 | | 390 | | 647 | | 65 | | 582 | |
Total | | $ | 102,849 | | $ | 60,177 | | $ | 42,672 | | $ | 101,049 | | $ | 52,557 | | $ | 48,492 | |
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Intangible amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2,339 and $2,922, respectively. Intangible amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $7,308 and $8,762, respectively.
At September 30, 2013, expected amortization expense for intangible assets is as follows:
2013 (remaining three months) | | $ | 2,267 | |
2014 | | 9,015 | |
2015 | | 8,909 | |
2016 | | 6,878 | |
2017 | | 3,494 | |
Thereafter | | 12,109 | |
Total | | $ | 42,672 | |
6. OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Other assets consisted of the following:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Deferred tax assets | | $ | 51,046 | | $ | 41,567 | |
Investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method | | 42,121 | | 31,414 | |
Forgivable employee loans and advances to employees | | 26,009 | | 31,655 | |
Prepaid bonuses | | 25,833 | | 31,847 | |
Deferred financing fees | | 6,942 | | 8,074 | |
Financial instruments owned | | 2,981 | | 25,250 | |
Software inventory, net | | 2,905 | | 4,615 | |
Other | | 28,726 | | 28,774 | |
Total Other assets | | $ | 186,563 | | $ | 203,196 | |
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Payroll related liabilities | | $ | 27,685 | | $ | 15,418 | |
Deferred revenues | | 9,251 | | 7,247 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits | | 8,956 | | 8,957 | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | 6,715 | | 7,943 | |
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | | 1,567 | | 1,481 | |
Future purchase commitment and contingent consideration liabilities | | 100 | | 3,727 | |
Other | | 31,237 | | 38,801 | |
Total Other liabilities | | $ | 85,511 | | $ | 83,574 | |
7. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
The Company’s outstanding debt obligations consisted of the following:
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | |
8.375% Senior Notes due 2018 | | $ | 240,000 | | $ | 250,000 | |
Loans pursuant to Credit Agreement | | 10,000 | | — | |
Total | | $ | 250,000 | | $ | 250,000 | |
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The Company’s debt obligations are carried at historical amounts. The fair value of the Company’s Long-term obligations, categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, is measured primarily using pricing service data from external providers. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s Long-term obligations were as follows:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | | | | | |
8.375% Senior Notes | | $ | 240,000 | | $ | 242,700 | | $ | 250,000 | | $ | 220,720 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
8.375% Senior Notes
In July 2011, the Company issued $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes (the “8.375% Senior Notes”) due 2018 in a private offering (the “Offering”) to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to certain persons in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S, each under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The notes were priced to investors at 100% of their principal amount, and mature in July 2018. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on the 19th of January and July. Transaction costs of approximately $9,100 related to the 8.375% Senior Notes were deferred and are being amortized over the term of the notes. On December 21, 2011, the Company completed an exchange offer for the 8.375% Senior Notes whereby it exchanged $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 8.375% Senior Notes for 8.375% Senior Notes that are registered under the Securities Act.
On January 18, 2013, Moody’s Investor Services lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to B1, which increased the Company’s applicable per annum interest, effective January 19, 2013, by an additional 50 basis points. On April 19, 2013, Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) further lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to BB and revised its outlook from Stable to Negative. This credit rating downgrade by Fitch increased our applicable per annum interest by an additional 50 basis points, effective July 19, 2013. On June 26, 2013, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) further lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes one notch to B+ and revised its outlook from Negative to Stable. This credit rating downgrade by S&P increased the Company’s applicable per annum interest by an additional 25 basis points, effective July 19, 2013.
The cumulative effect of all such downgrades to the Company’s credit rating by the various rating agencies subsequent to the issuance of our 8.375% Senior Notes resulted in 200 basis points penalty interest, which is the maximum increase permitted under the indenture. The additional 200 basis points of interest equates to $4,800 in additional interest expense per annum, based on the aggregate amount of outstanding principal as of September 30, 2013.
In March 2013, the Company repurchased $10,000 principal amount of its 8.375% Senior Notes on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $9,602, including accrued interest and sales commissions. The Company funded the repurchase of these notes with borrowings under its Credit Agreement.
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 8.375% Senior Notes of $5,981 and $7,205, respectively, were recorded within Other assets and the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.
Credit Agreement
In March 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its second amended and restated credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. and certain other lenders. The Credit Agreement provides for maximum revolving loans of up to $75,000 until December 2013, at which time $18,750 of the lender commitments mature. The remaining $56,250 of lender commitments matures in December 2015. The Credit Agreement provides for up to $50,000 for letters of credit.
At December 31, 2012, the Credit Agreement provided for maximum revolving loans of up to $129,500, with $50,000 for letters of credit.
Revolving loans may be either base rate loans or Eurocurrency rate loans. Eurocurrency rate loans bear interest at the annualized rate of one-month LIBOR plus the application margin and base rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a prime rate plus the applicable margin. Letter of credit fees per annum are equal to the applicable margin times the outstanding amount drawn under such letter of credit. As long as no default has occurred under the Credit Agreement, the applicable margin for base rate and Eurocurrency rate loans and letters of credit is based on a matrix that varies with a ratio of outstanding debt to EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The weighted average interest rate of the outstanding loans under the Credit Agreement was 3.43% at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unamortized deferred financing fees related to the Credit Agreement were $961 and $869, respectively.
The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and other covenants. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In August 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to implement a stock repurchase program to repurchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the repurchase plan, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market in such amounts as determined by the Company’s management, provided, however, such amounts are not to exceed, during any calendar year, the number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock options plus the number of shares underlying grants of RSUs that are granted or which management reasonably anticipates will be granted in such calendar year. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 1,413,067 shares of its common stock on the open market at an average price of $3.25 per share for a total cost of $4,641, including sales commissions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 3,107,469 shares of its common stock on the open market at an average price of $3.17 per share for a total cost of $9,939, including sales commissions. These repurchased shares were recorded at cost as Treasury stock in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
On May 31, and August 30, 2013, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which, based upon the number of shares outstanding on the record date for such dividends, totaled $5,999 and $6,096, respectively. In December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2012 on an accelerated basis. The dividend was declared and paid in December 2012 and the Company, therefore, did not pay a cash dividend during the first quarter of 2013. On each of March 30, May 31, and August 31, 2012, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which, based upon the number of shares outstanding on the record date for such dividends, totaled $5,897, $5,991, and $5,873, respectively.
9. (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic (loss) earnings per share for common stock is calculated by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share is calculated by dividing net (loss) income by the sum of: (i) the weighted average number of shares outstanding, (ii) outstanding stock options and RSUs (using the “treasury stock” method when the impact of such options and RSUs would be dilutive), and (iii) any contingently issuable shares, when dilutive.
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Basic (loss) earnings per share | | | | | | | | | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | $ | (461 | ) | $ | (8,693 | ) | $ | 10,904 | | $ | 1,419 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | 120,331,179 | | 115,541,373 | | 118,138,756 | | 116,073,488 | |
Basic (loss) earnings per share | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 0.09 | | $ | 0.01 | |
Diluted (loss) earnings per share | | | | | | | | | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | $ | (461 | ) | $ | (8,693 | ) | $ | 10,904 | | $ | 1,419 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | 120,331,179 | | 115,541,373 | | 118,138,756 | | 116,073,488 | |
Effect of dilutive options, RSUs, and other contingently issuable shares | | — | | — | | 8,719,703 | | 7,496,622 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents | | 120,331,179 | | 115,541,373 | | 126,858,459 | | 123,570,110 | |
Diluted (loss) earnings per share | | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | 0.09 | | $ | 0.01 | |
Excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive were the following: (i) 259,380 RSUs and 69,476 stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and (ii) 7,341,891 RSUs and 77,476 stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2012, (iii) 2,660,905 RSUs and 69,476 options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and (iv) 8,433,605 RSUs and 77,476 options for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, but not in the computation of basic earnings per share as the conditions for issuance were not satisfied as of the respective reporting period were 2,736,121 and 3,682,916 contingently issuable shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
As a result of the net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2013, the following were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for that period: common shares underlying options to purchase 99,362 shares of common stock, 6,320,799 RSUs, and 1,637,673 shares that were contingently issuable. As a result of the net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2012, the following were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for that period: common shares underlying options to purchase 39,715 shares of common stock, 3,130,644 RSUs, and 3,682,916 shares that were contingently issuable.
10. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company issues RSUs to its employees under the Amended and Restated GFI Group Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 6, 2013 (as amended and restated, the “2008 Equity Incentive Plan”). Prior to the initial approval of the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company issued RSUs under the GFI Group Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Equity Incentive Plan”).
The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units to employees, non-employee directors or consultants. The Company issues shares from authorized but unissued shares and authorized and issued shares reacquired and held as treasury shares, which are reserved for issuance upon the vesting of RSUs granted pursuant to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2013, there were 8,579,962 shares of common stock available for future grants of awards under this plan. The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and is recorded as compensation expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures.
The following is a summary of the Company’s RSU activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
| | RSUs | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
Outstanding December 31, 2012 | | 19,353,382 | | $ | 4.27 | |
Granted | | 6,554,167 | | 3.71 | |
Vested | | (6,338,258 | ) | 4.48 | |
Cancelled | | (885,739 | ) | 4.01 | |
Outstanding September 30, 2013 | | 18,683,552 | | $ | 4.02 | |
The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.71 per unit, compared with $3.56 per unit for the same period in the prior year. Total compensation expense and related income tax benefits recognized in relation to RSUs are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Compensation expense | | $ | 6,870 | | $ | 7,751 | | $ | 22,372 | | $ | 24,653 | |
Income tax benefits | | $ | 1,913 | | $ | 2,359 | | $ | 6,655 | | $ | 7,506 | |
At September 30, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs, prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures, was approximately $56,057 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.71 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $28,395 and $30,021, respectively.
As of September 30, 2013, the Company had stock options outstanding under two plans: the GFI Group 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “GFI Group 2002 Plan”) and the GFInet Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “GFInet 2000 Plan”). No additional grants will be made under these plans. Under each plan: options were granted to employees, non-employee directors or consultants to the Company; both incentive and non-qualified stock options were available for grant; options were issued with terms up to ten years from date of grant; and options were generally issued with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value at the time the option was granted. Under both plans, the options became exercisable upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, which occurred in January 2005. Options outstanding under both plans are exercisable for shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company issues shares from the authorized but unissued shares reserved for issuance under the GFI Group 2002 Plan or the GFInet 2000 Plan, respectively, upon the exercise of options under such plans.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The following is a summary of stock options outstanding under both the GFI Group 2002 Plan and the GFInet 2000 Plan as of September 30, 2013:
| | GFI Group 2002 Plan | | GFInet 2000 Plan | |
| | Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |
Outstanding December 31, 2012 | | 575,220 | | $ | 3.29 | | 16,844 | | $ | 2.97 | |
Exercised | | (205,952 | ) | 2.97 | | (16,844 | ) | 2.97 | |
Cancelled | | (10,104 | ) | 2.97 | | — | | — | |
Expired | | (3,156 | ) | 4.78 | | — | | — | |
Outstanding September 30, 2013 | | 356,008 | | $ | 3.42 | | — | | $ | — | |
As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Purchase Obligations—The Company has various unconditional purchase obligations. These obligations are for the purchase of market data from a number of information service providers during the normal course of business. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had total purchase commitments for market data of approximately $24,801 with $18,369 due within the next twelve months, $6,278 due between one to three years and $154 due between three to five years. Additionally, the Company had other purchase commitments of $6,634, primarily related to network implementations in the U.S. and U.K., and $1,126 for hosting and software license agreements. Of these other purchase commitments, approximately $5,397 is due within the next twelve months.
Contingencies—In the normal course of business, the Company and certain subsidiaries included in the condensed consolidated financial statements are, and have been in the past, involved in various lawsuits and proceedings and are, and have been in the past, involved in certain regulatory examinations. These legal proceedings are at varying stages of adjudication, arbitration or investigation and involve a wide variety of claims. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages or where the matters present novel legal theories, the Company generally cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties, if any, relating to each matter may be.
The Company is subject to the possibility of losses from these various contingencies. Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of any loss from such contingencies. In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, an accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Where a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability.
The Company is subject to regular examinations by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional tax assessments that may result from these examinations in each of the tax jurisdictions. A tax accrual has been established, which the Company believes to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional tax assessments. Once established, the accrual may be adjusted based on new information or events. The imposition of additional tax assessments, penalties or fines by a tax authority could have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.
Additionally, the Company has recorded reserves for certain contingencies to which it may have exposure, such as contingencies related to the employer portion of National Insurance Contributions in the U.K.
Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position. However, the outcome of any such matters may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in a given period. It is not presently possible to determine the Company’s ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the Company’s outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.
Risks and Uncertainties—The Company primarily generates its revenues by executing and facilitating transactions for counterparties. Revenues for these services are transaction based. As a result, the Company’s revenues will likely vary based upon the
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
trading volumes of the various securities, commodities, foreign exchange and other cash and derivative markets in which the Company provides its services.
Guarantees—The Company, through its subsidiaries, is a member of certain exchanges and clearing houses. Under the membership agreements, members are generally required to guarantee certain obligations. To mitigate the performance risks of its members, the exchanges and clearing houses may, from time to time, require members to post collateral, as well as meet certain minimum financial standards. The Company’s maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is unlikely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for these arrangements.
12. MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS
Disclosure regarding the Company’s financial instruments with market and credit risks are described in “Note 15—Market and Credit Risks” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2012 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to these risks during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are carried at fair value or contracted amounts that approximate fair value. Assets and liabilities that are recorded at contracted amounts approximating fair value consist primarily of receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and payables to clearing services customers. These receivables and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are short-term in nature, and following September 30, 2013, substantially all have settled at the contracted amounts. The Company’s marketable equity securities, included in Other assets, are recorded at fair value based on their quoted market price. The Company’s investments that are accounted for under the cost and equity methods are investments in companies that are not publicly traded and for which no established market for their securities exists. The fair value of these investments is only estimated if there are identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC 820-10. In accordance with ASC 820-10, the Company has categorized its financial assets and liabilities, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below.
