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MarketAxess Reports Record Revenues of $203.2 Million in First Quarter 2023

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MarketAxess Holdings reported a record revenue of $203.2 million for Q1 2023, marking a 9% increase year-over-year. The company achieved a total credit average daily volume (ADV) of $13.7 billion, up 14%, and a record Open Trading ADV of $4.5 billion, an increase of 21%. Despite a 10% rise in total expenses primarily due to increased headcount and technology costs, operating income rose 8% to $95.4 million, with an operating margin of 46.9%. Earnings per share (EPS) increased 15% to $1.96. The macro environment remains favorable, with significant market share gains across various products, including U.S. high-yield and Eurobonds. Estimated price improvement for clients reached approximately $252 million. The results reflect strong momentum in MarketAxess’s growth strategy, with expectations for continued expansion in trading volume and market share.

Positive
  • Record revenue of $203.2 million, up 9% year-over-year.
  • Total credit ADV reached $13.7 billion, a 14% increase.
  • Open Trading ADV of $4.5 billion, a 21% rise.
  • Operating income increased 8% to $95.4 million; operating margin at 46.9%.
  • EPS rose 15% to $1.96.
  • Significant market share gains in U.S. high-yield (+310 bps) and Eurobonds (+380 bps).
  • Estimated price improvement for clients at $252 million.
Negative
  • 10% increase in total expenses, primarily due to higher employee costs and technology investments.
  • 4% decline in total credit average variable transaction fee per million (FPM).

Record Total Credit ADV of $13.7 Billion, Up 14%; Record Open Trading® ADV of $4.5 Billion, Up 21%

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX), the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Chris Concannon, CEO of MarketAxess, commented:

“We executed very well against our growth strategy in the first quarter and delivered 9% revenue growth to a record $203 million, driven by record total credit revenue on a 14% increase in total credit average daily volume to a record $13.7 billion.

Our strong results were broad-based, with record commission revenue across U.S. high-yield, emerging markets and Eurobonds. Our differentiated liquidity pool, Open Trading, and the diversification of our model across products and geographies was a key driver of our results, with our international businesses contributing record levels of commission revenue and average daily volume. We also achieved new volume records across our new growth initiatives, including Portfolio Trading, Dealer RFQ and automated trading. Estimated price improvement6 for our clients was approximately $252 million, well in excess of our total revenue for the quarter.

The macro backdrop remains favorable, despite the market dislocation in March, and there was a significant uptick in trading velocity in the quarter compared to the prior year. Our estimated market share gains across most products are strong and total credit average fee per million has been stable. Our focus now is building on the strong momentum we have established in the first quarter.”

1Q23 financial and operational highlights*

  • Record total revenues of $203.2 million, up 9%; up 11% excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
    • Record total revenues include the impact of a 4% decline in total credit average variable transaction fee per million (“FPM”) driven by the lower duration of U.S. high-grade bonds traded.
  • Record total credit revenue on 14% growth in total credit average daily volume (“ADV”) to a record $13.7 billion. Record Open Trading ADV of $4.5 billion, up 21%, with total trade count up 27%.
  • Record commission revenue in U.S. high-yield (+16%), emerging markets (+6%) and Eurobonds (+30%); 15% increase in U.S. high-grade ADV to $6.3 billion.
  • Record information services revenue of $11.0 million, up 12%; up 18% excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
  • Strong estimated market share gains across composite corporate bond1 (+100 bps), high-yield (+310 bps), Eurobonds2 (+380 bps) and municipal bonds (+210 bps); strong estimated market share gains in emerging markets with record ADV of $3.1 billion, up 1%, compared to a 21% decline in emerging markets estimated market ADV.3
  • 10% increase in total expenses, driven principally by investments to capture the long-term revenue opportunity in the global fixed-income markets.
  • 8% increase in operating income to $95.4 million; operating margin of 46.9%.
  • 15% increase in diluted EPS to $1.96 on a 14% increase in net income to $73.6 million; net income margin of 36.2%, up from 34.8%. The prior year period included a net $0.02 per diluted share negative impact from non-operating items.
  • 5% increase in EBITDA4 to $110.5 million; EBITDA margin4 of 54.4%.
  • 37% (+210 bps) total credit Open Trading share5, up from 35%. Estimated price improvement6 via Open Trading was approximately $252 million.
    • Record U.S. high-grade Open Trading share5 of 34% (+350 bps).
  • Record $31 billion in portfolio trading volume, up 125% from $14 billion.

