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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from             to

 

Commission file number 000-32717

 


 

Instinet Group Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   13-4134098

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3 Times Square, New York, NY   10036
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 310-9500

(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 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

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

 

As of May 6, 2005 there were 339,863,487 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

Instinet Group Incorporated

 

FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2005

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      

Item 1. Financial Statements

    
           

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

   3
           

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   4
           

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

   5
           

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6
      

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   18
      

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   34
      

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   36

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

      

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   37
      

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   37
      

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   38
      

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   38
      

Item 5. Other Information

   38
      

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   38
      

Signatures

   40
      

Exhibit Index

   41

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to the “company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Instinet Group Incorporated and its subsidiaries.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We have made forward-looking statements in this report on Form 10-Q that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. From time to time, we may also include oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials released to the public. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities and the effects of competition and regulation. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may” or “might” or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events.

 

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should understand that many important factors could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested in forward-looking statements, including those discussed below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and under the caption “Certain Factors that May Affect Our Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

2


Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Instinet Group Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Revenue

                

Transaction fees

   $ 310,863     $ 355,428  

Interest income

     6,249       4,577  

Interest expense

     (842 )     (1,077 )
    


 


Interest income, net

     5,407       3,500  
    


 


Total revenues, net

     316,270       358,928  
    


 


Cost of Revenues

                

Soft dollar and commission recapture

     63,872       75,098  

Broker-dealer rebates

     73,020       68,147  

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     58,550       66,686  
    


 


Total cost of revenues

     195,442       209,931  
    


 


Gross margin

     120,828       148,997  
    


 


Direct Expenses

                

Compensation and benefits

     53,406       61,872  

Communications and equipment

     13,541       22,092  

Depreciation and amortization

     10,149       15,508  

Occupancy

     10,218       9,493  

Professional fees

     7,255       5,085  

Marketing and business development

     1,630       3,342  

Other

     5,907       2,963  
    


 


Total direct expenses

     102,106       120,355  
    


 


Investments

     (2,915 )     (4,674 )

Insurance recovery

     —         (5,116 )
    


 


Total expenses

     294,633       320,496  
    


 


Income from operations before income taxes

     21,637       38,432  

Income tax provision

     7,735       16,627  
    


 


Net income

   $ 13,902     $ 21,805  
    


 


EARNINGS PER SHARE

                

Basic EPS

   $ 0.04     $ 0.07  
    


 


Diluted EPS

   $ 0.04     $ 0.06  
    


 


Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

     338,277       334,993  

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

     340,558       338,140  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
ASSETS                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 830,734     $ 924,537  

Cash and securities segregated under federal regulations

     27,551       23,050  

Securities owned, at market value

     25,001       36,157  

Securities borrowed

     165,180       190,325  

Receivable from broker-dealers

     280,824       172,602  

Receivable from customers

     16,419       31,643  

Commissions and other receivable, net

     98,194       94,254  

Investments

     36,300       33,337  

Fixed assets and leasehold improvements, net

     76,654       79,946  

Deferred tax asset, net

     80,531       86,846  

Intangible assets and goodwill, net

     71,603       76,831  

Other assets

     77,528       55,649  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 1,786,519     $ 1,805,177  
    


 


LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

LIABILITES

                

Short-term borrowings

   $ 13,065     $ 5,283  

Securities loaned

     114,317       133,189  

Payable to broker-dealers

     207,673       173,627  

Payable to customers

     57,388       45,151  

Taxes payable

     78,621       85,797  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     218,707       223,288  
    


 


Total liabilities

     689,771       666,335  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Common stock, $0.01 par value (950,000 shares authorized, 338,511 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2005 and 338,180 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2004)

     3,385       3,381  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,731,273       1,736,150  

Accumulated deficit

     (698,440 )     (659,596 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     51,609       55,471  

Restricted stock units

     38,284       13,389  

Unearned compensation

     (29,363 )     (9,953 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,096,748       1,138,842  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,786,519     $ 1,805,177  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities

                

Net income

   $ 13,902     $ 21,805  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

                

Unrealized gain on investments

     (2,963 )     —    

Insurance recoveries

     —         (5,116 )

Depreciation and amortization

     10,149       15,508  

Deferred tax assets, net

     6,795       2,816  

Stock based compensation

     5,485       207  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Cash and securities segregated under federal regulation

     (4,501 )     137,900  

Securities borrowed, net of securities loaned

     6,273       130,114  

Net receivable/payable from/to broker-dealers

     (74,176 )     (26,406 )

Net receivable/payable from/to customers

     27,461       (184,445 )

Receivables and other assets

     (25,819 )     (24,146 )

Payables and other liabilities

     (62,308 )     (40,448 )
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (99,702 )     27,789  

Cash flows from investing activities

                

Securities sold and matured, net of securities purchased

     11,156       52,060  

Proceeds from insurance recovery

     —         5,116  

Purchase of fixed assets and leasehold improvements

     (2,109 )     (4,198 )
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     9,047       52,978  

Cash flows from financing activities

                

Short-term borrowings, net

     7,782       9,279  

Dividends paid to parent

     (8,136 )     —    

Issuance of common stock

     1,068       4,173  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     714       13,452  

Effect of exchange rate differences

     (3,862 )     3,573  
    


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (93,803 )     97,792  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     924,537       549,403  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 830,734     $ 647,195  
    


 


 

Noncash activities:

 

In connection with the Bridge Trading Company acquisition (see Note 3), the Company recorded a noncash dividend of $50,551 to Reuters during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Organization and Description of Business

 

Instinet Group Incorporated (the “Company” or “Instinet Group”) is a Delaware holding company which, through its operating subsidiaries, provides agency and other brokerage services to broker-dealers, institutional customers, hedge funds and professional traders. The Company is approximately 62% owned by subsidiaries of Reuters Group PLC (“Reuters” or “Parent”).

 

The Company has two distinct business lines:

 

    Instinet, the Institutional Broker, which services our non-broker-dealer institutional customers as well as customers of Lynch, Jones & Ryan, our commission recapture subsidiary and Bridge Trading Company.

 

    INET, the electronic marketplace, our alternative trading system and ECN that combines the U.S. broker-dealer order flow of the Instinet ECN and The Island ECN and services our U.S. broker-dealer customers.

 

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant transactions and balances between and among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. 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, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common shares outstanding include common stock for which no future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the dilutive effect of the common stock deliverable pursuant to stock options and to restricted stock for which future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The computations of basic and diluted EPS are set forth below:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

   2004

Numerator for basic and diluted EPS available to common shareholders

   $ 13,902    $ 21,805

Denominator for basic EPS - weighted average number of common shares

     338,277      334,993

Effect of dilutive stock options and dilutive potential common shares

     2,281      3,147
    

  

Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares

     340,558      338,140
    

  

Basic EPS

   $ 0.04    $ 0.07

Diluted EPS

   $ 0.04    $ 0.06

 

Investments

 

Investments with a ready market are stated at fair value as determined by available market prices. Investments with no ready market are stated at estimated fair value as determined in good faith by management. Generally, management will initially value investments at cost and require that changes in value be established by meaningful third-party transactions or a significant impairment in the financial condition or operating performance of the issuer, unless meaningful developments occur that otherwise warrant a change in the valuation of an investment. Factors considered in valuing individual investments include, without limitation, available market prices, type of security, purchase price, purchases of the same or similar securities by other investors, marketability, restrictions on disposition, current financial position, operating results and other pertinent information.

 

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of these investments. There are inherent limitations in any estimation technique. The fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of an amount that the Company could realize in a current transaction. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, these estimated fair values do not necessarily represent amounts that might be ultimately realized, since such amounts depend on future circumstances and the differences could be material.

 

Realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments are included in investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

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Table of Contents

Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Securities Borrowed and Loaned

 

Securities borrowed and loaned are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed require the Company to deposit cash with the lender. For securities loaned, the Company receives collateral in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the market value of the securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or excess collateral refunded, as necessary.

 

Receivable From and Payable to Broker-Dealers

 

Receivable from broker-dealers is primarily comprised of fails to deliver with broker-dealers. Fails to deliver arise when the Company does not deliver securities on the settlement date. The Company records the selling price as a receivable due from the purchasing broker-dealer. The receivable is collected upon delivery of the securities. Payable to broker-dealers is primarily comprised of fails to receive. Fails to receive arise when the Company does not receive securities on settlement date. The Company records the amount of the purchase price as a payable due to the selling broker-dealer. The liability is paid upon receipt of the securities.

