MarketAxess Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results
Record Full Year Revenue of
Strong Full Year Commission Revenue Growth Across Most Product Areas
4Q24 select financial and operational highlights*
-
Total revenues of
, including an increase of approximately$202.4 million from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$1.0 million -
15% growth in emerging markets and Eurobonds commission revenue, reflecting strong geographic diversification. -
Record rates commission revenue, up
53% .
-
-
Total expenses of
, up$122.4 million 2% , including an increase of approximately from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$0.9 million -
Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of
on net income of$1.73 million.$65.1
Full Year 2024 select financial and operational highlights**
-
9% increase in total revenues to a record , including Pragma revenue of$817.1 million and an increase of approximately$31.7 million from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$3.0 million -
9% growth inU.S. high-grade commission revenue, helped offset a17% decline inU.S. high-yield commission revenue, driven by low levels of credit spread volatility. -
Record commission revenue across emerging markets, Eurobonds and municipal bonds, up a combined
15% . -
Record rates commission revenue, up
21% . -
Record services revenue (combined information, post-trade and technology services revenue) of
, up$105.4 million 18% , including the benefit from Pragma.
-
-
9% increase in total expenses to , including Pragma operating expenses of$476.2 million and an increase of approximately$32.0 million from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$2.4 million -
6% increase in EPS to on net income of$7.28 million.$274.2
*All comparisons versus 4Q23.
** All comparisons versus full year 2023.
Chris Concannon, CEO of MarketAxess, commented:
“In 2024, we made significant strides in enhancing our client franchise, increasing client engagement with X-Pro, delivering progress with our high touch strategy, and achieving record levels of revenue and ADV across most product areas and regions.
We expect to build on this momentum in 2025 by focusing on key initiatives within three market channels. First, in the client-initiated channel, where we hold a clear leadership position, we launched our block trading solution in Eurobonds and emerging markets. We have seen early positive signs of success with a
We have clear visibility into the completion of these key initiatives and believe that executing our strategy across these three channels will drive market share growth throughout 2025 and long-term value for our shareholders.”
Table 1: 4Q24 select financial results
$ in millions, except per share data (unaudited) |
Revenues | Operating Income | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Net Income Margin (%) |
EBITDA1 | EBITDA Margin (%)1 |
4Q24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3Q24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YoY % Change |
|
|
( |
( |
(310) bps |
( |
(220) bps |
QoQ % Change |
( |
( |
( |
( |
(240) bps |
( |
(300) bps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
(70) bps |
|
(70) bps |
Table 1A: 4Q24 trading volume (ADV)
CREDIT | RATES |
||||||||||
$ in millions (unaudited) |
US/ Trading Days2 |
Total ADV |
Total Credit |
High- Grade |
High- Yield |
Emerging Markets |
Eurobonds | Municipal Bonds |
Total Rates |
US Govt. Bonds |
Agcy./Other Govt. Bonds |
4Q24 |
62/64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3Q24 |
64/65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q23 |
62/63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YoY % Change |
|
|
|
|
( |
|
|
|
|
|
|
QoQ % Change |
|
|
( |
( |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 1B: 4Q24 estimated market share
CREDIT | RATES | ||||
|
High-Grade | High-Yield | High-Grade/High-Yield Combined |
Municipals3 | US Govt. Bonds3 |
4Q24 |
|
|
|
|
|
3Q24 |
|
|
|
|
|
4Q23 |
|
|
|
|
|
YoY Bps Change |
(250) bps |
(380) bps |
(270) bps |
+150 bps |
+80 bps |
QoQ Bps Change |
(110) bps |
+40 bps |
(80) bps |
(160) bps |
+20 bps |
4Q24 overview of results
Commission revenue and trading volume
Credit
Credit Commission Revenue
-
Total credit commission revenue of
million (including$162.2 million in fixed-distribution fees) increased$32.8 million, or$0.3 0.2% , compared to million (including$161.9 in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. Strong growth in our international product areas, including$34.6 million 18% growth in emerging markets and10% growth in Eurobonds, was mostly offset by lower estimated market share inU.S. high grade, and historically low levels of credit spread volatility inU.S. high-yield, resulting in lower estimated market share. Variable transaction fees per million (“FPM”) were , compared to$150 in the prior year and$156 in 3Q24. The decline in FPM compared to the prior year was mainly due to product mix-shift, principally lower levels of$149 U.S. high-yield activity. The decrease in fixed-distribution fees was principally driven by migrations to variable fee plans.