Level 1—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identifiable assets or liabilities in an active market that the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, listed derivatives, and most U.S. Government and agency securities).
Level 2—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets. Level 2 inputs include the following:
· Quoted prices for identifiable or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds which trade infrequently); and
· �� Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include interest rate and currency swaps).
Level 3—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Valuation Techniques
A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Company’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
U.S. Treasury Securities - U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices. Valuation adjustments are not applied. Accordingly, U.S. Treasury securities are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Equity Securities - Equity securities include mostly exchange-traded securities and are valued based on quoted market prices. Accordingly, exchange-traded equity securities are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-exchange traded equity securities are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing service data from external providers and prices observed for recently executed market transactions. Non-exchange traded equity securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Corporate Bonds — Corporate bonds are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing service data from external providers and prices observed for recently executed market transactions. Corporate bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Foreign Government Bonds — Foreign government bonds are mostly valued using quoted market prices. Accordingly, foreign government bonds are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Derivative Contracts — Derivative contracts include instruments such as foreign exchange, commodity, fixed income and equity derivative contracts.
Listed Derivative Contracts - Listed derivatives that are actively traded are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
OTC Derivative Contracts - OTC derivative contracts include forwards, swaps, and options contracts related to foreign currencies. Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, the fair value of OTC derivative products can be either observed or modeled using a series of techniques and model inputs from comparable benchmarks, including closed-form analytic formulas, such as the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and simulation models or a combination thereof. Many pricing models do not entail material subjectivity because the methodologies employed do not necessitate significant judgment, and the pricing inputs are observed from actively quoted markets. In the case of more established derivative products, the pricing models used by the Company are widely accepted by the financial services industry. OTC derivative products valued by the Company using pricing models generally fall into this category and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Equity warrants - Non-exchange traded equity warrants are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured using the Black-Scholes model with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity date.
Convertible Note Receivable, Available-For-Sale — During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company exchanged its membership interest in a third party brokerage firm for a convertible senior secured promissory note in that company. This security was previously measured using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies, including credit ratings, peer company ratios and discounted cash flow analyses. As the inputs used in estimating the fair value of this convertible debt security were both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of this asset, the asset was categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the third party brokerage firm notified the Company that they had immediate liquidity concerns and that there was the prospect of insolvency in the near future. Based upon this information, the Company determined its estimated fair value of the convertible senior secured promissory note to be zero.
Future Purchase Commitment - In connection with the acquisition of 70% of the equity ownership interests in Kyte, the Company agreed to purchase the residual 30% equity interest in Kyte. The purchase price for the residual 30% equity interest was determined to be zero in the third quarter of 2013. Beginning with the initial acquisition date, up until the final settlement of the Future Purchase Commitment during the third quarter of 2013, an estimate of the payment for the residual 30% interest was determined pursuant to a formula based on Kyte’s forecasted and actual earnings and losses. The inputs used in estimating the fair value of this Future Purchase Commitment were both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of this liability. Therefore, the liability was categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Contingent Consideration —The category consists primarily of contingent consideration related to the acquisition of a retail energy brokerage business, completed on November 1, 2009. This contingent liability is remeasured at fair value and is based on estimated future collections of accounts receivable through the first quarter of 2014 related to the earnings of the acquired business through October 31, 2013.
The inputs used in estimating the fair value of this contingent consideration are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of this liability, therefore the liability is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company did not have any material transfers among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | Balance at September 30, 2013 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | $ | 2,521 | | $ | 177 | | $ | — | | $ | 2,698 | |
Derivative contracts: | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | 4 | | $ | 20,685 | | $ | — | | $ | 20,689 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 1,208 | | — | | — | | 1,208 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | — | | — | | 14 | | 14 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Netting (1) | | (1,212 | ) | (20,416 | ) | — | | (21,628 | ) |
Total derivative contracts | | $ | — | | $ | 269 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 283 | |
Total financial instruments owned | | $ | 2,521 | | $ | 446 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 2,981 | |
Other assets: Other: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity security, available-for-sale | | $ | 4,354 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 4,354 | |
Total | | $ | 6,875 | | $ | 446 | | $ | 14 | | $ | 7,335 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | $ | 24 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 24 | |
Foreign government bonds | | 68 | | — | | — | | 68 | |
Derivative contracts: | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | 91 | | $ | 21,406 | | $ | — | | $ | 21,497 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 1,606 | | — | | — | | 1,606 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Netting (1) | | (1,212 | ) | (20,416 | ) | — | | (21,628 | ) |
Total derivative contracts | | $ | 485 | | $ | 990 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,475 | |
Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | | $ | 577 | | $ | 990 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,567 | |
Other liabilities: Future purchase commitment | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 100 | | $ | 100 | |
Total | | $ | 577 | | $ | 990 | | $ | 100 | | $ | 1,667 | |
(1) Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
Excluded from the table above is initial and variation margin on net short derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $877. These amounts were included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | Balance at December 31, 2012 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | $ | 1,223 | | $ | 199 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,422 | |
Derivative contracts: | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | — | | $ | 182,343 | | $ | — | | $ | 182,343 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 394 | | — | | — | | 394 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | 40,578 | | — | | 28 | | 40,606 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | — | | 1,401 | | — | | 1,401 | |
Netting (1) | | (17,961 | ) | (182,955 | ) | — | | (200,916 | ) |
Total derivative contracts | | $ | 23,011 | | $ | 789 | | $ | 28 | | $ | 23,828 | |
Total financial instruments owned | | $ | 24,234 | | $ | 988 | | $ | 28 | | $ | 25,250 | |
Other assets: Other: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity security, available-for-sale | | $ | 3,356 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 3,356 | |
Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Total | | $ | 27,590 | | $ | 988 | | $ | 28 | | $ | 28,606 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased: | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | $ | 205 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 205 | |
Derivative contracts: | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | 14 | | $ | 182,573 | | $ | — | | $ | 182,587 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 595 | | — | | — | | 595 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | 17,567 | | — | | — | | 17,567 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | — | | 1,400 | | — | | 1,400 | |
Netting (1) | | (17,961 | ) | (182,912 | ) | — | | (200,873 | ) |
Total derivative contracts | | $ | 215 | | $ | 1,061 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,276 | |
Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | | $ | 420 | | $ | 1,061 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,481 | |
Other liabilities: Future purchase commitment | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 3,209 | | $ | 3,209 | |
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 518 | | $ | 518 | |
Total | | $ | 420 | | $ | 1,061 | | $ | 3,727 | | $ | 5,208 | |
(1) Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
Excluded from the table above is initial and variation margin on net long derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $49 and net short derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $14,986. These amounts were included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
| | Beginning Balance | | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Income (1) | | Unrealized gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive (income) loss | | Purchases | | Issuances | | Sales | | Settlements | | Ending Balance at September 30, 2013 | | Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Assets / Liabilities Outstanding at September 30, 2013 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 14 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 14 | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Future purchase commitment | | $ | 798 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (798 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration | | $ | 204 | | $ | (55 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (159 | ) | $ | 100 | | $ | (55 | ) |
(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
| | Beginning Balance | | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Income (1) | | Unrealized gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive (income) loss | | Purchases | | Issuances | | Sales | | Settlements | | Ending Balance at September 30, 2012 | | Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Assets / Liabilities Outstanding at September 30, 2012 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 2,375 | | $ | (1,709 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 666 | | $ | (1,709 | ) |
Other: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale | | $ | 2,662 | | $ | (2,662 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (2,662 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Future purchase commitment | | $ | 5,600 | | $ | 2,081 | | $ | (125 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 3,644 | | $ | 2,081 | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration | | $ | 777 | | $ | (168 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (136 | ) | $ | 809 | | $ | (168 | ) |
(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
| | Beginning Balance | | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Income (1) | | Unrealized gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive (income) loss | | Purchases | | Issuances | | Sales | | Settlements | | Ending Balance at September 30, 2013 | | Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Assets / Liabilities Outstanding at September 30, 2013 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 28 | | $ | (14 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 14 | | $ | (14 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Future purchase commitment | | $ | 3,209 | | $ | 2,203 | | $ | 208 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (798 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration | | $ | 518 | | $ | (55 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (473 | ) | $ | 100 | | $ | (55 | ) |
(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
| | Beginning Balance | | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Income (1) | | Unrealized gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive (income) loss | | Purchases | | Issuances | | Sales | | Settlements | | Ending Balance at September 30, 2012 | | Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Assets / Liabilities Outstanding at September 30, 2012 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial instruments owned: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 1,937 | | $ | (1,837 | ) | $ | — | | $ | 566 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 666 | | $ | (1,837 | ) |
Other: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale | | $ | 5,362 | | $ | (5,362 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (5,362 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Future purchase commitment | | $ | 12,562 | | $ | 9,098 | | $ | (180 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 3,644 | | $ | 9,098 | |
Other liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent consideration | | $ | 1,119 | | $ | (168 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (478 | ) | $ | 809 | | $ | (168 | ) |
(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, except for the $5,362 impairment loss on the Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale, which was include within Other expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
28
GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurement of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively:
| | Fair Value as of September 30, 2013 | | Valuation Technique(s) | | Unobservable Input(s) | | Range (Weighted Average) (a) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 14 | | Black-Scholes Merton Model | | Expected volatility | | 35 | % |
| | | | | | Estimated price per share | | $ | 8.48 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value as of December 31, 2012 | | Valuation Technique(s) | | Unobservable Input(s) | | Range (Weighted Average) (a) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Equity derivative contracts | | $ | 28 | | Black-Scholes-Merton Model | | Expected volatility | | 55 | % |
| | | | | | Estimated price per share | | $ | 4.07 | (b) |
Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale | | $ | — | | Discounted cash flow | | Estimated credit spread | | 19 | % |
| | | | Black-Scholes-Merton Model | | Expected volatility | | 45 | %(c) |
| | | | | | Estimated price per convertible unit | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | |
Future purchase commitment | | $ | 3,209 | | Present value of expected payments | | Discount rate | | 15.5 | %(d) |
| | | | | | Forecasted financial information | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, each asset and liability type consists of one security.
(b) Restated to reflect a 1-for-400 reverse split on the common stock of this investee, effective on April 23, 2013.
(c) To determine the estimated price per convertible unit, the Company estimated the fair value of a non-controlling interest in the entity utilizing a discounted cash flow, appropriate discount rate and combined discount for lack of control and marketability.
(d) The Company’s estimate of the Future Purchase Commitment as of December 31, 2012 was based on Kyte’s projected earnings through June 30, 2013. In estimating the fair value, the Company utilized post-tax projected earnings for the remaining period through June 30, 2013.
Valuation Processes—Level 3 Measurements—Depending on the instrument, the Company utilizes a valuation technique, including discounted cash flow methods, option pricing methods and present value methods, as indicated above. Valuations are generally conducted by the Company, with consultation of a third-party valuation expert to develop the valuation model when the asset or liability is initially recorded. Each reporting period, the Company updates unobservable inputs utilizing relevant published information, where applicable. The Company has a formal process to review changes in fair value for satisfactory explanation.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
Sensitivity Analysis—Level 3 Measurements
Equity derivative contracts - The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the Company’s equity derivative contracts are the expected volatility and an estimated share price. Significant increases (decreases) in expected volatility or estimated share price would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Convertible note receivable, available-for-sale - The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the Company’s convertible note receivable, available-for-sale, are an estimated credit spread, expected volatility and the estimated price per convertible unit. Significant increases (decreases) in expected volatility or estimated price per convertible unit would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the estimated credit spread would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Future purchase commitment — Prior to September 30, 2013, the Future Purchase Commitment relating to Kyte was settled and therefore, there is no sensitivity to the inputs used in determining its fair value. As of December 31, 2012, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the Company’s Future Purchase Commitment for the residual 30% equity interest in Kyte were the discount rate and forecasted financial information. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate would have resulted in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the forecasted financial information would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.
For all significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of all Level 3 assets and liabilities, a change in one of the inputs would not necessarily result in a directionally similar change in the other.
14. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses foreign exchange derivative contracts, including forward contracts and foreign currency swaps, to reduce the effects of fluctuations in certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also hedges a portion of its foreign currency exposures on anticipated foreign currency denominated revenues and expenses by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, none of these contracts were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-10”).
The Company provides brokerage services to its customers for exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivative products, which include futures, forwards and options contracts. The Company may enter into principal transactions for exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivative products to facilitate customer trading activities or to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account.
The Company monitors market risk exposure from its matched principal business and principal trading business by regularly monitoring its concentration of market risk to financial instruments, countries or counterparties and regularly monitoring trades that have not settled within prescribed settlement periods or volume thresholds. Additionally, market risks are monitored and mitigated by the use of the Company’s proprietary, electronic risk monitoring system, which provides daily credit reports in each of the Company’s geographic regions that analyze credit concentration and facilitates the regular monitoring of transactions against key risk indicators.
For certain derivative contracts, the Company has entered into agreements with counterparties that allow for the netting of positions. The Company reports these derivative contracts on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements.
