BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business PROG Holdings, Inc. ("we," "our," "us," the "Company," or "PROG Holdings") is a financial technology holding company that provides transparent and competitive payment options to consumers. PROG Holdings has two reportable segments: (i) Progressive Leasing, an in-store, app-based, and e-commerce point-of-sale lease-to-own solutions provider; and (ii) Vive Financial ("Vive"), an omnichannel provider of second-look revolving credit products. Our Progressive Leasing segment provides consumers with lease-purchase solutions through its point-of-sale partner locations and e-commerce website partners in the United States and Puerto Rico (collectively, "POS partners"). It does so by purchasing merchandise from the POS partners desired by customers and, in turn, leasing that merchandise to the customers through a cancellable lease-to-own transaction. Progressive Leasing has no stores of its own, but rather offers lease-purchase solutions to the customers of traditional and e-commerce retailers. Our Vive segment primarily serves customers that may not qualify for traditional prime lending offers who desire to purchase goods and services from participating merchants. Vive offers customized programs, with services that include revolving loans through private label and Vive-branded credit cards. Vive's current network of POS partner locations and e-commerce websites includes furniture, mattresses, home exercise equipment, and home improvement retailers, as well as medical and dental service providers. On June 25, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Four Technologies, Inc. ("Four"), an innovative Buy Now, Pay Later ("BNPL") company that allows shoppers to pay for merchandise through four interest-free installments. Shoppers use Four to purchase furniture, clothing, electronics, health and beauty products, footwear, jewelry, and other consumer goods from retailers across the United States. Four is not a reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 as its financial results are not material to the Company's consolidated financial results. See Note 2 for further discussion on the acquisition. Basis of Presentation The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management does not believe these estimates or assumptions will change significantly in the future absent unidentified and unforeseen events, such as the possible direct or indirect impacts associated with elevated inflation, increasing unemployment rates, the resumption of student loan repayments in October 2023, and/or the possibility of a recession in the United States. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PROG Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, each of which is wholly-owned. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated. Revenue Recognition Lease Revenues and Fees Progressive Leasing provides merchandise, consisting primarily of furniture, appliances, electronics, jewelry, mobile phones and accessories, mattresses, automobile electronics and accessories, and a variety of other products, to its customers for lease under terms agreed to by the customer. Progressive Leasing offers customers of traditional and e-commerce retailers a lease-purchase solution through leases with payment terms that can generally be renewed up to 12 months. Progressive Leasing does not require deposits upon inception of customer agreements. The customer has the right to acquire ownership either through early buyout options or through payment of all required lease payments. The agreements are cancellable at any time by either party without penalty. All of Progressive Leasing's customer agreements are considered operating leases. The Company maintains ownership of the lease merchandise until all payment obligations are satisfied under the lease ownership agreements. Initial lease payments made by the customer upon lease execution are recognized as deferred revenue and are amortized as lease revenue over the estimated lease term on a straight-line basis. Initial lease payments and other payments collected in advance of being due or earned are recognized as deferred revenue within customer deposits and advance payments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All other customer lease billings are earned prior to the lease payment due date and are recorded net of related sales taxes as earned. Payment due date terms include weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly and monthly frequencies. Revenue recorded prior to the payment due date results in unbilled receivables recognized in accounts receivable, net of allowances, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease revenues are recorded net of a provision for uncollectible renewal payments. Initial direct costs related to lease purchase agreements are capitalized as incurred and amortized as operating expense over the estimated lease term. The capitalized costs have been classified within prepaid expenses and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable Interest and fees on loans receivable is primarily generated from our Vive segment. Vive extends or declines credit to an applicant through its bank partners based upon the applicant's credit rating and other factors. Qualifying applicants are approved for a specified maximum revolving credit card line to finance their initial purchase and to use in subsequent purchases at the merchant or other participating merchants for an initial 24-month period, which Vive may renew if the cardholder remains in good standing. Vive acquires the loan receivable from its third-party bank partners at a discount from the face value of the loan. The discount is comprised of a merchant fee discount and a promotional fee discount, if applicable. The merchant fee discount represents a pre-negotiated, nonrefundable discount that generally ranges from 3% to 25% of the loan face value. The discount is designed to cover the risk of loss related to the portfolio of cardholder charges and Vive's direct origination costs. The merchant fee discount and origination costs are presented net in the consolidated balance sheets in