Credit Trading Volumes
-
U.S. high-grade ADV of billion increased$6.5 4% compared to the prior year, but decreased8% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market ADV increased18% compared to the prior year, but decreased3% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market share was18.4% , down from20.9% in the prior year, and down from19.5% in 3Q24. Including the impact of single-dealer portfolio trades, estimated market share was18.8% , down from21.0% in the prior year, and down from20.0% in 3Q24. -
U.S. high-yield ADV of decreased$1.3 billion 19% compared to the prior year, but increased5% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market ADV increased5% compared to the prior year, and increased2% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market share was13.4% , down from17.2% in the prior year, but up from13.0% in 3Q24. Including the impact of single-dealer portfolio trades, estimated market share was13.7% , down from17.3% in the prior year, but up from13.4% in 3Q24.
Other Credit
-
Emerging markets ADV of
increased$3.5 billion 18% compared to the prior year, and increased4% compared to 3Q24. The year-over-year increase was driven by a26% increase in hard currency ADV, and a7% increase in local currency ADV. -
Eurobonds ADV of
increased$2.0 billion 13% compared to the prior year, and increased6% compared to 3Q24. -
Record municipal bond ADV of
increased$620 million 15% compared to the prior year, and increased7% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market ADV decreased9% compared to the prior year, but increased32% compared to 3Q24. Estimated market share was7.1% , up from5.6% in the prior year, but down from a record8.7% in 3Q24.3
Strategic Priority Related Protocols & Workflow Tools
-
in total portfolio trading ADV increased$1.1 billion 57% compared to the prior year, but decreased8% compared to 3Q24. A record71% of portfolio trading volume was executed over X-Pro.-
Estimated
U.S. high-grade andU.S. high-yield TRACE portfolio trading market ADV was flat compared to 3Q24.
-
Estimated
-
Our estimated market share of
U.S. high-grade andU.S. high-yield TRACE portfolio trading was16.2% , down from20.0% in 3Q24.-
Portfolio trading represented approximately
11% ofU.S. high-grade andU.S. high-yield TRACE in 4Q24, in line with 3Q24.
-
Portfolio trading represented approximately
-
Open Trading ADV of
increased$4.1 billion 2% compared to the prior year, and was in line with 3Q24. Open Trading share4 of total credit trading volume was35% , down from36% in the prior year, but in line with 3Q24 levels. -
Dealer RFQ ADV of
across all credit products increased$1.2 billion 8% compared to the prior year, and increased5% compared to 3Q24. -
AxessIQ, the order and execution workflow solution designed for wealth management and private banking clients, achieved record ADV of
, up$147 million 6% compared to the prior year, and up14% compared to 3Q24.
Rates
-
Record total rates commission revenue of
increased$7.3 million , or$2.5 million 53% . Record total rates ADV of increased$27.1 billion 64% compared to the prior year, and increased3% compared to 3Q24.U.S. Treasury ADV on the platform in November 2023 was negatively impacted by an outage at ICBC, the third-party the Company was then using forU.S. Treasury settlement services.
