10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2008

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2008

Filed August 8, 2008For Securities:IBKR

Summary

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR) reported its second quarter 2008 financial results on August 8, 2008, for the period ending June 30, 2008. The company demonstrated strong revenue and profit growth compared to the prior year, driven by its market making and electronic brokerage segments. Net revenues increased by 34% year-over-year to $395.4 million, while income before income taxes and minority interest grew significantly to $259.3 million, a 57.7% increase from the same period in 2007. This performance was bolstered by a substantial rise in trading gains, up 77%, and a notable 42% increase in commissions and execution fees. The company's market making segment saw a significant increase in income before income taxes, up 73% year-over-year, benefiting from higher market volumes and volatility, though it experienced a sequential decline from Q1 2008 due to subdued market conditions. The electronic brokerage segment also performed well, with income before income taxes increasing by 32% year-over-year, driven by growth in customer accounts, transaction volume, and an improvement in pre-tax margin. Despite a challenging credit market environment, IBKR's liquidity remains strong, with approximately 98.3% of its assets considered liquid.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net revenues increased by 34% to $395.4 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
  • 2Income before income taxes and minority interest rose by 57.7% to $259.3 million year-over-year.
  • 3Trading gains saw a substantial increase of 77%, while commissions and execution fees grew by 42%, indicating strong performance across both key revenue streams.
  • 4The electronic brokerage segment experienced a 38% increase in total daily average revenue trades (DARTs) and a 20% rise in customer accounts.
  • 5The company maintained a strong pre-tax margin of 66% for the consolidated entity, with the market making segment achieving 74% and electronic brokerage at 48%.
  • 6Liquidity remains robust, with approximately 98.3% of total assets ($29.79 billion) classified as liquid.
  • 7Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased significantly to $0.44 for Q2 2008 from a pro-forma $0.28 for Q2 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions

The significant increase in trading gains was driven by a combination of factors including higher market volumes and volatility, particularly in the first quarter of 2008, which allowed Interactive Brokers to leverage its automated trading and risk management systems. Additionally, an unusual trading loss in the second quarter of the prior year (2007) due to a market manipulation event on a German exchange also contributed to the year-over-year percentage increase.

The electronic brokerage segment showed robust growth. The number of customer accounts increased by 20% year-over-year to approximately 103,000 by the end of Q2 2008. Total daily average revenue trades (DARTs) for cleared and execution-only customers increased by 38% to 326,000, with cleared customer DARTs showing a 51% increase. Customer equity also grew significantly by 38% to $10.2 billion.

Interactive Brokers maintains a highly liquid balance sheet, with approximately 98.3% of its total assets ($29.79 billion) classified as liquid. These assets primarily consist of exchange-listed marketable securities and collateralized receivables. The company manages its capital through cash flows from operations, available cash, and maintains a committed senior secured revolving credit facility. Borrowings under its credit facilities totaled $230.7 million as of June 30, 2008, representing 5% of IBG LLC’s total capitalization.

The company is subject to certain pending and threatened legal actions, including a purported shareholder class action lawsuit related to its IPO. However, management, in consultation with counsel, believes that the resolution of these matters and all other ongoing legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.