Nov 05, 2008 12:35 PM
Pre-Tax Distributable Earnings up 59.2% Year-On-Year Post-Tax Distributable Earnings up 50.8% GAAP Income before Minority Interest and Taxes up 22.9% GAAP Net Income for Fully Diluted Shares up 57.1% |
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2008--BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP) ("BGC Partners" or "the Company"), a leading global inter-dealer broker of financial instruments, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008(1).
BGC Partners Third Quarter Financial Summary
* Pre-tax distributable earnings(2) increased by 59.2 percent to $33.6 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared with $21.1 million in the third quarter of 2007;
* Pre-tax distributable earnings per fully diluted share were up by 54.5 percent to $0.17 in the third quarter of 2008, compared with $0.11 in the third quarter of 2007;
* Post-tax distributable earnings increased by 50.8 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to $25.3 million, compared with $16.8 million in the third quarter of 2007;
* Post-tax distributable earnings per fully diluted share were up by 44.4 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to $0.13, compared with $0.09 in the third quarter of 2007;
* The third quarter 2008 pre-tax distributable earnings margin expanded to 11.1 percent of revenues as calculated for distributable earnings, while the post-tax distributable earnings margin increased to 8.4 percent, both of which were significant improvements when compared with 7.0 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, in the prior-year quarter;
* Income before minority interest and taxes calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), increased by 22.9 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to $18.1 million, compared with $14.7 million in the year-earlier period;
* GAAP net income for fully diluted shares increased by 57.1 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to $16.4 million, compared with $10.5 million in the year-earlier period;
* GAAP earnings per fully diluted share increased by 33.3 percent to $0.08 compared with $0.06 in the year earlier quarter;
* GAAP revenues increased slightly in the third quarter of 2008 to $300.9 million compared to $299.4 million in the third quarter of 2007 while revenues used for calculating distributable earnings increased slightly year over year to $302.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared to $299.4 million in the third quarter of 2007;
* BGC Partners' Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on December 1, 2008 to Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of November 17, 2008.
"Revenues for the month of September 2008 were up significantly year-over-year, driven by strong performance across Credit, Foreign Exchange, and Other Asset Classes. August was down as we had previously expected and guided. For the overall quarter, we generated strong double-digit distributable earnings growth due primarily to improved operating efficiencies and our world-class technology platform," said Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of BGC Partners, Inc. "Based on our results for October, we anticipate another dramatic improvement in distributable earnings in the fourth quarter as compared to the previous year's fourth quarter."
"We are particularly pleased about the increase in fully electronic revenues from new products, which reflect the value our technology adds to our clients' trading," said Shaun D. Lynn, President of BGC Partners, Inc. "Third quarter 2008 fully electronic revenues from credit default swaps and foreign exchange options using BGC Trader were more than four times greater than that for the entire first half of 2008, and for the first time these products represent over ten percent of fully electronic revenues."
Third Quarter Revenues
For the third quarter of 2008, BGC Partners' GAAP revenues were $300.9 million versus $299.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. Revenues upon which distributable earnings are based were $302.8 million, compared with the prior year quarter's $299.4 million. GAAP revenues include ($1.9) million in equity pick-up related to Aqua and ELX.
Brokerage revenues for both GAAP and distributable earnings were $274.3 million, compared with $274.6 million in the prior year quarter. Year-over-year gains in brokerage revenues from Credit, Other Asset Classes, and Foreign Exchange as well as higher fees from related parties (primarily ELX) were offset mainly by a year over year decrease in Rates brokerage revenue.
For the third quarter of 2008, Credit revenues increased by 17.2 percent to $67.9 million, Foreign Exchange revenues increased by 6.4 percent to $38.4 million, and Other Asset Classes revenues increased by 42.0 percent to $25.8 million, all compared with the prior-year period. The increase in Credit was driven primarily by increased hedging of cash bonds by our clients and growth in electronic trading, while the increase in Other Asset Classes was driven mainly by strong organic growth in equity derivatives and the acquisition of the Company's energy broker Radix. Rates revenues decreased by 12.4 percent to $142.2 million compared with the year-earlier period, reflecting lower industry-wide volumes in July and August, partially offset by higher September volumes.
In the third quarter of 2008, Rates represented 46.9 percent of total distributable earnings revenues, Credit 22.4 percent, Foreign Exchange 12.7 percent, and Other Asset Classes 8.5 percent.
Third quarter 2008 revenues related to fully electronic trading(3) increased by 6.4 percent compared to the prior year period, and represented 7.9 percent of total Company revenues for distributable earnings in the third quarter of 2008 versus 7.5 percent in the prior year period. This was driven by significant increases in revenues from the fully electronic trading of credit default swaps and foreign exchange options, partially offset by lower revenues related to fully electronic government bond trading.