Other
-
Total other commission revenue was
million, which consists of Pragma commission revenue.$5.2
Services revenue
Information services
-
Information services revenue of
million increased$13.2 million, or$1.2 10% compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was principally driven by net new data contract revenue and an increase of from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$0.3 million
Post-trade services
-
Post-trade services revenue of
was flat compared to the prior year mainly due to an increase of$11.0 million from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, offset by lower end-of-year resubmissions revenue.$0.2 million
Technology services
-
Total technology services revenue of
million, up from$3.5 in the prior year. The increase was driven by higher Pragma-related license fees.$2.5 million
Expenses
-
Total expenses of
increased$122.4 million 2% from the prior year, including an increase of from the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.$0.9 million
Non-operating
-
Other income (expense): Other income was
million, down from$4.6 million in the prior year. The current year includes an unrealized loss on$6.8 U.S. Treasury investments of compared to an unrealized gain in the prior year of$1.9 million .$0.9 million -
Tax rate: The effective tax rate was
23.0% , up from16.9% in the prior year. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to lower one-time tax benefits recognized in 4Q24 compared to 4Q23.
Capital
-
The Company had
in cash, cash equivalents, corporate bond investments and$698.6 million U.S. Treasury investments as of December 31, 2024, up from as of September 30, 2024 and$602.5 million as of December 31, 2023. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.$575.7 million -
For the full year 2024, a total of 341,477 shares were repurchased at a cost of
, including 63,873 shares repurchased during the fourth quarter at a cost of$75.0 million . As of January 31, 2025, a total of$16.4 million remained under the aggregate authorizations by the Company’s Board of Directors.$220.0 million -
The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of
per share, payable on March 5, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2025.$0.76
Other
- Employee headcount was 891 as of December 31, 2024, up from 881 as of December 31, 2023, and up from 881 as of September 30, 2024.
Guidance
For the full year 2025, the Company is providing the following guidance which is based on foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2024:
- Services revenue (combined Information Services, Post-Trade Services and Technology Services) is expected to grow in the mid-single digits (percent).
-
Expenses are expected to be in the range of
to$505.0 million . Based on the midpoint of the stated guidance range, total expenses are expected to increase by approximately$525.0 million 8% . -
The effective tax rate is expected to be between
23.5% and24.5% , assuming no material changes in applicable tax laws. -
Capital expenditures to support new protocols, products and trading platform enhancements are expected to be in the range of
million to$65.0 .$70.0 million
1 | EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Non-GAAP financial measures and other items” for a discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures. |
|
2 |
The number of |
|
3 | See “General Notes Regarding the Data Presented” below. |
|
4 | Open Trading share of total credit trading volume is derived by taking total Open Trading volume across all credit products where Open Trading is offered and dividing by total credit trading volume across all credit products where Open Trading is offered. |
|
5 |
The Company is currently highlighting the impact of single-dealer portfolio trading volume on |
|
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”), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. We define EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by revenues. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities excluding the net change in trading investments and net change in securities failed-to-deliver and securities failed-to-receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers, less expenditures for furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements and capitalized software development costs. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide additional information regarding the Company’s operating results because they assist both investors and management in analyzing and evaluating the performance of our business. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA, GAAP net income margin to EBITDA margin and GAAP net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities to free cash flow.
Please refer to Tables 6 & 7 for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Webcast and conference call information
Chris Concannon, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Schiffman, Global Head of Trading Solutions, and Ilene Fiszel Bieler, Chief Financial Officer will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 646-307-1963 (
General Notes Regarding the Data Presented
Reported MarketAxess volume in all product categories includes only fully electronic trading volume. MarketAxess trading volumes and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (“TRACE”) reported volumes are available on the Company’s website at investor.marketaxess.com/volume.
For periods beginning with January 2024, the Company has made changes to the market volume data used to calculate estimated market share for Municipal and
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for the Company, product/protocol availability and ability to increase estimated market share, market conditions 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; 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; risks related to sanctions levied against states or individuals that could expose us to operational or regulatory risks; 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, products or services; our vulnerability to malicious cyber-attacks and attempted cybersecurity breaches; 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; risks related to the divergence of
About MarketAxess
MarketAxess (Nasdaq: MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Over 2,000 firms leverage MarketAxess’ patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. Our automated and algorithmic trading solutions, combined with our integrated and actionable data offerings, help our clients make faster, better-informed decisions on when and how to trade on our platform. MarketAxess’ award-winning Open Trading® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through an advanced full trading lifecycle solution that includes automated trading solutions, intelligent data and index products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on X @MarketAxess.