loans receivable. Cardholders generally have an initial 24-month period that the card is active. The merchant fee discount, net of the origination costs, is amortized on a net basis and is recorded as interest and fees on loans receivable in the consolidated statements of earnings on a straight-line basis over the initial 24-month period. If the loan receivable is paid off or charged off during the 24-month period, the remaining net merchant fee discount is recognized as interest and fees on loans receivable at that time. The discount from the face value of the loan on the acquisition of the loan receivable from the merchant through the third-party bank partners may also include a promotional fee discount, which generally ranges from 1% to 8%. The promotional fee discount is intended to compensate the holder of the loan receivable (i.e., Vive) for deferred or reduced interest rates that are offered to the cardholder for a specified period on the outstanding loan balance (generally for six six The customer is typically required to make monthly minimum payments of at least 3.5% of the outstanding loan balance, which includes outstanding interest. Fixed and variable interest rates, typically 27% to 35.99%, are compounded daily for cards that do not qualify for deferred or reduced interest promotional periods. Interest income, which is recognized based upon the amount of the loans outstanding, is recognized as interest and fees on loans receivable when earned if collectibility is reasonably assured. For credit cards that provide deferred interest, if the balance is not paid off during the promotional period or if the cardholder defaults, interest is billed to the customers at standard rates and the cumulative amount owed is charged to the cardholder account in the month that the promotional period expires. The Company recognizes interest revenue during the promotional period based on its historical experience related to cardholders that fail to pay off balances during the promotional period if collectibility is reasonably assured. Annual fees are charged to cardholders at the commencement of the loan and on each subsequent anniversary date. Annual fees are deferred and recognized into revenue on a straight-line basis over a one-year period. Under the provisions of the credit card agreements, Vive also may assess fees for missed or late payments, which are recognized as revenue in the billing period in which they are assessed if collectibility is reasonably assured. Annual fees and other fees are recognized as interest and fees on loans receivable in the consolidated statements of earnings. Lease Merchandise Progressive Leasing's merchandise consists primarily of furniture, appliances, electronics, jewelry, mobile phones and accessories, mattresses, automobile electronics and accessories, and a variety of other products, and is recorded at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value. Progressive Leasing depreciates lease merchandise to a 0% salvage value generally over 12 months. Depreciation is accelerated upon early buyout. All of Progressive Leasing's merchandise, net of accumulated depreciation and allowances, represents on-lease merchandise. The Company records a provision for write-offs using the allowance method. The allowance method for lease merchandise write-offs estimates the merchandise losses incurred but not yet identified by management as of the end of the accounting period based on historical write-off experience. Other qualitative factors, such as current and forecasted customer payment trends, are considered in estimating the allowance. Given the significant uncertainty regarding the impacts of inflation, elevated interest rates, the resumption of student loan repayments, and/or unemployment rates on our business, a high level of estimation was involved in determining the allowance as of December 31, 2023. Actual lease merchandise write-offs may differ materially from the allowance as of December 31, 2023. For customer lease agreements that are past due, the Company's policy is to write off lease merchandise after 120 days. The following table shows the components of the allowance for lease merchandise write-offs, which is included within lease merchandise, net in the consolidated balance sheets: Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 Beginning Balance $ 47,118 $ 54,367 $ 45,992 Net Book Value of Merchandise Written off (165,153) (210,160) (128,031) Recoveries 6,965 8,985 9,422 Provision for Write-offs 155,250 193,926 126,984 Ending Balance $ 44,180 $ 47,118 $ 54,367 Vendor Incentives and Rebates Provided to POS Partners Progressive Leasing has agreements with some of its POS partners that require additional consideration to be paid to the POS partner, including payments for exclusivity, rebates based on lease volume originations generated through the POS partners, and payments to the POS partners for marketing or other development initiatives to promote additional lease originations through these POS partners. Payments made to POS partners as consideration for them providing exclusivity to Progressive Leasing for lease-to-own transactions with customers of the POS partner are expensed on a straight-line basis over the exclusivity term. Rebates are accrued over the period the POS partner is earning the rebate, which is typically based on quarterly or annual lease origination volumes. Payments made to POS partners for marketing or development initiatives are expensed on a straight-line basis over the period the POS partner is earning the funds or the specified marketing term. Progressive Leasing expensed $28.5 million, $27.7 million, and $18.0 million for such additional consideration to POS partners, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Expenses related to additional consideration provided to POS partners are classified within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. Advertising The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising costs amounted to $17.2 million, $15.8 million and $17.