*All comparisons versus first quarter 2022 unless otherwise noted.

Table 1: 1Q23 select financial results

$ in millions, except per share data
(unaudited)
Revenues Operating Income Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income
Margin (%)
EBITDA EBITDA
Margin (%)

1Q23

$203

$95

$74

$1.96

36.2%

$111

54.4%

1Q22

$186

$88

$65

$1.71

34.8%

$106

56.8%

% Change

9%

8%

14%

15%

+140 bps

5%

(240) bps

Table 1A: 1Q23 trading volume (ADV)

CREDIT RATES
$ in millions
(unaudited)
US/UK Trading
Days7
Total
ADV
Total
Credit
High-Grade High-Yield Emerging
Markets
Eurobonds Municipal Bonds Total
Rates
US Govt.
Bonds
Agcy./Other
Govt. Bonds

1Q23

62/64

$38,202

$13,721

$6,334

$1,982

$3,094

$1,849

$447

$24,481

$24,053

$428

1Q22

62/63

$37,504

$12,005

$5,518

$1,626

$3,060

$1,493

$288

$25,499

$25,076

$423

% Change

 

2%

14%

15%

22%

1%

24%

55%

(4%)

(4%)

1%

Table 1B: 1Q23 estimated market share

CREDIT RATES


(unaudited)

High-Grade

High-Yield

High-Grade/High-
Yield Combined

Eurobonds

Composite
Corporate Bond1

Municipals

US Govt.
Bonds

1Q23

19.9%

18.3%

19.5%

16.0%

19.1%

6.4%

3.5%

1Q22

20.7%

15.2%

19.1%

12.2%

18.1%

4.3%

3.6%

Bps Change

(80) bps

+310 bps

+40 bps

+380 bps

+100 bps

+210 bps

(10) bps

1Q23 overview of results

Revenues and trading volume

Credit

  • Record total credit commission revenue of $175.7 million (including $34.7 million in fixed-distribution fees) increased $15.8 million, or 10%, compared to $159.9 million (including $31.2 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. The increase in total credit commission revenue was driven principally by higher trading volumes, strong estimated market share gains across most credit products and a $3.5 million, or 11%, increase in total credit fixed distribution fees, partially offset by lower average FPM. The increase in total credit fixed distribution fees was driven principally by new dealers on fixed fee plans and upgrades of dealers on existing fixed fee plans. The decline in average FPM for total credit to $164.98 from $172.54 in the first quarter of 2022 was mainly due to the lower duration of bonds traded in U.S. high-grade, driven principally by higher bond yields, as well as product mix-shift in other credit products.
    • Record $13.7 billion in total credit ADV, up 14%, with total trade count up 26%.
    • Record U.S. high-grade Open Trading share5 of 34% (+350 bps) on a 15% increase in U.S. high-grade ADV to $6.3 billion with estimated market share of 19.9%.
    • 22% increase in U.S. high-yield ADV to a record $2.0 billion with estimated market share of 18.3% (+310 bps), up from 15.2%.
    • Record emerging markets ADV of $3.1 billion, up 1%; MarketAxess estimated emerging markets TraX and FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging market ADV down a combined 21%.3 Record local markets ADV of $1.1 billion, up 10%.
    • 24% increase in Eurobonds ADV to a record $1.8 billion with 16.0% (+380 bps) estimated market share, up from 12.2%.2 Eurobonds ADV up approximately 31% excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
    • 55% increase in municipal bond ADV to $447 million, with record estimated market share of 6.4% (+210 bps).
    • Record Open Trading ADV of $4.5 billion, up 21%, with total trade count up 27%.
    • Total credit Open Trading share5 of 37% (+210 bps), up from 35%. Estimated price improvement6 via Open Trading was approximately $252 million, and average estimated price improvement per million was $902.
    • Record $31 billion in portfolio trading volume, up 125% from $14 billion in 1Q22. Estimated U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield portfolio trading market volume increased 13% and represented approximately 5% of the market in first quarter 2023, in line with first quarter 2022 levels.