 

Receivable From and Payable to Customers

 

Receivable from customers is comprised of institutional debit balances and payable to customers represents free credit balances in customer accounts.

 

Commissions and Other Receivables, Net

 

Commissions and other receivables are reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,471 and $18,830 as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectibility of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay.

 

As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, included in commissions and other receivables is $18,268 and $15,348, respectively, from Archipelago Holdings, LLC, and REDIBook ECN, LLC of which $9,208 is in arbitration. The Company has commenced arbitration proceedings before the NASD and has established a reserve against this disputed arbitration amount based upon a review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the dispute.

 

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

 

Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contracted resale amounts plus accrued interest. It is the Company’s policy to take possession of securities with a market value in excess of the principal amount loaned plus the accrued interest

 

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Table of Contents

Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

thereon, in order to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements. Similarly, the Company is required to provide securities to counterparties in order to collateralize repurchase agreements. The Company’s agreements with counterparties generally contain contractual provisions allowing for additional collateral to be obtained, or excess collateral returned, when necessary. It is the Company’s policy to value collateral daily and to obtain additional collateral, or to retrieve excess collateral from counterparties, when deemed appropriate.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated based on the end of period exchange rates from local currency to U.S. dollars. Results of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the period. The resulting gains or losses are reported as comprehensive income. The accumulated gains and losses are reported as a component of Stockholder’s Equity on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Derivatives

 

The Company may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate customers’ settling transactions in various currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar, British pound or euro. These forward foreign currency contracts are entered into with third parties and with terms generally identical to the Company’s customers’ transactions, thereby mitigating exposure to currency risk. Forward foreign currency contracts generally do not extend beyond 14 days and realized and unrealized gains and losses resulting from these transactions are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period they are incurred. These activities have not resulted in a material impact to the Company’s operations to date.

 

Restatements and Reclassifications

 

During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company began classifying transaction related regulatory fees as an expense in brokerage, clearing and exchange fees. These fees had previously been recorded as a reduction of transaction fees and shown on a net basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, these regulatory fees totaled $16,971 and $19,773, respectively, and have been reclassified in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

All historical information has been restated to include Bridge Trading Company (Bridge) (see Note 3) as if Bridge had been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company since it was acquired by Reuters in September 2001. Bridge is included in the results of the Instinet business segment.

 

Certain other reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made for consistent presentation.

 

Note 3. Acquisitions

 

On March 31, 2005, the Company acquired Bridge, an agency execution broker, from Reuters for 3,752 shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at approximately $21,500. The Company’s

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

unaudited quarterly financial statements and the accompanying notes reflect the results of operations as if Bridge had been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company since it was acquired by Reuters in September 2001. This acquisition was accounted for as a transfer of entities under common control.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recorded a one-time charge of $1,186 for advisory-related costs.

 

Note 4. Cost Reductions and Special Charges

 

The Company has initiated several cost reduction programs, which have resulted in restructuring charges.

 

In December 2002, the Company announced that it had commenced a cost-reduction plan to reduce operating costs in order to achieve cost synergies in connection with its acquisition of Island. This restructuring included reducing staff levels and related occupancy costs. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded a charge of $62,405. As of March 31, 2005, the Company carried a liability of $12,449 associated with this restructuring on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, which is reflected as follows:

 

    

December 31,

2004


   Payments

    March 31,
2005


Workforce reductions

   $ 736    $ —       $ 736

Office closures/consolidations

     12,279      (566 )     11,713
    

  


 

Total

   $ 13,015    $ (566 )   $ 12,449
    

  


 

 

The Company expects to pay approximately $2,000 to $4,000 of the total remaining liability by December 31, 2005.

 

In December 2003, the Company announced a cost restructuring plan and recorded a charge of $59,497 related to the reduction of workforce by approximately 185 employees and the consolidation of the Company’s office space. This cost-reduction is primarily due to the strategic decisions related to the separation of Instinet and INET and the Company’s ongoing efforts to streamline its operations. As of March 31, 2005, the Company carried a liability of $11,347 associated with this restructuring on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, which is reflected as follows:

 

     December 31,
2004


   Payments

    March 31,
2005


Workforce reductions

   $ 1,407    $ (1,130 )   $ 277

Office closures/consolidations

     13,184      (2,114 )     11,070
    

  


 

Total

   $ 14,591    $ (3,244 )   $ 11,347
    

  


 

 

The Company expects to pay approximately $2,000 to $4,000 of the total remaining liability by December 31, 2005.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 5. Securities Owned, at Market Value

 

Securities owned are recorded on a trade date basis and are carried at their current market value with unrealized gains and losses reported in investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Securities owned, with the exception of shares in stock exchanges, have maturities of less than 3 years and consist of the following:

 

     March 31,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Municipal bonds

   $ —      $ 10,941

Foreign sovereign obligations

     25,001      25,216
    

  

Total

   $ 25,001    $ 36,157
    

  

 

Note 6. Investments

 

The Company makes strategic alliances with and long-term investments in other companies. The changes in the carrying values at the end of each period result from additional investments, sales and unrealized and realized gains and losses. The carrying value of the Company’s investments consists of the following:

 

     March 31,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Archipelago Holdings, Inc.

   $ 20,120    $ 23,838

The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

     14,180      7,499

Starmine Corporation

     2,000      2,000
    

  

Total

   $ 36,300    $ 33,337
    

  

 

Investments in Archipelago Holdings, Inc. and The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. have been recorded at available quoted market values as of March 31, 2005.

 

Note 7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill, Net

 

Information regarding the Company’s intangible assets and goodwill is as follows:

 

    

Estimated

Life
(Years)


   March 31, 2005

   December 31, 2004

        Gross

   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

   Gross

   Accumulated
Amortization


    Net

Technology

   7.0    $ 102,916    $ (49,802 )   $ 53,113    $ 102,916    $ (46,294 )   $ 56,622

Customer relationships

   5.0      24,778      (14,245 )     10,533      24,778      (13,006 )     11,772

Goodwill

   —        14,677      (6,720 )   $ 7,957      14,677    $ (6,240 )   $ 8,437
         

  


 

  

  


 

Total

        $ 142,371    $ (70,767 )   $ 71,603    $ 142,371    $ (65,540 )   $ 76,831
         

  


 

  

  


 

 

Intangible assets and goodwill arose in connection with the Company’s acquisitions of ProTrader in October 2001, Island in September 2002 and Bridge in March 2005 (see Note 3).

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Intangible Assets

 

The intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was $4,748 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of the year and each of the next four years is as follows:

 

Remainder of year ending December 31, 2005

   $ 14,242

Year ending December 31, 2006

   $ 18,525

Year ending December 31, 2007

   $ 16,359

Year ending December 31, 2008

   $ 11,524

Year ending December 31, 2009

   $ 2,996

 

Goodwill

 

In connection with the acquisition of Bridge (see Note 3), goodwill previously held at Reuters was transferred to the Company. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, requires the excess of tax-deductible goodwill over the reported amount of goodwill be applied to reduce to zero the goodwill related to an acquisition.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, $480 was recorded against goodwill and is shown as an additional income tax expense. Estimated income tax expense for the remainder of the year and each of the next four years is as follows:

 

Remainder of year ending December 31, 2005

   $ 1,440

Year ending December 31, 2006

   $ 1,920

Year ending December 31, 2007

   $ 1,920

Year ending December 31, 2008

   $ 1,920

Year ending December 31, 2009

   $ 757

 

Note 8. Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income includes net income and changes in stockholders’ equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders. Comprehensive income is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

    2004

Net income

   $ 13,902     $ 21,805

Changes in comprehensive income

              

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (3,862 )     3,573
    


 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 10,040     $ 25,378
    


 

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS No. 123R), Share-Based Payment, that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and generally would require that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Company is currently evaluating SFAS No. 123R to determine which fair-value-based model and transitional provision it will follow upon adoption. The transition methods as prescribed in SFAS No. 123R include either the modified prospective or the modified retrospective methods. The modified prospective method requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock options and restricted stock as the requisite service is rendered beginning with the first quarter of adoption, while the modified retrospective method would record compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock beginning with the first period restated. Under the modified retrospective method, prior periods may be restated either as of the beginning of the year of adoption or for all periods presented. SFAS No. 123R will be effective for the Company beginning January, 1, 2006. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of SFAS No. 123R, adoption is expected to have a material impact on its results of operations.

