MarketAxess Reports Second Quarter 2021 Revenues of $176.3 Million, Operating Income of $87.2 Million and Diluted EPS of $1.77

Rhea-AI Summary

MarketAxess Holdings reported Q2 2021 revenues of $176.3 million, down 5% year-over-year, with an operating income of $87.2 million, reflecting a 16% decline. The diluted EPS dropped 20% to $1.77. Despite a 21.1% market share in high-grade trading, total estimated U.S. credit TRACE trading volume fell by 18.7%. The company experienced increased expenses, rising 10.5% to $89.2 million. A dividend of $0.66 per share was declared, and share repurchases totaled 28,701 shares at a cost of $13.4 million.

Positive

• Record municipal bond trading volume achieved.
• Acquired MuniBrokers contributed $1.1 million to commission revenue.

Negative

• Total revenues decreased by 5% year-over-year.
• Operating income fell by 16% compared to Q2 2020.
• Diluted EPS decreased 20% from previous year.
• Commission revenue down 9.1%, with variable transaction fees decreasing 13%.

Second Quarter Highlights^*

• Revenues of $176.3 million, down 5%
• Operating income of $87.2 million, down 16%
• Operating margin of 49.4%
• Diluted EPS of $1.77, down 20% from $2.20
• 2-year compound annual growth rates of 19% for revenue and 20% for operating income compared to second quarter of 2019
• Estimated U.S. high-grade market share of 21.1%
• Record municipal bond trading volume; closed MuniBrokers transaction in April 2021
• Emerging market trading volume up 11%; estimated market volumes down 17%
• Record active total client firms of 1,842 and international client firms of 930
  

^*All comparisons versus second quarter 2020 unless otherwise stated.

NEW YORK, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX), the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, and the provider of market data and post-trade services for the global fixed-income markets, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“Second quarter results were heavily impacted by low levels of credit market volatility in a very tough year over year comparison for MarketAxess,” said Chairman and CEO Rick McVey. “We are proud of the Company’s record results achieved last Spring during elevated credit spread volatility and high market volume caused by the Pandemic and, though we were not able to duplicate those results, we believe the Company’s long-term revenue and earnings growth rates remain on track. In addition to consistent long-term growth in our core business, we are excited about the progress we are making in our international business, emerging markets, municipal bonds, and new trading protocols. We believe our investments are creating a much broader foundation for future growth that will be evident when more normal levels of volatility return to fixed income markets.”

Second Quarter Results

Total revenues for the second quarter of 2021 decreased 4.6% to $176.3 million, compared to $184.8 million for the second quarter of 2020. Operating income was $87.2 million, compared to $104.1 million for the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of 16.3%. Operating margin was 49.4%, compared to 56.4% for the second quarter of 2020. Net income totaled $67.3 million, or $1.77 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $83.9 million, or $2.20 per share, for the second quarter of 2020.

Commission revenue for the second quarter of 2021 decreased 9.1% to $156.4 million, compared to $172.1 million for the second quarter of 2020. Variable transaction fees decreased 13.0% to $127.1 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to variable transaction fees of $146.0 million for the second quarter of 2020. Commission revenue includes $1.1 million generated by MuniBrokers, which was acquired in April 2021. U.S. high-grade trading volume as a percentage of FINRA’s high-grade TRACE trading volume was an estimated 21.1% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to an estimated 21.5% for the second quarter of 2020. Estimated U.S. credit TRACE trading volume decreased by 18.7% year-over-year.

All other revenue, which consists of information services, post-trade services and other revenue, increased to $19.9 million, compared to $12.7 million for the second quarter of 2020. The increase in all other revenue was principally due to $3.8 million of regulatory trade reporting revenue generated by Regulatory Reporting Hub, which was acquired from Deutsche Börse Group in November 2020, and $1.3 million of revenue due to the weaker U.S. dollar to U.K. pound sterling exchange rate.

