Skip to content
AnalystLens

SCHWAB CHARLES CORP Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2017

Filing Date
Filed May 8, 2017
Period End
March 31, 2017
In the record · 2016–202610-K1110-Q328-K135

SCHW filed 11 annual reports (10-K), 32 quarterly reports (10-Q) and 135 current reports (8-K) between 2016 and 2026.

  1. Deal closed8-K · Oct ’20Oct ’20
  2. Leadership change8-K · May ’22May ’22
  3. Leadership change8-K · Jan ’26Jan ’26

Summary

Summary of the 10-Q filed May 8, 2017. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

The Charles Schwab Corporation reported a strong first quarter for 2017, with net income available to common stockholders increasing by 34% to $525 milliona, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to the prior year period.

This robust performance was driven by an 18% increase in net revenues, primarily fueled by growth in net interest revenue and asset management and administration fees. The company saw significant increases in client metrics, with net new client assets up 22% and total client assets reaching $2.92 trillionb, a 14% year-over-year increase. The "Through Clients' Eyes" strategy appears to be effectively driving client acquisition and asset growth.

The company also benefited from rising interest rates, which boosted net interest revenue. While trading revenue declined due to pricing reductions aimed at enhancing client value, overall profitability and key performance indicators show a positive trajectory. The company's solid capital position and regulatory compliance further underscore its financial strength.

Key Highlights

  1. Net income available to common stockholders surged 34% to $525 million ($0.39 per diluted share) in Q1 2017.
  2. Total net revenues grew 18% year-over-year to $2.081 billion.
  3. Net new client assets increased by 22% to $38.9 billion, reflecting strong client acquisition.
  4. Total client assets reached $2.92 trillion, up 14% from the prior year.
  5. Net interest revenue increased by 30% to $1.000 billion, benefiting from higher interest rates and increased bank deposits.
  6. The company's pre-tax profit margin improved to 40.5% from 37.1% in the prior year period.
  7. Trading revenue declined 17% due to strategic pricing reductions on equity, ETF, and options trades.

Financial Statements

Q1 FY2017 against Q1 FY2016

Line itemQ1 FY2017Q1 FY2016Change
Revenue$2.08B$1.76B+18.0%
Interest Expense$55.00M$38.00M+44.7%
Net Income$564.00M$412.00M+36.9%
EPS (Basic)$0.39$0.30+30.0%
EPS (Diluted)$0.39$0.29+34.5%
Shares Outstanding (Basic)1.34B1.32B+1.1%
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)1.35B1.33B+1.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What were the main drivers of Schwab's revenue growth in the first quarter of 2017?

    The primary drivers of Schwab's revenue growth were a significant increase in net interest revenue, which rose 30% to $1 billion, largely due to higher interest-earning assets and rising short-term interest rates, and a 18% increase in asset management and administration fees. These were complemented by a substantial 22% increase in core net new client assets and a 14% rise in total client assets.

  2. How did the company's expenses perform compared to revenue growth?

    Expenses excluding interest increased by 12% to $1.238 billion, which was less than the 18% growth in net revenues. This indicates that revenue growth outpaced expense growth, leading to an improved pre-tax profit margin of 40.5%, up from 37.1% in the prior year period. Key expense drivers included higher compensation and benefits, as well as increased professional services and deposit insurance assessments.

  3. What is the company's outlook based on client engagement and asset growth?

    The company demonstrated strong client engagement, with a 22% increase in core net new client assets and a 14% rise in total client assets to $2.92 trillion. The number of active brokerage accounts also grew by 5% to 10.3 million. This consistent growth in client assets and accounts, driven by the 'Through Clients' Eyes' strategy, positions Schwab favorably for sustained revenue generation and earnings growth.

  4. Were there any significant changes in the investment portfolio during the quarter?

    Yes, in March 2017, the company transferred approximately $24.7 billion of debt securities from the 'available for sale' category to the 'held to maturity' category. This move was intended to mitigate potential volatility in regulatory capital that could arise from market value fluctuations in the 'available for sale' portfolio, especially as the company approaches the threshold where Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) can no longer be excluded from regulatory capital.