Fourth-Quarter 2013 Financial Highlights
- Operating Revenue Increased 9 Percent to $141.8 Million
- GAAP Net Income Allocated to Common Stockholders Up 16 Percent to $45.6 Million; Diluted EPS Up 16 Percent to $0.52
- GAAP Operating Margin of 51.2 Percent; Adjusted Operating Margin of 51.2 Percent, Up 130 Basis Points(1)
Full-Year 2013 Financial Highlights
- Operating Revenue Increased 12 Percent to $572.1 Million
- GAAP Net Income Allocated to Common Stockholders Increased 12 Percent to $173.9 Million; Diluted EPS Up 12 Percent to $1.99
- Adjusted Net Income Allocated to Common Stockholders Increased 20 Percent to $177.4 Million; Adjusted Diluted EPS Up 20 Percent to $2.03(1)
- GAAP Operating Margin of 50.0 Percent; Adjusted Operating Margin of 50.8 Percent, Up 210 Basis Points(1)
CBOE Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOE) today announced its best fourth-quarter results ever, as well as record revenue and earnings for the full-year 2013, marking the third consecutive year of record financial results. For the quarter, the company reported GAAP net income allocated to common stockholders of $45.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with $39.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2012. On an adjusted basis, net income allocated to common stockholders was $45.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with $38.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Operating revenue for the fourth quarter was $141.8 million, up 9 percent compared to $130.1 million in 2012's fourth quarter.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, GAAP net income allocated to common stockholders rose 12 percent to $173.9 million, or $1.99 per diluted share, on total operating revenue of $572.1 million. For the comparable period in 2012, the company reported GAAP net income allocated to common stockholders of $155.3 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, on operating revenue of $512.3 million. On an adjusted basis, net income allocated to common stockholders increased 20 percent to $177.4 million from $147.5 million in 2012, and adjusted diluted earnings per share grew 20 percent to $2.03 from $1.69 in 2012.
Financial results presented on an adjusted basis for the fourth quarter of 2012 and the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 exclude certain items, including accelerated stock-based compensation, the recognition of tax benefits relating to prior years, impairment charges and expenses related to the settlement of anSEC investigation, which are detailed in the reconciliation of non-GAAP results. There were no non-GAAP financial measures in the fourth quarter of 2013.
1 A full reconciliation of CBOE Holdings' non-GAAP results to its GAAP results for the reporting periods is included in the attached tables. See "Non-GAAP Information" in the accompanying financial tables.
"We are pleased to report a strong finish to 2013, which marked our third consecutive year of record revenue and earnings. Our record performance illustrates the strength of our proprietary products and our successful efforts to expand CBOE's global customer base. As we begin 2014, we are particularly excited about our new product pipeline, starting with the launch of futures on the CBOE Short-Term Volatility IndexSM (VXSTSM Index) later this month. We will continue to build on our success in shaping the options and volatility space, with an ongoing focus on delivering value to stockholders and our customers," said Edward T. Tilly, CBOE Holdings Chief Executive Officer.
"We had a solid fourth quarter with year-over-year revenue growth of 9 percent and diluted EPS growth of 16 percent. For the full-year 2013, we generated $224 million in cash flow from operations, returned nearly $110 million in capital to our stockholders through dividends and share repurchases and expanded our adjusted operating margin to a new annual high of 50.8 percent. The company is well-positioned both financially and operationally, with strong cash flow, a strong balance sheet and positive momentum heading into 2014," said Alan J. Dean, CBOE Holdings Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The table below highlights CBOE Holdings' operating results on a GAAP basis and an adjusted basis for the comparative quarters and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Financial results presented on an adjusted basis provide supplemental information to facilitate period-over-period comparisons by adjusting for certain items that management believes are not indicative of the company's core operating performance.