Third Quarter Expense and Income
The Company's compensation and employee benefits were 57.7 percent of revenues on a distributable earnings basis in the third quarter of 2008, compared with 56.3 percent in the third quarter of 2007. The difference between third quarter 2008 compensation and employee benefits as calculated for GAAP and distributable earnings was $3.1 million in non-dilutive, pre-merger equity-based compensation charges.
Other expenses totaled $94.6 million or 31.2 percent of revenues on a distributable earnings basis, versus $109.7 million or 36.6 percent in the prior-year period. The difference between other expenses in the third quarter of 2008 as calculated for GAAP and distributable earnings includes an expected $6.4 million non-cash, non-dilutive donation of equity held personally by partners with respect to BGC's annual charity day. This amount was recorded as an expense offset by an expected contribution to additional paid-in capital for GAAP purposes and therefore had no economic impact on the Company or its balance sheet. The difference also includes $4.0 million of allocations of net income to founding/working partner equity units and REUs.
The Company recorded GAAP income from continuing operations before minority interest and taxes of $18.1 million and GAAP net income for fully diluted shares of $16.4 million or $0.08 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2008. This compares to GAAP income from continuing operations before minority interest and taxes of $14.7 million and GAAP net income for fully diluted shares of $10.5 million or $0.06 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2007.
In the third quarter of 2008, BGC Partners' pre-tax distributable earnings were $33.6 million or $0.17 per fully diluted share, compared with $21.1 million or $0.11 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2007. BGC Partners recorded post-tax distributable earnings of $25.3 million or $0.13 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $16.8 million or $0.09 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2007.
In the third quarter of 2008, the GAAP provision for income taxes was 26.3 percent of GAAP net income from continuing operations before minority interest and taxes compared with 26.4 percent in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for distributable earnings was 21.7 percent in the third quarter of 2008 versus 18.5 percent in the prior year quarter. The Company had a fully diluted weighted average share count of 196.6 million for the third quarter of 2008 including in-the-money options, compared with 184.3 million in the year earlier period.
As of September 30, 2008, BGC Partners had 1,262 voice/hybrid brokers, versus 1,247 as of June 30, 2008 and 1,200 as of September 30, 2007.
Cash Position
As of September 30, 2008, the Company's cash position, which is defined as cash and cash equivalents and reverse repurchase agreements, was $361.5 million while long-term debt was $150.0 million.
Fourth Quarter Outlook
The Company expects to generate revenues of between $260 million and $280 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $272.2 million in the prior year period. The Company expects fourth quarter 2008 pre-tax distributable earnings of approximately $22 million to $29 million, which represents a substantial increase compared with $4.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Company expects fourth quarter 2008 post-tax distributable earnings to be in the range of $17 million to $23 million versus ($2.4) million in the prior-year period.
The Company's compensation and employee benefits are expected to remain between 55 and 60 percent of total revenues on a distributable earnings basis for the full year 2008.
The Company anticipates an effective tax rate for distributable earnings of approximately 22 percent in 2008 and approximately 27 percent for 2009 and thereafter.
The outlook for BGC Partners contained in this release does not include the potentially positive impact of any accretive acquisitions, any significant increase in brokerage headcount, or a material change in the percentage of revenues from or related to fully electronic trading, Software Solutions, and Market Data. The Company intends to pursue these developments, which could have a significant beneficial effect on its revenues and distributable earnings margins should they occur.
Quarterly Dividend and Stock Repurchase
BGC Partners intends to pay not less than 75 percent of its post-tax distributable earnings per fully diluted share as cash dividends to all common stockholders. Under this policy, the Company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on December 1, 2008 to Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of November 17, 2008.
The Company expects to use the balance of its fourth quarter 2008 post-tax distributable earnings, after distributions to all partnership units and dividend payments to common stockholders, to buy back shares or partnership units before the end of the first quarter of 2009. Pursuant to this, BGC Partners' Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of outstanding Class A common stock. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, under this plan, the Company repurchased 3,163,072 shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $15.3 million, as detailed in the following table:
Number of Shares Average Price per Share Date of Repurchase Repurchased Paid -------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------- September 9, 2008 1,097,600 $5.54 September 10, 2008 542,100 $5.45 September 15, 2008 261,881 $4.47 September 22, 2008 1,261,491 $4.00 -------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------- TOTAL 3,163,072 $4.82 ================= ========================= |
At September 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $43.0 million remaining from its $100 million repurchase authorization.
Conference Call
BGC Partners will host a conference call on Thursday, November 6, at 8:45 a.m. ET to discuss these results. Investors can access the call and download an accompanying PowerPoint presentation at the "Investor Relations" section of http://www.bgcpartners.com. One must have a Real Media or Windows Media plug-in and headphones or speakers in order to listen to the webcast or its replay. Additionally, call participants may dial in with the following information:
DIAL IN: 888-679-8035 INTERNATIONAL DIAL IN: 617-213-4848 PARTICIPANT PASSCODE: 26256000 PRE REGISTRATION: Yes (use the below url) PARTICIPANT URL: www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PQ48NAYWL |
About BGC Partners, Inc.
BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP) is a leading, fast growing, and global inter-dealer broker, specializing in the brokering of financial instruments and related derivatives products. BGC Partners provides integrated voice, hybrid, and fully electronic execution and other brokerage services to the world's largest and most creditworthy banks, broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, and investment firms for a broad range of global financial products, including fixed income securities, interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, equity derivatives, credit derivatives, futures, commodities, structured products, and other instruments.
Through its eSpeed and BGC Trader brands, BGC Partners uses its proprietary, built, and paid for technology to operate multiple buyer, multiple seller real-time electronic marketplaces for the world's most liquid capital markets. The Company's pioneering suite of tools provides end-to-end transaction solutions for the purchase and sale of financial products over its global private network or via the Internet. BGC Partners' neutral platform, reliable network, straight-through processing and superior products make it the trusted source for electronic trading for the world's largest financial firms. Through its BGCantor Market Data brand, the Company also offers globally distributed and innovative market data and analysis products for numerous financial instruments and markets.
BGC's unique partnership structure and extensive employee ownership create a distinctive competitive advantage among its peers. Named after fixed income trading innovator B. Gerald Cantor, BGC Partners has 16 offices in New York and London, as well as in Beijing (representative office), Chicago, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Nyon, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. For more information, visit www.bgcpartners.com. The Company's corporate address is: BGC Partners, Inc., 499 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
Distributable Earnings
"Revenues for distributable earnings", "pre-tax distributable earnings "and "post-tax distributable earnings" are supplemental measures of operating performance used by management to evaluate the financial performance of BGC Partners and its subsidiaries. We believe that distributable earnings best reflects the operating earnings generated by the Company on a consolidated basis and are the earnings which management considers available for distribution to BGC Partners, Inc. and its common stockholders as well as to holders of BGC Holdings partnership units during any period. As compared with "income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes", "net income (loss) for fully diluted shares," and "fully diluted earnings per share," all prepared in accordance with GAAP, distributable earnings calculations exclude certain non-cash compensation and other expenses which do not involve the receipt or outlay of cash by BGC Partners, and which do not dilute existing stockholders, and which do not have economic consequences, as described below.
Revenues for distributable earnings are defined as GAAP revenues excluding the impact of BGC Partners' equity investments, such as in Aqua Securities, L.P. ("Aqua") and ELX Electronic Liquidity Exchange ("ELX").
Pre-tax distributable earnings are defined as GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes and exclude non-cash, non-dilutive, and non-economic items, including, for example:
* Non-cash stock based equity compensation charges, for equity granted or issued prior to the merger of BGC Partners with and into eSpeed, as well as post-merger non-cash, non-dilutive equity-based compensation related to REU conversion;
* Non-cash undistributed income or non-cash loss from BGC Partners' equity investments including Aqua and ELX;
* Allocation of net income to founding/working partner units and REUs; and
* Non-cash asset impairment charges, if any;
Since distributable earnings are calculated on a pre-tax basis, management intends to also report "post-tax distributable earnings" and "post-tax distributable earnings per fully diluted share":
* Post-tax distributable earnings are defined as pre-tax distributable earnings adjusted to assume that all pre-tax distributable earnings were taxed at the same effective rate.
* Post-tax distributable earnings per fully diluted share are defined as post-tax distributable earnings divided by the weighted average number of fully diluted shares for the period.
In addition to the pro rata distribution of net income to BGC Holdings founding partner units and to Cantor for its minority interest, BGC Partners, Inc. also expects to pay a quarterly dividend to its stockholders. The amount of all of these payments is expected to be determined using the same definition of distributable earnings. The dividend to stockholders is expected to be calculated based on post-tax distributable earnings allocated to BGC Partners, Inc. and generated over the fiscal quarter ending prior to the record date for the dividend.
Employees who were holders of unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") in the third quarter of 2008 were granted pro-rata payments equivalent to the $0.13 per share common share dividend paid to common stockholders on September 30, 2008. These RSUs are and have always been included in fully diluted share count.
Under GAAP, dividend equivalents on unvested RSUs are required to be taken as a compensation charge in the period paid. However, to the extent that they represent cash payments made from the prior period's distributable earnings, they do not dilute existing stockholders and are therefore are excluded from the calculation of distributable earnings for the third quarter of 2008.
Distributable earnings is not meant to be an exact measure of cash generated by operations and available for distribution, nor should it be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flow from operations or income (loss) for fully diluted shares. Distributable earnings is a metric that is not necessarily indicative of liquidity or cash to fund our operations.
Pre- and post-tax distributable earnings are not intended to replace the presentation of BGC Partners, Inc.'s GAAP financial results. However, management does believe that they will help provide investors with a clearer understanding of the Company's financial performance and offer useful information to both management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends related to our financial condition and results from operations. Management believes that distributable earnings and the GAAP measures of the Company's financial performance should be considered together.
Full Year 2008 Distributable Earnings
The Company's first quarter and full year 2008 results for distributable earnings exclude $86.8 million in non-cash compensations charges, which consisted of:
* Non-cash charges related to redemptions of partnerships units issued prior to the merger in order to settle outstanding loan obligations of certain executives and senior managers to Cantor and other institutions. The pre-merger issuance of this equity was dilutive to Cantor.
* Non-cash charges related to additional pre-merger grants of founding partner interests to certain executives and senior managers and the activation of exchangeability of founding partner interests granted pre-merger to certain executives. The pre-merger issuance of this equity was dilutive to Cantor;
* Non-cash charges related to compensation expense related to restricted equity units in BGC Holdings, L.P., and restricted stock units granted pre-merger.
Management does not anticipate providing an outlook for GAAP "income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes", "net income (loss) for fully diluted shares," and "fully diluted earnings per share", because the items previously identified as excluded from pre-tax distributable earnings and post-tax distributable earnings are difficult to forecast. Management will instead provide its outlook only as it relates to pre- and post-tax distributable earnings.
For more information on this topic, please see the table in this release entitled "Reconciliation Of GAAP Income To Non-GAAP Distributable Earnings", which provides a summary reconciliation between pre- and post-tax distributable earnings and GAAP net income (loss) for fully diluted shares and GAAP Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes for the Company for the third quarter and first nine months of 2008 and 2007.
Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as "may," "will," "should," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "strategy," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
The actual results of BGC Partners, Inc. ("we," "our", or the "Company") and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy for the Company include, but are not limited to, our relationship with Cantor and its affiliates and any related conflicts of interests, competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees; support for liquidity and capital and other relationships; pricing and commissions and market position with respect to any of our products, and that of our competitors, the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers, and consolidation; liquidity, clearing capital requirements and the impact of recent credit market events; and market conditions, including trading volume and volatility and further deterioration of the capital debt markets, as well as economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties. Results may also be affected by the extensive regulation of our businesses, changes in regulations relating to the financial services industry, and risks relating to compliance matters, as well as factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions, including credit, performance and unmatched principal risk as well as counterparty failure. Factors may also include the costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, including judgments or settlements paid or received in connection with intellectual property or employment or other litigation and their related costs, and certain financial risks, including the possibility of future losses and negative cash flow from operations, potential liquidity and other risks relating to the ability to obtain financing and risks of the resulting leverage, as well as interest and currency rate fluctuations. Our ability to meet expectations with respect to payment of dividends, if any, will depend from period to period on our business and financial condition, our available cash, accounting or other charges and other factors relating to our business and financial condition and needs at the time.
Discrepancies may also result from such factors as the ability to enter new markets or develop new products, trading desks, marketplaces or services and to induce customers to use these products, trading desks, marketplaces or services, to secure and maintain market share, to enter into marketing and strategic alliances, and other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities, and joint ventures, and the integration of any completed transactions, to hire new personnel, to expand the use of technology and to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved. Results are also subject to risks relating to the separation of the BGC businesses and merger and the relationship between the various entities, financial reporting, accounting and internal control factors, including identification of any material weaknesses in our internal controls, our ability to prepare historical and pro forma financial statements and reports in a timely manner, the effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures, and other factors, including those that are discussed under "Risk Factors" in eSpeed Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008; in eSpeed's definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008; in BGC Partners' final prospectus, which was filed with the SEC on June 6, 2008, and as amended from time to time in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We believe that all forward-looking statements, as well as those risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent SEC flings are based upon reasonable assumptions when made. However, we caution that it is impossible to predict actual results or outcomes or the effects of risks, uncertainties or other factors on anticipated results or outcomes and that accordingly you should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made and we undertake no obligation to update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments.
(1) Because of BGC Partners' merger with and into eSpeed on April 1, 2008, this release discusses historical financial results on a consolidated basis.
(2) See the section of this release entitled "Distributable Earnings" for a definition of this term.
(3) This includes fees captured in both the "total brokerage revenues" and "fees from related party" line items related to fully electronic trading.
BGC PARTNERS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2008 2007 ------------- ------------ Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 152,134 $ 277,299 Cash segregated under regulatory requirements 378 2,683 Reverse repurchase agreements 6,508 7,560 Reverse repurchase agreements with related parties 202,865 140,689 Loan receivable from related parties 980 65,000 Securities owned, at fair value 19,577 34,088 Receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers 582,179 221,079 Accrued commissions receivable 156,575 140,887 Forgivable and other loans receivable from employees and partners 78,843 63,304 Fixed assets, net 140,382 137,815 Investments 28,651 12,264 Goodwill 67,826 62,826 Other intangible assets, net 14,101 15,676 Receivable from related parties 38,875 131,811 Other assets 62,769 64,648 ------------- ------------ Total assets $1,552,643 $1,377,629 ============= ============ Liabilities and Stockholders' and Members' Equity Accrued compensation $ 104,366 $ 85,470 Securities sold not yet purchased 2,301 Payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers 588,333 270,465 Payable to related parties 39,384 139,500 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 193,381 206,847 Deferred revenue 13,657 6,852 Long-term debt to related parties - 196,818 Long-term debt 150,000 - ------------- ------------ Total liabilities 1,091,422 905,952 Commitments, contingencies and guarantees - - Redeemable partnership interest 109,070 Minority interest 166,457 2,352 Stockholders' and members' equity Members' equity 235,454 Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share 500,000 shares authorized; 59,208 and 36,796 shares issued at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and 49,368 and 30,294 shares outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, res 576 368 Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share 100,000 shares authorized; 31,848 and 20,498 shares outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, convertible into Class A common stock 318 205 Additional paid-in capital 268,015 313,238 Treasury stock, at cost: 9,840 and 6,502 shares of Class A common stock at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively (79,200) (62,597) Retained deficit (1,045) (17,282) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,970) (61) ------------- ------------ Total stockholders' and members' equity 185,694 469,325 Total liabilities, redeemable partnership interest, minority interest and stockholders' and members' equity $1,552,643 $1,377,629 ============= ============ BGC PARTNERS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, --------------------------------------- 2008 2007 2008 2007 --------- --------- --------- -------- (in thousands, except for per share data) Revenues: Commissions $225,482 $204,233 $692,054 $585,048 Principal transactions 48,832 70,406 166,790 181,679 Fees from related parties 19,409 13,851 58,921 32,642 Market data 4,842 4,508 15,487 14,240 Software solutions 2,109 2,715 5,646 9,057 Interest income 1,019 4,873 8,803 19,885 Other (losses) revenues (825) (1,208) (4,251) 2,859 --------- --------- --------- -------- Total revenues 300,868 299,378 943,450 845,410 Expenses: Compensation and employee benefits 177,739 168,592 629,205 486,912 Allocation of net income to founding/working partners units 3,716 - 10,849 - Allocation of net income to REUs 299 - 551 - --------- --------- --------- -------- Total compensation and employee benefits 181,754 168,592 640,605 486,912 Occupancy and equipment 25,686 27,769 85,183 83,795 Fees to related parties 2,883 10,145 12,563 21,108 Professional and consulting fees 15,460 17,558 42,809 41,412 Communications 17,459 14,295 51,220 42,363 Selling and promotion 16,262 13,737 46,567 40,536 Commissions and floor brokerage 3,418 2,354 13,316 10,320 Interest expense 2,217 7,213 13,508 25,961 Other expenses 17,603 22,972 27,229 45,884 --------- --------- --------- -------- Total expenses 282,742 284,635 933,000 798,291 --------- --------- --------- -------- Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes 18,126 14,743 10,450 47,119 Minority interest 6,511 375 18,591 1,424 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 4,762 3,899 21,555 3,534 --------- --------- --------- -------- Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 6,853 $ 10,469 $(29,696) $ 42,161 ========= ========= ========= ======== Per share data: Basic earnings (loss) per share Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 6,853 $ 10,469 $(29,696) $ 42,161 ========= ========= ========= ======== Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.08 $ 0.06 $ (0.26) $ 0.23 ========= ========= ========= ======== Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 82,432 184,315 114,198 184,295 ========= ========= ========= ======== Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share Net income (loss) for fully diluted shares $ 16,446 $ 10,469 $(29,696) $ 42,161 ========= ========= ========= ======== Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.08 $ 0.06 $ (0.26) $ 0.23 ========= ========= ========= ======== Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 196,574 184,315 114,198 185,451 ========= ========= ========= ======== BGC Partners, Inc. DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS AND KEY METRICS 2007 and 2008 Comparisons (in thousands, except per share data) 2008 ----------------------------------------- Nine Months Ended Q1 (a) Q2 Q3 September 30 --------- --------- --------- --------- Revenues: Brokerage revenues: Rates $152,450 $143,100 $142,162 $437,712 Credit 87,193 69,114 67,923 224,230 Foreign exchange 37,466 34,048 38,434 109,948 Other asset classes 28,818 32,341 25,795 86,954 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total brokerage revenues 305,927 278,603 274,314 858,844 Market data and software solutions 7,627 6,555 6,951 21,133 Fees from related (c) parties, interest and other revenues 22,985 21,590 21,513 66,088 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total revenues 336,539 306,748 302,778 946,065 --------- --------- --------- --------- Expenses: Compensation and employee benefits (b) 187,776 175,450 174,617 537,843 Other expenses 97,965 (c) 89,033 94,601 281,599 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total expenses 285,741 264,483 269,218 819,442 --------- --------- --------- --------- Pre-tax Distributable Earnings 50,798 42,265 33,560 126,623 Minority interest(d) 654 726 933 2,313 Provision for income taxes 10,703 9,327 7,284 27,314 --------- --------- --------- --------- Post-tax distributable earnings $ 39,441 $ 32,212 $ 25,343 $ 96,996 ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings per share: Fully diluted pre- tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.22 $ 0.17 $ 0.67 ========= ========= ========= ========= Fully diluted post- tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.21 $ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.51 ========= ========= ========= ========= Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for distributable earnings 184,967 190,121 196,574 188,967 Total Revenues, per (c) GAAP financials 337,110 305,472 300,868 943,450 Compensation expense as a percent of revenues for distributable earnings 55.8% 57.2% 57.7% 56.9% Pre-tax distributable earnings margins 15.1% 13.8% 11.1% 13.4% Post-tax distributable earnings margins 11.7% 10.5% 8.4% 10.3% (in thousands, except per share data) 2007 (a) --------------------------------------- Nine Months Ended Q1 Q2 Q3 September 30 --------- --------- --------- --------- Revenues: Brokerage revenues: Rates $139,511 $140,611 $162,375 $442,497 Credit 51,862 55,857 57,963 165,682 Foreign exchange 33,047 32,215 36,132 101,394 Other asset classes 18,694 20,291 18,169 57,154 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total brokerage revenues 243,114 248,974 274,639 766,727 Market data and software solutions 7,937 8,137 7,223 23,297 Fees from related parties, interest and other revenues 22,025 15,845 17,516 55,386 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total revenues 273,076 272,956 299,378 845,410 --------- --------- --------- --------- Expenses: Compensation and employee benefits (b) 158,707 159,613 168,591 486,911 Other expenses 90,524 96,217 109,712 296,453 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total expenses 249,231 255,830 278,303 783,364 --------- --------- --------- --------- Pre-tax Distributable Earnings 23,845 17,126 21,075 62,046 Minority interest(d) 155 894 375 1,424 Provision for income taxes 2,332 (2,697) 3,898 3,533 --------- --------- --------- --------- Post-tax distributable earnings $ 21,358 $ 18,929 $ 16,802 $ 57,089 ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings per share: Fully diluted pre- tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.13 $ 0.09 $ 0.11 $ 0.33 ========= ========= ========= ========= Fully diluted post- tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.12 $ 0.10 $ 0.09 $ 0.31 ========= ========= ========= ========= Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for distributable earnings 185,301 185,353 184,315 185,451 Total Revenues, per GAAP financials 273,076 272,956 299,378 845,410 Compensation expense as a percent of revenues for distributable earnings 58.1% 58.5% 56.3% 57.6% Pre-tax distributable earnings margins 8.7% 6.3% 7.0% 7.3% Post-tax distributable earnings margins 7.8% 6.9% 5.6% 6.8% Notes and Assumptions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) -All periods prior to April 1 of 2008 are presented on a pro forma basis to reflect the effects of the merger related debt restructure. (b) -Compensation charges exclude all one-time merger related non- cash compensation, equity grants prior to the merger and allocations of income to Founding/Working Partners. (c) -Reflects reclass of Q1 equity pickup loss from Other Expenses to Fees from related parties, interest and other revenues. (d) -Minority interest allocation associated with joint ownership of administrative services company. BGC Partners, Inc. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME TO DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS (in thousands except per share data) 2008 --------------------------------------- Nine Months Ended Q1 Q2 Q3 September 30 --------- --------- --------- --------- GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes $(39,809) $ 32,133 $ 18,126 $ 10,450 Allocation of net income to founding/working partners holding units - 7,133 3,716 10,849 Allocation of net income to REUs - 252 299 551 Pro forma adjustments for recapitalization (a) 2,042 - - 2,042 --------- --------- --------- --------- Pro forma pre-tax operating income (loss) available to fully diluted shareholders (37,767) 39,518 22,141 23,892 Pre-tax adjustments: Compensation expenses related to redemption of partnership units issued prior to the merger; additional pre- merger grants of founding partner interests to management and the activation of exchangeability of founding partner interests granted pre-merger 84,063 - 192 84,255 Charges related to compensation expense for restricted stock units and REUs granted pre-merger 2,706 1,471 2,700 6,877 Equity loss on investments 1,796 1,276 1,910 4,982 Dividend equivalents to RSUs 230 230 Donations by Partners, re: Charity Day 6,387 6,387 Asset impairment charges - - - - --------- --------- --------- --------- Total pre-tax adjustments 88,565 2,747 11,419 102,731 Pre-tax distributable earnings $ 50,798 $ 42,265 $ 33,560 $126,623 ========= ========= ========= ========= GAAP net income (loss) available to common stockholders $(48,533) $ 11,984 $ 6,853 $(29,696) Allocation of net income to founding/working partners holding units - 7,133 3,716 10,849 Allocation of net income to REUs - 252 299 551 Allocation of net income to Cantor's minority interest - 10,700 5,578 16,278 Pro forma adjustments for recapitalization (a) 2,042 - - 2,042 --------- --------- --------- --------- Pro forma GAAP net income (loss) for fully diluted shares (46,491) 30,069 16,446 24 Total pre-tax adjustments (from above) 88,565 2,747 11,419 102,731 Income tax impact of pre-tax adjustments (2,633) (604) (2,522) (5,759) --------- --------- --------- --------- Post-tax distributable earnings $ 39,441 $ 32,212 $ 25,343 $ 96,996 ========= ========= ========= ========= Pre-tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.22 $ 0.17 ========= ========= ========= Post-tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.21 $ 0.17 $ 0.13 ========= ========= ========= Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 184,967 190,121 196,574 ========= ========= ========= 2007 ------------------------------------ Nine Months Ended Q1 Q2 Q3 September 30 --------- -------- -------- --------- GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and income taxes $ 21,528 $ 10,848 $ 14,743 $ 47,119 Allocation of net income to founding/working partners holding units - - - - Allocation of net income to REUs - - - - Pro forma adjustments for recapitalization (a) 2,317 2,268 6,334 10,919 -------- -------- -------- --------- Pro forma pre-tax operating income (loss) available to fully diluted shareholders 23,845 13,116 21,077 58,038 Pre-tax adjustments: Compensation expenses related to redemption of partnership units issued prior to the merger; additional pre- merger grants of founding partner interests to management and the activation of exchangeability of founding partner interests granted pre- merger - - - - Charges related to compensation expense for restricted stock units and REUs granted pre- merger - - - - Equity loss on investments - - - - Dividend equivalents to RSUs Donations by Partners, re: Charity Day Asset impairment charges - 4,010 - 4,010 -------- -------- -------- --------- Total pre-tax adjustments - 4,010 - 4,010 Pre-tax distributable earnings $ 23,845 $ 17,126 $ 21,077 $ 62,048 ======== ======== ======== ========= GAAP net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 19,041 $ 12,651 $ 10,470 42,162 Allocation of net income to founding/working partners holding units - - - Allocation of net income to REUs - - - Allocation of net income to Cantor's minority interest - - - Pro forma adjustments for recapitalization (a) 2,317 2,268 6,334 10,919 -------- -------- -------- --------- Pro forma GAAP net income (loss) for fully diluted shares 21,358 14,919 16,804 53,081 Total pre-tax adjustments (from above) - 4,010 - 4,010 Income tax impact of pre-tax adjustments - - - - -------- -------- -------- --------- Post-tax distributable earnings $ 21,358 $ 18,929 $ 16,804 $ 57,091 ======== ======== ======== ========= Pre-tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.13 $ 0.09 $ 0.11 ======== ======== ======== Post-tax distributable earnings per share $ 0.12 $ 0.10 $ 0.09 ======== ======== ======== Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 185,301 185,353 184,315 ======== ======== ======== (a) Reflects a net decrease in interest income and interest expense related to the separation and recapitalization transactions in connection with the merger. BGC Partners, Inc. Quarterly Market Activity Report The following table provides certain volume and transaction count information on BGC Partner's eSpeed system for the periods indicated. 