 

The Company currently measures compensation expense for its employee stock-based compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25. The Company applies the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, as if the fair-value-based method had been applied in measuring compensation expense. Under APB Opinion No. 25, when the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options equals or is less than the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

 

As required under SFAS No. 123, the pro forma effects of stock-based compensation on net income and earnings per share for employee stock options granted and employee stock purchase plan share purchases have been estimated at the date of grant and beginning of the period, respectively, using an option pricing model. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options and shares is amortized to pro forma net income over the options’ vesting period and the shares’ plan period.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s pro forma information for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and 2004 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 13,902     $ 21,805  

Add: Stock based employee compensation expense included in net income, net of related tax benefit

     3,291       132  

Deduct: Stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards, net of related tax benefit

     (6,457 )     (4,752 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 10,736     $ 17,185  
    


 


Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

                

Basic

     338,277       334,993  
    


 


Diluted

     340,558       338,140  
    


 


Net income per share - as reported

                

Basic

   $ 0.04     $ 0.07  

Diluted

   $ 0.04     $ 0.06  

Net income per share - pro forma

                

Basic

   $ 0.03     $ 0.05  

Diluted

   $ 0.03     $ 0.05  

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued restricted stock units (RSU) to employees under a performance share plan. All of the RSUs require future service, cliff vest over a one or three year period and are based on certain performance criteria of the Company as a condition to the delivery of the underlying shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, RSUs remain outstanding and are classified as Unearned Compensation and Restricted Stock Units on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

     RSUs
Outstanding


 

Outstanding, December 31, 2003

   —    

Issued 3 Year RSUs

   2,300  

Forfeited

   (80 )
    

Outstanding, December 31, 2004

   2,220  
    

Issued 1 Year RSUs

   2,245  

Issued 3 Year RSUs

   2,113  

Forfeited

   (10 )
    

Outstanding, March 31, 2005

   6,568  
    

 

Stock Options

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued approximately 6,842 and 5,111 stock options, respectively, that vest 50% after one year and on a pro rata basis over the next 24 to 36 months.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is also subject to periodic regulatory audits, inspections and investigations. While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, management believes, after consultation with counsel, that the outcomes of such proceedings or claims are unlikely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Leases

 

The Company has contractual obligations to make future payments primarily for operating leases for office space with Reuters and third parties. Certain leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses. The Company’s aggregate minimum lease commitments after 5 years primarily relate to the Company’s office space leases in New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey, expiring on various dates through 2021. As of March 31, 2005, future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases (net of non-cancelable sublease proceeds) for future periods are as follows:

 

     Gross Rental
Commitments


   Sublease
Income


   Net Rental
Commitments


Remainder of the year ending December 31, 2005

   $ 31,497    $ 10,504    $ 20,993

Year ending December 31, 2006

     37,782      12,736      25,046

Year ending December 31, 2007

     34,949      13,149      21,800

Year ending December 31, 2008

     33,829      13,287      20,542

Year ending December 31, 2009

     33,414      13,877      19,537

Year ending Decemeber 31, 2010 and Thereafter

     237,224      135,761      101,463
    

  

  

Total

   $ 408,695    $ 199,314    $ 209,381
    

  

  

 

Note 11. Collateral Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the fair value of collateral held by the Company that could be sold or repledged totaled $130,986 and $170,973, respectively. Such collateral is generally obtained under resale and securities borrowing agreements. Of this collateral, $129,255 and $166,318 had been sold or repledged as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, generally to cover short sales or effect deliveries of securities.

 

Note 12. Net Capital Requirements

 

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 administered by the SEC, the New York Stock

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. All subsidiaries, except Bridge, have elected to use the alternative method, which requires that they maintain minimum net capital equal to:

 

    $250 for general broker-dealers;

 

    $1,000 for market makers; and

 

    the greater of $1,500 or 2% of aggregate debit items arising from customer transactions for clearing firms.

 

Bridge uses the basic method, which requires that it maintain minimum net capital equal to the greater of 6 2/3% of aggregate indebtedness liabilities, as defined, or $250.

 

The table below summarizes the minimum capital requirements for the Company’s U.S. broker-dealer subsidiaries.

 

     March 31, 2005

   December 31, 2004

     Net Capital

  

Net Capital

Requirement


   Excess Net
Capital


   Net Capital

   Net Capital
Requirement


   Excess Net
Capital


Instinet, LLC

   $ 31,666    $ 250    $ 31,416    $ 24,140    $ 250    $ 23,890

Inet ATS, Inc.

     24,793      1,000      23,793      29,932      1,000      28,932

Instinet Clearing Services, Inc.

     15,516      1,597      13,919      7,542      1,500      6,042

Lynch, Jones & Ryan, Inc.

     9,072      250      8,822      6,909      250      6,659

Bridge Trading Company

     2,741      571      2,170      11,227      797      10,430

Harborview, LLC

     2,109      250      1,859      1,123      250      873

Island Execution Services, LLC

     1,457      1,000      457      1,449      1,000      449
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 87,354    $ 4,918    $ 82,436    $ 82,322    $ 5,047    $ 77,275
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

The Company’s international broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to capital adequacy requirements promulgated by authorities of the countries in which they operate. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, these subsidiaries had met their local capital adequacy requirements.

 

Note 13. Segment Information

 

In reporting to management, the Company’s operating results are categorized into two business segments, Instinet and INET. Eliminations represent intercompany revenue and expenses.

 

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Instinet Group Incorporated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Segment Operating Results

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

     Instinet

   INET

   Eliminations &
Corporate


    Total

   Instinet

   INET

   Eliminations &
Corporate


    Total

Transaction fees

   $ 193,824    $ 124,338    $ (7,299 )   $ 310,863    $ 241,314    $ 119,799    $ (5,685 )   $ 355,428

Interest income, net

     2,726      403      2,278       5,407      3,285      215      —         3,500
    

  

  


 

  

  

  


 

Total revenue, net

     196,550      124,741      (5,021 )     316,270      244,599      120,014      (5,685 )     358,928

Total expenses

     187,561      115,008      (7,936 )     294,633      222,102      113,869      (15,475 )     320,496
    

  

  


 

  

  

  


 

Pre-tax earnings

   $ 8,989    $ 9,733    $ 2,915     $ 21,637    $ 22,497    $ 6,145    $ 9,790     $ 38,432
    

  

  


 

  

  

  


 

Quarter-end total assets

   $ 991,539    $ 158,982    $ 635,998     $ 1,786,519    $ 1,208,142    $ 198,167    $ 678,855     $ 2,085,164
    

  

  


 

  

  

  


 

 

Note 14. Subsequent Events

 

On April 22, 2005, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which The NASDAQ Stock Market Inc. (NASDAQ) will acquire all outstanding shares of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1,878,000 in cash, or $5.44 per share on a fully diluted basis. Upon completion of the transaction, INET will be combined with NASDAQ’s current operations. Instinet, The Institutional Broker, will be acquired from NASDAQ by a group lead by Silver Lake Partners and Instinet senior management immediately following the NASDAQ acquisition of the Company. The Company has also entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which the Company’s subsidiary, Lynch, Jones & Ryan, Inc. (LJR) will be acquired by The Bank of New York in a transaction expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2005 subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and other customary approvals.

 

In addition to its approval of the NASDAQ and LJR transactions described above, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved the declaration of a dividend to all stockholders in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of the LJR transaction. The dividend will be declared at the time the LJR transaction closes. Any dividend will result in a reduction in the merger consideration to be received by shareholders in the transaction with NASDAQ.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

Instinet Group is the largest global electronic agency securities broker, and we have been providing investors with electronic trading solutions and execution services for more than 30 years. We provide sophisticated electronic trading solutions and execution services to enable buyers and sellers worldwide to trade securities directly and anonymously with each other. We also give our customers the opportunity to use our sales-trading expertise and sophisticated technology tools to interact with global securities markets, improve their trading and investment performance and lower their overall trading costs. Through our electronic platforms, our customers can access other U.S. trading venues, including NASDAQ and the NYSE and almost 30 securities markets throughout the world, including stock exchanges in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Zurich. Our customers primarily consist of broker-dealers and institutional investors, such as mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies and hedge funds.

 

Our total revenues, net of interest expense, were $316.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, a decrease from $358.9 million in the comparable period in 2004. Cost of revenues was $195.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005, resulting in a gross margin of $120.8 million. Cost of revenues and gross margin in the comparable period in 2004 were $209.9 million and $149.0 million, respectively. We believe the decreases in revenues and gross margin were primarily due to lower fees charged, lower average daily consideration traded in non-U.S. equities and one less trading day in the first quarter of 2005 comparable to the first quarter of 2004 partially offset by our higher market share in NASDAQ listed equity share volume.