Key Statistics and Financial Highlights:
(in millions, except per share, revenue per contract and trading days) |
4Q 2013 |
4Q 2012 |
Y/Y Change |
YTD 2013 |
YTD 2012 |
Y/Y Change |
|||||
Key Statistics: |
|||||||||||
Total Trading Days (1) |
64 |
62 |
252 |
250 |
|||||||
Average Daily Volume (options and futures) |
4.89 |
4.13 |
18% |
4.71 |
4.54 |
4% |
|||||
Total Trading Volume (options and futures) |
313.0 |
255.7 |
22% |
1,187.6 |
1,134.3 |
5% |
|||||
Average Revenue Per Contract |
$ |
0.316 |
$ |
0.355 |
(11)% |
$ |
0.334 |
$ |
0.315 |
6% |
|
GAAP Financial Highlights: |
|||||||||||
Total Operating Revenues |
$ |
141.8 |
$ |
130.1 |
9% |
$ |
572.1 |
$ |
512.3 |
12% |
|
Total Operating Expenses |
69.2 |
70.3 |
(2)% |
286.2 |
268.2 |
7% |
|||||
Operating Income |
72.6 |
59.8 |
21% |
285.9 |
244.1 |
17% |
|||||
Operating Margin % |
51.2% |
45.9% |
530 bps |
50.0% |
47.6% |
240 bps |
|||||
Net Income |
$ |
46.1 |
$ |
39.7 |
16% |
$ |
176.0 |
$ |
157.4 |
12% |
|
Net Income Allocated to Common Stockholders |
$ |
45.6 |
$ |
39.2 |
16% |
$ |
173.9 |
$ |
155.3 |
12% |
|
Diluted EPS |
$ |
0.52 |
$ |
0.45 |
16% |
$ |
1.99 |
$ |
1.78 |
12% |
|
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding |
87.1 |
87.3 |
—% |
87.3 |
87.5 |
—% |
|||||
Adjusted Financial Highlights (2) |
|||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
69.2 |
65.2 |
6% |
281.2 |
262.9 |
7% |
|||||
Operating Income |
72.6 |
64.9 |
12% |
290.9 |
249.4 |
17% |
|||||
Operating Margin % |
51.2% |
49.9% |
130 bps |
50.8% |
48.7% |
210 bps |
|||||
Net Income |
$ |
46.1 |
$ |
39.4 |
17% |
$ |
179.6 |
$ |
149.5 |
20% |
|
Net Income Allocated to Common Stockholders |
$ |
45.6 |
$ |
38.9 |
17% |
$ |
177.4 |
$ |
147.5 |
20% |
|
Diluted EPS |
$ |
0.52 |
$ |
0.45 |
16% |
$ |
2.03 |
$ |
1.69 |
20% |
(1) |
In the fourth quarter of 2012, all U.S. exchanges were closed for two days as a result of Hurricane Sandy. |
(2) |
A full reconciliation of our non-GAAP results to our GAAP results for the 2013 and 2012 reporting periods is included in the attached tables. See "Non-GAAP Information" in the accompanying financial tables. |
Revenues
In the fourth quarter of 2013, operating revenues increased by $11.7 million, or 9 percent, to $141.8 million from $130.1 million in 2012's fourth quarter. The increase primarily reflects higher revenue of $8.2 million in transaction fees, $1.5 million in market data fees, $1.3 million in exchange services and other fees and$1.1 million in regulatory fees, offset somewhat by a decrease of $0.7 million in access fees.
The largest revenue driver, transaction fees, increased 9 percent for the quarter as a result of a 22 percent increase in trading volume, offset somewhat by an 11 percent decrease in the average revenue per contract (RPC) compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. Total trading volume for the fourth quarter was 313.0 million contracts, or 4.89 million contracts per day, compared with 255.7 million contracts, or 4.13 million contracts per day, in 2012's fourth quarter. RPC for the quarter was $0.316 compared with $0.355 in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The decrease in RPC primarily resulted from higher volume discounts in multiply-listed options (options on equities and exchange-traded products) and a shift in the mix of products traded. Multiply-listed options, which generate the lowest RPC, accounted for 66.2 percent of the trading volume in the fourth quarter 2013 versus 65.6 percent in 2012's fourth quarter.
The average transaction fee per contract represents total transaction fee revenue divided by total reported trading volume for CBOE, C2 and CBOE Futures Exchange (CFE).
Adjusted Operating Expenses
Adjusted operating expenses were $69.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, up $4.0 million or 6 percent, compared with $65.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. There were no adjustments to operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2012, adjusted operating expenses exclude $0.1 million for accelerated stock-based compensation and $5.0 million related to the resolution of an SEC investigation.
The company's core operating expenses, which include total operating expenses less volume-based expenses, depreciation and amortization, accelerated stock-based compensation expense and unusual or one-time expenses, were $43.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, a decrease of $2.4 million or 5 percent, compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease primarily reflects lower expenses for outside services, offset somewhat by increases in employee costs and travel and promotional expenses.
Volume-based expenses, which include royalty fees and trading volume incentives, were $16.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase of $3.6 million or 28 percent, compared with the same period during the prior year. The increase reflects higher royalty fees of $3.4 million and trading volume incentives of $0.2 million. The increase in royalty fees is directly related to higher trading volume in licensed products, as well as certain fee adjustments implemented in 2013.
Adjusted Operating Margin
The company's adjusted operating margin increased 130 basis points to 51.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with 49.9 percent in the same period in 2012. The adjusted operating margin for the full-year 2013 was 50.8 percent, the highest annual level in the company's history.
Effective Tax Rate
On a GAAP basis, the company reported an effective tax rate of 36.1 percent for the fourth quarter versus 33.1 percent in last year's fourth quarter. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2012 included the benefit of significant discrete items relating to prior years totaling $5.4 million, or $0.06 per share, as well as the recognition of other discrete items. Excluding the discrete items related to prior years, the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2012 was 39.0 percent. The lower effective tax rate of 36.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflects the recognition of higher benefits related to the domestic production activities deduction resulting from an increase in qualifying income.
Fourth Quarter 2013 Operational Highlights and Recent Developments
- On February 1, 2014, the company reported that January 2014 average daily volume (ADV) for total options was 5.57 million contracts, a 28 percent increase from December 2013 and a 36 percent increase from January 2013. In addition, CFE reported that January 2014 ADV was 209,867 contracts, an increase of 51 percent from January 2013and a 38 percent from December 2013.
- On January 30, 2014, CFE announced plans to launch trading of futures with weekly expirations on the new CBOE Short-Term Volatility IndexSM (VXST Index) on Thursday, February 13, pending regulatory review.
- For the fourth consecutive year, CFE reported record-setting trading volume in 2013.
- On December 18, CBOE announced that a New York federal judge ruled in favor of S&P Dow Jones Indices (SPDJI) and dismissed an action brought by International Securities Exchange (ISE) that challenged SPDJI's rights to license its indexes for use as the basis of index options. The ruling rejects a challenge to CBOE's exclusive license to list options on the S&P 500® and Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM indices.. On January 24, CBOE and SPDJI announced that ISE's deadline to appeal this decision had passed, ending ISE's more than seven years of unsuccessful challenges to SPDJI's and CBOE's rights.
- On December 10, CBOE was named "U.S. Options Exchange of the Year" for the second consecutive year by Futures and Options World magazine. CBOE also claimed top honors for "Most Innovative New Contract, Index and Equities" for its S&P 500 Variance futures product, and "Best Technology Innovation by an Exchange, The Americas" for its new London Trading Hub.
- Also on December 10, the company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share on its common stock and authorized the company to repurchase an additional $100 million of its outstanding common stock, to be used in addition to any unused amount remaining under prior authorizations. The dividend was paid on January 17, 2014 to stockholders of record on January 3, 2014.
- The company listed futures and options on the CBOE Russell 2000® Volatility Index on November 18 and December 3, respectively.
- On December 4, CBOE announced that it will host the 30th Annual CBOE Risk Management Conference (RMC), from March 17 through March 19, 2014, in Bonita Springs, Florida.
- On December 3, CBOE announced the appointment of John F. Deters as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Corporate Initiatives. Deters succeeds Richard G. DuFour, CBOEExecutive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development, who has since retired.
- On November 27, CBOE began disseminating values for a new benchmark volatility index, the CBOE Mid-Term Volatility IndexSM (ticker: VXMTSM Index), which is a measure of the expected volatility of the S&P 500 Index over a six-month time horizon.
- On November 5, CBOE listed a Mini-SPX Index option (options symbol: XSP) contract with a new PM-settlement feature.
- On November 4, CFE completed the second phase of its extended trading hours initiative, extending the trading day for VIX futures by five hours. This trading period begins at 2:00 a.m. CT, which aligns with the 8:00 a.m. open of the London markets. The first phase was completed on October 28, when the company added an additional 45-minute extended trading hours period from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. CT, Monday through Thursday.
- On October 1, CBOE began disseminating values for a new benchmark volatility index, the CBOE Short-Term Volatility Index (VXST Index). Like the CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX®Index), the VXST Index reflects investors' consensus view of expected market volatility, but where the VIX Index has a 30-day horizon, the VXST Index looks out just nine days, making it particularly responsive to changes in short-term volatility.
Return of Capital to Stockholders
As announced on December 10, 2013, CBOE Holdings' Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share and authorized the company to repurchase an additional $100 million of its outstanding common stock. The new authorization is in addition to any unused amount remaining under prior authorizations. The special dividend was paid January 17, 2014 to stockholders of record on January 3, 2014.
As announced on February 5, 2014, the company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable March 21, 2014 to stockholders of record on February 28, 2014.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company repurchased 626,100 shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program at an average price of $50.01per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $31.3 million. For the full-year 2013, the company repurchased 932,400 shares at an average price of $48.57, for an aggregate purchase price of $45.3 million.
At December 31, 2013, the company had approximately $158.0 million remaining on its existing share repurchase authorizations.
2014 Fiscal Year Financial Guidance
CBOE Holdings currently expects the following for the year ended December 31, 2014:
- Core operating expenses are expected to be in the range of $191.0 million to $196.0 million, an increase of 3 to 5 percent compared with $185.8 million in 2013. The projected increase in core operating expenses in 2014 compared with 2013 primarily reflects higher expenses related to regulatory services, which are expected to be offset by higher revenue from regulatory fees. Continuing stock-based compensation expense included in core expenses is expected to be approximately $13.0 million for the full year.
- The company also plans to recognize accelerated stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2014. This expense is reported in employee costs and will be included in the company's non-GAAP reconciliation.
- The consolidated effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 38.5 percent to 39.5 percent for the year ended December 31, 2014. Significant changes in trading volume, expenses, state and local tax rates and other items, including ongoing state and federal tax audits, could materially impact this expectation.
- Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be in the range of $38.0 million to $40.0 million.
- Capital expenditures are projected to be in the range of $47.0 million to $50.0 million, up compared with $31.7 million in 2013, primarily driven by increased spending to harden the company's systems, as well as ongoing investments in systems hardware and software that enhance trading technology and regulatory systems.
Earnings Conference Call
Executives of CBOE Holdings will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter financial results today, February 7, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. CT. The conference call and any accompanying slides will be publicly available via live webcast from the Investor Relations section of the company's website atwww.cboe.com under Events & Presentations. Participants may also listen via telephone by dialing (877) 372-0876 from the United States or Canada, or (253) 237-1167 for international callers. Telephone participants should place calls 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. The webcast will be archived on the company's website for replay. A telephone replay of the earnings call also will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. CT, February 7, through 11:00 p.m. CT, February 14, 2014, by calling (855) 859-2056 within the U.S. and Canada, or (404) 537-3406 for international callers, using replay code 26389535.