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Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

 

OR

 

o                                 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM            TO           

 

Commission File No: 000-51103

 

GFI GROUP INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

80-0006224

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

 

55 Water Street, New York, NY

10041

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 968-4100

 

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 o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES o     NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o   NO x

 

The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding on April 30, 2010 was 119,606,373.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

 

Part I—Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

5

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

6

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

7

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

8

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

25

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

40

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

40

 

 

Part II—Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

41

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

41

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

41

Item 6.

Exhibits

42

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Available Information

 

Our Internet website address is www.gfigroup.com. Through our Internet website, we make available, free of charge, the following reports as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing them with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): our annual reports on Form 10-K; our proxy statements for our annual and special stockholder meetings; our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; our current reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors and executive officers; and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’).

 

Information relating to the corporate governance of the Company is also available on our website, including information concerning our directors, board committees, including committee charters, our code of business conduct and ethics for all employees and for senior financial officers and our compliance procedures for accounting and auditing matters.  In addition, the Investor Relations page of our website includes certain supplemental financial information that we make available from time to time.

 

Our Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

March  31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

310,426

 

$

342,379

 

Deposits with clearing organizations

 

13,043

 

11,065

 

Commissions receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,658 and $4,099 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

98,643

 

87,354

 

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

214,926

 

87,737

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of depreciation and amortization of $114,500 and $108,902 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

63,767

 

65,334

 

Goodwill

 

210,758

 

210,758

 

Intangible assets, net

 

38,726

 

40,123

 

Other assets

 

121,116

 

107,344

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,071,405

 

$

952,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued compensation

 

$

66,057

 

$

106,286

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

42,503

 

48,845

 

Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

184,855

 

68,131

 

Short-term borrowings, net

 

114,250

 

114,069

 

Long-term obligations, net

 

59,650

 

59,619

 

Other liabilities

 

108,709

 

71,042

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

576,024

 

$

467,992

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 122,308,874 and 120,860,100 shares issued at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

 

1,223

 

1,209

 

Additional paid in capital

 

301,002

 

296,430

 

Retained earnings

 

219,507

 

212,059

 

Treasury stock, 2,433,527 common shares at cost, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

(22,901

)

(22,901

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,450

)

(2,695

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

495,381

 

484,102

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

1,071,405

 

$

952,094

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

4



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Agency commissions

 

$

143,830

 

$

125,399

 

Principal transactions

 

60,296

 

72,215

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

204,126

 

197,614

 

Software, analytics and market data

 

14,900

 

13,052

 

Interest income

 

240

 

497

 

Other income

 

1,509

 

5,072

 

Total revenues

 

220,775

 

216,235

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

144,663

 

145,548

 

Communications and market data

 

11,886

 

11,498

 

Travel and promotion

 

8,893

 

7,480

 

Rent and occupancy(1)

 

5,431

 

4,734

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,184

 

7,839

 

Professional fees

 

6,597

 

5,091

 

Clearing fees

 

7,424

 

8,107

 

Interest

 

2,575

 

2,469

 

Other expenses(1)

 

5,008

 

5,344

 

Total expenses

 

200,661

 

198,110

 

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

20,114

 

18,125

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

6,738

 

6,525

 

NET INCOME

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.10

 

Diluted

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.10

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

118,606,954

 

118,364,233

 

Diluted

 

122,861,743

 

120,400,536

 

 


(1) As adjusted — see Note 2

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

5



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

NET INCOME

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

(412

)

(467

)

Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

 

(341

)

(402

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

$

12,623

 

$

10,731

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

6



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,129

 

7,839

 

Amortization of loan fees

 

231

 

137

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

83

 

1,760

 

Deferred compensation

 

6,784

 

5,752

 

Provision for (benefit from) deferred taxes

 

340

 

5,909

 

(Gains) losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

(3,079

)

(8,667

)

(Gains) losses from equity method investments

 

(103

)

(670

)

Tax expense (benefit) related to share-based compensation

 

348

 

1,371

 

Other non-cash charges, net

 

(23

)

(56

)

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits with clearing organizations

 

(1,978

)

156

 

Commissions receivable

 

(11,372

)

(1,599

)

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

(127,189

)

(87,045

)

Other assets

 

(9,035

)

3,926

 

(Decrease) increase in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued compensation

 

(40,230

)

(41,304

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(6,343

)

1,079

 

Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

116,724

 

86,368

 

Other liabilities

 

39,412

 

13,096

 

Cash used in operating activities

 

(13,925

)

(348

)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from notes receivable

 

1,000

 

 

Proceeds from other investments

 

 

1,982

 