Rates

  • Total rates commission revenue of $6.3 million increased 1% compared to the prior year. The 5% increase in average FPM for total rates products to $4.12, compared to $3.92 in the first quarter of 2022, was mostly offset by a 4% decrease in U.S. government bonds ADV to $24.1 billion.
    • 250 active client firms on the platform, up 72% from 145 in the prior year.

Information services & post-trade services

  • Record information services revenue of $11.0 million increased $1.2 million, or 12%, compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was principally driven by new data contract revenue, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, information services revenue would have increased approximately 18%.
  • Post-trade services revenue of $10.0 million increased 1% compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was principally driven by net new contract revenue, mostly offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, post-trade services revenue would have increased approximately 8%.

Expenses

  • Total expenses of $107.8 million increased $9.9 million, or 10%. The increase in expenses was driven principally by higher employee compensation and benefits as a result of a 12% increase in headcount, higher technology and communication expenses due to higher subscription costs and data center hosting expense, higher general and administrative expense and higher marketing expense on an increase in sales related activity. The increase in expenses across most activities was partially offset by a $2.5 million decline in professional and consulting fees, driven by lower acquisition-related consulting expenses and other consulting and recruiting fees. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total expenses would have increased approximately 12%.

Non-operating

  • Other income (expense): Other income was $2.8 million, up from $2.3 million in the prior year. The current quarter included higher interest income of $4.2 million, compared to $59 thousand in the prior year, due to rising interest rates. The prior year period benefited from a $1.6 million revaluation gain on a contingent liability and a $1.3 million foreign currency translation gain which was a net benefit of $0.06 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.
  • Tax rate: The effective tax rate was 25.0%, compared to 28.4% in the prior year. The higher effective tax rate in the prior year was driven principally by the impact of a $3.2 million charge, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to a settlement with New York State tax authorities. Excluding the charge, the first quarter 2022 effective tax rate would have been 24.8%, in line with the current quarter.

Capital

  • The Company had $439.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments; there were no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.
  • The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per share, payable on May 24, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2023.

Other

  • Employee headcount was 774 as of March 31, 2023, compared to 689 as of March 31, 2022 and 744 as of December 31, 2022. The increase in headcount compared to the prior year was due to the continued investment in the Company’s growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, trading automation and new trading protocols.

1 Composite corporate bond estimated market share is defined as combined estimated market share across U.S. high-grade (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), U.S. high-yield (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), emerging markets (derived from FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging markets volume, principally U.S. dollar denominated corporates) and Eurobonds (derived from MarketAxess TraX data, which is currently estimated to represent approximately 70% of the total European market) product areas.
2 Eurobonds estimated market share is derived from MarketAxess TraX data for Eurobonds and covered bonds market trading volume, which is currently estimated to represent approximately 70% of the total European market.
3 Emerging markets estimated market ADV is derived by combining MarketAxess TraX emerging markets trading volume (currently estimated to represent approximately 55% of the total emerging markets market) and FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging markets trading volume, principally U.S. dollar denominated corporates.
4 EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Non-GAAP financial measures and other items” for a discussion of changes made to the calculation of EBITDA beginning in the first quarter of 2023.
5 Open Trading share at the product level is derived by taking total Open Trading volume in the product divided by the total product trading volume. Total credit Open Trading share is derived by taking total Open Trading volume across all credit products where Open Trading is offered and dividing by total credit trading volume across all credit products where Open Trading is offered.
6 Estimated price improvement consists of estimated liquidity taker price improvement (defined as the difference between the winning price and the best disclosed dealer cover price) and estimated liquidity provider price improvement (defined as the difference between the winning price and then current Composite+ bid or offer level, offer if the provider is buying, bid if provider is selling) at the time of the inquiry.
7 The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar and the number of U.K. trading days is based primarily on the U.K. bank holiday schedule.

