Shares of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. LPLA fell more than 9% following the release of its second-quarter 2015 results on Aug 5, before the market opened. Earnings per share of 52 cents lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents. However, the figure was up 23.8% year over year.
Lower-than-expected results were mainly triggered by lower commission fees that affected the top line. Further, a rise in interest expense acted as a headwind. However, a fall in operating expenses and strong asset growth featured among the positives.
Results included acquisition and integration-related expenses, employee share-based compensation expense, restructuring and conversion costs, and amortization of intangible assets. Excluding these, adjusted net income came in at $63.2 million or 65 cents per share, up from $61.8 million or 61 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.
Behind the Headlines
Net revenue (on a GAAP basis) totaled $1090.7 million, marginally down on a year-over-year basis. Further, this missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1113.0 million. Decrease in commission and lower other revenues were partly offset by a rise in advisory income, asset-based revenues, and transaction and fee revenues.
Operating expenses fell 1.5% year over year to $993.4 million. Lower production cost, general and administrative expenses and other expenses were partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits cost, and depreciation and amortization expenses.
Non-operating interest expense was $13.2 million, up 1.9% year over year.
As of Jun 30, 2015, advisory and brokerage assets summed $485.7 billion, up 4.4% year over year. Additionally, advisory assets under custody were up 11.7% from the year-ago quarter to $186.8 billion.
In the reported quarter, LPL Financial repurchased 2.1 million shares for $85.8 million.
Our Take
LPL Financial is expanding its offerings to all affiliated advisors in order to focus on high-net-worth markets. We believe such initiatives will help the company gain further market share. Also, the company’s robust asset growth and steady capital deployment activities remain impressive. However, weak top-line growth remains a major near-term concern.
At present, LPL Financial has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Performance of Other Investment Brokers
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation’s AMTD fiscal 2015 third-quarter (ending Jun 30) earnings per share of 36 cents came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results reflected revenue growth driven by higher transaction-based revenues and asset-based revenues, offset by a rise in expenses.
The Charles Schwab Corp.’s SCHW second-quarter 2015 earnings of 25 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Improved revenue growth and lower provision for loan losses were partially offset by a rise in operating expenses.
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.’s IBKR adjusted earnings per share of 37 cents outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 32 cents. Results benefited from growth in net revenue, partly offset by elevated expenses.
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