Total revenue in fourth quarter 2003 decreased 23.5% to $138.0 million from $180.3 million a year ago, but decreased only 2.7% sequentially. Net loss was $10.8 million, or $(0.17) per common share for the fourth quarter of 2003, versus net income of $6.2 million, or $0.05 per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2002. Included in fourth quarter results are pre-tax expenses of $28.4 million associated with NASDAQ's strategic review initiated in the second quarter 2003, which includes the elimination of non-core product lines, initiatives and severance. Excluding this impact, net income was $5.9 million for the period calculated on a Non-GAAP basis, or $0.04 per common share.
Total revenue in 2003 decreased 25.1% to $589.8 million from $787.2 million in 2002. Net loss was $45.2 million, or $(0.68) per common share for the year ending 2003, versus net income of $65.0 million, or $0.66 per common share, for the year ending of 2002. Included in the year results are pre-tax expenses totaling $97.9 million associated with NASDAQ's strategic review initiated in the second quarter 2003, which includes the elimination of non-core product lines, initiatives and severance. Excluding this impact, net income was $19.0 million for the period calculated on a Non-GAAP basis, or $0.14 per common share.
NASDAQ's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Greifeld, commented, "Over the past nine months, we took dramatic and decisive steps that sharpened our strategic direction, assembled a talented, cohesive team to execute our refocused plan, and moved toward establishing a low-cost operating platform. We are already seeing the benefits of this effort. Our fourth quarter financial performance began to stabilize relative to prior quarters."
Mr. Greifeld concluded, "In 2004, we will strive to maintain this positive momentum and achieve consistent improvements in all areas of our business. We are focused on two key objectives: increasing NASDAQ's share of trading in domestic equity markets; and increasing the number of companies listed on NASDAQ. To achieve this, we are enhancing the functionality of our trading systems and taking steps to achieve price leadership. Additionally, our new dual listing capability advertises NASDAQ's performance to issuers, which we have further supported by refocusing our sales force and enhancing our suite of services offered to issuers. NASDAQ is the premier equity marketplace, offering a cost-effective trading platform open to multiple participants that provides investors security and protection. Our entire organization is energized and focused on this mission."
Significant Events in the Fourth Quarter
- Completed the strategic review begun in June 2003, which dramatically reduced the company's operating cost structure by exiting non-core businesses, streamlining the organization and significantly reducing the company's cost base.
- Created 3-tiered pricing structure for first quarter 2004 implementation geared toward drawing increased liquidity to NASDAQ's trading platform.
Financial Review:
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2003 decreased 23.5% to $138.0 million from $180.3 million in the year-ago quarter and decreased 2.7% from $141.9 million in the third quarter of 2003.
- Transaction Services revenue decreased 32.0% to $53.6 million from $78.8 million in the year-ago quarter as execution services, trade reporting and access revenue were affected by continued competitive pressure and lower market share. Similarly, fourth quarter revenue decreased slightly from $54.3 million in the prior quarter.
- Market Information Services revenue decreased 33.5% to $32.5 million from $48.9 million in the year-ago quarter primarily due to an increase in UTP plan revenue sharing. Fourth quarter revenue decreased 8.2% from $35.4 million in the prior quarter due to higher UTP plan revenue sharing and a TotalView product price decrease.
- Corporate Client Group revenue decreased 2.3% to $42.8 million from $43.8 million in the year-ago quarter due to a decrease in annual renewal fee revenue resulting from a lower number of listed companies. Initial listing fees and fees associated with the listing of additional shares are amortized over six-year and four-year periods, respectively, in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 101.
- Financial Products revenue increased $0.3 million to $7.6 million from $7.3 million in the year-ago quarter due primarily to an increase in the size of the QQQ Trust Fund.
Direct expenses in the fourth quarter of 2003 decreased 28.7% to $109.2 million from $153.1 million in the year-ago quarter and decreased 5.5% from $115.5 million from the prior quarter primarily due to reductions in compensation and general discretionary spending.
Total expenses decreased 12.2% to $150.7 million from $171.6 million in the year-ago quarter and decreased 2.6% from $154.7 million from the prior quarter. Included in total expenses are charges of $28.4 million relating to costs associated with NASDAQ's aforementioned strategic review, including:
- MarketSite Tower - The impairment associated with the carrying value of NASDAQ's video wall at its Times Square New York location, totaling $12.3 million.
- Primex - $8.8 million charge associated with the termination of NASDAQ's exclusive rights agreement
- Product Lines - Includes net costs associated with the cancellation of NASDAQ Tools and other products totaling $4.3 million.
- Severance - The fulfillment of employment contracts and obligations associated with the reduction in force initiative as well as the retirement and departure of certain members of senior management totaling $3.0 million. Total headcount was 956 at the end of the fourth quarter 2003 versus 1,004 at the end of third quarter 2003 and 1,227 in the year-ago period.
The charges recorded above reflect the completion of the costs associated with NASDAQ's 2003 strategic review.
NASDAQ's Chief Financial Officer, David Warren, commented: "Our 2003 strategic review has eliminated substantial cost over the past nine months and significantly improved our operating base. Going forward, we will continue to move on opportunities to improve operating efficiencies and drive further reductions in our operating expenses. These potential actions include real estate consolidations and enhancements to our technology systems to improve efficiency of our trading backbone."
NASDAQ® is the world's largest electronic stock market. With approximately 3,300 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to category-defining companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology industries. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ listed stocks. Approximately 54% of NASDAQ-listed shares traded are reported to NASDAQ systems. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.NASDAQ.com or the NASDAQ NewsroomSM at www.NASDAQnews.com.
Non-GAAP Information
In addition to disclosing results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), NASDAQ also discloses certain Non-GAAP results of operation that exclude items associated with the strategic review. Management believes that the Non-GAAP information provides investors with additional information to access NASDAQ's operating performance by excluding these costs, which are non-operational items. The Non-GAAP information may not be comparable to other companies and should not be viewed as a substitute for or superior to net loss or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation table is provided at the end of this release.
(1)Dividends payable to the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. ("NASD") as the holder of NASDAQ's Series A Preferred Stock began accruing in March 2003. The Series A Preferred Stock carries a 7.6% dividend rate for the year commencing March 2003 and 10.6% in all subsequent years. NASDAQ is obligated to pay this dividend to the extent of its capital surplus. The dividend for the fourth quarter of 2003 is approximately $2.5 million.
Please click for Fourth Quarter 2003 Finanical Statements
