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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

OR

Commission file number: 0-49992

AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION

4211 South 102nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska
68127
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(402) 331-7856
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety days. Yes x      No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x      No o

As of July 25, 2003, there were 426,787,071 outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock.

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AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION

INDEX

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Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1. — Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ REVIEW REPORT

		To the Board of Directors Ameritrade Holding Corporation Omaha, Nebraska
		We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Ameritrade Holding Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of June 27, 2003, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended June 27, 2003 and June 28, 2002 and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended June 27, 2003 and June 28, 2002. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
		We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and of making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
		Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
		We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of Ameritrade Holding Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 27, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated October 24, 2002, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 27, 2002 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
		/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
		August 7, 2003 Omaha, Nebraska

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Ameritrade Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Ameritrade Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Ameritrade Holding Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(Columnar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ameritrade Holding Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

These financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which are all of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2002.

Certain items in prior year condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The Company is evaluating whether to adopt the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation, and the alternative methods of transition for such a change. If the Company were to elect to change to the fair value based method using the retroactive restatement alternative under SFAS No. 148, the Company estimates the additional compensation expense associated with stock-based compensation would reduce earnings by approximately $0.04 per share for fiscal 2003. Actual results may differ.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others (“FIN No. 45”). The initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN No. 45 are effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements of FIN No. 45 are effective for interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting FIN No. 45.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN No. 46”). FIN No. 46 applies to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and to variable interest entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds an interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. The Company does not have interests in variable interest entities, and therefore does not expect adoption of FIN No. 46 to have any impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made (1) as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group process that effectively required amendments to SFAS No. 133, (2) in connection with other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments and (3) in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, with certain exceptions, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The Company does not expect SFAS No. 149 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, to establish standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after

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May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company does not expect adoption of SFAS No. 150 to have any impact on its consolidated financial statements.

2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, GOODWILL AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company has recorded goodwill for purchase business combinations to the extent the purchase price of each acquisition exceeded the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired company. The following table summarizes changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended June 27, 2003:

On June 13, 2003, the Company completed its purchase of approximately 16,500 Mydiscountbroker.com, Inc. (“MDB”) client accounts from SWS Group, Inc. The purchase price was $4.2 million, subject to a post-closing review of account characteristics and number of accounts. The Company paid 80 percent of the purchase price, or approximately $3.4 million, upon closing the transaction, and will pay any remaining amount upon completion of the post-closing review. The entire purchase price has been allocated to acquired intangible assets for the fair value of the MDB client relationships.

The following table summarizes the major classes and carrying amounts of acquired intangible assets as of June 27, 2003:

The Company expects amortization expense on existing acquired intangible assets to be $4.2 million for the remainder of fiscal 2003 and $11.0 million for each of the five succeeding fiscal years.

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

On January 7, 2003, the Company completed the sale of its Kansas City, Missouri data center facility for $23.5 million in cash. In connection with the sale, the Company leased back approximately 20 percent of the facility for a minimum five-year period. The Company realized a gain on the sale of approximately $9.4 million. In accordance with sale-leaseback accounting, approximately $5.3 million of gain was recognized in earnings as of the sale date and the remaining $4.1 million was deferred to be recognized over the term of the leaseback.

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4. INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investments consist primarily of ownership of approximately 7.9 million shares of Knight Trading Group, Inc. (“Knight”), representing approximately seven percent of Knight’s outstanding shares. Knight is a publicly held company that is a market maker in equity securities. The Company accounts for its investment in Knight as a marketable equity security available for sale. As of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, the Company’s investment in Knight was valued at $51.6 million and $31.9 million, respectively. The Company’s cost basis is $0.7 million; therefore, the gross unrealized gain was $50.9 million and $31.2 million at June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, respectively.