 

Strategic Developments

 

On April 22, 2005, we announced that we entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which The NASDAQ Stock Market Inc. (NASDAQ) will acquire all outstanding shares of Instinet Group for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.9 billion in cash, or $5.44 per share. Upon completion of the transaction, INET will be combined with NASDAQ’s current operations. Instinet will be acquired from NASDAQ by a group lead by Silver Lake Partners and Instinet senior management immediately following the NASDAQ acquisition of Instinet Group. We have also entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which, our subsidiary, Lynch, Jones & Ryan, Inc. (LJR) will be acquired by The Bank of New York subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and other customary approvals.

 

In addition to its approval of the NASDAQ and LJR transactions described above, Instinet Group’s Board of Directors has approved the declaration of a dividend to all stockholders in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of the LJR transaction. The dividend will be declared at the time the LJR transaction closes. Any dividend will result in a reduction in the merger consideration to be received by shareholders in the transaction with NASDAQ.

 

The acquisition of Instinet by NASDAQ, and the subsequent Silver Lake Partners transaction, are subject to customary conditions, including the approval of the NASDAQ merger by Instinet Group’s shareholders, the sale of LJR, as well as regulatory approvals. Reuters, with an approximate 62% stake in Instinet Group, has agreed to vote in favor of the NASDAQ merger. All parties have agreed to promptly seek all required regulatory approvals, including SEC approval and approval under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and will make efforts to complete the transaction by year-end.

 

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Table of Contents

In accordance with the provisions of the NASDAQ merger agreement, we are required to receive written consent from NASDAQ and Silver Lake Partners prior to undertaking certain actions including actions relating to capital expenditures, dividend payments, share issuances, acquisitions, debt incurrence, amendments to our charter or bylaws and material contracts or other material transactions. We cannot assure you that we will receive NASDAQ and Silver Lake Partners’ consent to undertake these actions which could impact the operation of our business.

 

On March 31, 2005, we acquired Bridge Trading Company (Bridge), an agency execution broker, from Reuters for 3,751,527 shares of Instinet Group’s common stock, valued at approximately $21.5 million. All historical information has been restated to include Bridge as if Bridge had been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Instinet Group since it was acquired by Reuters in September 2001. This acquisition was accounted for as a transfer of entities under common control. Bridge is included in the results of the Instinet business segment.

 

Business Environment

 

Total U.S. equity share volume increased 1.2% during the first quarter of 2005 over the fourth quarter of 2004 but decreased 2.8% over the first quarter of 2004. NASDAQ-listed equity share volume increased 1.2% in the first quarter of 2005 over the fourth quarter of 2004. In contrast, NASDAQ-listed equity share volume in the first quarter of 2005 was down 4.0% from the first quarter of 2004. Outside of the U.S., market conditions improved during the first quarter of 2005 compared to the fourth quarter of 2004 with international market consideration, or total trading value, increasing approximately 8.4%. However, total international market consideration decreased 10.9% compared to the first quarter of 2004.

 

Average daily U.S. equity share volume was 4.2 million, 4.0 million and 4.3 million in the first quarter of 2005, fourth quarter of 2004 and first quarter of 2004, respectively. There were 61, 64 and 62 trading days in the first quarter of 2005, fourth quarter of 2004 and first quarter of 2004, respectively.

 

Market Share and Market Volumes

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, trading volumes in the U.S. equity markets decreased 2.8% to 258.1 billion shares from 265.7 billion shares in the comparable period in 2004. Total NASDAQ-listed share volume decreased 4.0% to 120.8 billion shares for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from 125.9 billion shares in the comparable period in 2004. U.S. exchange-listed share volume decreased 1.7% to 137.4 billion shares for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from 139.8 billion shares in the comparable period in 2004.

 

Instinet’s overall market share increased to 2.9% or 7.6 billion shares of total U.S. equity trading volume compared to 2.8% or 7.6 billion shares in the comparable period in 2004. Instinet’s international market consideration decreased 10.9% from the first quarter of 2004.

 

INET’s overall market share increased to 14.0% or 36.1 billion shares of total U.S. market share volume, which comprised 26.3% or 31.8 billion shares of NASDAQ-listed share volume, and 3.1% or 4.3 billion shares of U.S. exchange-listed share volume, for the three months ended March 31, 2005. In the comparable 2004 period, INET’s overall market share was 13.3% or 35.3 billion shares of total U.S. market share volume, which comprised 24.9% or 31.3 billion shares of NASDAQ-listed share volume, and 2.8% or 4.0 billion shares of U.S. exchange-listed share volume.

 

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Table of Contents

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Critical accounting policies for us include adjustments of investment securities, accounting for goodwill and intangible assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, accounting for restructuring and income taxes.

 

Investments

 

Our investments are stated at estimated fair value as determined in good faith by management. Generally, we will initially value investments at cost as a proxy for fair value, and require that changes in value be established by meaningful third-party transactions or a significant impairment in the financial condition or operating performance of the issuer, unless meaningful developments occur that otherwise warrant a change in the valuation of an investment. Factors considered in valuing individual investments include, without limitation, available market prices, type of security, purchase price, purchases of the same or similar securities by other investors, marketability, restrictions on disposition, current financial position and operating results, and other pertinent information.

 

We use our best judgment in estimating the fair value of these investments. There are inherent limitations to any estimation technique. The fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of an amount that we could realize in a current transaction. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, these estimated fair values do not necessarily represent amounts that might be ultimately realized, since such amounts depend on future circumstances, and the differences could be material. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we adjusted the carrying value of our investments in NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., and Archipelago Holding, Inc. by an aggregate $2.9 million, based upon their respective closing market price per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we increased the value of our investments in Archipelago Holding, LLC, by $5.0 million based upon management’s best judgment of fair market value.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectibility of customer accounts. We regularly review the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. If a customer’s creditworthiness deteriorates, or if actual defaults are higher than our historical experience, or if other circumstances arise, our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could be overstated, and additional allowances could be required, which could have an adverse impact on our revenue. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31, 2005 decreased to $17.5 million from $18.8 million as of December 31, 2004 primarily due to recoveries of aged customer receivables.

 

Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets be assessed for impairment using fair value

 

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Table of Contents

measurement techniques and that management perform a detailed review of the carrying value of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets. In this process, management is required to make estimates and assumptions in order to determine the fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities and projected future earnings using various valuation techniques. Management uses its best judgment and information available to it at the time to perform this review, as well as the services of an expert valuation specialist. Because management’s assumptions and estimates are used in the valuation, actual results may differ. There were no adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

Restructuring Reserve Estimate

 

Restructuring-related liabilities include estimates for, among other things, anticipated disposition of lease obligations. Key variables in determining such estimates include anticipated timing of sublease rentals, estimates of sublease rental payment amounts and tenant improvement costs, and estimates for brokerage and other related costs. We periodically evaluate and, if necessary, adjust our estimates based on currently available information.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

 

SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effect of income taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Valuation allowances are established when it is deemed more likely than not that future taxable income will not be sufficient to realize income tax benefits. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial position or our results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Key Statistical Information

 

The following table presents operating data for our two business segments.