3Q07 4Q07 1Q08 2Q08 ----------------------------------------------- Volume (in billions) ------------------- Fully Electronic Volume - Excluding New Products* 13,661 12,669 14,525 13,062 Fully Electronic Volume - New Products** 18 30 35 35 ----------------------------------------------- Total Fully Electronic Volume 13,679 12,699 14,560 13,097 Voice-Assisted Volume 10,883 9,769 12,967 13,010 Screen-Assisted Volume 8,438 7,503 9,016 8,956 Total Hybrid Volume*** 19,321 17,272 21,983 21,966 ----------------------------------------------- Total Volume 33,000 29,971 36,543 35,063 =============================================== Transaction Count ------------------- Fully Electronic Transactions - Excluding New Products * 2,788,289 2,935,501 4,112,110 3,860,072 Fully Electronic Transactions - New Products** 892 1,067 1,825 1,158 ----------------------------------------------- Total Fully Electronic Transactions 2,789,181 2,936,568 4,113,935 3,861,230 Voice-Assisted Transactions 216,436 202,500 232,137 206,572 Screen-Assisted Transactions 119,370 116,826 135,671 134,422 Total Hybrid Transactions*** 335,806 319,326 367,808 340,994 ----------------------------------------------- Total Transactions 3,124,987 3,255,894 4,481,743 4,202,224 =============================================== Trading Days 63 62 61 64 Global Interest Rate Futures Volume (1) CBOT - US Treasury Contracts 190,159,708 169,104,983 194,563,399 156,735,725 CME - Euro $ Contracts 180,358,177 140,142,461 191,121,345 157,876,004 EUREX - Bund Contracts 91,302,644 72,162,362 84,683,863 65,580,034 Fed UST Primary Dealer Volume (in billions) (2) UST Volume 39,414 35,044 41,815 35,689 Average Daily UST Volume 626 565 685 558 NYSE - Volume (shares traded) - in millions (3) 145,470 135,045 158,453 140,709 Transaction Value - in millions 6,015,397 5,577,200 5,781,700 5,207,000 NASDAQ - Volume (shares traded) - in millions (4) 136,916 139,202 149,378 134,511 Transaction Value - in millions 3,896,657 4,536,801 4,363,261 3,912,200 % Change % Change 3Q08 3Q08 vs 3Q08 vs 2Q08 3Q07 ------------------------------ Volume (in billions) ------------------- Fully Electronic Volume - Excluding New Products* 12,308 (5.8%) (9.9%) Fully Electronic Volume - New Products** 104 196.2% 478.7% ------------------------------ Total Fully Electronic Volume 12,412 (5.2%) (9.3%) Voice-Assisted Volume 13,476 3.6% 23.8% Screen-Assisted Volume 9,030 0.8% 7.0% Total Hybrid Volume*** 22,506 2.5% 16.5% ------------------------------ Total Volume 34,918 (0.4%) 5.8% ============================== Transaction Count ------------------- Fully Electronic Transactions - Excluding New Products * 4,111,983 6.5% 47.5% Fully Electronic Transactions - New Products** 3,785 226.9% 324.3% ------------------------------ Total Fully Electronic Transactions 4,115,768 6.6% 47.6% Voice-Assisted Transactions 184,204 (10.8%) (14.9%) Screen-Assisted Transactions 135,864 1.1% 13.8% Total Hybrid Transactions*** 320,068 (6.1%) (4.7%) ------------------------------ Total Transactions 4,435,836 5.6% 41.9% ============================== Trading Days 64 Global Interest Rate Futures Volume (1) CBOT - US Treasury Contracts 158,619,857 1.2% (16.6%) CME - Euro $ Contracts 149,198,062 (5.5%) (17.3%) EUREX - Bund Contracts 62,761,936 (4.3%) (31.3%) Fed UST Primary Dealer Volume (in billions) (2) UST Volume 36,300 1.7% (7.9%) Average Daily UST Volume 567 1.7% (9.3%) NYSE - Volume (shares traded) - in millions (3) 179,755 27.7% 23.6% Transaction Value - in millions 5,698,000 9.4% (5.3%) NASDAQ - Volume (shares traded) - in millions (4) 141,988 5.6% 3.7% Transaction Value - in millions 3,857,610 (1.4%) (1.0%) |
* Defined as U.S. Treasuries, Canadian Sovereigns, European Government Bonds, Repos, Foreign Exchange Spot and Futures. CBOT Futures volume calculated based on per contract notional value of $200,000 for the two year contract and $100,000 for all others. ** New Products defined as Foreign Exchange Options, Interest Rate Swaps and Credit Default Swaps. *** Defined as notional volume from Hybrid transactions conducted by BGC Brokers using the eSpeed system, exclusive of voice-only transactions. Sources:(1)Futures Industry Association - Monthly Trading Days Volume Report - (www.cme.com, www.eurexchange.com) ------------------- (2)www.newyorkfed.org/markets/statrel.html - Federal Reserve Bank 2008 ------------------- (3)NYSE - www.nyse.com Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 ---- ---- ---- ---- (4)NASDAQ - www.nasdaqtrader.com 61 64 64 62 2007 ------------------- Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 ---- ---- ---- ---- 62 64 63 62 |
CONTACT: Media:
Florencia Panizza, 212-294-7938
fpanizza@bgcpartners.com
or
Investors:
Jason McGruder, 212-829-4988
jmcgruder@bgcpartners.com
SOURCE: BGC Partners, Inc.