Purchases of other investments

 

(8,338

)

(211

)

Purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

(3,859

)

(4,525

)

Net payments on foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

3,736

 

(2,613

)

Cash used in investing activities

 

(7,461

)

(5,367

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of short-term borrowings

 

 

(4,000

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(2,582

)

Cash dividends paid

 

(5,928

)

(5,883

)

Payment of loan fees

 

 

(47

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

471

 

 

Cash paid for taxes on vested restricted stock units

 

(4,632

)

(777

)

Tax (expense) benefit related to share-based compensation

 

(348

)

(1,371

)

Cash used in financing activities

 

(10,437

)

(14,660

)

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(130

)

(892

)

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(31,953

)

(21,267

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

342,379

 

342,375

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

310,426

 

$

321,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

3,556

 

$

3,763

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

 

$

(1,023

)

$

2,841

 

 

Non-Cash Investing Activity:

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded $2,286 within Other assets with respect to the issuance of restricted shares in connection with the investment as described in Note 5.

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

7



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

1.     ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GFI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides brokerage services, trading system software and market data and analytical software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments. The Company complements its brokerage capabilities with value-added services, such as market data and software systems and products for decision support, which it licenses primarily to companies in the financial services industry. The Company’s principal operating subsidiaries include: GFI Securities LLC, GFI Brokers LLC, GFI Group LLC, GFI Securities Limited, GFI Brokers Limited, GFI (HK) Securities LLC, GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd., GFI Group Pte. Ltd., GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited, Amerex Brokers LLC, Fenics Limited (“Fenics”) and Trayport Limited (“Trayport”). As of March 31, 2010, Jersey Partners, Inc. (“JPI”) owns approximately 43% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The Company’s chief executive officer, Michael Gooch, is the controlling shareholder of JPI.

 

2.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of PresentationThe Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

 

All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

Certain amounts totaling $416 related to insurance expense were previously presented in the “Rent and occupancy” line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 but should have been presented in “Other expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for this period. This amount has been properly reclassified to “Other expenses” for this period.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”). The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the results for the interim period. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.

 

Brokerage Transactions—The Company provides brokerage services to its clients by executing transactions on either an agency or principal transaction basis.

 

Agency Commissions—In agency transactions, the Company charges commissions for executing transactions between buyers and sellers. Agency commissions revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis.

 

Principal Transactions—Principal transactions revenue is primarily derived from matched principal and principal trading transactions. Principal transactions revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. The Company earns revenue from principal transactions on the spread between the buy and sell price of the security that is brokered. In matched principal transactions, the Company simultaneously agrees to buy instruments from one customer and sell them to another customer.

 

In the normal course of its matched principal and principal trading businesses, the Company holds securities positions overnight. These positions are marked to market on a daily basis.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Software, Analytics and Market Data Revenue Recognition—Software revenue consists primarily of fees charged for Trayport electronic trading software, which are typically billed on a subscription basis and is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to five years. Analytics revenue consists primarily of software license fees for Fenics pricing tools which are typically billed on a subscription basis, and is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which is generally three years. Market data revenue primarily consists of subscription fees and fees from customized one-time sales. Market data subscription fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to two years. Market data revenue from customized one-time sales is recognized upon delivery of the data.

 

The Company markets its software, analytics and market data products through its direct sales force and, in some cases, indirectly through resellers. In general, the Company’s license agreements for such products do not provide for a right of return.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price allocation over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles Goodwill and Other (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets), goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In the event the Company determines that the value of goodwill has become impaired, it will incur a charge for the amount of impairment during the fiscal quarter in which such determination is made. The Company has selected January 1st as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments In accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”) (formerly SFAS No.157, Fair Value Measurements), the Company estimates fair values of financial instruments using relevant market information and other assumptions.  Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment in interpreting market data and accordingly, changes in assumptions or in market conditions could adversely affect the estimates.  The Company also discloses the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as set forth by ASC 820-10.

 

In addition, the Company uses foreign exchange derivative contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuations in certain receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies. Derivative contracts that are not designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value and all realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in Other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Income Taxes— In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (formerly SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes), the Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carry-forwards that result from events that have been recognized either in the financial statements or the income tax returns, but not both. The measurement of current and deferred income tax liabilities and assets is based on provisions of enacted tax laws. Valuation allowances are recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted ASC 740-10 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109). It is the Company’s policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.