Non-GAAP financial measures and other items

To supplement the Company’s unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. Starting with the first quarter of 2023, our calculation of EBITDA has been revised to adjust for interest income in addition to interest expense. In prior periods, we only adjusted for interest expense because interest income amounts were insignificant. Prior comparable periods have now been recast to conform to the current presentation. Likewise, starting with the first quarter of 2023, EBITDA margin is calculated by adjusting for interest income in addition to interest expense and prior comparable periods have been recast to conform to the current presentation. We define EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by revenues. We define free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities excluding the net change in trading investments and net change in securities failed-to-deliver and securities failed-to-receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers, less expenditures for furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements and capitalized software development costs. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide additional information regarding the Company’s operating results because they assist both investors and management in analyzing and evaluating the performance of our business. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA, GAAP net income margin to EBITDA margin and GAAP cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow.

The Company also presents revenue and expense growth rates excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company believes that it is useful to provide investors with this framework that is also used by management to assess how our business performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations. To present this information, current and comparative prior period results for product areas reporting in currencies other than U.S. dollars are converted into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates from the comparative period rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the current period.

Please refer to Tables 6 and 7 for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Webcast and conference call information

Chris Concannon, Chief Executive Officer, Rick McVey, Founder and Executive Chairman and Christopher Gerosa, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 888-660-6576 (U.S.) and use the ID 3629577 or 929-203-1995 (international) and use the ID 3629577. The Company will also host a live audio Webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.marketaxess.com. The Webcast will be archived on http://investor.marketaxess.com for 90 days following the announcement.

About MarketAxess

MarketAxess (Nasdaq: MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Over 2,000 firms leverage MarketAxess’ patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. MarketAxess’ award-winning Open Trading® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through an advanced full trading lifecycle solution that includes automated trading solutions, intelligent data and index products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on Twitter @MarketAxess.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for Company and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company’s future financial and operating performance. These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess’ current expectations. The Company’s actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: global economic, political and market factors; risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possible effects of the economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse effects as a result of climate change or other ESG risks that could affect our reputation; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the rapidly evolving nature of the electronic financial services industry; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; reputational or credibility risks related to our data products and index business; the variability of our growth rate; our ability to introduce new fee plans and our clients’ response; our ability to attract clients or adapt our technology and marketing strategy to new markets; risks related to our growing international operations; our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the loss of any of our significant institutional investor clients; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our clients in which we act as an intermediary in matched principal trades; risks related to self-clearing; risks related to sanctions levied against states or individuals that could expose us to operational or regulatory risks; the effect of rapid market or technological changes on us and the users of our technology; our dependence on third-party suppliers for key products and services; our ability to successfully maintain the integrity of our trading platform and our response to system failures, capacity constraints and business interruptions; the occurrence of design defects, errors, failures or delays with our platforms; our vulnerability to malicious cyber-attacks and attempted data security breaches; our actual or perceived failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights or technology and defend against intellectual property infringement or other claims; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our dependence on our management team and our ability to attract and retain talent; limitations on our flexibility because we operate in a highly regulated industry; the increasing government regulation of us and our clients; risks related to the divergence of U.K. and European Union legal and regulatory requirements following the U.K.’s exit from the European Union; our exposure to costs and penalties related to our extensive regulation; our risks of litigation and securities laws liability; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; limitations on our operating flexibility contained in our credit agreement; and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess’ business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess’ periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com.

