Intercontinental Exchange Inc. ICE posted second-quarter 2015 operating earnings per share of $2.90, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.77, thereby bringing the trailing four-quarter average beat to 3.9%. Meanwhile, results outperformed the year-ago quarter figure by about 27%.
Including one-time extraordinary items, ICE generated reported net income $2.54 per share as against $1.88 per share in the year-ago quarter.
The bottom line reflected incremental revenues across segments and reduced expenses, which also supported margins and cash flows.
Total net revenue of $797 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $809 million. However, results improved year over year by 6.3%. The year-over-year rise was attributable to a 29% rise from data services fees revenues to a record $191 million. Moreover, listings revenues improved 12% to a record $101 million.
Furthermore, consolidated other revenues, which now include revenues from NYSE Euronext-related technology services and fees from trading license, regulatory and listed company services, grew to $57 million from $52 million in the year-ago quarter. However, 0.3% decline in transaction and clearing fees partially offset the upside.
Total reported operating expenses declined 13.2% year over year to $367 million, primarily owing to lower professional service costs, rent and occupancy expenses, acquisition-related transaction and integrations costs, compensation and benefits, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Reported operating income surged 31.5% to $430 million. Subsequently, operating margin improved to 54%. The effective tax rate was 27%.
Financial Update
ICE’s consolidated operating cash flow came in at $770 million in the first half of 2015, down 7.9% from $836 million in the year-ago quarter. Capital expenditure and capitalized software development costs grossed $96 million, up from $87 million in the year-earlier quarter.
As of Jun 30, 2015, the company recorded unrestricted cash and short-term investments of $700 million (down from $652 million at the end of 2014). Following the payment of $1 billion for the redemption of 2015 Eurobonds, total outstanding debt came in at $3.3 billion, marginally up from the 2014-end level.
Total assets declined to $63.1 billion at the end of Jun 2015, while total equity improved marginally to $12.44 billion compared with $68.3 billion and $12.39 billion, respectively at year-end 2014.
Capital Deployment Update
ICE bought back shares and paid dividends worth $288 million in the reported quarter.
Guidance for 2015
The company expects adjusted operating expenses in the range of $330–$335 million in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Moreover, consolidated tax rate is expected in the range of 28–31% for the second half of 2015.
ICE's diluted share count for the third quarter and full-year 2015 is expected to be in the range of 110–112 million weighted average shares outstanding, including share repurchases through Jul 2015.
Zacks Rank
Currently, ICE carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Peer Take
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.’s MKTX second-quarter earnings per share of 64 cents were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, results improved year over year by 33.3%.
Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. NDAQ reported record second-quarter 2015 operating earnings per share of 83 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents by 3.7%.
CME Group Inc. CME reported second-quarter 2015 adjusted earnings per share of 95 cents that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents by 3.3% and surged 23.4% from the year-ago figure of 77 cents.
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