Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Section 27A”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Section 21E”). We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A and Section 21E. Such forward-looking statements relate to, without limitation, the proposed transaction, our future economic performance, plans and objectives for future operations, and projections of revenue and other financial items. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “intend,” “predict,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “projected,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue”, “trend”, “objective”, “might” or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends, changes in circumstances and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we may not anticipate, including, but not limited to: (i) historical financial information may not be representative of future results; (ii) the completion of the proposed transaction on the anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining the approval of the proposed transaction by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of MarketAxess, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction as well as the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; (iii) there may be significant transaction costs in connection with the proposed transaction and the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (iv) there may be liabilities that are not known, probable or estimable at this time or unexpected costs, charges or expenses; (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transaction, including in circumstances requiring MarketAxess to pay a termination fee; (vi) any effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on MarketAxess’ ability to operate its business and retain and hire key personnel and to maintain favorable business relationships; (vii) the proposed transaction may result in the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to issues relating to the proposed transaction; (viii) certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact MarketAxess’ ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (ix) unfavorable outcome of legal proceedings related to the proposed transaction; (x) the risk that MarketAxess’ share price may decline significantly if the proposed transaction is not consummated; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreaks of war or hostilities or public health issues, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xiii) other risks and uncertainties detailed in periodic reports that MarketAxess files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); (xiv) actions by third parties, including government agencies; (xv) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of MarketAxess’ or ICE’s customers, employees or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (xvi) the ability to promptly and effectively integrate MarketAxess’ business with ICE’s business and realize the anticipated cost savings, synergies, and other financial benefits of the proposed transaction within the expected time period or at all; and (xvii) ICE’s ability to obtain the contemplated debt financing on a timely basis, on favorable terms or at all.
There can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. While the list of factors presented here, and the list of factors presented in the proxy statement, in preliminary and definitive form, on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and we undertake no obligation to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, any forward-looking statements, or any other information in this communication, whether resulting from developments, circumstances or events that arise after the date the statements are made, new information, or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this communication that could cause actual results to differ. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us.
3