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are classified within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. Stock-Based Compensation The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note 13 to these consolidated financial statements. The Company estimates the fair value for the options granted on the grant date using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The fair value of each share of restricted stock units ("RSUs"), restricted stock awards ("RSAs") and performance share units ("PSUs") awarded is equal to the market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The Company estimates the fair value of awards issued under the Company's employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") using a series of Black-Scholes pricing models that consider the components of the "lookback" feature of the plan, including the underlying stock, call option and put option. The design of awards issued under the Company's ESPP is described in more detail in Note 13 to these consolidated financial statements. Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes represent primarily temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting purposes. The Company's largest temporary differences arise principally from the use of accelerated depreciation methods on lease merchandise for tax purposes. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of earnings per share assuming dilution includes the dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs, RSAs, PSUs and awards issuable under the Company's ESPP (collectively, "share-based awards") as determined under the treasury stock method. The following table shows the calculation of dilutive share-based awards: Year Ended December 31, (Shares In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 46,034 51,921 66,026 Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Awards 516 154 390 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution 46,550 52,075 66,416 Approximately 833,000, 1,410,000 and 423,000 weighted-average share-based awards were excluded from the computation of earnings per share assuming dilution during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as the awards would have been antidilutive for the periods presented. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company classifies highly liquid investments with maturity dates of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in a limited number of banks. Bank balances typically exceed coverage provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, due to the size and strength of the banks in which the balances are held, any exposure to loss is believed to be minimal. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables due from customers of Progressive Leasing and amounted to $67.9 million and $64.5 million, net of allowances, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company maintains an accounts receivable allowance, which primarily relates to its Progressive Leasing operations and, to a lesser extent, receivables from Vive's POS partners. The Company's policy is to record an allowance for uncollectible renewal payments based on historical collection experience. Other qualitative factors, such as current and forecasted business trends, are considered in estimating the allowance. Given the significant uncertainty regarding the impacts of inflation, elevated interest rates, the resumption of student loan repayments, and/or unemployment rates on our business, a high level of estimation was involved in determining the allowance as of December 31, 2023. Therefore, actual future accounts receivable write-offs may differ materially from the allowance. The provision for uncollectible renewal payments is recorded as a reduction of lease revenues and fees within the consolidated statements of earnings. For customer lease agreements that are past due, the Company's policy is to write off lease receivables after 120 days. Vive's allowance for uncollectible merchant accounts receivable, which primarily relates to cardholder returns and refunds, and is an immaterial amount related to Vive's bad debt expense, is recorded within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. See below for a discussion of Vive's loans receivable and related allowance for loan losses. The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable allowance: Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2023 2022 2021 Beginning Balance $ 69,264 $ 71,233 $ 56,364 Net Book Value of Accounts Written Off (348,729) (415,344) (247,789) Recoveries 39,019 37,111 37,914 Accounts Receivable Provision 304,626 376,264 224,744 Ending Balance $ 64,180 $ 69,264 $ 71,233 Loans Receivable, Net Gross loans receivable primarily represents the principal balances of credit card charges at Vive's participating merchants that remain due from cardholders, plus unpaid interest and fees due from cardholders. The allowance and unamortized fees represent uncollectible amounts; merchant fee discounts, net of capitalized origination costs; promotional fee discounts; and deferred annual card fees. Loans receivable, net, also includes $13.9 million and $5.3 million of outstanding receivables from customers of Four as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Economic conditions and loan performance trends are closely monitored to manage and evaluate exposure to credit risk. Trends in delinquency rates are an indicator of credit risk within the loans receivable portfolio, including the migration of loans between delinquency categories over time. Charge-off rates represent another indicator of the potential for future credit losses. The risk in the loans receivable portfolio is correlated with broad economic trends, such as current and projected unemployment rates, stock market volatility, and changes in medium and long-term risk-free rates, which are considered in determining the allowance for loan losses and can have a material effect on credit performance. Expected lifetime losses on loans receivable are recognized upon loan acquisition, which requires the Company to make its best estimate of probable lifetime losses at the time of acquisition. Vive's credit card loans do not have contractually stated maturity dates, which requires the Company to estimate an average life of