Fair values of derivative contracts on a gross and net basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10 | | Derivative Assets (1) | | Derivative Liabilities (2) | | Derivative Assets (1) | | Derivative Liabilities (2) | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | 20,843 | | $ | 21,646 | | $ | 182,388 | | $ | 182,628 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | 37,755 | | 37,756 | | 23,656 | | 23,680 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 9,774 | | 11,052 | | 2,990 | | 3,420 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | 23 | | 9 | | 42,811 | | 34,460 | |
Total fair value of derivative contracts | | $ | 68,395 | | $ | 70,463 | | $ | 251,845 | | $ | 244,188 | |
Counterparty netting | | (68,112 | ) | (68,112 | ) | (227,968 | ) | (227,925 | ) |
Total fair value | | $ | 283 | | $ | 2,351 | | $ | 23,877 | | $ | 16,263 | |
(1) Reflects futures and options on futures contracts within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and options and forwards contracts within Other assets.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
(2) Reflects futures and options on futures contracts within Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and options and forwards contracts within Other liabilities.
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts with a combined notional value of $67,685 and $96,234, respectively. Approximately $27,105 and $26,390 of these forward foreign exchange contracts represents a hedge of euro-denominated and swiss franc-denominated balance sheet positions at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The remaining outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are hedges of anticipated future cash flows.
In addition to the Company’s outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts, the following table includes the outstanding long and short notional amounts on a gross basis of derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
| | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| | Long | | Short | | Long | | Short | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | $ | 848,045 | | $ | 729,818 | | $ | 13,131,184 | | $ | 13,116,622 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | 768,443 | | 770,117 | | 592,686 | | 592,923 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | 5,428,807 | | 6,395,968 | | 5,949,603 | | 6,057,524 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | 5,861 | | 367 | | 81,841 | | 430,899 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
| | Location of Gain (Loss) | | Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10 | | Recognized in Income on Derivatives | | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 | | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | (1) | | $ | (500 | ) | $ | 1,463 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | Principal transactions | | 1,398 | | 4,101 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | Principal transactions | | 3,129 | | 1,730 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | (2) | | 24 | | (1,424 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $736 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $236 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $460 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $1,003 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Total brokerage revenues.
(2) For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $24 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $1,709 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $285 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions.
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
| | Location of Gain (Loss) | | Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10 | | Recognized in Income on Derivatives | | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 | | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | | (1) | | $ | (1,926 | ) | $ | 6,334 | |
Commodity derivative contracts | | Principal transactions | | 6,621 | | 15,369 | |
Fixed income derivative contracts | | Principal transactions | | 11,126 | | 6,832 | |
Equity derivative contracts | | (2) | | (164 | ) | (1,093 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $1,517 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $409 of losses on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $3,327 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $3,007 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.
(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $14 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $150 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $1,837 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $744 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions.
The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2013:
| | Gross | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed | | Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition | |
Counterparties | | Amounts of Recognized Assets | | Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | | Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (1) | | Derivatives (2) | | Cash Collateral Received/ (Pledged) | | Net Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty A | | $ | 20,685 | | $ | 20,416 | | $ | 269 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 269 | |
Counterparty B | | 37,755 | | 37,755 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Counterparty C | | 9,941 | | 9,941 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Counterparty D | | 14 | | — | | 14 | | — | | — | | 14 | |
Total | | $ | 68,395 | | $ | 68,112 | | $ | 283 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 283 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty A | | $ | 21,274 | | $ | 20,416 | | $ | 858 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 858 | |
Counterparty B | | 37,756 | | 37,755 | | 1 | | — | | — | | 1 | |
Counterparty C | | 11,301 | | 9,941 | | 1,360 | | — | | — | | 1,360 | |
Counterparty E | | 132 | | — | | 132 | | — | | — | | 132 | |
Total | | $ | 70,463 | | $ | 68,112 | | $ | 2,351 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 2,351 | |
(1) The total reconciles to the aggregate of total derivative contracts in the fair value measurements table and the variation margin on exchange traded futures for the respective periods; both reflected in Note 13. Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively, with the exception of futures and options on futures contracts. Futures and options on futures contracts are included within Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations, as applicable.
(2) As of September 30, 2013, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2012:
| | Gross | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed | | Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition | | | |
Counterparties | | Amounts of Recognized Assets | | Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | | Statements of Financial Position (1) | | Derivatives (2) | | Cash Collateral Received/ (Pledged) | | Net Amount | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty A | | $ | 183,577 | | $ | 182,955 | | $ | 622 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 622 | |
Counterparty B | | 16,987 | | 16,938 | | 49 | | — | | — | | 49 | |
Counterparty C | | 51,087 | | 28,075 | | 23,012 | | — | | — | | 23,012 | |
Counterparty D | | 28 | | — | | 28 | | — | | — | | 28 | |
Counterparty F | | 166 | | — | | 166 | | — | | — | | 166 | |
Total | | $ | 251,845 | | $ | 227,968 | | $ | 23,877 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 23,877 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty A | | $ | 183,973 | | $ | 182,912 | | $ | 1,061 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 1,061 | |
Counterparty B | | 16,938 | | 16,938 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Counterparty C | | 43,277 | | 28,075 | | 15,202 | | — | | — | | 15,202 | |
Total | | $ | 244,188 | | $ | 227,925 | | $ | 16,263 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 16,263 | |
(1) The total reconciles to the aggregate of total derivative contracts in the fair value measurements table and the variation margin on exchange traded futures for the respective periods; both reflected in Note 13. Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively, with the exception of futures and options on futures contracts. Futures and options on futures contracts are included within Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations, as applicable.
(2) As of December 31, 2012, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.
15. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Non-consolidated VIEs
The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that it does not consolidate. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary, mostly due to a lack of significant economic interest and/or power to direct the activities that would most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE.
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had certain variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs in the form of direct equity interests and a convertible note. The carrying amount of these VIEs was $3,511 as of September 30, 2013 and $4,438 as of December 31, 2012, and was recorded within Other assets. These VIEs include a technology provider with a proprietary financial application, trading entities in which the Company has provided initial capital to fund trading activities, a commodity pool operator and an investment fund manager. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to certain of these non-consolidated VIEs. The maximum exposure to loss on these VIEs was $3,511 as of September 30, 2013 and $4,438 as of December 31, 2012.
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had certain variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs in the form of trading margin accounts in which the Company had an economic interest in profits and losses and provided initial capital to fund trading activities. The Company also provided clearing and other administrative services to these non-consolidated VIEs. The carrying amount of these VIEs was $1,596 as of September 30, 2013 and $9,784 as of December 31, 2012, and was recorded within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations. The maximum exposure to loss of these VIEs was $1,596 as of September 30, 2013 and $10,703 as of December 31, 2012.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The Company has not recorded any liabilities with respect to non-consolidated VIEs.
Consolidated VIEs
In December 2010, Kyte invested in a limited company that is focused on developing a proprietary trading business. The limited company is a VIE and it was determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because the Company, through Kyte, was the provider of the majority of this VIE’s start-up capital and has the power to direct the activities of this VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, primarily through its voting percentage and consent rights on the activities that would most significantly influence the entity. The consolidated VIE had total assets of $9,550 and $6,428 at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively, which primarily consisted of clearing margin. There were no material restrictions on the consolidated VIE’s assets. The consolidated VIE had total liabilities of $3,433 at September 30, 2013 and $1,558 at December 31, 2012.
16. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Many of the Company’s material operating subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions and minimum capital requirements, which may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its subsidiaries.
Certain subsidiaries of the Company are registered as a U.S. broker-dealer, swap execution facility, introducing broker or Futures Commissions Merchant and therefore are subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). These rules contain uniform minimum net capital requirements, as defined, and also require a significant part of the registrants’ assets be kept in relatively liquid form. As of September 30, 2013, each of the Company’s subsidiaries that are subject to these regulations had net capital in excess of their minimum capital requirements.
Certain of the Company’s European subsidiaries are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and must maintain financial resources (as defined by the FCA) in excess of FCA’s total financial resources requirement. As of September 30, 2013, each of these European subsidiaries had financial resources in excess of their requirements.
Certain other subsidiaries of the Company are subject to similar regulatory and other requirements in the jurisdictions in which they operate and as of September 30, 2013 each was in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.
The regulatory requirements referred to above may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its regulated subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had the following aggregate regulatory capital, in individually regulated entities, in each of its operating regions:
| | Americas | | EMEA | | Asia | |
Regulatory capital | | $ | 25,784 | | $ | 139,041 | | $ | 35,340 | |
Minimum regulatory capital required | | 7,395 | | 112,957 | | 8,194 | |
Excess regulatory capital | | $ | 18,389 | | $ | 26,084 | | $ | 27,146 | |
The regulatory requirements set forth in the table above include aggregated amounts, in individually regulated entities, in each of the Company’s operating regions, calculated by entity, to comply with the requirements of various regulators for capital requirements in each of those entities.
17. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
In accordance with ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280-10”) and based on the nature of the Company’s operations, products and services in each geographic region, the Company determined that it has five operating segments: (i) Americas Brokerage, (ii) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) Brokerage, (iii) Asia Brokerage, (iv) Clearing and Backed Trading and (v) All Other. The Company’s brokerage operations provide brokerage services in four broad product categories: fixed income, financial, equity and commodity. The Clearing and Backed Trading segment encompasses the Company’s clearing, risk management, settlement and other back-office services, as well as the capital we provide to start-up trading groups, small hedge funds, market-makers and individual traders. The All Other segment captures revenues and costs that are not directly assignable to one of the brokerage or clearing and backed trading operating segments, primarily consisting of the Company’s corporate business activities and operations from software, analytics and market data.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described above in Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance of the operating segments based on income (loss) before income taxes, which it defines as revenues less direct expenses. Revenues within each brokerage segment include revenues that are directly related to providing brokerage services along with interest and other income (loss) directly attributable to the operating segment. Revenues within the Clearing and Backed Trading segment primarily include revenues that are directly related to providing clearing services along with the Company’s share of profit (loss) on trading activity from capital investments. The Company’s Clearing and Backed Trading segment incurs exchanges fees on behalf of its clients, which are reflected within Interest and transaction-based expenses. The reimbursement of these fees from the Company’s clients is reflected within Total Revenues. Therefore, the Company evaluates the top-line performance of its Clearing and Backed Trading segment using Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses. Direct expenses of the operating segments are those expenses that are directly related to providing the brokerage or clearing services and trading activities of the operating segments and include compensation expense related to the segment management and staff, communication and market data, travel and promotion, and certain professional fees and other expenses that are directly incurred by the operating segments. However, the Company does not allocate to its brokerage operating segments certain expenses that it manages separately at the corporate level. The unallocated costs include rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, interest on borrowings and other expenses and are included in the All Other operating segment. Management generally does not consider the unallocated costs in its performance measurement of its reportable segments.
Selected financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is presented below for periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 60,384 | | $ | 72,275 | | $ | 15,730 | | $ | 40,721 | | $ | 23,323 | | $ | 212,433 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 57,995 | | 70,283 | | 15,653 | | 8,702 | | 23,607 | | 176,240 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 15,515 | | 19,078 | | 3,438 | | (1,067 | ) | (38,120 | ) | (1,156 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 62,745 | | $ | 80,147 | | $ | 18,084 | | $ | 40,506 | | $ | 17,906 | | $ | 219,388 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 59,370 | | 77,607 | | 18,056 | | 10,866 | | 18,253 | | 184,152 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 14,392 | | 19,889 | | 4,722 | | 515 | | (46,685 | ) | (7,167 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 202,765 | | $ | 237,102 | | $ | 52,952 | | $ | 140,960 | | $ | 65,324 | | $ | 699,103 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 194,372 | | 230,031 | | 52,693 | | 32,840 | | 66,253 | | 576,189 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 56,139 | | 65,756 | | 13,257 | | 2,492 | | (131,118 | ) | 6,526 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 216,674 | | $ | 263,564 | | $ | 58,010 | | $ | 121,744 | | $ | 57,301 | | $ | 717,293 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 205,825 | | 255,751 | | 57,948 | | 35,642 | | 58,447 | | 613,613 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 56,304 | | 68,742 | | 12,868 | | 4,398 | | (134,143 | ) | 8,169 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In addition, with the exception for goodwill, the Company does not identify or allocate assets by operating segment, nor does its chief operating decision maker evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information. See Note 5 for goodwill by reportable segment.
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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the U.K. is the only individual foreign country that accounts for 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues and total long-lived assets. Information regarding revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and information regarding long-lived assets (defined as property, equipment, leasehold improvements and software inventory) in geographic areas as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 61,067 | | $ | 59,511 | | $ | 203,544 | | $ | 210,671 | |
United Kingdom | | 105,471 | | 77,575 | | 346,166 | | 313,209 | |
Other | | 45,895 | | 82,302 | | 149,393 | | 193,413 | |
Total | | $ | 212,433 | | $ | 219,388 | | $ | 699,103 | | $ | 717,293 | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 60,010 | | $ | 57,556 | | $ | 199,181 | | $ | 204,183 | |
United Kingdom | | 72,764 | | 46,780 | | 235,884 | | 223,506 | |
Other | | 43,467 | | 79,816 | | 141,124 | | 185,924 | |
Total | | $ | 176,240 | | $ | 184,152 | | $ | 576,189 | | $ | 613,613 | |
| | | | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | |
| Long-lived Assets, as defined: | | | | | | | |
| United States | | | | $ | 49,777 | | $ | 47,675 | |
| United Kingdom | | | | 11,510 | | 10,536 | |
| Other | | | | 4,767 | | 5,239 | |
| Total | | | | $ | 66,054 | | $ | 63,450 | |
Revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the particular subsidiary of the Company which generated the revenues.
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In October 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on November 29, 2013 to stockholders of record on November 15, 2013.