Table 2: Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

In thousands, except per share data (unaudited)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

% Change

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

181,991

 

 

$

166,113

 

 

 

9.6

 

%

Information services

 

 

11,010

 

 

 

9,809

 

 

 

12.2

 

 

Post-trade services

 

 

9,980

 

 

 

9,912

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

Other

 

 

188

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

(15.7

)

 

Total revenues

 

 

203,169

 

 

 

186,057

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

 

52,315

 

 

 

47,756

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

16,461

 

 

 

15,174

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

Technology and communications

 

 

14,999

 

 

 

12,192

 

 

 

23.0

 

 

Professional and consulting fees

 

 

7,127

 

 

 

9,621

 

 

 

(25.9

)

 

Occupancy

 

 

3,611

 

 

 

3,387

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

Marketing and advertising

 

 

2,995

 

 

 

1,789

 

 

 

67.4

 

 

Clearing costs

 

 

4,545

 

 

 

4,575

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

General and administrative

 

 

5,760

 

 

 

3,459

 

 

 

66.5

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

107,813

 

 

 

97,953

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

Operating income

 

 

95,356

 

 

 

88,104

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

4,249

 

 

 

59

 

 

NM

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(130

)

 

 

(173

)

 

 

(24.9

)

 

Equity in earnings of

unconsolidated affiliate

 

 

204

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

Other, net

 

 

(1,484

)

 

 

2,429

 

 

NM

 

 

Total other income (expense)

 

 

2,839

 

 

 

2,315

 

 

 

22.6

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

98,195

 

 

 

90,419

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

24,567

 

 

 

25,650

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

Net income

 

$

73,628

 

 

$

64,769

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

Per Share Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.96

 

 

$

1.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

1.96

 

 

$

1.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per

common share

 

$

0.72

 

 

$

0.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

37,478

 

 

 

37,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

37,645

 

 

 

37,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM - not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3: Commission Revenue Detail

In thousands, except fee per million data

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable transaction fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

 

$

140,970

 

 

$

128,682

 

 

 

9.5

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rates

 

 

 

6,258

 

 

 

6,191

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total variable transaction fees

 

 

 

147,228

 

 

 

134,873

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed distribution fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

 

 

34,684

 

 

 

31,178

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rates

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed distribution fees

 

 

 

34,763

 

 

 

31,240

 

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total commission revenue

 

 

$

181,991

 

 

$

166,113

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average variable transaction fee per million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

 

 

164.98

 

 

 

172.54

 

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rates

 

 

 

4.12

 

 

 

3.92

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 4: Trading Volume Detail*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

In millions (unaudited)

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

Volume

 

 

ADV

 

 

Volume

 

 

 

ADV

 

 

Volume

 

 

ADV

 

 

Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-grade

 

 

$

392,715

 

 

$

6,334

 

 

$

342,093

 

 

 

$

5,518

 

 

 

14.8

 

%

 

14.8

 

%

High-yield

 

 

 

122,873

 

 

 

1,982

 

 

 

100,826

 

 

 

 

1,626

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

Emerging markets

 

 

 

191,841

 

 

 

3,094

 

 

 

189,740

 

 

 

 

3,060

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

Eurobonds

 

 

 

118,366

 

 

 

1,849

 

 

 

94,077

 

 

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

25.8

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

Other credit

 

 

 

28,683

 

 

 

462

 

 

 

19,075

 

 

 

 

308

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

50.0

 

 

Total credit trading

 

 

 

854,478

 

 

 

13,721

 

 

 

745,811

 

 

 

 

12,005

 

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

14.3

 

 

Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government bonds

 

 

 

1,491,292

 

 

 

24,053

 

 

 

1,554,716

 

 

 

 

25,076

 

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

(4.1

)

 

Agency and other government bonds

 

 

 

27,061

 

 

 

428

 

 

 

26,518

 

 

 

 

423

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

Total rates trading

 

 

 

1,518,353

 

 

 

24,481

 

 

 

1,581,234

 

 

 

 

25,499

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

Total trading

 

 

$

2,372,831

 

 

$

38,202

 

 

$

2,327,045

 

 

 

$

37,504

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

Number of U.S. Trading Days1

 

 

 

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of U.K. Trading Days2

 

 

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar.