During fiscal 2003, the Company and a counterparty entered into a series of prepaid variable forward contracts (the “forward contracts”) with a total notional amount of approximately $41.4 million on 7.9 million underlying Knight shares. The forward contracts each contain a zero-cost embedded collar on the value of the Knight shares, with a weighted average floor price of $5.13 per share and a weighted average cap price of $6.17 per share. At the inception of the forward contracts, the Company received cash of approximately $35.5 million, equal to approximately 86 percent of the notional amount. The forward contracts mature on various dates in fiscal years 2006 and 2007. At maturity, the Company may settle the forward contracts in shares of Knight or in cash, at the Company’s option. If the market price of the Knight stock at maturity is equal to or less than the floor price, the counterparty will be entitled to receive one share of Knight or its cash equivalent for each underlying share. If the market price of the Knight stock at maturity is greater than the cap price, the counterparty will be entitled to receive the number of shares of Knight or its cash equivalent equal to the ratio of the floor price plus the excess of the market price over the cap price, divided by the market price, for each underlying share. If the market price at maturity is greater than the floor price but less than or equal to the cap price, the counterparty will be entitled to receive the number of Knight shares or its cash equivalent equal to the ratio of the floor price divided by the market price for each underlying share. Regardless of whether the forward contract is settled in Knight shares or in cash, the Company intends to sell the underlying Knight shares at maturity.

The Company has designated the forward contracts as cash flow hedges of the forecasted future sales of 7.9 million Knight shares. The forward contracts are expected to be perfectly effective hedges against changes in the cash flows associated with the forecasted future sales outside the price ranges of the collars. Accordingly, all changes in the fair value of the embedded collars are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. As of June 27, 2003, the total fair value of the embedded collars was approximately $9.9 million and was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The $35.5 million of cash received on the forward contracts is accounted for as a debt obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company is accreting interest on the debt obligation to the notional maturity amount of $41.4 million over the terms of the forward contracts using effective interest rates with a weighted average of approximately 4.3 percent. Upon settlement of a forward contract, the fair value of the collar and the realized gain or loss on the Knight stock delivered to the counterparty or otherwise sold will be reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings.

5. RESTRUCTURING AND EXIT LIABILITIES

The following table summarizes activity in the Company’s restructuring and acquisition exit liabilities for the three-month and nine-month periods ended June 27, 2003:

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The restructuring charges during fiscal 2003 consist primarily of severance pay and benefits for approximately 110 employees in connection with the Company’s closing of its TradeCast business and consolidation of the Ameritrade and Datek technology organizations, and non-cancelable lease costs in connection with the closing of the TradeCast business. The Company expects to pay most employee compensation restructuring liabilities during fiscal 2003, with any remaining amounts to be paid in fiscal 2004. The Company expects to utilize the remaining occupancy and equipment, professional services and other restructuring liabilities over the respective lease periods through fiscal 2005. Most Datek employee compensation liabilities are expected to be paid during fiscal 2003, with any remaining amounts to be paid in fiscal 2004. Remaining Datek occupancy and equipment exit liabilities are expected to be utilized over the respective lease periods through fiscal 2011.

6. NOTES PAYABLE

On December 16, 2002, the Company entered into a second amended and restated revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit agreement permits borrowings of up to $50 million through December 15, 2003, and is secured primarily by the Company’s stock in its subsidiaries and personal property. The interest rate on borrowings, determined on a monthly basis, initially is equal to the lesser of (i) the national prime rate or (ii) one month LIBOR plus 2.75 percent. The interest rate will be decreased if the Company achieves certain levels of consolidated net income during the term of the agreement. At June 27, 2003, the interest rate on the revolving credit agreement would have been 3.87 percent. The Company also pays a commitment fee of 0.375 percent of the unused borrowings through the maturity date. The Company had no outstanding indebtedness under the revolving credit agreement at June 27, 2003 and no outstanding indebtedness under the prior revolving credit agreement at September 27, 2002. The revolving credit agreement contains certain covenants and restrictions, including a minimum net worth requirement, and prohibits the payment of cash dividends to stockholders. The Company was in compliance with or obtained waivers for all covenants under the revolving credit agreements for all periods presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company, through Ameritrade, Inc. and iClearing LLC (“iClearing”), its wholly owned securities clearing subsidiaries, had access to credit facilities with financial institutions of up to $160 million and $245 million as of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, respectively. The financial institutions may make loans under line of credit arrangements or, in some cases, issue letters of credit under these facilities. Letters of credit in the amount of $40 million as of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002 have been issued on behalf of the Company by several financial institutions and reduce the amount available under these credit facilities. The letters of credit, which are for the benefit of a securities clearinghouse, have been issued for the contingent purpose of financing and supporting margin requirements. As of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, no amounts were outstanding under line of credit arrangements and approximately $120 million and $205 million, respectively, was available to the Company for either loans or, in some cases, letters of credit. The Company is generally required to pledge client securities to secure outstanding obligations under these credit facilities.

7. CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

In October 2002, the Company repurchased and retired approximately $1.4 million of its 5.75 percent convertible subordinated notes for approximately $1.2 million in cash, resulting in a gain on debt retirement of approximately $0.2 million. As of June 27, 2003, the Company had approximately $46.3 million of convertible subordinated notes outstanding, which are due August

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1, 2004. These notes are convertible into approximately 1.4 million shares of Common Stock at a conversion rate of 30.7137 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an approximate conversion price of $32.56 per share).

8. NET CAPITAL

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined. Net capital and the related net capital requirement may fluctuate on a daily basis.

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries had aggregate net capital of $231.7 million and $183.2 million as of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, respectively, which exceeded aggregate minimum net capital requirements by $184.3 million and $150.3 million, respectively. Subsidiary net capital in the amount of $47.4 million and $32.9 million as of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, respectively, was not available for transfer to Ameritrade Holding Corporation.

9. STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

In accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company accounts for its stock-based compensation on the intrinsic-value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation expense related to the Company’s stock option plans is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, with the exception of replacement options granted in connection with business combinations. Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS No. 148. This information is presented as if the Company had accounted for its stock-based awards under the fair value method:

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal - In September 1998, a putative class action complaint was filed against the Company by Zannini, et al. in the district court of Douglas County, Nebraska, claiming the Company was not able to handle the volume of subscribers to its Internet brokerage services. The complaint, as amended, seeks injunctive relief enjoining alleged deceptive, fraudulent and misleading practices, equitable relief compelling the Company to increase capacity, and unspecified compensatory damages. In May 2001, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment in the matter, which the plaintiffs opposed. The district court granted summary judgment for the Company on January 2, 2002, and the plaintiffs appealed. On August 1, 2003, the Nebraska Supreme Court reversed the district court’s grant of summary judgment and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings. The Court did not decide whether the plaintiffs’ claims have merit.

The nature of the Company’s business subjects it to lawsuits, arbitrations, claims and other legal proceedings. Management cannot predict with certainty the outcome of pending legal proceedings. A substantial adverse judgment or other resolution regarding the proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. However, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the Company has adequate legal defenses with respect to the legal proceedings to which it is a defendant or respondent and the outcome of these pending proceedings is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

NASD Investigation - In August 2002, NASD, Inc. (“NASD”) directed the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries, iClearing and Ameritrade, Inc., to cease permitting cash account clients to utilize the proceeds from the sale of fully-paid for securities to purchase other securities in advance of the actual receipt of proceeds from the settlement of the sale of the fully-paid for securities (the “specified trades”). NASD is conducting an investigation related to the specified trades. NASD Staff has

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advised that it has made a preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action against Ameritrade, Inc., Datek Online Financial Services, LLC (“DOFS”) and iClearing based on allegations that the specified trades violated Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and NASD Conduct Rules. Ameritrade, Inc., DOFS and iClearing have made submissions to NASD setting forth the reasons why NASD should not authorize disciplinary proceedings. If NASD elects to bring disciplinary proceedings, NASD may seek censures, fines, suspensions or other sanctions. The Company is also discussing possible settlement with NASD. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

Patent Matter - An owner of a large patent portfolio relating to interactive voice response systems has sent correspondence to the Company in which he alleges infringement of one of his patents. The Company has not admitted any infringement. In July 2002, the Company commenced negotiations with the patent owner to resolve this issue. If an agreement is reached, it is probable that the Company would be required to pay a fee for the past use of this technology, which, the Company estimates, would amount to approximately $4.0 million for usage through June 2003. If an agreement is not reached and the patent owner succeeds in establishing infringement in a lawsuit, the Company may be liable to pay damages in an unknown amount to be established at trial, which could be substantially higher than a negotiated amount. The Company had approximately $4.0 million and $2.5 million accrued for this matter as of June 27, 2003 and September 27, 2002, respectively.