loan by analyzing historical payment trends to determine an expected remaining life of the loan balance. The Company segments its loans receivable portfolio into homogenous pools by Fair Isaac and Company ("FICO") score and by delinquency status and evaluates loans receivable collectively for impairment when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company calculates Vive's allowance for loan losses based on internal historical loss information and incorporates observable and forecasted macroeconomic data over a six-month reasonable and supportable forecast period. Incorporating macroeconomic data could have a material impact on the measurement of the allowance to the extent that forecasted data changes significantly, such as higher forecasted inflation and unemployment rates. Subsequent to the six-month reasonable and supportable forecast period described above, the Company reverts to using historical loss information on a straight-line basis over a three-month period. For the remaining life of the portfolio, the Company utilizes historical loss information. The Company may also consider other qualitative factors in estimating the allowance, as necessary. For the purposes of determining the allowance as of December 31, 2023, management considered qualitative factors such as the tightening of Vive's loan decisioning in mid-2022 and macroeconomic conditions associated with the impacts from increased inflation, unemployment rates, and/or the possibility of a recession in the United States. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered appropriate to cover expected future losses of principal, interest and fees on active loans in the loans receivable portfolio. The appropriateness of the allowance is evaluated at each period end. To the extent that actual results differ from estimates of uncollectible loans receivable, due to the volatility of inflation, forecasted higher unemployment rates, housing costs, the resumption of student loan repayments in October 2023, and/or changes to other macroeconomic factors used to calculate the allowance, the Company's results of operations and liquidity may be materially affected. Vive's delinquent loans receivable includes those that are 30 days or more past due based on their contractual billing dates. Vive's loans receivable are placed on nonaccrual status when they are greater than 90 days past due or upon notification of cardholder bankruptcy, death or fraud. The Company discontinues accruing interest and fees and amortizing merchant fee discounts and promotional fee discounts for Vive's loans receivable in nonaccrual status. Loans receivable are removed from nonaccrual status when cardholder payments resume, the loan becomes 90 days or less past due and collection of the remaining amounts outstanding is deemed probable. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are allocated according to the same payment hierarchy methodology applied to loans that are accruing interest. Loans receivable are charged off no later than the end of the following month after the billing cycle in which the loans receivable become 120 days past due. Vive extends or declines credit to an applicant through its bank partners based upon the applicant's credit rating and other factors. Below is a summary of the credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 by FICO score as determined at the time of loan origination: December 31, FICO Score Category 2023 2022 600 or Less 6.5 % 6.9 % Between 600 and 700 73.5 % 75.4 % 700 or Greater 11.2 % 13.4 % No Score Identified 8.8 % 4.3 % Property and Equipment The Company records property and equipment at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from three one Costs incurred to develop software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, which ranges from five one Gains and losses related to dispositions and retirements are recognized as incurred. Maintenance and repairs are also expensed as incurred, and leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the lease term or the asset's useful life. Depreciation expense for property and equipment is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and was $9.3 million, $11.0 million and $11.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization of previously capitalized internal use software development costs, which is a component of depreciation expense for property and equipment, was $5.4 million, $5.5 million and $4.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company assesses its long-lived assets other than goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. If it is determined that the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable, the Company compares the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value as estimated using discounted expected future cash flows, market values or replacement values for similar assets. The amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following: December 31, (In Thousands) 2023 2022 Prepaid Expenses $ 17,768 $ 18,845 Prepaid Lease Merchandise 9,944 10,134 Prepaid Software Expenses 8,624 7,022 Unamortized Initial Direct Costs on Lease Agreement Originations 7,192 6,016 Other Assets 7,183 6,464 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets $ 50,711 $ 48,481 The Company incurs costs to implement cloud computing arrangements ("CCA") that are hosted by third-party vendors. Implementation costs associated with CCA are capitalized when incurred during the application development phase and are recorded within prepaid software expenses above. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the arrangement and is included within computer software expense as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. Progressive Leasing and Four are the only reporting units with goodwill. Impairment occurs when the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value. The Company's goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an impairment test at the reporting unit level annually as of October 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Factors which could necessitate an interim impairment assessment include a sustained decline in the Company's stock price, prolonged negative industry or economic trends and significant underperformance relative to historical results, projected future operating results, or the Company failing to successfully execute on one or more elements of Progressive Leasing and/or Four's strategic plans. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company engaged the assistance of a third-party valuation firm to perform the interim goodwill impairment test for the Four reporting unit. This included an assessment of the Four reporting unit's fair value relative to the carrying value that was derived using a market approach. The market approach, which includes the guideline public company method, utilized pricing multiples derived from an analysis of other publicly traded companies that operate in the BNPL industry. We believe the comparable companies we evaluate as marketplace participants serve as an appropriate reference when calculating fair value because those companies have similar risks, participate in similar markets, provide similar products and services for their customers and compete with Four directly. The Company determined the Four goodwill was partially impaired and recorded a $10.2 million impairment of goodwill during the third quarter of 2022. The remaining carrying value of the Four reporting unit was $7.3 million, which approximated its fair value as of October 1, 2022. Additional goodwill impairment charges may occur in future periods if the Company fails to execute on one or more elements of Four's strategic plan, Four's actual or projected results are unfavorable compared to the current forecasted operating results, and/or there are further declines in the BNPL peer market multiples. The Company completed qualitative assessments for its annual goodwill impairment test for both Progressive Leasing and Four as of October 1, 2023. The qualitative assessments did not present any indicators of impairment and the Company concluded that no impairment had occurred. The Company determined that there were no events that occurred or circumstances that changed during the fourth quarter of 2023 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of Progressive Leasing or Four below their carrying amounts. Other Intangibles Other intangibles represent identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the Progressive Leasing, Vive and Four acquisitions, which the Company recorded at the estimated fair value as of the respective acquisition dates. The Company amortized the definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a result of the Vive acquisition on a straight-line basis over five years. The Company amortizes the definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a result of the Progressive Leasing and Four acquisitions on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from two Indefinite-lived intangible assets represent the value of the trade name acquired as part of the Progressive Leasing acquisition. At the date of acquisition, the Company determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limit the useful life of the trade name intangible asset and, therefore, the useful life is considered indefinite. The Company reassesses this conclusion quarterly and continues to believe the useful life of this asset is indefinite. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to an impairment test annually and when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The Company performs the impairment test for its indefinite-lived intangible assets on October 1 in conjunction with its annual goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as of October 1, 2023 and concluded that no impairment had occurred. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: December 31, (In Thousands) 2023 2022 Accounts Payable $ 20,237 $ 14,386 Accrued Salaries and Benefits 27,256 21,366 Accrued Sales and Personal Property Taxes 11,684 13,517 Income Taxes Payable 1,153 1,287 Uncertain Tax Positions 1 54,995 51,110 Accrued Vendor Rebates 11,446 9,320 Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities 24,488 24,039 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $ 151,259 $ 135,025 1 The uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are primarily related to the Company's tax treatment of the $175.0 million settlement payment made in 2020 to the FTC as discussed in Note 9. Cybersecurity Incident As previously disclosed by the Company on September 21, 2023, Progressive Leasing experienced a cybersecurity incident affecting certain data and IT systems of Progressive Leasing. Promptly after detecting the incident, the Company engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and took immediate steps to respond to, remediate and investigate the incident. Law enforcement was also notified. Based on the Company's investigation, the Company determined that the data involved in the incident contained a substantial amount of personally identifiable information, including social security numbers, of Progressive Leasing's customers and other individuals. With the assistance of our cybersecurity experts, the Company located the Progressive Leasing customers and other individuals whose information was impacted and notified them, consistent with state and federal requirements. The Company also took a number of additional measures to demonstrate its continued support and commitment to data privacy and protection. The investigation is nearly complete and the Company believes it has a full view of the compromised data. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $2.8 million for actual and anticipated costs related to the cybersecurity incident. These costs related primarily to third-party legal and consulting services and credit monitoring services for Progressive Leasing's customers and employees that were impacted and are included within professional services expense as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $0.9 million accrued for costs related to the cybersecurity incident, which are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. Fair Value Measurement Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the m |