 

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and TransactionsAssets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at the period end rates of exchange, and revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reflected in foreign currency translation adjustments and are reported as a separate component of comprehensive income and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in Other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Net gains resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $2,294 and $5,226, respectively, and are included in Other income.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Share-Based Compensation The Company’s share-based compensation consists of stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The Company follows ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) (formerly SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment), to account for its stock-based compensation. ASC 718 revised the fair value-based method of accounting for share-based payment liabilities, forfeitures and modifications of stock-based awards and clarified guidance in several areas, including measuring fair value, classifying an award as equity or as a liability and attributing compensation cost to service periods. Additionally, under ASC 718, actual tax benefits recognized in excess of tax benefits previously established upon grant are reported as a financing cash flow, as opposed to operating cash flows.  In recent periods, the only share-based compensation issued by the Company has been RSUs.  The Company records the fair value of the RSUs at the date of grant as deferred compensation and amortizes it to compensation expense over the vesting period of the grants.

 

Other Income—Included within Other income on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are revaluations of foreign currency derivative contracts, realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses on certain foreign currency transactions and balances and gains and losses on certain investments.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events, which is now a sub-topic within ASC 855-10 Subsequent Events (“ASC 855-10”). ASC 855-10 provides guidance for accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events that are not addressed in other applicable generally accepted accounting principles. ASC 855-10 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and has been applied prospectively by the Company. In February 2010, the FASB amended ASC 855-10 through the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 (“ASU 2010-09”), Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. ASU 2010-09 removed the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date in both the issued and revised financial statements and was effective upon issuance. See Note 16 for disclosures on Subsequent Events.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 (“ASU 2009-13”) Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. ASU 2009-13 establishes the accounting and reporting guidance for arrangements with multiple-revenue generating activities. ASU 2009-13 addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to one or more units of accounting and provides a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. ASU 2009-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted but must be retrospectively applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of ASU 2009-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-14 (“ASU 2009-14”) Software (Topic 985) Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements. ASU 2009-14 provides guidance on how to allocate arrangement consideration to deliverables in an arrangement that includes both tangible products and software. ASU 2009-14 also provides additional guidance on how to determine which software, if any, relating to the tangible product would be excluded from software revenue recognition. ASU 2009-14 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted but must be retrospectively applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2009-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures including the amounts of and reasons for transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and reporting activity in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements on a gross basis. ASU 2010-06 provides amendments that clarify existing disclosures regarding the level of disaggregation for providing fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. In addition, it clarifies existing disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements that are required for either Level 2 or Level 3. ASU 2010-06 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2009 except for the disclosures about the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the adoption of ASU 2010-06 with respect to disclosures of the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

3.    RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS

 

Amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:

 

 

 

 

 

Contract value of fails to deliver

 

$

194,776

 

$

65,651

 

Balance receivable from clearing organizations and financial institutions

 

20,150

 

22,086

 

Total

 

$

214,926

 

$

87,737

 

Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:

 

 

 

 

 

Contract value of fails to receive

 

$

176,932

 

$

67,554

 

Balance payable to clearing organizations

 

7,737

 

 

Payable to financial institutions

 

186

 

577

 

Total

 

$

184,855

 

$

68,131

 

 

Substantially all fail to deliver and fail to receive balances at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts.

 

4.    GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

On November 1, 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of a retail energy brokerage and consulting business for contingent consideration with an estimated present value of $2,400. The purchase price will be paid out of the future collections of accounts receivable of the business over the next four years and such contingent payment has been recorded as a liability within other liabilities. This contingent liability will be remeasured to fair value at each reporting date until the liability is settled and the change in fair value will be recognized in earnings. This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase business combination. Assets acquired were recorded at fair value at November 1, 2009 and the results of the acquired company have been included within the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition. The purchase price was allocated among intangible assets as follows: customer relationships of $1,010 with an estimated useful life of 6 years, non compete agreement of $139 with an estimated useful life of 4 years and goodwill of $1,251. The weighted average amortization for the intangible assets is 5.8 years.

 

Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

 

 

Americas
Brokerage

 

EMEA
Brokerage

 

All Other

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2009

 

$

80,249

 

$

1,818

 

$

128,691

 

$

210,758

 

Goodwill acquired during the period

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2010

 

$

80,249

 

$

1,818

 

$

128,691

 

$

210,758

 

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Based on the results of the annual impairment tests that are required by ASC 350, the Company determined that no impairment of goodwill existed as of January 1, 2010. ASC 350 prescribes a two step process for impairment testing whereby management first compares the fair value of each reporting unit with recorded goodwill to that reporting unit’s book value.  If management determines, as a result of this first step, that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a second step in the impairment test process would require that the recorded goodwill at that business unit be written down to the value implied by the reporting unit’s recent valuation. The Company will continue to evaluate goodwill on an annual basis as of the beginning of each new fiscal year, and whenever events and changes in circumstances indicate that there may be a potential impairment.  Subsequent to January 1, 2010, no events or changes in circumstances occurred which would indicate any goodwill impairment.