Table 2: Consolidated Statements of Operations |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
In thousands, except per share data (unaudited) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions |
|
$ |
174,766 |
|
|
$ |
171,891 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
% |
|
$ |
711,710 |
|
|
$ |
662,964 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
% |
Information services |
|
|
13,155 |
|
|
|
11,917 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
50,540 |
|
|
|
46,383 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
Post-trade services |
|
|
10,975 |
|
|
|
10,950 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
42,487 |
|
|
|
40,178 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Technology services |
|
|
3,508 |
|
|
|
2,490 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
12,360 |
|
|
|
3,022 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
202,404 |
|
|
|
197,248 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
817,097 |
|
|
|
752,547 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee compensation and benefits |
|
|
59,395 |
|
|
|
57,356 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
235,880 |
|
|
|
206,926 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
18,540 |
|
|
|
19,530 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
73,824 |
|
|
|
70,557 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
Technology and communications |
|
|
18,791 |
|
|
|
17,228 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
72,166 |
|
|
|
62,801 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
Professional and consulting fees |
|
|
6,329 |
|
|
|
7,604 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
|
27,382 |
|
|
|
31,935 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
Occupancy |
|
|
3,716 |
|
|
|
3,903 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
14,690 |
|
|
|
14,216 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
Marketing and advertising |
|
|
3,972 |
|
|
|
2,646 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
11,713 |
|
|
|
11,049 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Clearing costs |
|
|
4,443 |
|
|
|
4,610 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
17,863 |
|
|
|
17,002 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
General and administrative |
|
|
7,242 |
|
|
|
7,344 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
22,709 |
|
|
|
23,042 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Total expenses |
|
|
122,428 |
|
|
|
120,221 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
476,227 |
|
|
|
437,528 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
79,976 |
|
|
|
77,027 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
340,870 |
|
|
|
315,019 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
6,719 |
|
|
|
6,274 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
26,046 |
|
|
|
22,425 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(318 |
) |
|
|
(1,636 |
) |
|
|
(81 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,601 |
) |
|
|
(1,983 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate |
|
|
331 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
|
1,395 |
|
|
|
735 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
Other, net |
|
|
(2,113 |
) |
|
|
1,991 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
(6,164 |
) |
|
|
(3,496 |
) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
4,619 |
|
|
|
6,785 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
|
19,676 |
|
|
|
17,681 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
84,595 |
|
|
|
83,812 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
360,546 |
|
|
|
332,700 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
19,456 |
|
|
|
14,185 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
86,365 |
|
|
|
74,645 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
65,139 |
|
|
$ |
69,627 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
$ |
274,181 |
|
|
$ |
258,055 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Per Share Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
1.74 |
|
|
$ |
1.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7.29 |
|
|
$ |
6.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
1.73 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7.28 |
|
|
$ |
6.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends declared per common share |
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.96 |
|
|
$ |
2.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
37,479 |
|
|
|
37,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,600 |
|
|
|
37,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
37,601 |
|
|
|
37,809 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,672 |
|
|
|
37,654 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM - not meaningful |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 3: Commission Revenue Detail |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands, except fee per million data |
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
||||||
Variable transaction fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit |
|
|
$ |
129,351 |
