MarketAxess Reports Third Quarter 2021 Revenues of $162.1 Million, Operating Income of $74.0 Million and Diluted EPS of $1.52

Rhea-AI Summary

MarketAxess Holdings reported its Q3 2021 results with revenues of $162.1 million, a decrease of 1% year-over-year. Operating income fell 16% to $74.0 million, resulting in an operating margin of 45.7%. Diluted EPS decreased 15% to $1.52. Despite these declines, the company achieved a record client base of 1,848 and a U.S. high-grade market share of 21.4%. Total expenses rose 15.6% to $88.1 million, influenced by various operational costs. The board declared a cash dividend of $0.66 per share, payable on November 17, 2021.

Positive

• Record total client firms reached 1,848, with 934 being international clients.
• Increased revenue from information services and post-trade services to $19.3 million, up from $13.4 million.
• Reduced full-year expense guidance from $370-$386 million to $360-$365 million, indicating cost management.

Negative

• Revenues decreased by 1.2% compared to Q3 2020, affecting overall financial performance.
• Operating income declined by 15.7%, resulting in a significant drop in profitability.
• Total expenses increased by 15.6%, raising concerns about rising operational costs.

Third Quarter Highlights^*

• Revenues of $162.1 million, down 1%
• Operating income of $74.0 million, down 16%
• Operating margin of 45.7%
• Diluted EPS of $1.52, down 15% from $1.78
• Estimated U.S. high-grade market share of 21.4%
• Record active total client firms of 1,848 and international client firms of 934

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

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 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 September 30, 2021.

"Growth in our global client network and adoption of automated solutions continued in the third quarter in spite of generally weak secondary trading conditions in global credit trading. Credit spreads and credit spread volatility have remained at historically low levels throughout the year," said Rick McVey, chairman and CEO of MarketAxess. "Investments in our international client business are paying off with record estimated market share in Eurobonds and strong trends in global Emerging Markets bond trading. Combined data and post-trade revenue also reached a new record this quarter, providing an important source of diversification."

Third Quarter Results

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2021 decreased 1.2% to $162.1 million, compared to $164.0 million for the third quarter of 2020. Operating income was $74.0 million, compared to $87.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of 15.7%. Operating margin was 45.7%, compared to 53.5% for the third quarter of 2020. Net income totaled $58.0 million, or $1.52 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $67.8 million, or $1.78 per share, for the third quarter of 2020.

Commission revenue for the third quarter of 2021 decreased 5.2% to $142.8 million, compared to $150.6 million for the third quarter of 2020. Variable transaction fees decreased 9.0% to $112.1 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to variable transaction fees of $123.2 million for the third quarter of 2020. Commission revenue includes $1.2 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 21.4% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to an estimated 22.2% for the third quarter of 2020.  

All other revenue, which consists of information services, post-trade services and other revenue, increased to $19.3 million, compared to $13.4 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in all other revenue was principally due to $3.4 million of regulatory trade reporting revenue generated by Regulatory Reporting Hub, which was acquired from Deutsche Börse Group in November 2020, net new post-trade services contract revenue of $1.1 million, net new data sales of $0.9 million and $0.5 million of revenue due to the weaker U.S. dollar to U.K. pound sterling exchange rate.

Total expenses for the third quarter of 2021 increased 15.6% to $88.1 million, compared to $76.2 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in total expenses was largely due to higher depreciation and amortization of $4.9 million, which includes acquired intangibles expense of $3.2 million; higher professional and consulting fees of $2.6 million, mainly attributable to non-recurring integration costs associated with the Regulatory Reporting Hub transaction of $1.1 million and IT consulting fees of $0.9 million; and higher technology and communication costs of $2.2 million which was partially offset by a decrease in clearing costs of $1.6 million. Expenses in the third quarter of 2021 reflect operating expenses and costs associated with the MuniBrokers and Regulatory Reporting Hub businesses totaling $5.5 million. Excluding the MuniBrokers and Regulatory Reporting Hub expenses, total expenses for the quarter were up 8.4%.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2021 was 22.2%, compared to 23.0% for the third quarter of 2020. The income tax provision for the third quarter of 2021 and 2020 reflected $1.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards.

Employee headcount was 671 as of September 30, 2021 compared to 599 as of September 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 November 17, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 3, 2021.

Share Repurchases

A total of 9,189 shares were repurchased in the third quarter of 2021 at a cost of $4.2 million.

Balance Sheet Data

As of September 30, 2021, total assets were $1.6 billion and included $468.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments.   Total stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2021 was $1.1 billion.

Updated Expense Guidance for 2021

The Company is updating its full year 2021 expense guidance range to $360.0 million to $365.0 million, down from a range of $370.0 million to $386.0 million.  The updated expense guidance range reflects, among other items, lower incentive compensation and variable clearing costs.