Subsequent events have been evaluated for recording and disclosure in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements through the filing date of this Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “will be,” “will likely continue,” “will likely result,” or words or phrases of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:
· the risks and other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our 2012 Form 10-K;
· economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes, securities prices, or demand for our brokerage services, including recent conditions in the world economy and financial markets in which we provide our services;
· the extensive regulation of the Company’s business, changes in laws and regulations governing our business and operations or permissible activities and our ability to comply with such laws and regulations;
· our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval to conduct our business in light of certain proposed and recently adopted changes in laws and regulations in the U.S. and Europe and increased operational costs related to compliance with such changes in laws and regulations, including the laws and regulations governing the operation of swap execution facilities;
· the risks associated with the transition of cleared swaps to future contracts and our ability to continue to provide value-added brokerage and execution services to our customers pursuant to rules and regulations applicable to futures markets;
· our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly qualified brokerage personnel;
· our ability to keep up with rapid technological change and to continue to develop and support software, analytics and market data products, including hybrid brokerage and matching systems, that are desired and utilized by our customers;
· our entrance into new brokerage markets, including investments in establishing new brokerage desks;
· competition from current and new competitors;
· risks associated with our matched principal and principal trading businesses, including risks arising from specific brokerage transactions, or series of brokerage transactions, such as credit risk, market risk or the risk of fraud or unauthorized trading;
· financial difficulties experienced by our customers or key participants in the markets in which we focus our brokerage services;
· our ability to assess and integrate acquisitions of businesses or technologies;
· the maturing of key markets and any resulting contraction in commissions;
· risks associated with the expansion and growth of our operations generally or of specific products or services, including, in particular, our ability to manage our international operations;
· uncertainties associated with currency fluctuations;
· our failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights;
· uncertainties relating to litigation;
· liquidity and clearing capital requirements and the impact of the conditions in the world economy and the financial markets in which we provide our services on the availability and terms of additional or future capital;
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· our ability to identify and remediate any material weakness in our internal controls that could affect our ability to prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner;
· the effectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures and the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;
· future results of operations and financial condition; and
· the success of our business strategies.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks discussed under the headings “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and “Part II, Item 1A Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and future events or circumstances could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Business Environment
As a leading provider of wholesale brokerage services, clearing services and electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets, our results of operations are impacted by a number of external market factors, including market volatility and transactional volumes, the organic growth or contraction of the derivative and cash markets in which we provide our brokerage services, the particular mix of transactional activity in our various products, the competitive and regulatory environment in the various jurisdictions and markets in which we operate and the financial condition of the dealers, hedge funds, traders and other market participants to whom we provide our services. Outlined below are management’s observations of these external market factors during the most recent fiscal period. The factors outlined below are not the only factors that impacted our results of operations for the most recent fiscal period, and additional or other factors may impact, or have different degrees of impact, on our results of operations in future periods.
Market Volumes and Volatility
Recent Activity in Underlying Markets. We believe that market volatility was lower in the third quarter of 2013 than in the prior year quarter and that the lower volatility led, in part, to decreased trading volumes for the quarter. We believe that a contributing factor to the decreased trading volumes was the pending compliance deadline for CFTC-regulated swap execution facilities (“SEFs”) in early October.
The level of organic growth or contraction in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives markets we serve, as well as our market share within any particular market, has historically been difficult to measure on a quarterly basis as there are only a few independent, objective measures of the outstanding notional amount of OTC derivatives, all of which are published retrospectively and do not measure transactional volumes. Therefore, to help gauge growth or contraction in any particular quarter, management has looked to the published results of large OTC derivatives dealers and certain futures and derivative exchanges as potential indicators of transactional activity in the related OTC derivative markets. In future periods, as SEFs and swap data repositories report their daily trading volumes pursuant to applicable CFTC regulations, management expects such data to provide an indication of overall market size and our relative market share within such derivative markets.
OTC market volumes generally declined across all asset classes during the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the third quarter of 2012. OTC markets continued to confront regulatory, market and economic uncertainty, as well as continuing low short-term interest rates globally. The level of the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (“VIX”), on average, was lower during the third quarter of 2013 when compared to the same period in the prior year, as was the average of the BAML Global Financial Stress Index. We believe that these indexes provide proxies for overall volatility across our four brokerage product categories. However, it should be noted that volatility events affect each of our product categories to varying degrees.
Fixed Income Volumes. Our fixed income product category is comprised of revenues related to the brokerage of cash and derivative fixed income products. Fixed income volumes typically correlate with fluctuations in interest rate term structure, market volatility and the level of bond issuances. BrokerTec, a leading electronic trading platform in the fixed income market, reported increased average daily volumes (“ADV”) of 7% and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) reported an increase in the ADV of U.S. corporate debt of 6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period in the prior year. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, SIFMA also reported that corporate bond issuances increased 3% as compared to the same period in 2012. However, Intercontinental Exchange’s (“ICE”) reported a decrease of 8% in its credit default swap trade execution revenues compared with the prior year period. Despite some of these positive metrics, dealer banks and wholesale brokers have recently reported declines in their fixed income revenues for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year which they attributed to lower trading volumes due to the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its quantitative easing program despite previous comments indicating they would taper purchases of treasury securities towards the latter part of 2013. In comparison, our brokerage revenues from fixed income products declined 5% in the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year.
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Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Volumes. Our financial product category largely consists of revenues related to the brokerage of foreign exchange and interest rate derivative products. Foreign exchange volumes generally decreased in the third quarter of 2013 due to lower volatility in currency markets. CME Group Inc.’s (“CME”) foreign exchange futures ADVs decreased 6% from the third quarter of 2012, while EBS, an electronic trading platform for spot currencies, reported a 21% decrease in volumes over the same period. However, CME also reported a 29% increase in interest rate futures ADVs over the third quarter of 2012. Dealer banks and wholesale brokers have recently reported declines in their foreign exchange revenues for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year. In comparison, our brokerage revenues from financial products declined 1% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Equity Volumes. Our equity product category consists of revenues related to the brokerage of cash and derivative products. Equity derivative volumes in Europe and the U.S. generally decreased in the third quarter. The VIX averaged 12% below prior year third quarter levels. International Securities Exchanges volumes declined 7%, and Eurex European equity derivative volumes decreased 14% in the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year. ADVs for NYSE Euronext’s U.S. cash products declined 11% while its European cash products increased 2%, over the same period. In comparison, our brokerage revenues from equity products declined 16% from the prior year third quarter.
Commodity Volumes. Our commodity product category consists of revenues related to the brokerage of a wide range of energy products, and to a lesser extent, other commodity products. We believe that overall commodity notional volumes declined in the quarter from a year ago due to regulatory, market and economic uncertainty. CME’s Energy futures ADVs increased 1% in the third quarter of 2013 from the prior year period, while ICE’s energy futures ADVs declined 2%. In addition, the average three month rate per contract (“RPC”) declined approximately 12% and 5% for CME and ICE, respectively, when compared to the same period in the prior year. We believe that the decrease in RPC was due to product mix, the introduction of mini contracts which trade a smaller notional value than standard energy contracts and volume/pricing incentives. In comparison, our brokerage revenues from commodity products declined 8% in the third quarter of 2013.
Clearing Services Volumes. Our Kyte subsidiary’s clearing operations are subject to many of the same drivers that influence OTC market volumes. Although market-wide trading volumes were generally lower in the third quarter of 2013, Kyte’s clearing revenues increased in the third quarter by 7%, largely due to a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by our new and existing clearing service customers. Kyte’s clearing services revenues include the exchange fees that Kyte charges to its clients but then passes on to the exchanges.
Competitive and Regulatory Environment
Another major external market factor affecting our business and results of operations is competition, which may take the form of competitive pressure on the commissions we charge for our services or competition for brokerage and technology development personnel with extensive experience in the specialized markets we serve. We currently compete for the services of skilled brokerage or technology personnel with other wholesale market participants. We believe that the demand for productive brokers has lessened in recent periods, as the wholesale brokerage industry has been impacted by lower trading volumes and sluggish trading conditions in certain markets we serve. However, we believe that there is increased competition to provide brokerage services to a smaller number of market participants in the near term as dealers exit or reduce their proprietary trading operations.
In addition, we believe that the ongoing global regulatory overhaul of many of the markets in which we provide our services has led to continued uncertainty in 2013 and resulted in lower trading volumes and fewer participants in these markets. GFI Swaps Exchange LLC, our SEF platform, was temporarily registered as a SEF by the CFTC in September 2013 and many of the rules governing the operation of a multi-lateral trading platform for swaps in the U.S. became effective on October 2, 2013. However, the CFTC postponed the implementation of certain other SEF-related rules, and other such rules have not yet taken effect. We believe that these pending deadlines impacted the trading behavior of market participants and continued to create
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uncertainty during the third quarter, as market participants prepared for compliance with the new regulatory regime and began to onboard to our SEF and others. In addition, the SEC has not yet finalized its rules for security-based SEFs, nor has it published a timetable for the finalization and implementation of such rules. However, in the long run, we remain optimistic that the regulatory reform of recent years, including requirements for enhanced regulatory transparency, central clearing and efficient execution, will benefit and eventually grow the global derivatives markets.
Technology Development
Over the past year, we have continued to expand our proprietary electronic trade execution capabilities for our SEF and non-SEF businesses, as well as the number of users of our hybrid electronic trading platforms. We believe the net impact of the Dodd-Frank Act will encourage the growth of hybrid electronic trading for a number of products we broker and we believe that our technological capability will position us well in the future as regulatory rules are finalized and implemented. For example, revenues from our electronic matching sessions have approximately tripled in cash fixed income products and doubled in fixed income derivatives in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter of 2012.
The provision of electronic trade execution requires increasingly complex systems and infrastructures and new regulations may require new business models. Our continued success will depend on our ability to enhance and improve our existing platforms and services, develop and/or license new products and technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated needs of the markets and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis.
Financial Overview
As more fully discussed below, our results of operations are significantly impacted by the amount of our revenues and the amount of compensation and benefits we provide to our employees. The following factors had a significant impact on our revenues and employee costs during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013:
Our total revenues decreased 3.2% to $212.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $219.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The main factors contributing to this decrease in our total revenues were:
· Lower volatility in many of the markets in which we provide brokerage services adversely impacted trading volumes;
· The reduction in broker personnel headcount and the closure of certain unprofitable brokerage desks globally; and
· Regulatory uncertainty surrounding the pending SEF compliance deadline in early October, which we believe led to lower trading volumes in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Partially offsetting the above factors were the following factors that we believe positively affected our brokerage and other revenues:
· Increased clearing services revenues due to a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by our new and existing clearing service customers;
· Contributions from investments in new brokerage desks and offices focused on certain fixed income and financial products;
· Increased customer usage of our electronic trading platforms and matching sessions; and
· The continued strong performance of our Trayport subsidiary, which led to an increase in our software, analytics and market data revenue.