General Contingencies - In the ordinary course of business, there are various contingencies which are not reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements. These include Ameritrade, Inc. and iClearing client activities involving the execution, settlement and financing of various client securities transactions. These activities may expose the Company to off-balance-sheet credit risk in the event the clients are unable to fulfill their contracted obligations.

Client securities activities are transacted on either a cash or margin basis. In margin transactions, the Company may extend credit to the client, subject to various regulatory and internal margin requirements, collateralized by cash and securities in the client’s account. In connection with these activities, the Company also executes and clears client transactions involving the sale of securities not yet purchased (“short sales”). Such margin-related transactions may expose the Company to off-balance-sheet risk in the event each client’s assets are not sufficient to fully cover losses which clients may incur. In the event the client fails to satisfy its obligations, the Company has the authority to purchase or sell financial instruments in the client’s account at prevailing market prices in order to fulfill the client’s obligations.

The Company seeks to control the risks associated with its client activities by requiring clients to maintain margin collateral in compliance with various regulatory and internal guidelines. The Company monitors required margin levels throughout each trading day and, pursuant to such guidelines, requires clients to deposit additional collateral, or to reduce positions, when necessary.

The Company loans securities temporarily to other broker-dealers in connection with its broker-dealer business. The Company receives cash as collateral for the securities loaned. Increases in securities prices may cause the market value of the securities loaned to exceed the amount of cash received as collateral. In the event the counterparty to these transactions does not return the loaned securities, the Company may be exposed to the risk of acquiring the securities at prevailing market prices in order to satisfy its client obligations. The Company controls this risk by requiring credit approvals for counterparties, by monitoring the market value of securities loaned on a daily basis, and by requiring additional cash as collateral when necessary.

The Company borrows securities temporarily from other broker-dealers in connection with its broker-dealer business. The Company deposits cash as collateral for the securities borrowed. Decreases in securities prices may cause the market value of the securities borrowed to fall below the amount of cash deposited as collateral. In the event the counterparty to these transactions does not return the cash deposited, the Company may be exposed to the risk of selling the securities at prevailing market prices. The Company controls this risk by requiring credit approvals for counterparties, by monitoring the collateral values on a daily basis, and by requiring collateral to be returned by the counterparties when necessary.

As of June 27, 2003, client margin securities of approximately $2.7 billion and stock borrowings of approximately $2.1 billion were available to the Company to utilize as collateral on various borrowings or for other purposes. The Company had loaned or repledged approximately $2.9 billion of that collateral as of June 27, 2003.

Employment Agreements — The Company has entered into employment agreements with several of its key executive officers. These employment agreements generally provide for annual base salary compensation, stock option acceleration and severance payments in the event of termination of employment under certain defined circumstances or changes in control of the Company. Salaries are subject to adjustments according to the Company’s financial performance and other factors.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company had two reportable operating segments: a Private Client Division and an Institutional Client Division. Both divisions provide multiple service offerings tailored to specific clients and their respective investing and trading preferences. The Private Client Division provides brokerage services directly to individual

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investors. The Institutional Client Division provides clearing services, brokerage capabilities and advisor tools as co-branded or private-label products to business partners and their customers. The Datek merger on September 9, 2002 resulted in a substantial increase in Private Client Division business. As a result, beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Institutional Client Division no longer met the quantitative thresholds to be considered a reportable segment. In addition, the components of the Company’s TradeCast business were no longer included in the Private Client Division and Institutional Client Division and the Company’s Watcher business was no longer included in the Institutional Client Division. The Company closed the TradeCast business in February 2003 and intends to dispose of the Watcher business. The Company considers TradeCast and Watcher separate segments, although they do not meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments.

Financial information for the Company’s Private Client Division and all other segments is presented in the following table. The totals are equal to the Company’s consolidated amounts as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Information for the three months and nine months ended June 28, 2002 has been restated to conform to the current presentation.

12. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows: