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Intercontinental Exchange Reports Record First Quarter 2015 Results

Date 05/05/2015

  •  $3.06 Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations, +26% y/y
  • $850 Million Consolidated Revenues, less Transaction-based Expenses, +7% y/y
  • 15% Increase in Quarterly Cash Dividend Payment to $0.75 Per Share in 2Q15

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), the leading global network of exchanges and clearing houses, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2015. For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, consolidated net income attributable to ICE was $315 million on $850 million consolidated revenues less transaction-based expenses. On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) in the first quarter were $2.80.

ICE's operating results include amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and acquisition and integration related expenses that are not reflective of ICE's cash operations or core business performance. Excluding these items, net of tax, first quarter 2015 adjusted net income from continuing operations was $344 million and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations were $3.06, an increase of 26% over the prior first quarter. Please refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release for more information on adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations.

"We delivered another record quarter by growing revenues and reducing our expense base, while serving our customers' needs amid a dynamic time,” said ICE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher. "We grew revenues across each major business line, including data services and listings where we posted record revenues, as well as in cash equities and commodities markets. And again this quarter, NYSE led in total capital raised globally. We continue to innovate across all of our businesses to deliver growth and solid returns for our shareholders.”

Scott Hill, ICE CFO, said: “We maintained strong expense discipline in the quarter and remain on track to achieve our expense synergy goals as well as double digit earnings growth in 2015. In addition, our strong cash generation and balance sheet enabled us to return $269 million of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. And we expanded our share buyback authorization to $600 million and announced a 15% increase in our dividend starting in the second quarter. Our continued growth and strong cash generation enables us to pursue our strategic objectives, serve our customers and create value for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2015 Results

First quarter 2015 consolidated revenues, less transaction-based expenses, increased 7% to$850 million compared to the same period in 2014. Included in this amount are transaction and clearing revenues, less transaction-based expenses, of $506 million.

Consolidated data services revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were a record $187 million, up 19% year-over-year and listings revenues were a record $101 million, up 12% compared to the prior first quarter. Consolidated other revenues were $56 million.

Consolidated operating expenses were $388 million for the first quarter of 2015, including $19 million in NYSE integration costs. Consolidated operating income for the first quarter was$462 million and operating margin was 54%. The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 27%.

Consolidated cash flows from operations were $465 million in the first three months of 2015. Operational capital expenditures were $30 million and capitalized software development costs totaled $21 million.

ICE had unrestricted cash of $752 million and $3.2 billion in outstanding debt, excluding $1.0 billion reserved for the repayment of the June 2015 Eurobonds as of March 31, 2015.

Financial Guidance

ICE expects second quarter 2015 adjusted operating expenses in the range of $335 million to$340 million.

ICE's diluted share count for the second quarter 2015 is expected to be in the range of 111 million to 113 million weighted average shares outstanding, including share repurchases through April 2015.

Earnings Conference Call Information

ICE will hold a conference call today, May 5, at 8:30 a.m. ET to review its first quarter 2015 financial results. A live audio webcast of the earnings call will be available on the company's website at www.theice.com in the investor relations section. Participants may also listen via telephone by dialing 888-317-6003 from the United States, 866-284-3684 from Canada or 412-317-6061 from outside of the United States and Canada. Telephone participants are required to provide the participant entry number 1436450 and are recommended to call 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will be archived on the company's website for replay.

Historical futures, options and cash ADV, rate per contract, open interest data and CDS cleared information can be found at: http://ir.theice.com/investors-and-media/supplemental-volume-info/default.aspx

       
Consolidated Statements of Income  
(In millions, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)  
       