 

     Three Months Ended

 
     Mar 31,
2005


    Mar 31,
2004


 

U.S. Market

                

Trade Days

     61       62  

Average daily NASDAQ-listed equity share volume (millions)

     1,981       2,030  

Average daily U.S. exchange-listed equity share volume (millions)

     2,252       2,255  
    


 


Average daily U.S. equity share volume (millions)

     4,233       4,285  

Total U.S. equity share volume (millions)

     258,190       265,685  

Instinet, The Unconflicted Institutional Broker

                

A. U.S. Equities 1

                

Our total average daily volume (million shares)

     124       122  

Our share of total market

     2.9 %     2.8 %

Our average daily volume (million shares) - Institutional and Crossing

     89       100  

Average amount charged to client per share (cents per share) 2 - Institutional and Crossing

     1.32       1.49  

Our average daily volume (million shares) - Institutional Correspondents

     34       22  

Average amount charged to client per share (cents per share) 2 - Institutional Correspondents

     0.05       0.11  

B. Non-U.S. Equities 3

                

Our average daily consideration (millions)

   $ 844     $ 932  

Average basis points charged to client per consideration traded

     5.0       5.3  

INET, The electronic marketplace

                

A. Our Matched Average Daily Volume 4

                

Our NASDAQ-listed equity share volume (million shares)

     521       505  

Our share of total market

     26.3 %     24..9 %

Our U.S. exchange-listed equity share volume (million shares)

     70       64  

Our share of total market

     3.1 %     2.8 %

Our total U.S. equity share volume (million shares)

     591       569  

Our share of total market

     14.0 %     13.3 %

B. Our Routed Average Daily Volume (million shares) 5

     143       98  

Headcount 6

     1,029       1,176  

1 For a description of how we calculate Instinet’s share volumes, see - “Calculation of Volume - Instinet, The Institutional Broker.”
2 The amount charged per share is the average cents per share charged net of soft dollar and commission recapture expenses.
3 Commissions on international transactions are presented as basis points (one hundred of one percent) of the total value (consideration) of the transaction.
4 For a description of how we calculate INET’s share volumes, see - “Calculation of Volume - INET, The electronic marketplace.”
5 Routed volume reflects transactions where the trade was not matched on INET.
6 Instinet Group headcount is as of the end of the reporting period and includes Bridge for all periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents

Calculation of Volume

 

Instinet, The Institutional Broker

 

Instinet’s average daily U.S. equity share volume is counted as the sum of our customers’ share volume per side related to a trade. For example, a matched trade, where one customer buys 100 shares and the other sells 100 shares, is counted as 200 shares; if the buy or sell order were routed out, we would count 100 shares on the customer side.

 

Institutional and Crossing customers comprise certain U.S. buy-side clients, all of the clients of Lynch, Jones & Ryan, all of the clients of Bridge and our international business. They include fund managers, pension plans, hedge funds and other clients. Crossing includes order flow from both buy-side and sell-side clients who execute through our crossing networks.

 

Institutional Correspondents represent our direct market access U.S. buy-side clients.

 

All periods presented incorporate Bridge which was acquired on March 31, 2005.

 

In computing our total market share, our numerator share volume is counted as described above for each market where we disclose a market share statistic. The denominator for NASDAQ market share is total NASDAQ share volume as published by NASDAQ. For U.S. exchange-listed market share, the denominator is the total share volume of U.S. listed markets obtained from a widely recognized market data vendor. Listed markets include the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, Boston Stock Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange. Historical amounts may be restated due to updates of volume information from these sources.

 

INET, The electronic marketplace

 

In computing our U.S. share volume for INET in either NASDAQ-listed or U.S. exchange-listed equities, we count the customer share volume on one side of the matched trade. Matched volume reflects transactions where the buyer and seller are matched on INET.

 

For example, where a customer sells 100 shares to another customer as a matched trade, we count 100 shares. INET share volume includes transactions sent to it by Instinet and prior quarters have been presented to include this volume.

 

In computing our total market share, our numerator share volume is counted as described above for each market where we disclose a market share statistic. The denominator for NASDAQ market share is total NASDAQ share volume as published by NASDAQ. For U.S. exchange-listed market share, the denominator is the total share volume of U.S. listed markets obtained from a widely recognized market data vendor. Listed markets include the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, Boston Stock Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange, Chicago Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange. Historical amounts may be restated due to updates of volume information from these sources.

 

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 VERSUS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data for the periods presented:

 

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,


   

$
Change


   

%
Change


   

Percentage of

Total Revenues, Net


 
   2005

    2004

        2005

    2004

 

Revenue

                                          

Transaction fees

   $ 310.9     $ 355.4     $ (44.5 )   -12.5 %   98.3 %   99.0 %

Interest income

     6.2       4.6       1.6     34.8 %   2.0 %   1.3 %

Interest expense

     (0.8 )     (1.1 )     0.3     -27.3 %   -0.3 %   -0.3 %
    


 


 


       

 

Interest income, net

     5.4       3.5       1.9     54.3 %   1.7 %   1.0 %
    


 


 


       

 

Total revenues, net

     316.3       358.9       (42.6 )   -11.9 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
    


 


 


       

 

Cost of Revenues

                                          

Soft dollar and commission recapture

     63.9       75.1       (11.2 )   -14.9 %   20.2 %   20.9 %

Broker-dealer rebates

     73.0       68.1       4.9     7.2 %   23.1 %   19.0 %

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     58.6       66.7       (8.1 )   -12.1 %   18.5 %   18.6 %
    


 


 


       

 

Total cost of revenues

     195.5       209.9       (14.4 )   -6.9 %   61.8 %   58.5 %
    


 


 


       

 

Gross margin

     120.8       149.0       (28.2 )   -18.9 %   38.2 %   41.5 %
    


 


 


       

 

Direct Expenses

                                          

Compensation and benefits

     53.4       61.9       (8.5 )   -13.7 %   16.9 %   17.2 %

Communications and equipment

     13.5       22.1       (8.6 )   -38.9 %   4.3 %   6.2 %

Depreciation and amortization

     10.1       15.5       (5.4 )   -34.8 %   3.2 %   4.3 %

Occupancy

     10.2       9.5       0.7     7.4 %   3.2 %   2.6 %

Professional fees

     7.3       5.1       2.2     43.1 %   2.3 %   1.4 %

Marketing and business development

     1.6       3.3       (1.7 )   -51.5 %   0.5 %   0.9 %

Other

     5.9       3.0       2.9     96.7 %   1.9 %   0.8 %
    


 


 


       

 

Total direct expenses

     102.1       120.4       (18.4 )   -15.2 %   32.2 %   33.5 %
    


 


 


       

 

Investments

     (2.9 )     (4.7 )     1.8     -38.3 %   -0.9 %   -1.3 %

Insurance recovery

     —         (5.1 )     5.1     -100.0 %   0.0 %   -1.4 %
    


 


 


       

 

Total expenses

     294.7       320.5       (25.9 )   -8.0 %   93.1 %   89.3 %
    


 


 


       

 

Income from operations before income taxes

     21.6       38.4       (16.7 )   -43.8 %   6.9 %   10.7 %

Income tax provision

     7.7       16.6       (8.9 )   -53.6 %   2.4 %   4.6 %
    


 


 


       

 

Net income

   $ 13.9     $ 21.8     $ (7.8 )   -36.2 %   4.4 %   6.1 %
    


 


 


       

 

 

Overview

 

Our net income was $13.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to net income of $21.8 million in the comparable period in 2004. Our net revenues decreased 11.9% to $316.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $358.9 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to lower average price charged per share. Total expenses decreased 8.1% to $294.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $320.5 million in the comparable period in 2004. Cost of revenues decreased 6.9% to $195.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $209.9 million in the comparable period in 2004 due to decreases in soft dollar and commission recapture expenses and brokerage, clearing and exchange fees offset by an increase in broker-dealer rebates. Cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues increased to 61.8% from

 

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58.5% primarily due to lower average price charged per share. Direct expenses were down 15.3% to $102.1 million from $120.4 million due to lower communications and equipment, compensation and benefits expenses as a result of our reduced headcount and cost reduction initiatives.

 

Revenues

 

Transaction fees

 

Transaction fee revenue decreased 12.5% to $310.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $355.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to shifts in the mix of our business towards lower priced trading, partially offset by an increase in our transaction volume.

 

Interest income, net

 

Interest income, net increased 54.3% to $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $3.5 million in the comparable period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher interest rates.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Soft dollar and commission recapture

 

Soft dollar and commission recapture expense decreased 14.9% to $63.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $75.1 million in the comparable period in 2004. This expense is offset by soft dollar revenues and revenues that are subject to commission recapture. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in volume from our soft dollar and commission recapture clients.

 

Broker-dealer rebates

 

Broker-dealer rebates expense increased 7.2% to $73.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $68.1 million in the comparable period in 2004. The increase was primarily due to a modification of INET’s rebate tier structure, resulting in a greater volume of transactions that qualified for higher rebates. This modification also increased broker-dealer rebates as a percentage of revenues, net.

 

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

 

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees decreased 12.1% to $58.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $66.7 million in the comparable period in 2004. The decrease was primarily due to our decision to terminate our correspondent clearing services in the fourth quarter of 2004 and lower international revenues resulting in lower clearing expenses partially offset by an increase in our transaction volume.

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin decreased 18.9% to $120.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $149.0 million in the comparable period in 2004. The decrease was primarily due to our lower overall pricing combined with an increase in broker dealer rebates.