Total expenses for the second quarter of 2021 increased 10.5% to $89.2 million, compared to $80.7 million for the second quarter of 2020. The increase in total expenses was largely due to higher depreciation and amortization of $4.8 million, which includes $2.8 million of acquired intangibles expense; higher professional and consulting fees of $2.6 million, mainly attributable to non-recurring integration costs associated with the Regulatory Reporting Hub transaction of $1.3 million and self-clearing consulting fees of $0.7 million; and higher technology and communication costs of $2.0 million which was partially offset by a decrease in clearing costs of $1.3 million. Expenses in the second quarter of 2021 reflect operating expenses and costs associated with the MuniBrokers and Regulatory Reporting Hub businessess totaling $5.1 million. Excluding the MuniBrokers and Regulatory Reporting Hub expenses, total expenses for the quarter were up 4.2%.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2021 was 21.8%, compared to 19.7% for the second quarter of 2020. The income tax provision for the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 reflected $5.6 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards.

Employee headcount was 637 as of June 30, 2021 compared to 561 as of June 30, 2020. The increase in headcount was due to the continued investment in the Company’s growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, trading automation, new trading protocols and the transition to self-clearing.

Dividend

The Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to $0.66 per share of common stock outstanding, to be paid on August 18, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 4, 2021.

Share Repurchases

A total of 28,701 shares were repurchased in the second quarter of 2021 at a cost of $13.4 million.

Balance Sheet Data

As of June 30, 2021, total assets were $1.5 billion and included $449.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2021 was $1.0 billion.

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”) and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in understanding the Company's operating results. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA and GAAP cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Rick McVey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Concannon, President and Chief Operating Officer and Tony DeLise, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial 855-425-4206 (U.S.) or 484-756-4249 (international). 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. A replay of the call will be made available by dialing 855-859-2056 (U.S.) or 404-537-3406 (international) and using the conference ID: 5230777 for one week after the announcement. The Webcast will also be archived on http://investor.marketaxess.com for 90 days following the announcement.

About MarketAxess

MarketAxess operates a leading, institutional electronic trading platform delivering expanded liquidity opportunities, improved execution quality and significant cost savings across global fixed-income markets. A global network of over 1,800 firms, including the world’s leading asset managers and institutional broker-dealers, leverages MarketAxess’ patented trading technology to efficiently trade bonds. MarketAxess’ award-winning Open Trading® marketplace is regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets, creating a unique liquidity pool for a broad range of credit market participants. Drawing on its deep data and analytical resources, MarketAxess provides automated trading solutions, market data products and a range of pre- and post-trade services. For more information, please visit www.marketaxess.com.

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; risks related to the U.K. exit from the European Union; 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; 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; 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 cyber security risks; 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; 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.

Media and Investor Relations Contacts:

David Cresci	William McBride
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.	RF|Binder
+1-212-813-6027	+1-917-239-6726
Kyle White
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
+1-212-813-6355

                         

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	(In thousands, except per share data)
	(unaudited)
Revenues
Commissions	$	156,431			$	172,092			$	332,269			$	328,046
Information services		9,844				8,427				19,006				17,069
Post-trade services		9,848				4,054				20,109				8,207
Other		211				222				414				451
Total revenues		176,334				184,795				371,798				353,773
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits		40,732				41,636				88,820				82,830
Depreciation and amortization		13,097				8,305				24,876				16,372
Technology and communications		10,544				8,592				20,580				16,753
Professional and consulting fees		10,704				8,065				20,344				13,740
Occupancy		3,300				3,286				6,617				6,760
Marketing and advertising		3,128				1,810				4,332				4,485
Clearing costs		4,372				5,713				9,066				11,223
General and administrative		3,280				3,253				6,512				6,386
Total expenses		89,157				80,660				181,147				158,549
Operating income		87,177				104,135				190,651				195,224
Other income (expense)
Investment income		107				714				214				1,983
Interest expense		(171	)			—				(362	)			—
Other, net		(1,060	)			(446	)			(2,649	)			(1,102	)
Total other income (expense)		(1,124	)			268				(2,797	)			881
Income before income taxes		86,053				104,403				187,854				196,105
Provision for income taxes		18,765				20,549				40,109				37,435
Net income	$	67,288			$	83,854			$	147,745			$	158,670
Per Share Data:
Net income per common share
Basic	$	1.79			$	2.25			$	3.94			$	4.25
Diluted	$	1.77			$	2.20			$	3.87			$	4.16
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.66			$	0.60			$	1.32			$	1.20
Weighted-average common shares:
Basic		37,508				37,340				37,489				37,322
Diluted		38,104				38,153				38,129				38,115