|
|
$ |
127,283 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
% |
|
$ |
533,363 |
|
|
$ |
496,028 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
% |
Rates |
|
|
|
7,262 |
|
|
|
4,735 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
|
25,165 |
|
|
|
20,749 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
5,235 |
|
|
|
4,979 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
20,016 |
|
|
|
4,979 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
Total variable transaction fees |
|
|
|
141,848 |
|
|
|
136,997 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
578,544 |
|
|
|
521,756 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
Fixed distribution fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit |
|
|
|
32,849 |
|
|
|
34,581 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
132,898 |
|
|
|
140,700 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
Rates |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
252 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
||
Total fixed distribution fees |
|
|
|
32,918 |
|
|
|
34,894 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
133,166 |
|
|
|
141,208 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
Total commission revenue |
|
|
$ |
174,766 |
|
|
$ |
171,891 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
$ |
711,710 |
|
|
$ |
662,964 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
Average variable transaction fee per million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit |
|
|
$ |
149.59 |
|
|
$ |
156.28 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
% |
|
$ |
150.26 |
|
|
$ |
158.61 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
% |
Rates |
|
|
|
4.31 |
|
|
|
4.62 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
4.39 |
|
|
|
4.46 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
Table 4: Trading Volume Detail* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
In millions (unaudited) |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Volume |
|
|
ADV |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
|
ADV |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
ADV |
|
|
||||||
Credit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High-grade |
|
|
$ |
400,129 |
|
|
$ |
6,454 |
|
|
$ |
385,301 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,215 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
% |
|
4 |
|
% |
High-yield |
|
|
|
83,373 |
|
|
|
1,345 |
|
|
|
102,501 |
|
|
|
|
1,653 |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
Emerging markets |
|
|
|
214,439 |
|
|
|
3,459 |
|
|
|
181,445 |
|
|
|
|
2,927 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
Eurobonds |
|
|
|
128,064 |
|
|
|
2,001 |
|
|
|
111,330 |
|
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
Other credit |
|
|
|
38,698 |
|
|
|
624 |
|
|
|
33,854 |
|
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Total credit trading |
|
|
|
864,703 |
|
|
|
13,883 |
|
|
|
814,431 |
|
|
|
|
13,108 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,608,995 |
|
|
|
25,952 |
|
|
|
998,542 |
|
|
|
|
16,106 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
Agency and other government bonds |
|
|
|
76,221 |
|
|
|
1,195 |
|
|
|
26,684 |
|
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
Total rates trading |
|
|
|
1,685,216 |
|
|
|
27,147 |
|
|
|
1,025,226 |
|
|
|
|
16,533 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
Total trading |
|
|
$ |
2,549,919 |
|
|
$ |
41,030 |
|
|
$ |
1,839,657 |
|
|
|
$ |
29,641 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
In millions (unaudited) |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Volume |
|
|
ADV |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
|
ADV |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
ADV |
|
|
||||||
Credit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High-grade |
|
|
$ |
1,711,275 |
|
|
$ |
6,845 |
|
|
$ |
1,457,559 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,854 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
% |
|
17 |
|
% |
High-yield |
|
|
|
334,761 |
|
|
|
1,339 |
|
|
|
398,275 |
|
|
|
|
1,599 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
Emerging markets |
|
|
|
859,412 |
|
|
|
3,438 |
|
|
|
717,877 |
|
|
|
|
2,883 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
Eurobonds |
|
|
|
508,093 |
|
|
|
2,008 |
|
|
|
441,171 |
|
|
|
|
1,758 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
Other credit |
|
|
|
135,975 |
|
|
|
543 |
|
|
|
112,451 |
|
|
|
|
451 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
Total credit trading |
|
|
|
3,549,516 |
|
|
|
14,173 |
|
|
|
3,127,333 |
|
|
|
|
12,545 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,511,045 |
|
|
|
22,044 |
|
|
|
4,545,850 |
|
|
|
|
18,256 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
Agency and other government bonds |
|
|
|
227,614 |
|
|
|
902 |
|
|
|
106,933 |
|
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
Total rates trading |
|
|
|
5,738,659 |
|
|
|
22,946 |
|
|
|
4,652,783 |
|
|
|
|
18,683 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Total trading |
|
|
$ |
9,288,175 |
|
|
$ |
37,119 |
|
|
$ |
7,780,116 |
|
|
|
$ |