 

25


Table of Contents

Expenses

 

Compensation and benefits expense

 

Compensation and benefits expense decreased 13.7% to $53.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $61.9 million in the comparable period in 2004. This decrease was primarily due to lower incentive compensation due to lower revenues and profitability and a decrease in our worldwide headcount as part of our cost reduction initiatives. Our total headcount decreased to 1,029 employees as of March 31, 2005 from 1,176 employees as of March 31, 2004.

 

Communications and equipment

 

Communications and equipment expense decreased 38.9% to $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $22.1 million in the comparable period in 2004. This decrease was primarily due lower maintenance expense and our consolidation of the order flow of our two ECNs (the Instinet ECN and Island ECN), which was substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of 2004. This decreased our communications and equipment expense as a percentage of revenues, net.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 34.8% to $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $15.5 million in the comparable period in 2004. This decrease was primarily due to disposals of technology assets and furniture and fixtures throughout 2004.

 

Occupancy

 

Occupancy expense increased 7.4% to $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $9.5 million in the comparable period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher operating costs in our New York City office compared to the comparable period in 2004.

 

Professional fees

 

Professional fees increased 43.1% to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $5.1 million in the comparable period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to advisory fees related to the acquisition of Bridge.

 

Marketing and business development

 

Marketing and business development expense decreased 51.5% to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $3.3 million in the comparable period in 2004. This decrease was primarily due to lower advertising expense.

 

Other expenses

 

Other expenses increased 96.7% to $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $3.0 million in the comparable period in 2004. The increase was primarily a result of higher legal and regulatory related expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

Investments

 

Net gains on our investments were $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to a net gain of $4.7 million in the comparable period in 2004. The change was primarily due to an increase in the carrying value of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. of $6.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in the carrying value of Archipelago Holdings, Inc. of $3.7 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, we recorded an increase in the carrying value of Archipelago Holdings, LLC of $5.0 million, partially offset by losses in stock exchanges and securities owned.

 

Insurance recoveries

 

Insurance recoveries related to the events of September 11, 2001 were $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. There were no insurance recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2005. We do not anticipate any additional recoveries related to the events of September 11, 2001.

 

Income tax provision

 

Our provision for taxes was $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to a provision of $16.6 million in the comparable period in 2004. Our effective income tax rate was 35.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 43.2% in the comparable period in 2004. The effective tax rate decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2005 primarily due to income of international entities where tax loss carry-forwards were available and gains on investments that were sheltered by capital losses. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, these tax losses had a full valuation allowance against the corresponding deferred tax asset.

 

 

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Table of Contents

OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT

 

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 
   Instinet

    INET

  

Eliminations

& Corporate


    Total

    Instinet

    INET

    Eliminations
& Corporate


    Total

 

Revenue

                                                               

Transaction fees

   $ 193,824     $ 124,338    $ (7,299 )   $ 310,863     $ 241,314     $ 119,799     $ (5,685 )   $ 355,428  

Interest income, net

     2,726       403      2,278       5,407       3,285       215       —         3,500  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Total revenue, net

     196,550       124,741      (5,021 )     316,270       244,599       120,014       (5,685 )     358,928  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Cost of revenues

                                                               

Soft dollar and commission recapture

     63,872       —        —         63,872       75,098       —         —         75,098  

Broker-dealer rebates

     —         73,020      —         73,020       —         68,147       —         68,147  

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     42,092       23,757      (7,299 )     58,550       50,927       21,444       (5,685 )     66,686  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     105,964       96,777      (7,299 )     195,442       126,025       89,591       (5,685 )     209,931  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Gross margin

     90,586       27,964      2,278       120,828       118,574       30,423       —         148,997  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Direct Expenses

                                                               

Compensation and benefits

     38,086       4,373      10,947       53,406       47,480       3,808       10,584       61,872  

Communications and equipment

     11,781       1,273      487       13,541       16,981       4,343       768       22,092  

Depreciation and amoritization

     7,897       1,994      258       10,149       12,511       2,583       414       15,508  

Occupancy

     7,506       436      2,276       10,218       8,392       569       532       9,493  

Professional fees

     4,028       126      3,101       7,255       3,084       277       1,724       5,085  

Marketing and business development

     1,488       129      13       1,630       2,809       722       (189 )     3,342  

Other

     3,560       1,325      1,022       5,907       2,492       (123 )     594       2,963  

Technology service company charges

     (3,429 )     3,429      —         —         (8,146 )     8,146       —         —    

Corporate overhead charges

     10,680       5,146      (15,826 )     —         10,474       3,953       (14,427 )     —    
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Total direct expenses

     81,597       18,231      2,278       102,106       96,077       24,278       —         120,355  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Investments

     —         —        (2,915 )     (2,915 )     —         —         (4,674 )     (4,674 )

Insurance recovery

     —         —        —         —         —         —         (5,116 )     (5,116 )
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Total expenses

     187,561       115,008      (7,936 )     294,633       222,102       113,869       (15,475 )     320,496  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


Net income before income taxes

   $ 8,989     $ 9,733    $ 2,915     $ 21,637     $ 22,497     $ 6,145     $ 9,790     $ 38,432  
    


 

  


 


 


 


 


 


 

Instinet

 

Total revenues, net of interest expense, were down 19.6% to $196.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $244.6 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to a decline in activity from certain client segments partially offset by growth in the lower priced portfolio trading segment. Average daily international consideration traded decreased 9.4% to $844 million from $932 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to lower market share and the average basis points charged to our clients also decreased 6.0% to 5.0 basis points from 5.3 basis points.

 

Cost of revenues was down 15.9% to $106.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $126.0 million in the comparable period in 2004 due to decreases in volume from our soft dollar and commission recapture clients combined with lower brokerage, clearing and exchange fees. Cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 53.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 51.5% in the comparable period in 2004.

 

Gross margin decreased 23.6% to $90.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $118.6 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to lower revenues.

 

Direct expenses decreased 15.1% to $81.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $96.1 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to lower compensation and benefits, communication and equipment expenses and depreciation expense partially offset by higher professional fees and other. The decreases were due to lower headcount, cost reduction initiatives, retirement of fixed assets and the lower usage by INET of Instinet’s technology resources.

 

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Net income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $9.0 million and $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

INET

 

Total revenues, net of interest expense, were up 3.9% to $124.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $120.0 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to higher overall average daily matched volumes. Transaction fees increased primarily due to an increase of 3.9% in total average matched daily volume to 591 million shares from 569 million shares partially offset by lower amount per share charged to our clients and one less trading day in 2005.

 

Cost of revenues was up 8.0% to $96.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $89.6 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to a modification of the rebate tier structure, resulting in a greater volume of transactions qualifying for higher rebates and increased transaction volume routed to other market destinations. Cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 77.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 74.7% in the comparable period in 2004.

 

Gross margin decreased 7.9% to $28.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $30.4 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to increased broker-dealer rebates and routed transaction volume.

 

Direct expenses decreased 25.1% to $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from $24.3 million in the comparable period in 2004 primarily due to decreased reliance on Instinet’s technology resources and lower communication and equipment expenses partially offset by higher corporate overhead and compensation and benefits.

 

Net income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $9.7 million and $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We finance our business primarily through cash generated by our operating activities. In addition, we have access to a number of uncommitted credit facilities, although our borrowings under these facilities have been traditionally low. Our financial liquidity is primarily determined by the performance of our business. We maintain a highly liquid balance sheet that can fluctuate significantly between financial statement dates. Our cash equivalents and securities owned are primarily comprised of highly liquid investments that can be sold in the secondary market, if necessary. We currently anticipate that our existing cash resources and credit facilities will be more than sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital, capital expenditures, regulatory capital requirements and cash needs for restructuring charges as well as other anticipated requirements for at least the next twelve months. To the extent that overall market volumes and our trading volumes decrease beyond certain levels, we may be required to obtain additional financing from third parties or Reuters.

 

Cash and cash equivalents and assets readily convertible into cash, accounted for 79.3% and 80.3% of our total assets as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $830.7 million as of March 31, 2005 from $924.5 million as of December 31, 2004.

 

Changes in our total assets and liabilities, in particular, receivable from broker-dealers and customers, securities borrowed, securities loaned, commissions receivable and payable to broker-dealers and customers, generally lead to large fluctuations in our cash flows from operating activities from period to period and within periods.

 

Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities was $99.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared with cash provided by operating activities of $27.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. We experienced an increase in cash used in customer settlement activities and annual compensation payments related to 2004 incentive compensation in the three months ended March 31, 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, cash provided by customer settlement activities were offset by our annual compensation payments related to 2003 incentive compensation.