The most significant component of our cost structure is employee compensation and benefits, which includes salaries, amortization of sign-on and retention bonuses, incentive compensation and related employee benefits and taxes. Our employee compensation and benefits expense decreased 7.2% to $121.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $130.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Our compensation and employee benefits for all employees have both a fixed and a variable component. Base salaries and benefit costs are primarily fixed for all employees, while performance bonuses constitute the variable portion of our compensation and employee benefits. Within overall compensation and employee benefits, the employment cost of our brokerage personnel is the key component. Bonuses for brokerage personnel are primarily based on individual performance and/or the operating results of their related brokerage desk. Additionally, a portion of our bonus expense is subject to contractual guarantees that may require us to make bonus payments to brokers regardless of their performance in any particular period. For many of our brokerage employees, bonuses constitute a significant component of their overall compensation. Broker performance bonuses decreased to $32.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $37.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Further, we may pay sign-on bonuses to certain newly-hired brokers and retention bonuses to certain of our existing brokers who agree to long-term employment agreements. These bonuses may be paid in the form of cash or restricted stock units (“RSUs”), or a combination of the two, and are typically expensed over the term of the related employment agreement for cash bonuses and the
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related service period for RSUs, which is generally two to four years. These employment agreements typically contain provisions requiring the repayment of all or a portion of the cash payment and forfeiture provisions for unvested RSUs should the employee voluntarily terminate his or her employment or if the employee’s employment is terminated for cause during the initial term of the agreement. Sign-on and retention bonuses, when granted, also increase the fixed component of our compensation and employee benefits expense for the remainder of the term over which such bonus is earned by the employee. Compensation expense resulting from the amortization of broker sign-on and retention bonuses decreased to $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Results of Consolidated Operations
The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
| | (dollars in thousands) | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | |
Agency commissions | | $ | 109,365 | | $ | 112,239 | | $ | 358,413 | | $ | 380,276 | |
Principal transactions | | 41,841 | | 50,278 | | 143,468 | | 164,830 | |
Total brokerage revenues | | 151,206 | | 162,517 | | 501,881 | | 545,106 | |
Clearing services revenues | | 32,722 | | 30,545 | | 110,225 | | 88,307 | |
Interest income from clearing services | | 455 | | 422 | | 1,623 | | 1,325 | |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 1,566 | | 2,344 | | 6,925 | | 6,242 | |
Software, analytics and market data | | 22,472 | | 21,204 | | 66,438 | | 61,671 | |
Other income | | 4,012 | | 2,356 | | 12,011 | | 14,642 | |
Total revenues | | 212,433 | | 219,388 | | 699,103 | | 717,293 | |
Interest and transaction-based expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees on clearing services | | 31,620 | | 29,420 | | 106,952 | | 84,988 | |
Transaction fees on brokerage services | | 4,430 | | 5,734 | | 15,572 | | 18,012 | |
Interest expense from clearing services | | 143 | | 82 | | 390 | | 680 | |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 36,193 | | 35,236 | | 122,914 | | 103,680 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 176,240 | | 184,152 | | 576,189 | | 613,613 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | 121,109 | | 130,499 | | 392,737 | | 421,927 | |
Communications and market data | | 13,747 | | 15,269 | | 41,077 | | 46,629 | |
Travel and promotion | | 7,380 | | 7,973 | | 23,298 | | 27,347 | |
Rent and occupancy | | 7,901 | | 7,083 | | 22,152 | | 20,759 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 8,320 | | 9,246 | | 24,962 | | 27,502 | |
Professional fees | | 5,712 | | 5,925 | | 18,824 | | 17,470 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 7,612 | | 6,738 | | 22,475 | | 20,080 | |
Other expenses | | 5,615 | | 8,586 | | 24,138 | | 23,730 | |
Total other expenses | | 177,396 | | 191,319 | | 569,663 | | 605,444 | |
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,156 | ) | (7,167 | ) | 6,526 | | 8,169 | |
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,127 | ) | 1,638 | | (5,267 | ) | 6,699 | |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | (29 | ) | (8,805 | ) | 11,793 | | 1,470 | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | 432 | | (112 | ) | 889 | | 51 | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | $ | (461 | ) | $ | (8,693 | ) | $ | 10,904 | | $ | 1,419 | |
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The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated results of operations as a percentage of our revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | |
Agency commissions | | 62.1 | % | 60.9 | % | 62.2 | % | 62.0 | % |
Principal transactions | | 23.7 | | 27.3 | | 24.9 | | 26.9 | |
Total brokerage revenues | | 85.8 | | 88.2 | | 87.1 | | 88.9 | |
Clearing services revenues | | 18.5 | | 16.6 | | 19.1 | | 14.4 | |
Interest income from clearing services | | 0.3 | | 0.2 | | 0.3 | | 0.2 | |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 0.9 | | 1.3 | | 1.2 | | 1.0 | |
Software, analytics and market data | | 12.7 | | 11.5 | | 11.5 | | 10.0 | |
Other income | | 2.3 | | 1.3 | | 2.1 | | 2.4 | |
Total revenues | | 120.5 | | 119.1 | | 121.3 | | 116.9 | |
Interest and transaction-based expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees on clearing services | | 17.9 | | 16.0 | | 18.5 | | 13.9 | |
Transaction fees on brokerage services | | 2.5 | | 3.1 | | 2.7 | | 2.9 | |
Interest expense from clearing services | | 0.1 | | 0.0 | | 0.1 | | 0.1 | |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 20.5 | | 19.1 | | 21.3 | | 16.9 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | 68.7 | | 70.9 | | 68.2 | | 68.8 | |
Communications and market data | | 7.8 | | 8.3 | | 7.1 | | 7.6 | |
Travel and promotion | | 4.2 | | 4.3 | | 4.0 | | 4.4 | |
Rent and occupancy | | 4.5 | | 3.8 | | 3.9 | | 3.4 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 4.7 | | 5.0 | | 4.3 | | 4.5 | |
Professional fees | | 3.3 | | 3.2 | | 3.3 | | 2.8 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 4.3 | | 3.7 | | 3.9 | | 3.3 | |
Other expenses | | 3.2 | | 4.7 | | 4.2 | | 3.9 | |
Total other expenses | | 100.7 | % | 103.9 | % | 98.9 | % | 98.7 | % |
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (0.7 | ) | (3.9 | ) | 1.1 | | 1.3 | |
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (0.6 | ) | 0.9 | | (0.9 | ) | 1.1 | |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | (0.1 | ) | (4.8 | ) | 2.0 | | 0.2 | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | 0.2 | | (0.1 | ) | 0.1 | | 0.0 | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | (0.3 | )% | (4.7 | )% | 1.9 | % | 0.2 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Net Income (Loss)
GFI’s net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $0.5 million as compared to a net loss of $8.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease in net loss of $8.2 million. Total revenues decreased by $7.0 million, or 3.2%, to $212.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $219.4 million for the same period in the prior year. The net decrease in total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to lower brokerage revenues, which decreased $11.3 million, or 7%, largely due to the factors set forth above under the “Financial Overview” section.
Total interest and transaction-based expenses increased $1.0 million, or 2.7%, to $36.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $35.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher transaction fees on clearing services at our Kyte subsidiary, due to a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by our new and existing clearing service customers partially offset by a decrease in the number of trades cleared.
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Total expenses, excluding interest and transaction-based expenses, decreased by $13.9 million, or 7.3%, to $177.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, from $191.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to (i) lower performance bonus expense on lower brokerage revenues for the three months ending September 30, 2013 and (ii) lower salary expense on reduced brokerage personnel headcount.
We recorded a benefit from income taxes of $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in income taxes was primarily due to the factors set forth below under the section “Income Taxes.”
Revenues
The following table sets forth the changes in revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):
| | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | %* | | 2012 | | %* | | Increase (Decrease) | | %** | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brokerage revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed income | | $ | 41,583 | | 23.6 | % | $ | 43,823 | | 23.7 | % | $ | (2,240 | ) | (5.1 | )% |
Equity | | 25,866 | | 14.7 | | 30,868 | | 16.8 | | (5,002 | ) | (16.2 | ) |
Financial | | 44,700 | | 25.4 | | 45,303 | | 24.6 | | (603 | ) | (1.3 | ) |
Commodity | | 39,057 | | 22.1 | | 42,523 | | 23.1 | | (3,466 | ) | (8.2 | ) |
Total brokerage revenues | | 151,206 | | 85.8 | | 162,517 | | 88.2 | | (11,311 | ) | (7.0 | ) |
Clearing services revenues | | 32,722 | | 18.5 | | 30,545 | | 16.6 | | 2,177 | | 7.1 | |
Other revenues | | 28,505 | | 16.2 | | 26,326 | | 14.3 | | 2,179 | | 8.3 | |
Total revenues | | 212,433 | | 120.5 | | 219,388 | | 119.1 | | (6,955 | ) | (3.2 | ) |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 36,193 | | 20.5 | | 35,236 | | 19.1 | | 957 | | 2.7 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | $ | 176,240 | | 100.0 | % | $ | 184,152 | | 100.0 | % | $ | (7,912 | ) | (4.3 | )% |
* Denotes % of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses
** Denotes % change of dollar amount of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012
Brokerage Revenues—We offer our brokerage services in four broad product categories: fixed income, equity, financial, and commodity. Below is a discussion of our brokerage revenues by product category for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012.
· Broker productivity (defined as total brokerage revenues during the period divided by average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for the period) across all product categories remained relatively unchanged for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period from the prior year.
· Fixed income product brokerage revenues decreased $2.2 million, or 5.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Revenues from cash fixed income products decreased approximately 8.5% and revenues from fixed income derivative products increased by 1% for the three month ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. The overall decrease in fixed income product brokerage revenues was largely due to lower trading volumes in the quarter. We believe trading volumes in fixed income products were impacted by the Federal Reserve’s plan to continue its bond buying stimulus program and regulatory uncertainty surrounding the early October SEF compliance deadline. Partially offsetting the decrease due to these factors was an increase in fixed income revenues due to the hiring of new fixed income brokerage personnel. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for fixed income products increased by 29 to 345 employees for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from 316 employees for the same period in the prior year.
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· The decrease in equity product brokerage revenues of $5.0 million, or 16.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily attributable to reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this product category, as well as lower equity derivative trading volumes in Europe. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for equity products decreased by 32 to 175 employees for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from 207 employees for the same period in the prior year.
· The decrease in financial product brokerage revenues of $0.6 million, or 1.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due, in large part, to (i) lower market volatility in certain foreign exchange and other financial products in which we provide brokerage services, (ii) regulatory uncertainty and (iii) reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this product category. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for financial products decreased by 28 to 363 employees for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from 391 employees for the same period in the prior year.
· The decrease in commodity product brokerage revenues of $3.5 million, or 8.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due, in part, to lower trading volumes in the U.S. and reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this product category. We believe that trading volumes in commodity products continue to be impacted by (i) uncertainty surrounding the regulatory framework for certain market participants and transactions and (ii) the reduced trading operations of certain commodities dealers. The revenue decline generally correlates with the decline across OTC and exchange markets in this product category. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for commodity products decreased by 38 to 267 employees for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from 305 employees for the same period in the prior year.
Clearing Services Revenue
· Clearing services revenues increased by $2.2 million, or 7.1%, in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 due to a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by our new and existing clearing service customers partially offset by a decrease in the number of trades cleared by our Kyte subsidiary. Clearing services revenues are related solely to the operations of Kyte and consist of fees charged to our clearing service customers for clearing, settlement and other services. Kyte also incurs exchange fees on behalf of its customers, which Kyte then charges to its customers, and are therefore included in equal amounts in both revenues and expenses.
Other Revenues
· Other revenues were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | Increase (Decrease) | | %* | |
Software, analytics and market data | | $ | 22,472 | | $ | 21,204 | | $ | 1,268 | | 6.0 | % |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 1,566 | | 2,344 | | (778 | ) | (33.2 | ) |
Remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances | | 2,212 | | (1,113 | ) | 3,325 | | (298.7 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains from foreign currency hedges | | (735 | ) | 460 | | (1,195 | ) | (259.8 | ) |
Interest income on short-term investments | | 175 | | 193 | | (18 | ) | (9.3 | ) |
Interest income from clearing services | | 455 | | 422 | | 33 | | 7.8 | |
Other | | 2,360 | | 2,816 | | (456 | ) | (16.2 | ) |
Total other revenues | | $ | 28,505 | | $ | 26,326 | | $ | 2,179 | | 8.3 | % |
* Denotes % change of dollar amount of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012
Other revenues increased by $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2013 to $28.5 million from $26.3 million in the same period in 2012. This net increase was largely related to (i) a net increase of $3.3 million related to the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the business unit involved in such transactions, including a translation gain on the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary of $1.6
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million and (ii) an increase in software revenues at our Trayport subsidiary, due in part to an expansion of their services into new asset classes and geographical markets.
Partially offsetting this increase in Other revenues was (i) a net decrease of $1.2 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts and (ii) a net decrease in equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses.
Interest and Transaction-Based Expenses
· The increase in total interest and transaction-based expenses of $1.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to an increase in clearing transaction fees at our Kyte subsidiary due to a variation in the products and exchanges utilized by clearing service customers, partially offset by a decrease in trading volumes. Kyte pays to use the services of third parties who act as general clearing members of clearing houses in order to clear cash and derivative products for its customers. Kyte also incurs exchange fees on each trade, which are passed-through to their customers and are therefore included in equal amounts in both revenues and expenses. Further offsetting this net increase in clearing transaction fees was a decrease in brokerage transaction fees for those products for which we incur transaction-based fees, which was consistent with the net decline in our brokerage revenues. The gross margin on clearing services revenues decreased to 3.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 3.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to an increase in volume rebates paid by Kyte in the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year.
Expenses
The following table sets forth the changes in expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):
| | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | %* | | 2012 | | %* | | Increase (Decrease) | | %** | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | $ | 121,109 | | 68.7 | % | $ | 130,499 | | 70.9 | % | $ | (9,390 | ) | (7.2 | )% |
Communications and market data | | 13,747 | | 7.8 | | 15,269 | | 8.3 | | (1,522 | ) | (10.0 | ) |
Travel and promotion | | 7,380 | | 4.2 | | 7,973 | | 4.3 | | (593 | ) | (7.4 | ) |
Rent and occupancy | | 7,901 | | 4.5 | | 7,083 | | 3.8 | | 818 | | 11.5 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 8,320 | | 4.7 | | 9,246 | | 5.0 | | (926 | ) | (10.0 | ) |
Professional fees | | 5,712 | | 3.3 | | 5,925 | | 3.2 | | (213 | ) | (3.6 | ) |
Interest on borrowings | | 7,612 | | 4.3 | | 6,738 | | 3.7 | | 874 | | 13.0 | |
Other expenses | | 5,615 | | 3.2 | | 8,586 | | 4.7 | | (2,971 | ) | (34.6 | ) |
Total other expenses | | $ | 177,396 | | 100.7 | % | $ | 191,319 | | 103.9 | % | $ | (13,923 | ) | (7.3 | )% |
* Denotes % of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses
** Denotes % change of dollar amount of expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012
Compensation and Employee Benefits
· The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense of $9.4 million in the third quarter of 2013 was predominantly due to (i) lower performance bonus expense on lower brokerage revenues for the three months ending September 30, 2013, (ii) lower salary expense on reduced brokerage personnel headcount and (iii) initiatives implemented during the past two years to rationalize our aggregate compensation expense and increase the flexibility of our compensation arrangements.
· Total compensation and employee benefits as a percentage of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, decreased to 68.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 70.9% for the same period in 2012.
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· Performance bonus expense represented 33.3% and 35.2% of total compensation and employee benefits expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. A portion of our bonus expense is subject to contractual guarantees that may require us to make bonus payments to brokers regardless of their performance in any particular period. Additionally, sign-on and retention bonus expense, which includes the amortization of cash sign-on and retention bonuses initially paid in prior periods, represented 7.1% and 6.9% of total compensation and employee benefits expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
All Other Expenses
· The decrease in communications and market data expense of $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to a reduction in brokerage headcount, as well as cost savings initiatives implemented during the past two years.
· The decrease in Other expenses of $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 is largely due to $2.7 million in impairment charges taken in the third quarter of 2012 related to the write-off of an available-for-sale security.
Income Taxes
· We recorded a benefit from income taxes of $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in our income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to changes in the geographic mix of our profits.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Net Income
GFI’s net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $10.9 million as compared to net income of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $9.5 million. Total revenues decreased by $18.2 million, or 2.5%, to $699.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $717.3 million for the same period in the prior year. The net decrease in total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to lower brokerage revenues, which decreased $43.2 million, or 7.9%, largely due lower trading volumes and low market volatility in many of the markets in which we provide brokerage services and a reduced brokerage personnel headcount. Partially offsetting the decline in brokerage revenues was an increase in clearing services revenues of $21.9 million, or 24.8%, primarily due to an increase in the number of trades cleared and a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by new and existing clearing service customers at our Kyte subsidiary.
Total interest and transaction-based expenses increased $19.2 million, or 18.6%, to $122.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $103.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher transaction fees on clearing services, due to an increase in the number of trades cleared and a variation in the mix of products and exchanges utilized by new and existing clearing service customers at our Kyte subsidiary.
Total expenses, excluding interest and transaction-based expenses, decreased by $35.8 million, or 5.9%, to $569.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $605.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was largely attributable to a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense due to (i) lower performance bonus expense on lower brokerage revenues for the three months ending September 30, 2013 and (ii) lower salary expense on reduced brokerage personnel headcount.
We recorded a benefit from income taxes of $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in income taxes was primarily due to the factors set forth below under the section “Income Taxes.”
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Revenues
The following table sets forth the changes in revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | %* | | 2012 | | %* | | Increase (Decrease) | | %** | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brokerage revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed income | | $ | 136,903 | | 23.8 | % | $ | 149,238 | | 24.4 | % | $ | (12,335 | ) | (8.3 | )% |
Equity | | 90,188 | | 15.7 | | 105,046 | | 17.1 | | (14,858 | ) | (14.1 | ) |
Financial | | 151,030 | | 26.2 | | 143,435 | | 23.4 | | 7,595 | | 5.3 | |
Commodity | | 123,760 | | 21.4 | | 147,387 | | 24.0 | | (23,627 | ) | (16.0 | ) |
Total brokerage revenues | | 501,881 | | 87.1 | | 545,106 | | 88.9 | | (43,225 | ) | (7.9 | ) |
Clearing services revenues | | 110,225 | | 19.1 | | 88,307 | | 14.4 | | 21,918 | | 24.8 | |
Other revenues | | 86,997 | | 15.1 | | 83,880 | | 13.6 | | 3,117 | | 3.7 | |
Total revenues | | 699,103 | | 121.3 | | 717,293 | | 116.9 | | (18,190 | ) | (2.5 | ) |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 122,914 | | 21.3 | | 103,680 | | 16.9 | | 19,234 | | 18.6 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | $ | 576,189 | | 100.0 | % | $ | 613,613 | | 100.0 | % | $ | (37,424 | ) | (6.1 | )% |
* Denotes % of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses
** Denotes % change of dollar amount of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012
Brokerage Revenues—We offer our brokerage services in four broad product categories: fixed income, equity, financial, and commodity. Below is a discussion of our brokerage revenues by product category for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012.
· Broker productivity (defined as total brokerage revenues during the period divided by average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for the period) across all product categories decreased by approximately 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period in the prior year.
· Fixed income product brokerage revenues decreased $12.3 million, or 8.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period for the prior year. Revenues from fixed income derivative and cash products decreased approximately 12.8% and 5.2%, respectively, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in fixed income derivative product revenues was largely due to lower trading volumes. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for fixed income products increased by 1 to 327 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 326 employees for the same period in the prior year.
· The decrease in equity product brokerage revenues of $14.9 million, or 14.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily attributable to lower cash and derivative trading volumes in Europe and reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this product category. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for equity products decreased by 32 to 185 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 217 employees for the same period in the prior year.
· The increase in financial product brokerage revenues of $7.6 million, or 5.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily attributable to increased trading volumes associated with higher market volatility in certain foreign exchange and other financial products in which we provide brokerage services during the first half of 2013. These increases were partially offset by reduced trading volumes associated with lower market volatility in the third quarter of 2013, as well as reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this
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product category. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for financial products decreased by 24 to 371 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 395 employees for the same period in the prior year.
· The decrease in commodity product brokerage revenues of $23.6 million, or 16.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due, in part, to lower trading volumes in the U.S. and reduced brokerage personnel headcount in this product category. We believe that trading volumes in commodity products continue to be impacted by (i) uncertainty surrounding the regulatory landscape for certain market participants and transactions and (ii) the reduced trading operations of certain commodities dealers. The revenue decline generally correlates with the decline across OTC and exchange markets in this product category. Our average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for commodity products decreased by 33 to 277 employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 310 employees for the same period in the prior year.
Clearing Services Revenue
· Clearing services revenues increased by $21.9 million, or 24.8%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 due to an increase in the number of trades cleared by our Kyte subsidiary. Clearing services revenues are related solely to the operations of Kyte and consist of fees charged to our clearing service customers for clearing, settlement and other services. Kyte also incurs exchange fees on behalf of its customers, which Kyte then charges to its customers, and are therefore included in equal amounts in both revenues and expenses.
Other Revenues
· Other revenues were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | Increase (Decrease) | | %* | |
Software, analytics and market data | | $ | 66,438 | | $ | 61,671 | | $ | 4,767 | | 7.7 | % |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 6,925 | | 6,242 | | 683 | | 10.9 | |
Remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances | | 1,757 | | (3,835 | ) | 5,592 | | (145.8 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains from foreign currency hedges | | (1,516 | ) | 3,327 | | (4,843 | ) | (145.6 | ) |
Interest income on short-term investments | | 514 | | 592 | | (78 | ) | (13.2 | ) |
Interest income from clearing services | | 1,623 | | 1,325 | | 298 | | 22.5 | |
Other | | 11,256 | | 14,558 | | (3,302 | ) | (22.7 | ) |
Total other revenues | | $ | 86,997 | | $ | 83,880 | | $ | 3,117 | | 3.7 | % |
* Denotes % change of dollar amount of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012
Other revenues increased by $3.1 million to $87.0 million in the first nine months of 2013 as compared to $83.9 million in the same period in 2012. This net increase was largely related to (i) an increase in software revenues at our Trayport subsidiary, due to expansion of their services into new asset classes and geographical markets and (ii) a net increase of $5.6 million related to the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances, including a translation gain on the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary of $1.6 million. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses result from the remeasurement of asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the business unit involved in such transactions.
Offsetting this increase in Other revenues was (i) a net decrease of $4.8 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts and (ii) a net decrease of $3.3 million in Other, which was due, in large part to a smaller decrease in our estimated future purchase commitment to acquire the residual 30% equity interest in Kyte when compared to the same period in the prior year.
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Interest and Transaction-Based Expenses
· The increase in total interest and transaction-based expenses of $19.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to an increase in the number of trades cleared by our Kyte subsidiary. Kyte pays to use the services of third parties who act as general clearing members of clearing houses in order to clear cash and derivative products for its customers. Kyte also incurs exchange fees on each trade, which are passed-through to their customers and are therefore included in equal amounts in both revenues and expenses. The gross margin on clearing services revenues decreased to 3.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 3.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to an increase in volume rebates paid by Kyte in the first nine months of 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year.
Expenses
The following table sets forth the changes in expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2013 | | %* | | 2012 | | %* | | Increase (Decrease) | | %** | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | $ | 392,737 | | 68.2 | % | $ | 421,927 | | 68.8 | % | $ | (29,190 | ) | (6.9 | )% |
Communications and market data | | 41,077 | | 7.1 | | 46,629 | | 7.6 | | (5,552 | ) | (11.9 | ) |
Travel and promotion | | 23,298 | | 4.0 | | 27,347 | | 4.5 | | (4,049 | ) | (14.8 | ) |
Rent and occupancy | | 22,152 | | 3.9 | | 20,759 | | 3.4 | | 1,393 | | 6.7 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 24,962 | | 4.3 | | 27,502 | | 4.4 | | (2,540 | ) | (9.2 | ) |
Professional fees | | 18,824 | | 3.3 | | 17,470 | | 2.8 | | 1,354 | | 7.8 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 22,475 | | 3.9 | | 20,080 | | 3.3 | | 2,395 | | 11.9 | |
Other expenses | | 24,138 | | 4.2 | | 23,730 | | 3.9 | | 408 | | 1.7 | |
Total other expenses | | $ | 569,663 | | 98.9 | % | $ | 605,444 | | 98.7 | % | $ | (35,781 | ) | (5.9 | )% |
* Denotes % of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses
** Denotes % change of dollar amount of expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012
Compensation and Employee Benefits
· The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense of $29.2 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2013 was predominantly due to (i) lower performance bonus expense on lower brokerage revenues for the nine months ending September 30, 2013, (ii) lower salary expense on reduced brokerage personnel headcount and (iii) initiatives implemented during the past two years to rationalize our aggregate compensation expense and increase the flexibility of our compensation arrangements.
· Total compensation and employee benefits as a percentage of revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, decreased to 68.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 68.8% for the same period in 2012.
· Performance bonus expense represented 36.5% and 37.8% of total compensation and employee benefits expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. A portion of our bonus expense is subject to contractual guarantees that may require us to make bonus payments to brokers regardless of their performance in any particular period. Additionally, sign-on and retention bonus expense, which includes the amortization of cash sign-on and retention bonuses initially paid in prior periods, represented 7.2% and 6.5% of total compensation and employee benefits expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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All Other Expenses
· The decrease in communications and market data expense of $5.6 million for the nine months ending 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to a reduction in brokerage headcount, as well as cost savings initiatives implemented during the past two years.
· The decrease in travel and promotion expense of $4.0 million for the nine months ending 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 was predominantly due to a reduction in brokerage headcount and our efforts to rationalize travel and promotion expense in a lower-volume trading environment.
Income Taxes
· We recorded a benefit from income taxes of $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to a provision for income taxes of $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The net decrease in income taxes was primarily due to: (i) changes in the geographic mix of our profits, (ii) a tax benefit under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 related to taxes previously provided for, (iii) a tax benefit arising from a change in our view about the deductibility of a reserve previously deemed nondeductible, as a result of new information received in the first quarter of 2013 and (iv) the release of a tax liability in a foreign subsidiary where the statute of limitations has now expired.
Results of Segment Operations
Based on the nature of our operations, products and services in each geographic region, we determined that we have five operating segments: (i) Americas Brokerage, (ii) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) Brokerage, (iii) Asia Brokerage, (iv) Clearing and Backed Trading and (v) All Other. Our brokerage operations provide brokerage services in four broad product categories: fixed income, financial, equity and commodity. Our Clearing and Backed Trading segment encompasses our clearing, risk management, settlement and other back-office services, as well as the capital we provide to start-up trading groups, small hedge funds, market-makers and individual traders. Our All Other segment captures revenues and costs that are not directly assignable to one of the brokerage or clearing and backed trading operating business segments, primarily consisting of our corporate business activities and operations from software, analytics and market data.
Segment Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
The following tables summarize our Total revenues, Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, Other expenses and Income (loss) before income taxes by segment (dollars in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 60,384 | | $ | 72,275 | | $ | 15,730 | | $ | 40,721 | | $ | 23,323 | | $ | 212,433 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 57,995 | | 70,283 | | 15,653 | | 8,702 | | 23,607 | | 176,240 | |
Other expenses | | 42,480 | | 51,205 | | 12,215 | | 9,769 | | 61,727 | | 177,396 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 15,515 | | 19,078 | | 3,438 | | (1,067 | ) | (38,120 | ) | (1,156 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 62,745 | | $ | 80,147 | | $ | 18,084 | | $ | 40,506 | | $ | 17,906 | | $ | 219,388 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 59,370 | | 77,607 | | 18,056 | | 10,866 | | 18,253 | | 184,152 | |
Other expenses | | 44,978 | | 57,718 | | 13,334 | | 10,351 | | 64,938 | | 191,319 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 14,392 | | 19,889 | | 4,722 | | 515 | | (46,685 | ) | (7,167 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Total Revenues
· Total revenues for Americas Brokerage decreased $2.3 million, or 3.8%, to $60.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $62.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for EMEA Brokerage decreased $7.9 million, or 9.8%, to $72.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $80.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for Asia Brokerage decreased $2.4 million, or 13.0%, to $15.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $18.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for our three brokerage segments decreased by $12.6 million, or 7.8%, to $148.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $161.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in total revenues for our brokerage segments was primarily due to the factors described above under “Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012.”
· Total revenues for Clearing and Backed Trading for the three months ended September 30, 2013 remained relatively flat at $40.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $40.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
· Total revenues for All Other increased by $5.4 million, or 30.3%, to $23.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $17.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was due, in large part, to revaluation gains, including a translation gain on the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, and an increase in software revenues at our Trayport subsidiary due to expansion of their services into new asset classes and geographical markets. Partially offsetting this increase was a net decrease in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge certain non-U.S. dollar assets, liabilities and anticipated revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies.
Total interest and transaction-based expenses
· Total interest and transaction-based fees for our three brokerage segments decreased to $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This decline was consistent with the net decline in our revenues for those products for which we incur transaction-based fees. Total interest and transaction-based fees for our Clearing and Backed Trading segment increased to $32.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $29.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to a variation in the products and exchanges utilized by clearing service customers.
Other Expenses
· Other expenses for Americas Brokerage decreased $2.5 million, or 5.6%, to $42.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $45.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Other expenses for EMEA Brokerage decreased $6.5 million, or 11.3%, to $51.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $57.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Other expenses for Asia Brokerage decreased $1.1 million, or 8.4%, to $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $13.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Total Other expenses for our three brokerage segments decreased by $10.1 million, or 8.7%, to $105.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $116.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was attributable, in large part, to a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense for all three brokerage segments as a result of the decrease in brokerage revenues and reductions in brokerage personnel headcount as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was also due to global initiatives we implemented during the last two years to rationalize our aggregate compensation expense and increase the flexibility of our compensation arrangements.
· For our brokerage segments, we record certain direct expenses, including compensation and employee benefits; however, we do not allocate certain expenses that are managed separately at the corporate level to these operating segments. The unallocated costs including rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, interest and other expenses are included in the expenses for All Other described below. Management does not believe that allocating these costs to our brokerage segments is optimal for evaluating the performance of its brokerage segments.
· Other expenses for Clearing and Backed Trading decreased $0.6 million, or 5.6%, to $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was largely due to a decrease in communications and market data expenses partially offset by higher performance bonus expense as a result of increased trading revenues for this segment.
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· Other expenses for All Other decreased by $3.2 million, or 4.9%, to $61.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $64.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to $2.7 million in impairment charges taken in the three months ended September 30, 2012 related to an available for sale security.
Segment Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
The following tables summarize our Total revenues, Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, Other expenses and Income (loss) before income taxes by segment (dollars in thousands):
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 202,765 | | $ | 237,102 | | $ | 52,952 | | $ | 140,960 | | $ | 65,324 | | $ | 699,103 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 194,372 | | 230,031 | | 52,693 | | 32,840 | | 66,253 | | 576,189 | |
Other expenses | | 138,233 | | 164,275 | | 39,436 | | 30,348 | | 197,371 | | 569,663 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 53,139 | | 65,756 | | 13,257 | | 2,492 | | (131,118 | ) | 6,526 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 | |
| | Americas Brokerage | | EMEA Brokerage | | Asia Brokerage | | Clearing and Backed Trading | | All Other | | Total | |
Total revenues | | $ | 216,674 | | $ | 263,564 | | $ | 58,010 | | $ | 121,744 | | $ | 57,301 | | $ | 717,293 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 205,825 | | 255,751 | | 57,948 | | 35,642 | | 58,447 | | 613,613 | |
Other expenses | | 149,521 | | 187,009 | | 45,080 | | 31,244 | | 192,590 | | 605,444 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | 56,304 | | 68,742 | | 12,868 | | 4,398 | | (134,143 | ) | 8,169 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenues
· Total revenues for Americas Brokerage decreased $13.9 million, or 6.4%, to $202.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $216.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for EMEA Brokerage decreased $26.5 million, or 10.0%, to $237.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $263.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for Asia Brokerage decreased $5.0 million, or 8.7%, to $53.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $58.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Total revenues for our three brokerage segments decreased by $45.4 million, or 8.4%, to $492.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $538.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in total revenues for our brokerage segments was primarily due to the factors described above under “Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012.”
· Total revenues for Clearing and Backed Trading increased $19.3 million, or 15.9%, to $141.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $121.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was due primarily to an increase in clearing services revenues as a result of an increase in trades cleared by Kyte and a variation in the products and exchanges utilized by their clearing service customers.
· Total revenues for All Other increased by $8.0 million, or 14.0%, to $65.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $57.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to revaluation gains, including a translation gain on the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, and an increase in software revenues at our Trayport subsidiary due to expansion of their services into new asset classes and geographical markets.
Total interest and transaction-based expenses
· Total interest and transaction-based fees for our three brokerage segments decreased by $3.0 million to $15.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $18.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This decline was consistent with the net decline in our revenues for those products for which we incur transaction-based
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fees. Total interest and transaction-based fees for our Clearing and Backed Trading segment increased to $108.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $86.1 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in the number of trades cleared by Kyte and a variation in the products and exchanges utilized by their clearing service customers.
Other Expenses
· Other expenses for Americas Brokerage decreased $11.3 million, or 5.6%, to $138.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $149.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Other expenses for EMEA Brokerage decreased $22.7 million, or 12.2%, to $164.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $187.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Other expenses for Asia Brokerage decreased $5.6 million, or 12.5%, to $39.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $45.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Total Other expenses for our three brokerage segments decreased by $39.7 million, or 10.4%, to $341.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $381.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease across all brokerage segments was due, in large part, to a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense resulting from lower performance bonus expense on lower brokerage revenues for the nine months ending September 30, 2013 and lower salary expense due to reduced brokerage personnel headcount. The decrease was also due to global initiatives we implemented during the last two years to rationalize our aggregate compensation expense and increase the flexibility of our compensation arrangements.
· For our brokerage segments, we record certain direct expenses, including compensation and employee benefits; however, we do not allocate certain expenses that are managed separately at the corporate level to these operating segments. The unallocated costs, including rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, interest and other expenses are included in the expenses for All Other described below. Management does not believe that allocating these costs to our brokerage segments is optimal for evaluating the performance of its brokerage segments.
· Other expenses for Clearing and Backed Trading decreased $0.9 million, or 2.9%, to $30.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $31.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was largely due to a decrease in communications and market data expenses and a decrease in intercompany interest charges in connection with a decrease in investments by our Clearing and Backed Trading segment, partially offset by higher performance bonus expense as a result of increased brokerage revenues for this segment.
· Other expenses for All Other increased by $4.8 million, or 2.5%, to $197.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from $192.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to an increase in interest expense relating to our senior notes as a result of rating agency downgrades.
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Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, by quarter, our unaudited statement of operations data for the period from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013. Results of any period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and may, in certain periods, be affected by seasonal fluctuations in our business.
| | Quarter Ended | |
| | September 30, 2013 | | June 30, 2013 | | March 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | | September 30, 2012 | | June 30, 2012 | | March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | |
| | (dollars in thousands) | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agency commissions | | $ | 109,365 | | $ | 122,476 | | $ | 126,572 | | $ | 104,110 | | $ | 112,239 | | $ | 123,457 | | $ | 144,580 | | $ | 125,584 | |
Principal transactions | | 41,841 | | 51,562 | | 50,065 | | 46,329 | | 50,278 | | 51,964 | | 62,588 | | 48,907 | |
Total brokerage revenues | | 151,206 | | 174,038 | | 176,637 | | 150,439 | | 162,517 | | 175,421 | | 207,168 | | 174,491 | |
Clearing services revenues | | 32,722 | | 39,439 | | 38,064 | | 29,704 | | 30,545 | | 29,635 | | 28,127 | | 25,513 | |
Interest income from clearing services | | 455 | | 431 | | 737 | | 639 | | 422 | | 382 | | 521 | | 682 | |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 1,566 | | 2,300 | | 3,059 | | 2,327 | | 2,344 | | 2,478 | | 1,420 | | 523 | |
Software, analytics and market data | | 22,472 | | 21,808 | | 22,158 | | 22,482 | | 21,204 | | 20,468 | | 19,999 | | 19,292 | |
Other income | | 4,012 | | 4,262 | | 3,737 | | 1,703 | | 2,356 | | 9,346 | | 2,940 | | 13,829 | |
Total revenues | | 212,433 | | 242,278 | | 244,392 | | 207,294 | | 219,388 | | 237,730 | | 260,175 | | 234,330 | |
Interest and transaction-based expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees on clearing services | | 31,620 | | 38,424 | | 36,908 | | 28,738 | | 29,420 | | 28,606 | | 26,962 | | 24,074 | |
Transaction fees on brokerage services | | 4,430 | | 5,335 | | 5,807 | | 4,831 | | 5,734 | | 6,153 | | 6,125 | | 5,184 | |
Interest expense from clearing services | | 143 | | 87 | | 160 | | 293 | | 82 | | 158 | | 440 | | 496 | |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 36,193 | | 43,846 | | 42,875 | | 33,862 | | 35,236 | | 34,917 | | 33,527 | | 29,754 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses | | 176,240 | | 198,432 | | 201,517 | | 173,432 | | 184,152 | | 202,813 | | 226,648 | | 204,576 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | 121,109 | | 134,613 | | 137,015 | | 124,574 | | 130,499 | | 135,650 | | 155,778 | | 161,068 | |
Communications and market data | | 13,747 | | 13,743 | | 13,587 | | 14,131 | | 15,269 | | 15,694 | | 15,666 | | 15,364 | |
Travel and promotion | | 7,380 | | 7,857 | | 8,061 | | 8,503 | | 7,973 | | 9,285 | | 10,089 | | 9,887 | |
Rent and occupancy | | 7,901 | | 7,039 | | 7,212 | | 2,908 | | 7,083 | | 6,884 | | 6,792 | | 6,481 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 8,320 | | 8,334 | | 8,308 | | 9,122 | | 9,246 | | 9,108 | | 9,148 | | 9,278 | |
Professional fees | | 5,712 | | 6,385 | | 6,727 | | 5,768 | | 5,925 | | 5,377 | | 6,168 | | 7,772 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 7,612 | | 7,175 | | 7,688 | | 6,805 | | 6,738 | | 6,527 | | 6,815 | | 7,512 | |
Other expenses | | 5,615 | | 5,699 | | 12,824 | | 11,047 | | 8,586 | | 6,671 | | 8,473 | | 14,244 | |
Total other expenses | | 177,396 | | 190,845 | | 201,422 | | 182,858 | | 191,319 | | 195,196 | | 218,929 | | 231,606 | |
(Loss) income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,156 | ) | 7,587 | | 95 | | (9,426 | ) | (7,167 | ) | 7,617 | | 7,719 | | (27,030 | ) |
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (1,127 | ) | 719 | | (4,859 | ) | 1,688 | | 1,638 | | 2,282 | | 2,779 | | (4,945 | ) |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | (29 | ) | 6,868 | | 4,954 | | (11,114 | ) | (8,805 | ) | 5,335 | | 4,940 | | (22,085 | ) |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | 432 | | 177 | | 280 | | 258 | | (112 | ) | 15 | | 148 | | 58 | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | $ | (461 | ) | $ | 6,691 | | $ | 4,674 | | $ | (11,372 | ) | $ | (8,693 | ) | $ | 5,320 | | $ | 4,792 | | $ | (22,143 | ) |
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The following table sets forth our quarterly results of operations as a percentage of our Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses, for the indicated periods:
| | Quarter Ended | |
| | September 30, 2013 | | June 30, 2013 | | March 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | | September 30, 2012 | | June 30, 2012 | | March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agency commissions | | 62.1 | % | 61.7 | % | 62.8 | % | 60.0 | % | 60.9 | % | 60.9 | % | 63.8 | % | 61.4 | % |
Principal transactions | | 23.7 | | 26.0 | | 24.8 | | 26.7 | | 27.3 | | 25.6 | | 27.6 | | 23.9 | |
Total brokerage revenues | | 85.8 | | 87.7 | | 87.6 | | 86.7 | | 88.2 | | 86.5 | | 91.4 | | 85.3 | |
Clearing services revenues | | 18.5 | | 19.9 | | 18.9 | | 17.1 | | 16.6 | | 14.6 | | 12.4 | | 12.5 | |
Interest income from clearing services | | 0.3 | | 0.2 | | 0.4 | | 0.4 | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | | 0.3 | |
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses | | 0.9 | | 1.2 | | 1.5 | | 1.3 | | 1.3 | | 1.2 | | 0.6 | | 0.3 | |
Software, analytics and market data | | 12.7 | | 11.0 | | 11.0 | | 13.0 | | 11.5 | | 10.1 | | 8.8 | | 9.3 | |
Other income | | 2.3 | | 2.1 | | 1.9 | | 1.0 | | 1.3 | | 4.6 | | 1.4 | | 6.8 | |
Total revenues | | 120.5 | | 122.1 | | 121.3 | | 119.5 | | 119.1 | | 117.2 | | 114.8 | | 114.5 | |
Interest and transaction-based expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees on clearing services | | 17.9 | | 19.4 | | 18.3 | | 16.6 | | 16.0 | | 14.1 | | 11.9 | | 11.8 | |
Transaction fees on brokerage services | | 2.5 | | 2.7 | | 2.9 | | 2.8 | | 3.1 | | 3.0 | | 2.7 | | 2.5 | |
Interest expense from clearing services | | 0.1 | | 0.0 | | 0.1 | | 0.1 | | 0.0 | | 0.1 | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | |
Total interest and transaction-based expenses | | 20.5 | | 22.1 | | 21.3 | | 19.5 | | 19.1 | | 17.2 | | 14.8 | | 14.5 | |
Revenues, net of interest and transaction based expenses | | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation and employee benefits | | 68.7 | | 67.8 | | 68.0 | | 71.8 | | 70.9 | | 66.9 | | 68.7 | | 78.7 | |
Communications and market data | | 7.8 | | 6.9 | | 6.8 | | 8.1 | | 8.3 | | 7.7 | | 6.9 | | 7.5 | |
Travel and promotion | | 4.2 | | 4.0 | | 4.0 | | 4.9 | | 4.3 | | 4.6 | | 4.5 | | 4.8 | |
Rent and occupancy | | 4.5 | | 3.5 | | 3.6 | | 1.7 | | 3.8 | | 3.4 | | 3.0 | | 3.2 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 4.7 | | 4.2 | | 4.1 | | 5.3 | | 5.0 | | 4.5 | | 4.0 | | 4.5 | |
Professional fees | | 3.3 | | 3.2 | | 3.3 | | 3.3 | | 3.2 | | 2.7 | | 2.7 | | 3.8 | |
Interest on borrowings | | 4.3 | | 3.6 | | 3.8 | | 3.9 | | 3.7 | | 3.2 | | 3.0 | | 3.7 | |
Other expenses | | 3.2 | | 2.9 | | 6.4 | | 6.4 | | 4.7 | | 3.3 | | 3.8 | | 7.0 | |
Total other expenses | | 100.7 | % | 96.1 | % | 100.0 | % | 105.4 | % | 103.9 | % | 96.3 | % | 96.6 | % | 113.2 | % |
(Loss) income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes | | (0.7 | ) | 3.9 | | 0.0 | | (5.4 | ) | (3.9 | ) | 3.7 | | 3.4 | | (13.2 | ) |
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | | (0.6 | ) | 0.4 | | (2.4 | ) | 1.0 | | 0.9 | | 1.1 | | 1.2 | | (2.4 | ) |
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders | | (0.1 | ) | 3.5 | | 2.4 | | (6.4 | ) | (4.8 | ) | 2.6 | | 2.2 | | (10.8 | ) |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | | 0.2 | | 0.1 | | 0.1 | | 0.2 | | (0.1 | ) | 0.0 | | 0.1 | | 0.0 | |
GFI’s net (loss) income | | (0.3 | ) | 3.4 | % | 2.3 | % | (6.6 | )% | (4.7 | )% | 2.6 | % | 2.1 | % | (10.8 | )% |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities, when purchased, of three months or less. At September 30, 2013, we had $168.9 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $227.4 million at December 31, 2012. Included in these amounts are $94.3 million and $165.1 million of cash and cash equivalents held by subsidiaries outside of the United States at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We have historically asserted the intent to indefinitely reinvest, with very limited exceptions, the unremitted profits of our foreign subsidiaries. We continue to assert that our historic profits earned in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely reinvested, however, management has concluded that profits earned in certain overseas subsidiaries commencing from January 1, 2013 will ultimately be repatriated to the United States and we will accrue additional income taxes, if any, on such international profits. For profits earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 that are not permanently reinvested, we will not incur a material United States tax charge and we continue to believe we will not incur a material charge on the repatriation of profits in the future.
In addition, included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are cash balances which represent amounts clearing customers have on deposit with Kyte, our subsidiary which operates a clearing business. Kyte deposits these amounts with third parties who act as general clearing members of clearing houses in order to clear cash and derivative products for Kyte’s customers. These amounts, while due to us from the general clearing members, ultimately represent cash payable to our clearing customers. Also included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations are cash, including deposits, held at clearing organizations and exchanges to facilitate settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions, and spreads on matched principal transactions that have not yet been remitted from clearing organizations and exchanges. We estimate that cash held at clearing organizations, net of amounts owed to our clearing customers and net of clearing customer cash included within Cash and cash equivalents, was $56.4 million and $19.6 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
The following table summarizes our cash position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | |
| | (dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 168,878 | | $ | 227,441 | |
Cash held at clearing organizations, net of customer cash | | 56,394 | | 19,636 | |
Total balance sheet cash | | $ | 225,272 | | $ | 247,077 | |
We believe that, based on current levels of operations, our cash from operations, together with our current cash holdings and available borrowings under our credit agreement with Bank of America N.A. and certain other lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. Poor financial results, unanticipated expenses or unanticipated acquisitions or strategic investments could give rise to additional financing requirements sooner than we expect. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available when needed or, if available, that the financing will be on terms satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current stockholders.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Net cash used by operating activities was $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a net decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $13.8 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to an increase in cash used for working capital in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Such items include changes in payables to clearing service customers, accounts receivable, accrued compensation and accounts payable and receivables from/payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations. The decrease was also due to a $10.6 million decrease in non-cash items that reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period in the prior year. Such items include a benefit for deferred income taxes, impairment of investments, gains from equity method investments, depreciation and amortization, and share-based compensation. Partially offsetting these uses of cash was an increase in net income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders of $10.3 million, from $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $31.2 million compared to $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $20.1 million. The increase in net cash used for investing activities was primarily related to (i) an increase in purchases of investments of $11.7 million, primarily due to an increase in cash paid for equity method investments, (ii) an increase of cash paid for property, equipment and leasehold improvements of $6.2 million and (iii) an increase of $4.6 million in net payments due to the settlement of foreign exchange derivative hedge contracts.
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Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $23.6 million compared to $39.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $16.3 million. This decrease in net cash used was primarily due to a decrease in cash dividends paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 resulting from the acceleration of the payment of the dividend for the fourth quarter 2012 to December 2012 and a decrease in the purchase of treasury stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Regulatory Requirements
Our liquidity and available cash resources are in part restricted by the regulatory requirements of certain of our material operating subsidiaries, including GFI Securities LLC, GFI Brokers LLC, Amerex Brokers LLC, GFI Swaps Exchange LLC, GFI Securities Limited, GFI Brokers Limited, The Kyte Group Limited, Kyte Broking Limited, GFI (HK) Securities LLC, GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd, GFI Group PTE Ltd and GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited. These operating subsidiaries are subject to minimum capital requirements and/or licensing and financial requirements imposed by their respective market regulators that are intended to ensure general financial soundness and liquidity based on certain minimum capital, licensing and financial requirements. U.S. and U.K. regulations prohibit a registered broker-dealer from repaying borrowings of its parent or affiliates, paying cash dividends, making loans to its parent or affiliates or otherwise entering into transactions that result in a significant reduction in its regulatory net capital position without prior notification or approval from its principal regulator. GFI Swaps Exchange LLC received its temporary registration as a SEF in September 2013 and, at such time, this subsidiary was required to maintain capital as defined by the CFTC in an amount at least equal to one year of projected operating expenses as well as cash, liquid securities, or a line of credit at least equal to six months of projected operating expenses. See Note 16 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on our regulatory requirements.
Short and Long Term Debt
Our outstanding debt at September 30, 2013 consisted of $240.0 million of our 8.375% Senior Notes and $10.0 million of borrowings under our Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2013, the available borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement was $65.0 million. In December 2013, $18.75 million of the lender commitments mature and the remaining $56.25 million of the lender commitments mature in December 2015. The 8.375% Senior Notes mature in July 2018. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on our debt.
Credit Ratings
As of September 30, 2013, we maintained the following public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks:
| | Rating | | Outlook | |
Moody’s Investor Services | | B1 | | Stable | |
Standard & Poor’s | | B+ | | Stable | |
Fitch Ratings Inc. | | BB | | Negative | |
Credit ratings and outlooks can be revised at any time if such rating agency decides the circumstances warrant a revision. In addition, a reduction in our rating may affect the availability of future debt financing and the terms that are available to us.
On January 18, 2013, Moody’s Investor Services lowered its credit rating on our 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to B1, which increased our applicable per annum interest, effective January 19, 2013, by an additional 50 basis points. On April 19, 2013, Fitch lowered its credit rating on our 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to BB and revised its outlook from Stable to Negative. This credit rating downgrade by Fitch increased our applicable per annum interest, effective July 19, 2013, by an additional 50 basis points. On June 26, 2013, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) further lowered its credit rating on our 8.375% Senior Notes one notch to B+ and revised its outlook from Negative to Stable. This credit rating downgrade by S&P increased our applicable per annum interest, effective July 19, 2013, by an additional 25 basis points.
The cumulative effect of downgrades to our credit rating by the various rating agencies subsequent to the issuance of our 8.375% Senior Notes increased the per annum interest rate on the 8.375% Senior Notes by 200 basis points over the original interest rate, which is the maximum increase permitted under the indenture. The increased interest rate equates to $4.8 million in additional interest expense per annum, based on the aggregate amount of outstanding principal as of September 30, 2013.
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Dividends Paid
Prior to 2008, we retained all earnings for investment in our business. In February 2008, our Board of Directors approved a policy of paying quarterly dividends, subject to available cash flow from operations, other considerations and the determination of the amount by our Board of Directors. In December 2012, our Board of Directors declared a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2012 on an accelerated basis. The dividend was declared and paid in December 2012 and we, therefore, did not pay a cash dividend during the first quarter of 2013. Cash dividends paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $12.1 million and $17.8 million, respectively.
Common Stock
We may purchase additional shares of our common stock on the open market from time to time in accordance with a stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors. See Note 8 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the stock repurchase program.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013:
| | Payments Due by Period | |
| | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | More than 5 years | |
| | (in thousands ) | |
Contractual Obligations | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating leases | | $ | 144,110 | | $ | 13,951 | | $ | 23,800 | | $ | 22,628 | | $ | 83,731 | |
Short-term obligations | | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | — | | — | | — | |
Interest on Long-term obligations (1) | | 124,500 | | 24,900 | | 49,800 | | 49,800 | | — | |
Long-term obligations | | 240,000 | | — | | — | | 240,000 | | — | |
Purchase obligations (2) | | 32,561 | | 23,766 | | 7,662 | | 1,133 | | — | |
Total | | $ | 551,171 | | $ | 72,617 | | $ | 81,262 | | $ | 313,561 | | $ | 83,731 | |
(1) The amounts listed under Interest on Long-term obligations include increases to our applicable per annum interest on our 8.375% Senior Notes that were effective as a result of downgrades to our credit rating by the various credit agencies in 2012 and 2013. In the event that our credit ratings are subsequently increased or decreased, the applicable per annum interest could change and the amounts disclosed in this table would change; provided, however, the applicable per annum interest rate cannot increase by more than 200 basis points over the original interest rate, which is the maximum increase permitted under the indenture. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
(2) The amounts listed under Purchase Obligations include agreements for quotes with various information service providers. Additionally, such amounts include purchase commitments for capital expenditures. See Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
We have unrecognized tax benefits (net of the federal benefit on state positions) of approximately $9.0 million, excluding interest of $1.2 million. Due to the uncertainty of the amounts to be ultimately paid as well as the timing of such payments, all liabilities for uncertain tax positions that have not been paid are excluded from the Contractual Obligations and Commitments table.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 2013, as defined in Item 303(A)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have disclosed in Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2012 Form 10-K those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining our results of operations and financial condition. There have been no material changes to those policies that we consider to be significant since our 2012 Form 10-K. The accounting principles utilized by us in preparing our
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Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements conform in all material respects to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-11 Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires additional disclosure about financial instruments and derivatives instruments that are subject to netting arrangements to assist users of the financial statements in understanding the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. In January 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to ASU 2011-11, ASU No. 2013-01 Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosure about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2013-01”). ASU 2013-01 clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815- Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transaction that are either offset in accordance with Balance Sheet (Topic 210) guidance, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) guidance, or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The new disclosures are required for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, including retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance does not change current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, it requires companies to present the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety during the same reporting period. Presentation should occur either on the face of the income statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. The standard was effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2012. See Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, “Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions”, for impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless such tax loss or credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In the event that the tax position is disallowed or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods, and is to be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2013-11 on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are described in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” contained in the 2012 Form 10-K. Except as described below in this Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to those market risks during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Foreign Currency Exposure Risk
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign exchange rates related to our international operations. As foreign currency exchange rates change, the U.S. Dollar equivalent of revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies change. Our U.K. operations generate a large majority of their revenues in U.S. Dollars and Euros but pay a significant amount of their expenses in British Pounds. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts (“Foreign Exchange Derivative Contracts”) to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had no Foreign Exchange Derivative Contracts that were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges. We do not use derivative contracts for speculative purposes.
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We are also exposed to counterparty credit risk for nonperformance of Foreign Exchange Derivative Contracts and in the event of nonperformance, to market risk for changes in currency rates. The counterparties with whom we execute foreign exchange derivative contracts are major international financial institutions. We monitor our positions with, and the credit quality of, these financial institutions and we do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
While our international results of operations, as measured in U.S. Dollars, are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we do not consider the related risk to be material to our results of operations. If the Euro strengthened against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and the British Pound Sterling weakened by 10% against the U.S. Dollar, the net impact to our net income would be a reduction of approximately $0.8 million as of September 30, 2013.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
In addition, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) and determined that there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Other Financial Information
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) for their report on the unaudited consolidated financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
GFI Group Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition of GFI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 12, 2013, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2012, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated statement of financial condition from which it has been derived.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | |
New York, New York | |
November 8, 2013 | |
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the normal course of business, we are, and have been in the past, involved in, litigations, claims and arbitrations that involve claims for substantial amounts. These proceedings have generally involved either proceedings against our competitors in connection with employee hires, or claims from former employees in connection with the termination of their employment from us. There is also potential for client claims alleging the occurrence of errors in the execution of brokerage transactions. We are also currently, and have been in the past, involved in examinations, investigations or proceedings by government agencies and self-regulatory organizations. These examinations or investigations could result in substantial fines or administrative proceedings that could result in censure, the issuance of cease and desist orders, the suspension or expulsion of a broker dealer and its affiliated persons, officers or employees or other similar consequences.
Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position. However, the outcome of any such matters may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in a given period. It is not presently possible to determine the Company’s ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the Company’s outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in the 2012 Form 10-K. For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2012 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On July 1, 2010, we acquired a 70% equity ownership interest in The Kyte Group Limited and Kyte Capital Management Limited (collectively “Kyte”). Included as part of the purchase price was 1,339,158 contingently issuable shares of our common stock, par value $0.01, (“Common Stock”), which were deliverable to the selling shareholders of Kyte upon the waiver of certain conditions related to one of Kyte’s investments in a third party. In August 2013, we waived the outstanding conditions relating to the investment and issued all of the shares to the selling shareholders of Kyte.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, we withhold shares of common stock to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations arising on the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units. When we withhold these shares, we are required to remit to the appropriate taxing authorities the market price of the shares withheld, which could be deemed a purchase of the shares of our common stock by us on the date of withholding.
The table below sets forth the information with respect to the number of shares of our common stock upon the settlement and vesting of RSUs during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013.
Date | | Number of Shares | | Average Market Price | |
July | | 29,798 | | $ | 4.00 | |
August | | 30,941 | | $ | 4.01 | |
September | | 367,677 | | $ | 3.95 | |
In August 2007, the Board of Directors authorized us to implement a stock repurchase program to repurchase a limited number of shares of our common stock on the open market. Under the repurchase plan, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market in such amounts as determined by the Company’s management, provided, however, such amounts are not to exceed, during any calendar year, the number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock options plus the number of shares underlying grants of RSUs that are granted or which management reasonably anticipates will be granted in such calendar year. Any repurchases are also subject to compliance with certain covenants and limits under the Company’s Credit Agreement. During the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not repurchase any of its common stock under this program.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibits:
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
15 | | Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information. |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer. |
| | |
32.1 | | Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350). |
| | |
32.2 | | Written Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350). |
| | |
101.INS** | | XBRL Instance Document |
| | |
101.SCH** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
| | |
101.CAL** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.DEF** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
| | |
101.LAB** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.PRE** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
(*) Previously filed.
(**) Furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and included in Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is “furnished” and not “filed” for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such exhibit will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 unless GFI Group, Inc. specifically incorporates it by reference.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 8th day of November, 2013.
| GFI GROUP INC. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | By: | | /s/ JAMES A. PEERS |
| | | Name: | James A. Peers |
| | | Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | (principal financial and accounting officer) |
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