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Commission Revenue Details
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Total Commissions Revenue
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Transaction Fees
U.S. high-grade	$	56,413			$	75,208			$	121,769			$	133,178
Other credit 1		67,074				66,977				145,973				132,587
Total credit		123,487				142,185				267,742				265,765
Rates 2		3,612				3,846				7,755				9,432
Total transaction fees		127,099				146,031				275,497				275,197
Distribution Fees
U.S. high-grade		21,373				19,635				42,343				39,609
Other credit1		7,895				6,329				14,299				12,987
Total credit		29,268				25,964				56,642				52,596
Rates2		64				97				130				253
Total distribution fees		29,332				26,061				56,772				52,849
Total commissions	$	156,431			$	172,092			$	332,269			$	328,046
	Average Variable Transaction Fee Per Million
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	179.02			$	186.67			$	182.21			$	185.04
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		36.40				55.06				41.19				51.38
Total U.S. high-grade		174.11				181.41				177.13				178.86
Other credit 1		194.49				204.66				198.36				201.80
Total credit		184.62				191.66				188.11				189.62
Rates2		4.07				4.02				3.86				3.93
1 Other credit includes high-yield, emerging markets, Eurobonds and municipal bonds.
2 Rates includes U.S. Government bonds, agencies and other government bonds.

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data
	As of
	June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	413,612			$	460,858
Cash segregated under federal regulations		50,108				50,059
Investments, at fair value		35,838				28,111
Accounts receivable, net		87,125				79,577
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		475,739				279,915
Goodwill		154,789				147,388
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		119,989				95,354
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized    software, net		93,108				85,204
Operating lease right-of-use assets		73,906				75,924
Prepaid expenses and other assets		33,709				29,039
Total assets	$	1,537,923			$	1,331,429
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities
Accrued employee compensation	$	39,278			$	62,326
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		278,303				133,326
Income and other tax liabilities		41,345				42,750
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		65,872				44,354
Operating lease liabilities		91,265				93,612
Total liabilities		516,063				376,368
Stockholders' equity
Common stock		123				123
Additional paid-in capital		313,683				329,742
Treasury stock		(183,479	)			(169,523	)
Retained earnings		896,977				799,369
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(5,444	)			(4,650	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,021,860				955,061
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,537,923			$	1,331,429

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Net income	$	67,288			$	83,854			$	147,745			$	158,670
Add back:
Interest expense		171				—				362				—
Provision for income taxes		18,765				20,549				40,109				37,435
Depreciation and amortization		13,097				8,305				24,876				16,372
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and    amortization	$	99,321			$	112,708			$	213,092			$	212,477
	Free Cash Flow
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	96,726			$	104,853			$	73,567			$	225,222
Exclude: Net change in trading investments		11,064				(6,880	)			5,569				(63,274	)
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		(26,596	)			—				66,774				—
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and  leasehold improvements		(5,552	)			(4,973	)			(9,809	)			(9,264	)
Less: Capitalization of software development costs		(8,384	)			(6,225	)			(16,459	)			(13,003	)
Free cash flow	$	67,258			$	86,775			$	119,642			$	139,681

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Volume Statistics*
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Total Trading Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	312,858			$	398,006			$	662,673			$	710,194
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		11,153				16,574				24,779				34,380
Total U.S. high-grade		324,011				414,580				687,452				744,574
Other credit		344,865				327,266				735,885				657,019
Total credit		668,876				741,846				1,423,337				1,401,593
Rates		888,267				955,594				2,009,135				2,400,472
	Average Daily Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade	$	5,143			$	6,581			$	5,544			$	5,957
Other credit		5,521				5,234				5,935				5,256
Total credit		10,664				11,815				11,479				11,213
Rates		14,113				15,169				16,203				19,204
Number of U.S. Trading Days 1		63				63				124				125
Number of U.K. Trading Days 2		61				61				124				125
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.

FAQ

What were MarketAxess's Q2 2021 revenue figures?

MarketAxess reported revenues of $176.3 million for Q2 2021.

How much did diluted EPS decline in Q2 2021 for MKTX?

Diluted EPS for MKTX declined by 20%, reaching $1.77.

What is the estimated market share for MKTX in high-grade trading?

MarketAxess estimated its market share in high-grade trading at 21.1%.

When is the dividend payment for MKTX's Q2 2021 results?

The dividend of $0.66 per share will be paid on August 18, 2021.

How did total expenses change for MKTX in Q2 2021?

Total expenses increased by 10.5% to $89.2 million.