 

Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared with $53.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we generated $11.2 million from the sale or maturity of our securities owned, partially offset by $2.1 million in purchases of fixed assets and leasehold improvements compared to $52.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively, in the three months ended March 31, 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we received insurance proceeds of $5.1 million.

 

Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared with $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we generated $7.8 million from proceeds from our short-term borrowings, net of repayments, and $1.1 million from the issuance of common stock compared to $9.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. In addition, an $8.1 million dividend was paid to Reuters as part of our acquisition of Bridge.

 

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Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations

 

The table below summarizes our future cash payments associated with contractual obligations, which are related to operating leases for office space under non-cancelable operating leases with Reuters and third parties (net of non-cancelable subleases). Our aggregate minimum lease commitments after 5 years primarily relate to our office space leases in New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey, expiring on various dates through 2021.

 

     Payments Due by Period

     Total

  

Less than

1 Year


  

1-3

Years


  

3-5

Years


  

More
Than 5

Years


     (in millions)

Operating leases for office space

   $ 209.4    $ 21.0    $ 67.4    $ 47.3    $ 73.7
    

  

  

  

  

 

Other Obligations

 

As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had letter of credit agreements and guarantees totaling $263.9 million and $263.7 million, respectively, issued by commercial banking institutions on our behalf to various non-U.S. securities clearing and regulatory agencies. We pay annual fees of up to one percent of the value of the agreements.

 

As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had access to $200.0 million of uncommitted credit lines from commercial banking institutions to meet the funding needs of our U.S. operations. These credit lines are collateralized by a combination of customer securities and our marketable securities. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, there were no borrowings outstanding under these credit lines. We currently pay no annual fees to maintain these facilities. In addition, as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had access to $100.3 million of uncommitted credit lines from commercial banking institutions to meet the funding needs of our European and Asian subsidiaries. The credit lines are uncollateralized, and we currently pay no annual fees to maintain these facilities. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, there were $13.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively, outstanding under these credit lines.

 

Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to regulatory requirements intended to ensure their respective general financial soundness and liquidity, which require that they comply with certain minimum capital requirements. These regulations, which differ in each country, generally prohibit a broker-dealer subsidiary from repaying borrowings from us or our affiliates, paying cash dividends, making loans to us or our affiliates or otherwise entering into transactions that would result in a significant reduction in its regulatory net capital position without prior notification or approval of its principal regulator. Our capital structure is designed to provide each of our subsidiaries with capital and liquidity consistent with its business and regulatory requirements.

 

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The table below summarizes the minimum capital requirements for our U.S. broker-dealer subsidiaries (in millions):

 

     March 31, 2005

   December 31, 2004

     Net Capital

   Net Capital
Requirement


  

Excess Net

Capital


   Net Capital

   Net Capital
Requirement


   Excess Net
Capital


Instinet, LLC

   $ 31.7    $ 0.3    $ 31.4    $ 24.1    $ 0.3    $ 23.9

Inet ATS, Inc.

     24.8      1.0      23.8      29.9      1.0      28.9

Instinet Clearing Services, Inc.

     15.5      1.6      13.9      7.5      1.5      6.0

Lynch, Jones & Ryan, Inc.

     9.1      0.3      8.8      6.9      0.3      6.7

Bridge Trading Company

     2.7      0.6      2.2      11.2      0.8      10.4

Harborview, LLC

     2.1      0.3      1.9      1.1      0.3      0.9

Island Execution Services, LLC

     1.5      1.0      0.5      1.4      1.0      0.4
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 87.4    $ 4.9    $ 82.4    $ 82.3    $ 5.0    $ 77.3
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

Our international broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to capital adequacy requirements promulgated by authorities of the countries in which they operate. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, these subsidiaries had met their local capital adequacy requirements.

 

We have an active securities borrowing and lending business, where we borrow securities from one party and lend them to another, primarily to facilitate the settlement process to meet our customers’ needs. Under these transactions, we either receive or provide collateral, generally cash. When we borrow securities, we provide cash to the lenders as collateral and earn interest on the cash. Similarly, when we loan securities, we receive cash as collateral and pay interest to the borrower. The initial collateral advanced or received approximates, or is greater than, the fair value of the securities borrowed or loaned. In the event the counterparty is unable to meet its contractual obligations to return the pledged collateral, we may be exposed to the market risk of acquiring the collateral at prevailing market prices. We provided $165.2 million and $190.3 million as collateral for securities borrowed as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. We also received $114.3 million and $133.2 million as collateral for securities loaned as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, included in commissions and other receivables is approximately $18.3 million and $15.3 million, respectively, from Archipelago Holdings, LLC and REDIBook ECN, LLC of which we have commenced arbitration proceedings before the NASD for approximately $9.2 million. We have established an appropriate reserve against this disputed arbitration amount based upon a review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the dispute.

 

We are required to maintain segregated funds in a special reserve bank account for the exclusive benefit of our customers. As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 these funds amounted to $27.6 million and $23.1 million, respectively.

 

As long as Reuters owns a majority of our common stock, we will need Reuters consent to incur net indebtedness (indebtedness for borrowed money less cash on hand) in excess of an aggregate of $400.0 million and any indebtedness incurred by us in the ordinary course of our brokerage or similar business or in connection with the clearance of securities or obligations to securities exchanges or clearing systems. We cannot assure you that we will receive Reuters consent to incur indebtedness above this amount in the future if we need to do so for any reason.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS No. 123R), Share-Based

 

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Payment, that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value method under APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and generally would require instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. We are currently evaluating SFAS No. 123R to determine which fair-value-based model and transitional provision we will follow upon adoption. The options for transition methods as prescribed in SFAS No. 123R include either the modified prospective or the modified retrospective methods. The modified prospective method requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock options and restricted stock as the requisite service is rendered beginning with the first quarter of adoption, while the modified retrospective method would record compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock beginning with the first period restated. Under the modified retrospective method, prior periods may be restated either as of the beginning of the year of adoption or for all periods presented. SFAS 123R will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2006. Adoption of this standard is expected to have a material effect on our results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk generally represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument that might result from fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks in the normal course of our business operations.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We invest a portion of our available cash in marketable securities, classified as securities owned in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, to maximize yields while continuing to meet our cash and liquidity needs and the net capital requirements of our regulated subsidiaries. We maintain a portfolio of securities consisting of the following (in millions):

 

     March 31,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Municipal bonds

   $ —      $ 10.9

Foreign sovereign obligations

     25.0      25.3
    

  

Total

   $ 25.0    $ 36.2
    

  

 

During 2005, upon maturity of these securities, we have been investing the proceeds in short-term interest earning assets.

 

These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will fall in value if interest rates increase. We generally hold these securities until maturity and therefore would not expect our financial condition, operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by a sudden change in interest rates.

 

In addition, as a part of our brokerage business, we invest portions of our excess cash in short-term interest earning assets (mainly cash and money market instruments), which totaled $830.7 million and $924.5 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. We also had short-term borrowings of $13.1 million and $5.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, on which we are generally charged rates that approximate the U.S. Federal Funds rate or the local equivalent rate. As a result, we do not anticipate that changes in interest rates will have a material impact on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

 

Exchange Rate Risk

 

A portion of our operations consists of brokerage services provided outside of the United States. Therefore, our results of operations could be adversely affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations. We are primarily exposed to changes in exchange rates on the British pound and the Euro. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against these currencies, the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar-based revenues decreases. When the U.S. dollar weakens against these currencies, the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar-based revenues increases. Correspondingly, the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar-based costs increases when the U.S. dollar weakens and decreases when the U.S. dollar strengthens. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates may affect our results. However, we do not believe that our exchange rate exposure will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows; therefore, we have not hedged this exposure. In the future, we may enter into derivative financial instruments as a means of hedging this risk.

 

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We manage currency exposure related to our brokerage business on a geographic basis. We generally match each of the non-U.S. subsidiary’s liabilities with assets denominated in the same local currency and manage each subsidiary’s balance sheet in local currency. This generally results in the net equity of the subsidiary being reported in its functional currency and subject to the effect of changes in currency exchange rates when translated into the U.S. dollar, our reporting currency. We currently do not seek to mitigate this exchange rate exposure, but we may choose to do so in the future.

 

We may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate our customers’ settling transactions in various currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar, British pound or Euro. These forward foreign currency contracts are with third parties and with terms generally identical to our customers’ transactions. Because our customers’ transactions are matched to the forward foreign exchange contract, our exposure to exchange rate risk is not material.

 

The following is a breakdown of the currency denominations of our non-U.S. securities owned (in millions):

 

     March 31,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Euros

   $ 6.0    $ 6.2

Japanese yen

     9.6      9.8

Canadian dollar

     9.4      9.3
    

  

Total

   $ 25.0    $ 25.3
    

  

 

Our resulting exposure to exchange rate risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates due to functional versus reporting currency exposure and was $2.2 million and $2.3 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

A portion of our revenues is denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. Approximately 8.1% and 8.5% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were so denominated. Our profits are therefore exposed to foreign currency risk — not of a loss of funds but rather of a loss for financial reporting purposes. We estimate this risk as the potential loss in revenue resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates on the mix in our profits between our functional currency and the respective reporting currencies of our subsidiaries. On this basis, the estimated risk of revenue was approximately $2.6 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Equity Price Risk

 

As an agency broker, we do not trade securities for our own account nor maintain inventories of securities for sale. However, as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we owned marketable securities of Archipelago Holdings, Inc. and The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and are exposed to market price risk. This risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted market prices and amounted to approximately $3.4 million and $3.1 million as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

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Credit Risk on Unsettled Trades

 

We are exposed to substantial credit risk from both parties to a securities transaction during the period between the transaction date and the settlement date. This period is generally three business days in the U.S. equities markets and can be as much as 30 days in some international markets. In addition, we have credit exposure that extends beyond the settlement date in the case of a party that does not settle in a timely manner by failing either to make payment or to deliver securities. We hold the securities that are the subject of the transaction as collateral for our customer receivables. Adverse movements in the prices of these securities can increase our credit risk. The majority of the Company’s transactions and, consequently, the concentration of its credit exposure are with broker-dealers and other financial institutions, primarily located in the U.S. and the U.K. The Company seeks to control its credit risk through a variety of reporting and control procedures, including establishing credit limits and enforcing credit standards based upon a review of the counterparty’s financial condition and credit ratings. The Company monitors trading activity and collateral levels on a daily basis for compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines and obtains additional collateral, if appropriate. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, losses from transactions in which a party refused or was unable to settle have been immaterial.

 

We are also exposed to credit risks from third parties that owe us money, securities or other obligations. These parties include our customers, trading counterparties, clearing agents, exchanges and other financial institutions. These parties may default on their obligations due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, losses from transactions in which a party refused or was unable to settle have not had a material adverse effect on our consolidated statements of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

We are exposed to the credit worthiness of agencies with which we invest a portion of our available cash, primarily U.S. and non-U.S. government and agency obligations, as well as corporate and municipal bonds. For investments maturing within nine months, our credit policy is that all investments have at least an A1/P1 credit rating from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service. We also maintain counterparty concentration limits that specify the amount that we can invest with any one counterparty.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The company has carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal control over financial reporting. Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that, as of the end of the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports the company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

 

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

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Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in the company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the company’s first quarter ended March 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

For a description of our previously reported legal and administrative proceedings, see “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Except as described below, there have been no material developments with respect to the legal and administrative proceedings.

 

Shareholder Actions

 

We and our directors have been named as defendants in four substantially similar actions commenced in the Court of Chancery for New Castle County, Delaware. The complaint in each of these actions alleges, among other things, that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties as to our public shareholders in connection the proposed NASDAQ acquisition of all of outstanding shares including, among other things by: (1) approving the transaction at an allegedly unfair and inadequate price, (2) failing to follow a process to obtain the best price for public shareholders, and (3) allowing the process and the transaction to be tainted by conflicts of interest, in particular alleged conflicts involving Reuters. As relief, the complaints in the actions seek, among other things, damages in an unspecified amount, an injunction against consummation of the transaction, and rescission in the event the transaction is consummated. The actions are brought on behalf of a putative class consisting of shareholders of the Company who are not affiliated with defendants. We believe we have substantial meritorious defenses with respect to the Actions.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we issued shares of common stock in the transaction described below. These shares were offered and sold in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, relating to offers of securities by an issuer not involving any public offering. These offers and sales of shares were made without an underwriter and the certificates representing the shares bear a restrictive legend permitting the transfer of the shares only upon their registration under, or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, the Securities Act.

 

On March 31, 2005, we acquired Bridge pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 28, 2005, between us, Reuters C LLC and Reuters Limited (together, “Reuters Group”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, on March 31, 2005, we sold 3,751,527 shares of our common stock, valued at approximately $21.5 million, to Reuters Group in exchange for 100% of the outstanding common stock of Bridge, in a private placement pursuant to Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  (a) The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q:

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this report. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may be intended not as statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements if those statements turn out to be inaccurate, (ii) may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to such other party or parties and that either have been reflected in the company’s filings or are not required to be disclosed in those filings, (iii) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors and (iv) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER


 

DESCRIPTION


2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 22, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Norway Acquisition Corp. and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
2.2   Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and The Bank of New York Company, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Instinet Group Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 23, 2002).
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Instinet Group Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 23, 2002).
4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-55190)).
4.2   Rights Agreement between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Service LLC, dated May 15, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001).

 

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4.3   Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, by and between Instinet and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of September 3, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 13, 2002).
4.4   Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.1   Support Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, among Reuters C LLC, Reuters Group PLC and Reuters Group Overseas Holdings (UK) Limited and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.2   Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.3*   Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, among The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., Norway Acquisition Corp. and Iceland Acquisition Corp.
10.4   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters C LLC and Reuters Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 000-32717) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004).
10.5*   Intellectual Property Transfer Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, between Reuters SA and Bridge Trading Company.
10.6*   Use and Services License Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, between Bridge Trading Company and Reuters America LLC.
10.7*   Transition License Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters SA and Bridge Trading Company.
10.8*   Transition Services Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters America LLC and Bridge Trading Company.
10.9*   Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters America LLC and Bridge Trading Company.
10.10*   Sublease, dated March 3, 2005, among Instinet Global Services Limited, Instinet Group Incorporated and Citigroup Property Limited.
10.11*   Outsourcing Agreement, dated April 15, 2005, between Instinet Global Services Limited and OMX Securities Services UK LLP.
10.12*   Form of Instinet 2004 Performance Share Plan Award Notification
31*   Certificates of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 10, 2005.
32*   Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 dated May 10, 2005.

* Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: May 10, 2005

 

INSTINET GROUP INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ JOHN F. FAY


Name:   John F. Fay
Title:   Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
By:  

/s/ TIMOTHY A. SMITH


Name:   Timothy A. Smith
Title:   Chief Accounting Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this report. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may be intended not as statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements if those statements turn out to be inaccurate, (ii) may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to such other party or parties and that either have been reflected in the company’s filings or are not required to be disclosed in those filings, (iii) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors and (iv) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER


 

DESCRIPTION


2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 22, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Norway Acquisition Corp. and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
2.2   Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and The Bank of New York Company, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Instinet Group Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 23, 2002).
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Instinet Group Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 23, 2002).
4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-55190)).
4.2   Rights Agreement between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Service LLC, dated May 15, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001).
4.3   Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, by and between Instinet and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of September 3, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on September 13, 2002).
4.4   Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.1   Support Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, among Reuters C LLC, Reuters Group PLC and Reuters Group Overseas Holdings (UK) Limited and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.2   Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, between Instinet Group Incorporated and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Commission on April 25, 2005).
10.3*   Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2005, among The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., Norway Acquisition Corp. and Iceland Acquisition Corp.
10.4   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters C LLC and Reuters Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 000-32717) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004).

 

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10.5*   Intellectual Property Transfer Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, between Reuters SA and Bridge Trading Company.
10.6*   Use and Services License Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, between Bridge Trading Company and Reuters America LLC.
10.7*   Transition License Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters SA and Bridge Trading Company.
10.8*   Transition Services Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters America LLC and Bridge Trading Company.
10.9*   Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2005, among Instinet Group Incorporated, Reuters America LLC and Bridge Trading Company.
10.10*   Sublease, dated March 3, 2005, among Instinet Global Services Limited, Instinet Group Incorporated and Citigroup Property Limited.
10.11*   Outsourcing Agreement, dated April 15, 2005, between Instinet Global Services Limited and OMX Securities Services UK LLP.
10.12*   Form of Instinet 2004 Performance Share Plan Award Notification
31*   Certificates of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 dated May 10, 2005.
32*   Certificate of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 dated May 10, 2005.

* Filed herewith

 

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