2 The number of U.K. trading days is based on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule.

*Consistent with FINRA TRACE reporting standards, both sides of trades are included in the Company's reported volumes when the Company executes trades on a matched principal basis between two counterparties. Consistent with industry standards, U.S. government bond trades are single-counted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 5: Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

In thousands (unaudited)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

332,780

 

 

$

430,746

 

 

Cash segregated under federal regulations

 

 

51,459

 

 

 

50,947

 

 

Investments, at fair value

 

 

106,674

 

 

 

83,792

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

100,184

 

 

 

78,450

 

 

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations

and customers

 

 

558,254

 

 

 

476,335

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

154,789

 

 

 

154,789

 

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

 

94,411

 

 

 

98,065

 

 

Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and

capitalized software, net

 

 

99,133

 

 

 

100,256

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

64,904

 

 

 

66,106

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

65,874

 

 

 

68,289

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,628,462

 

 

$

1,607,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued employee compensation

 

$

24,735

 

 

$

56,302

 

 

Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations

and customers

 

 

316,274

 

 

 

303,993

 

 

Income and other tax liabilities

 

 

37,930

 

 

 

28,448

 

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses

and other liabilities

 

 

46,674

 

 

 

55,263

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

81,317

 

 

 

82,676

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

506,930

 

 

 

526,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

123

 

 

 

123

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

333,114

 

 

 

345,468

 

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(327,815

)

 

 

(328,326

)

 

Retained earnings

 

 

1,148,093

 

 

 

1,101,525

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(31,983

)

 

 

(37,697

)

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

1,121,532

 

 

 

1,081,093

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

1,628,462

 

 

$

1,607,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 6: Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Net Income Margin to EBITDA Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

In thousands (unaudited)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

73,628

 

 

$

64,769

 

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

(4,249

)

 

 

(59

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

130

 

 

 

173

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

24,567

 

 

 

25,650

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

16,461

 

 

 

15,174

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

110,537

 

 

$

105,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income margin1

 

 

36.2

%

 

 

34.8

%

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

EBITDA margin2

 

 

54.4

%

 

 

56.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 7: Reconciliation of Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

In thousands (unaudited)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

$

7,527

 

 

$

(23,730

)

 

Exclude: Net change in trading investments

 

 

419

 

 

 

 

 

Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers

 

 

46,767

 

 

 

68,542

 

 

Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(1,396

)

 

Less: Capitalization of software development costs

 

 

(10,690

)

 

 

(9,425

)

 

Free cash flow

 

$

43,806

 

 

$

33,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Net income margin is derived by dividing net income by total revenues for the applicable period.

 

2 EBITDA margin is derived by dividing EBITDA by total revenues for the applicable period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Stephen Davidson

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

+1 212 813 6313

sdavidson2@marketaxess.com

MEDIA RELATIONS

Marisha Mistry

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

+1 917 267 1232

mmistry@marketaxess.com



William McBride

RF | Binder

+1 917 239 6726

Source: MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

FAQ

What were MarketAxess's revenue results for the first quarter of 2023?

MarketAxess reported record revenue of $203.2 million for Q1 2023, a 9% increase from the previous year.

How did MarketAxess perform in terms of trading volume in Q1 2023?

The company achieved a total credit average daily volume (ADV) of $13.7 billion, up 14%, along with a record Open Trading ADV of $4.5 billion, reflecting a 21% increase.

What was the EPS for MarketAxess in the first quarter of 2023?

Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 15% to $1.96 in Q1 2023.

What were the key drivers of MarketAxess's revenue growth?

The growth was driven by record commission revenue across U.S. high-yield, emerging markets, and Eurobonds, as well as strong results from its Open Trading platform.

What impact did expenses have on MarketAxess's financial performance in Q1 2023?

Total expenses increased by 10%, primarily due to higher employee compensation and technology costs, which could pressure future profit margins.

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

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