31,228 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
1 The number of |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 The number of |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*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, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NM - not meaningful |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 5: Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|||||
In thousands (unaudited) |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
544,478 |
|
|
$ |
451,280 |
|
Cash segregated under federal regulations |
|
|
47,107 |
|
|
|
45,122 |
|
Investments, at fair value |
|
|
165,260 |
|
|
|
134,861 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
91,845 |
|
|
|
89,839 |
|
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers |
|
|
357,728 |
|
|
|
687,936 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
236,706 |
|
|
|
236,706 |
|
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization |
|
|
98,078 |
|
|
|
119,108 |
|
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software, net |
|
|
107,298 |
|
|
|
102,671 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
|
58,132 |
|
|
|
63,045 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
82,584 |
|
|
|
84,499 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
1,789,216 |
|
|
$ |
2,015,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued employee compensation |
|
$ |
68,054 |
|
|
$ |
60,124 |
|
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers |
|
|
218,845 |
|
|
|
537,398 |
|
Income and other tax liabilities |
|
|
3,683 |
|
|
|
7,892 |
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
|
37,320 |
|
|
|
37,013 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
72,654 |
|
|
|
79,677 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
400,556 |
|
|
|
722,104 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
350,701 |
|
|
|
333,292 |
|
Treasury stock |
|
|
(333,369 |
) |
|
|
(260,298 |
) |
Retained earnings |
|
|
1,405,904 |
|
|
|
1,244,216 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
(34,699 |
) |
|
|
(24,370 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
|
1,388,660 |
|
|
|
1,292,963 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
1,789,216 |
|
|
$ |
2,015,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Table 6: Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Net Income Margin to EBITDA Margin |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|||||||||||||
In thousands (unaudited) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
65,139 |
|
|
$ |
69,627 |
|
|
|
$ |
274,181 |
|
|
$ |
258,055 |
|
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
(6,719 |
) |
|
|
(6,274 |
) |
|
|
|
(26,046 |
) |
|
|
(22,425 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
318 |
|
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
|
|
1,601 |
|
|
|
1,983 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
19,456 |
|
|
|
14,185 |
|
|
|
|
86,365 |
|
|
|
74,645 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
18,540 |
|
|
|
19,530 |
|
|
|
|
73,824 |
|
|
|
70,557 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
96,734 |
|
|
$ |
98,704 |
|
|
|
$ |
409,925 |
|
|
$ |
382,815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income margin1 |
|
|
32.2 |
% |
|
|
35.3 |
% |
|
|
|
33.6 |
% |
|
|
34.3 |
% |
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(3.0 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
|
10.6 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
|
EBITDA margin2 |
|
|
47.8 |
% |
|
|
50.0 |
% |
|
|
|
50.2 |
% |
|
|
50.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 7: Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||
In thousands (unaudited) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
176,248 |
|
|
$ |
141,685 |
|
|
|
$ |
385,237 |
|
|
$ |
333,767 |
|
Exclude: Net change in trading investments |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
948 |
|
|
|
|
629 |
|
|
|
25,248 |
|
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers |
|
|
(51,833 |
) |
|
|
(34,354 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,118 |
) |
|
|
(46,696 |
) |
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements |
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
(2,071 |
) |
|
|
|
(9,942 |
) |
|
|
(9,326 |
) |
Less: Capitalization of software development costs |
|
|
(10,833 |
) |
|
|
(11,320 |
) |
|
|
|
(46,623 |
) |
|
|
(43,122 |
) |
Free cash flow |
|
$ |
113,367 |
|
|
$ |
94,888 |
|
|
|
$ |
328,183 |
|
|
$ |
259,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Net income margin is derived by dividing net income by total revenues for the applicable period. |
|
||||||||||||||||
2 EBITDA margin is derived by dividing EBITDA by total revenues for the applicable period. |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250205395499/en/
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Stephen Davidson
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
+1 212 813 6313
sdavidson2@marketaxess.com
MEDIA RELATIONS
Marisha Mistry
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
+1 917 267 1232
mmistry@marketaxess.com
Source: MarketAxess Holdings Inc.