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 Christopher Gerosa, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Wednesday, October 20, 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: 9890509 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								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	(In thousands, except per share data)
	(unaudited)
Revenues
Commissions	$	142,826			$	150,586			$	475,095			$	478,632
Information services		9,608				8,501				28,614				25,570
Post-trade services		9,444				4,689				29,553				12,896
Other		215				230				629				681
Total revenues		162,093				164,006				533,891				517,779
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits		40,878				37,583				129,698				120,413
Depreciation and amortization		13,964				9,032				38,840				25,404
Technology and communications		10,665				8,417				31,245				25,170
Professional and consulting fees		10,847				8,269				31,191				22,009
Occupancy		3,265				3,445				9,882				10,205
Marketing and advertising		1,821				1,148				6,153				5,633
Clearing costs		3,269				4,838				12,335				16,061
General and administrative		3,381				3,467				9,893				9,853
Total expenses		88,090				76,199				269,237				234,748
Operating income		74,003				87,807				264,654				283,031
Other income (expense)
Investment income		108				344				322				2,327
Interest expense		(314	)			(1,046	)			(676	)			(1,046	)
Other, net		697				860				(1,952	)			(242	)
Total other income (expense)		491				158				(2,306	)			1,039
Income before income taxes		74,494				87,965				262,348				284,070
Provision for income taxes		16,536				20,189				56,645				57,624
Net income	$	57,958			$	67,776			$	205,703			$	226,446
Per Share Data:
Net income per common share
Basic	$	1.54			$	1.81			$	5.49			$	6.06
Diluted	$	1.52			$	1.78			$	5.40			$	5.94
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.66			$	0.60			$	1.98			$	1.80
Weighted-average common shares:
Basic		37,529				37,386				37,502				37,343
Diluted		38,084				38,160				38,114				38,129

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Commission Revenue Details
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Total Commissions Revenue
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Transaction Fees
U.S. high-grade	$	45,848			$	60,861			$	167,617			$	194,039
Other credit 1		62,475				59,131				208,448				191,718
Total credit		108,323				119,992				376,065				385,757
Rates 2		3,825				3,191				11,580				12,623
Total transaction fees		112,148				123,183				387,645				398,380
Distribution Fees
U.S. high-grade		22,257				20,760				64,600				60,369
Other credit1		8,352				6,586				22,651				19,573
Total credit		30,609				27,346				87,251				79,942
Rates2		69				57				199				310
Total distribution fees		30,678				27,403				87,450				80,252
Total commissions	$	142,826			$	150,586			$	475,095			$	478,632
	Average Variable Transaction Fee Per Million
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	169.13			$	204.24			$	178.44			$	190.68
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		44.58				47.75				42.11				50.60
Total U.S. high-grade		165.02				199.39				173.64				184.83
Other credit 1		195.72				208.27				197.56				203.75
Total credit		181.43				203.67				186.14				193.78
Rates2		4.11				4.19				3.94				3.99
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
	September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	432,715			$	460,858
Cash segregated under federal regulations		50,134				50,059
Investments, at fair value		35,767				28,111
Accounts receivable, net		67,766				79,577
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		551,841				279,915
Goodwill		154,789				147,388
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		119,797				95,354
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software, net		95,575				85,204
Operating lease right-of-use assets		72,586				75,924
Prepaid expenses and other assets		30,948				29,039
Total assets	$	1,611,918			$	1,331,429
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities
Accrued employee compensation	$	49,046			$	62,326
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		303,439				133,326
Income and other tax liabilities		44,871				42,750
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		69,300				44,354
Operating lease liabilities		89,963				93,612
Total liabilities		556,619				376,368
Stockholders' equity
Common stock		123				123
Additional paid-in capital		323,631				329,742
Treasury stock		(187,715	)			(169,523	)
Retained earnings		929,853				799,369
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,593	)			(4,650	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,055,299				955,061
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,611,918			$	1,331,429

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Net income	$	57,958			$	67,776			$	205,703			$	226,446
Add back:
Interest expense		314				1,046				676				1,046
Provision for income taxes		16,536				20,189				56,645				57,624
Depreciation and amortization		13,964				9,032				38,840				25,404
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	$	88,772			$	98,043			$	301,864			$	310,520
	Free Cash Flow
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	62,813			$	(48,353	)		$	136,380			$	176,869
Exclude: Net change in trading investments		—				638				5,569				(62,636	)
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		55,195				164,797				121,969				164,797
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements		(4,758	)			(3,758	)			(14,567	)			(13,022	)
Less: Capitalization of software development costs		(8,191	)			(8,121	)			(24,650	)			(21,124	)
Free cash flow	$	105,059			$	105,203			$	224,701			$	244,884

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Volume Statistics*
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	Total Trading Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	268,671			$	295,781			$	931,345			$	1,005,975
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		9,166				9,450				33,946				43,830
Total U.S. high-grade		277,837				305,231				965,291				1,049,805
Other credit		319,209				283,920				1,055,092				940,939
Total credit		597,046				589,151				2,020,383				1,990,744
Rates		929,734				760,676				2,938,869				3,161,148
	Average Daily Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade	$	4,341			$	4,770			$	5,135			$	5,555
Other credit		4,970				4,421				5,605				4,972
Total credit		9,311				9,191				10,740				10,527
Rates		14,525				11,885				15,632				16,726
Number of U.S. Trading Days 1		64				64				188				189
Number of U.K. Trading Days 2		65				65				189				190
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 Q3 2021 revenues and how did they compare to Q3 2020?

MarketAxess reported Q3 2021 revenues of $162.1 million, down 1.2% from $164.0 million in Q3 2020.

How much did MarketAxess's diluted EPS decline in Q3 2021?

The diluted EPS for Q3 2021 decreased by 15% to $1.52, compared to $1.78 in Q3 2020.

What is the updated expense guidance for MarketAxess in 2021?

The updated expense guidance for 2021 is set between $360 million and $365 million, down from a previous range of $370 million to $386 million.

How many total client firms does MarketAxess have as of Q3 2021?

As of Q3 2021, MarketAxess has a record total of 1,848 client firms.

What is the U.S. high-grade market share for MarketAxess in Q3 2021?

MarketAxess's estimated U.S. high-grade market share was 21.4% in Q3 2021.