10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2007

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2007

Filed August 13, 2007For Securities:IBKR

Summary

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR) reported its second quarterly results post-Initial Public Offering (IPO) in August 2007. The company's financial performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, showcased growth in its electronic brokerage segment, driven by increased customer trading volume and a growing customer base. Despite a challenging market environment characterized by lower trading gains, particularly impacted by a significant, non-recurring loss from an alleged market manipulation event in Germany, the company demonstrated resilience. The IPO in May 2007 marked a significant corporate event, leading to IBG, Inc. consolidating IBG LLC's financials. This transition, along with the subsequent adoption of U.S. corporate taxes and minority interest reporting, makes direct year-over-year comparisons of net income challenging. However, the underlying operational trends, particularly the robust growth in electronic brokerage and a strong customer acquisition pace, provide a positive outlook for future performance, supported by the company's strong liquidity and regulatory capital position.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net revenues for Q2 2007 were $294.7 million, a slight increase of 1% compared to $290.8 million in Q2 2006.
  • 2Income before income taxes remained stable at $164.5 million for Q2 2007, compared to $164.4 million in Q2 2006.
  • 3The electronic brokerage segment showed strong growth, with net revenues increasing by 32% to $100.8 million in Q2 2007, driven by higher commissions and execution fees, and net interest income.
  • 4The market making segment's net revenues decreased by 11% to $189.4 million in Q2 2007, impacted by a significant, non-recurring loss of approximately $37 million due to alleged market manipulation in Germany.
  • 5Total customer DARTs (Daily Average Revenue Trades) increased by 14% to 236,000 in Q2 2007 compared to Q2 2006.
  • 6Customer accounts grew by 19% year-over-year to approximately 86,000 by the end of Q2 2007.
  • 7The company maintained a strong liquidity position with total assets of $33.5 billion at June 30, 2007, with 98.9% considered liquid.

Frequently Asked Questions

The IPO and Recapitalization in May 2007 significantly changed how the company's financials are presented. IBG, Inc. began consolidating IBG LLC's financial results from May 4, 2007. Prior periods reflect IBG LLC's standalone financials. This means historical results do not include U.S. corporate federal income taxes or minority interest, making direct year-over-year comparisons of net income difficult. Pro forma data was presented to aid comparability.

The company incurred an unusual, non-recurring loss of approximately $37 million in May 2007 due to alleged market manipulation of Altana AG's options prices on a German exchange. This significantly impacted the market making segment's trading gains for the quarter. The company reported this incident to German financial authorities and subsequently sold the claims related to this loss to an affiliated entity.

The electronic brokerage segment's growth is primarily fueled by a significant increase in customer trading volume and a growing customer base. This resulted in higher commissions and execution fees. Additionally, a rise in customer cash and margin balances, coupled with higher interest rates, contributed to an increase in net interest income.

The company employs a multi-faceted approach to risk management. For market risk, it diversifies its portfolio, avoids concentrated positions, and uses hedging strategies, including cash instruments and derivatives. For credit risk, it has policies for mitigating exposure, including credit limit reviews, collateral maintenance, and continuous assessment of counterparty creditworthiness. For customer margin activities, it enforces margin compliance and liquidates positions if equity falls below required levels.