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
Revenues:   2015     2014
Transaction and clearing fees, net   $ 812     $ 764  
Data services fees   187     157  
Listing fees   101     90  
Other revenues   56     52  
Total revenues   1,156     1,063  
Transaction-based expenses:          
Section 31 fees   92     74  
Cash liquidity payments, routing and clearing   214     192  
Total revenues, less transaction-based expenses   850     797  
Operating expenses:          
Compensation and benefits   151     154  
Technology and communication   51     47  
Professional services   33     54  
Rent and occupancy   16     20  
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs   19     25  
Selling, general and administrative   29     26  
Depreciation and amortization   89     80  
Total operating expenses   388     406  
Operating income   462     391  
Other income (expense):          
Interest expense   (23 )   (27 )
Other income (expense), net   2     (2 )
Other expense, net   (21 )   (29 )
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense   441     362  
Income tax expense   118     101  
Income from continuing operations   323     261  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax       13  
Net income   $ 323     $ 274  
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest   (8 )   (13 )
Net income attributable to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   $ 315     $ 261  
           
Basic earnings per share attributable to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. common shareholders:          
Continuing operations   $ 2.81     $ 2.16  
Discontinued operations       0.12  
Basic earnings per share   $ 2.81     $ 2.28  
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. common shareholders:          
Continuing operations   $ 2.80     $ 2.15  
Discontinued operations       0.12  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 2.80     $ 2.27  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:          
Basic   112     115  
Diluted   112     116  
Dividend per share   $ 0.65     0.65  
         
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
         
    March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014
Assets:        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 752     $ 652  
Short-term investments   1,073     1,200  
Short-term restricted cash and investments   298     329  
Customer accounts receivable, net   608     471  
Margin deposits and guaranty funds   45,600     47,458  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   155     135  
Total current assets   48,486     50,245  
Property and equipment, net   879     874  
Other non-current assets:        
Goodwill   8,504     8,535  
Other intangible assets, net   7,724     7,780  
Long-term restricted cash and investments   295     297  
Long-term investments   309     379  
Other non-current assets   231     169  
Total other non-current assets   17,063     17,160  
Total assets   $ 66,428     $ 68,279  
         
Liabilities and Equity:        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 392     $ 337  
Section 31 fees payable   92     137  
Accrued salaries and benefits   112     205  
Deferred revenue   367     69  
Short-term debt   1,946     2,042  
Margin deposits and guaranty funds   45,600     47,458  
Other current liabilities   289     291  
Total current liabilities   48,798     50,539  
Non-current liabilities:        
Non-current deferred tax liability, net   1,913     1,938  
Long-term debt   2,247     2,247  
Accrued employee benefits   502     516  
Other non-current liabilities   474     482  
Total non-current liabilities   5,136     5,183  
Total liabilities   53,934     55,722  
Redeemable non-controlling interest   169     165  
         
         
         
         
         
Equity:        
ICE shareholders' equity:        
Preferred Stock        
Common Stock   1     1  
Treasury stock, at cost   (975 )   (743 )
Additional paid-in capital   9,983     9,938  
Retained earnings   3,441     3,210  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (153 )   (46 )
Total ICE shareholders’ equity   12,297     12,360  
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries   28     32  
Total equity   12,325     12,392  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 66,428     $ 68,279  

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation

We use non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions. When viewed in conjunction with our U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, results and the accompanying reconciliation, we believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and supplemental data relating to our financial condition and results of operations. We strongly recommend that investors review the U.S. GAAP financial measures included in this press release and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

Adjusted income from continuing operations for the periods presented below are calculated by adding income from continuing operations, the adjustments described below, which are not reflective of our cash operations and core business performance, and the related income tax effect. The following table reconciles income from continuing operations to adjusted net income from continuing operations and calculates adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations for the period presented below (in millions except per share amounts):

     
    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2015
Income from continuing operations   $ 323  
Add: NYSE integration costs   19  
Add: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles   33  
Less: Income tax effect for the items above   (19 )
Less: Deferred tax adjustment on acquisition related intangibles   (4 )
Less: Net income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interest   (8 )
Adjusted net income from continuing operations:   $ 344  
     
Earnings per share from continuing operations:    
     
Basic   $ 2.81  
Diluted   $ 2.80  
     
Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations:    
     
Adjusted basic   $ 3.07  
Adjusted diluted   $ 3.06  
     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:    
Basic   112  
Diluted   112