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Gross intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

Customer base/relationships

 

$

47,292

 

$

47,292

 

Trade name

 

7,771

 

7,771

 

Core technology

 

3,230

 

3,230

 

Covenants not to compete

 

3,323

 

3,323

 

Favorable lease agreements

 

620

 

620

 

Proprietary knowledge

 

110

 

110

 

Patent

 

31

 

31

 

Total gross intangible assets

 

62,377

 

62,377

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(23,651

)

(22,254

)

Net intangible assets

 

$

38,726

 

$

40,123

 

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $1,397 and $1,373, respectively.

 

At March 31, 2010, expected amortization expense for the definite lived intangible assets is as follows:

 

2010 (remaining nine months)

 

$

4,187

 

2011

 

5,378

 

2012

 

4,218

 

2013

 

2,876

 

2014

 

2,792

 

Total

 

$

19,451

 

 

5.    OTHER ASSETS

 

On February 28, 2010, the Company completed an acquisition of 40% of the outstanding membership interests of an independent brokerage firm with a proprietary trading platform. The aggregate purchase price was comprised of $8,000 in cash and 414,938 shares of restricted stock. $6,000 of the cash portion of the purchase price was retained by the target for working capital. This investment is included within Other assets and accounted for under the equity method. Additionally, the Company has committed to purchase the remaining membership interests in increments of 20% over the next 3 years, subject to customary closing conditions. The purchase price for the remaining membership interests will be paid in cash and established by a formula based on the target’s future results of operations. Included in Other assets at December 31, 2009 was a note receivable from the target in the amount of $1,000 which was forgiven by the Company and credited against the purchase price described above at closing.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

6.    SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

 

In January 2008, pursuant to a note purchase agreement with certain institutional investors (the “2008 Note Purchase Agreement”), the Company issued $60,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due in January 2013 (the “Senior Notes”) in a private placement.  The Senior Notes currently bear interest at 8.17%, including a premium of 100 basis points due to a change in the risk based capital factor attributed to the Senior Notes by one of the purchasers of these securities pursuant to generally applicable insurance regulations for U.S. insurance companies. The premium interest will cease to accrue if the risk based capital factor attributed to the Senior Notes is subsequently reduced.  Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on the 30th of January and July.  The Company’s obligations under the Senior Notes are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and certain assets of the Company’s subsidiaries.  The 2008 Note Purchase Agreement includes operational covenants with which the Company is required to comply, including among others, maintenance of certain financial ratios and restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens and dispositions.  At March 31, 2010, the Senior Notes were recorded net of deferred financing costs of $350 and the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

The Company maintains a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. and certain other lenders (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for maximum borrowings of $175,000, which includes up to $50,000 for letters of credit, and has an expiration date of February 24, 2011.  Revolving loans may be either base rate loans or currency rate loans. Currency rate loans and the letters of credit bear interest at the annual rate of LIBOR plus the applicable margin in effect for that interest period. Base rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a base rate plus the applicable margin in effect for that interest period. As long as no default has occurred under the Credit Agreement, the applicable margin for both the base rate and currency rate loans is based on a matrix that varies with a ratio of outstanding debt to EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement. At March 31, 2010, the applicable margin was 2.5% and the one-month LIBOR was 0.2%. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and certain assets of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement provides for the Senior Notes to rank pari passu with the commitments under the Credit Agreement, in relation to the security provided.

 

The Company had outstanding borrowings under its Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Loan Available (1)

 

$

175,000

 

$

175,000

 

Loans Outstanding

 

$

115,000

 

$

115,000

 

Letters of Credit Outstanding

 

$

7,172

 

$

7,172

 

 


(1)                                  Amounts available include up to $50,000 for letters of credit as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

The Company’s commitments for outstanding letters of credit relate to potential collateral requirements associated with our matched principal business.  Since commitments associated with these outstanding letters of credit may expire unused, the amounts shown above do not necessarily reflect actual future cash funding requirements.

 

The weighted average interest rate of the outstanding loans was 2.73% at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, short-term borrowings under the Credit Agreement were recorded net of unamortized loan fees of $750 and $931, respectively.

 

The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and other covenants. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

7.    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

In August 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to implement a stock repurchase program to repurchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the repurchase plan, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market in such amounts as determined by the Company’s management, provided, however, such amounts are not to exceed, during any calendar year, the number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock options plus the number of shares underlying grants of RSUs that are granted or which management reasonably anticipates will be granted in such calendar year.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.  During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 1,006,622 shares of its common stock on the open market at an average price of $2.54 per share and for a total cost of $2,582, including sales commissions. These repurchased shares were recorded at cost as treasury stock in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

On March 29, 2010 and March 31, 2009, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which, based upon the number of shares outstanding on the record date for such dividend, totaled $5,928 and $5,883, respectively.  The dividends were reflected as reductions of retained earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

8.    EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

118,606,954

 

118,364,233

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to stockholders

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

118,606,954

 

118,364,233

 

Effect of dilutive shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Options, RSUs and Restricted stock

 

4,254,790

 

2,036,303

 

Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents

 

122,861,744

 

120,400,536

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.10

 

 

Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive were the following:  1,944,074 RSUs and 14,836 stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 3,386,812 RSUs and 208,820 stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

9.    SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company issues RSUs to its employees under the GFI Group Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 11, 2008, and amended by the Company’s stockholders on June 11, 2009 (as amended, the “2008 Equity Incentive Plan”).  Prior to June 11, 2008, the Company issued RSUs under the GFI Group Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Equity Incentive Plan”).

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units to employees, non-employee directors or consultants. The Company issues shares from authorized but unissued shares, which are reserved for issuance upon the vesting of RSUs granted pursuant to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.  As of March 31, 2010, there were 2,946,241 shares of our common stock available for future grants of awards under this plan, which amount, pursuant to the terms of the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, may be increased for the number of shares subject to awards under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan that are ultimately not delivered to employees. The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and is recorded as deferred compensation and amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period of the grants, which is generally three years.

 

Modified RSUs are reflected as cancellations and grants in the summary of RSUs below.

 

The following is a summary of RSU transactions under both the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

RSUs

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Outstanding December 31, 2009

 

10,208,185

 

$

 5.57

 

Granted

 

4,799,284

 

5.64

 

Vested

 

(2,103,661

)

6.11

 

Cancelled

 

(99,953

)

5.23

 

Outstanding March 31, 2010

 

12,803,855

 

$

5.51

 

 

The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $5.64 per unit, compared with $3.13 per unit for the same period in the prior year. Total compensation expense and related income tax benefits recognized in relation to RSUs are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Compensation expense

 

$

6,766

 

$

5,752

 

Income tax benefits

 

$

2,267

 

$

2,071

 

 

At March 31, 2010, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the RSUs prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures was approximately $62,243 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.12 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $12,853 and $9,880, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company had stock options outstanding under the GFI Group Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “GFI Group 2002 Plan”) and the GFInet inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “GFInet 2000 Plan”). No additional grants will be made under these plans. For stock options previously granted or modified, the fair value was estimated on the date of grant or modification using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

The following is a summary of stock option transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

GFI Group 2002 Plan

 

GFInet 2000 Plan

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding December 31, 2009

 

641,436

 

$

3.31

 

313,572

 

$

3.19

 

Exercised

 

(30,420

)

2.97

 

(159,132

)

2.42

 

Outstanding March 31, 2010

 

611,016

 

$

3.33

 

154,440

 

$

3.98

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, there were no exercises or cancellations under the GFI Group 2002 Plan or the GFInet 2000 Plan.

 

10.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Purchase Obligations—The Company has various unconditional purchase obligations. These obligations are for the purchase of market data from a number of information service providers during the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had total purchase commitments for market data of approximately $22,647 with $16,444 due within the next twelve months and $6,203 due between one to three years. Additionally, the Company has purchase commitments for capital expenditures of $1,626, primarily related to network implementations in the U.K, and $899 for hosting and software license agreements. Of these purchase commitments, capital expenditures of approximately $1,354 and fees for hosting and software licensing agreements of approximately $447 are due within the next twelve months.

 

Contingencies— In the normal course of business, the Company and certain subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements are, and have been in the past, named as defendants in various lawsuits and proceedings and are, and have been in the past, involved in certain regulatory examinations. Additional actions, investigations or proceedings may be brought from time to time in the future. The Company is subject to the possibility of losses from these various contingencies. Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of any loss from such contingencies. An accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company accrues a liability for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the reporting period.

 

The Company is subject to regular examinations by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations.  The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional tax assessments that may result from these examinations in each of the tax jurisdictions.  A tax accrual has been established, which the Company believes to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional tax assessments.  Once established, the accrual may be adjusted based on new information or events.  The imposition of additional tax assessments, penalties or fines by a tax authority could have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

 

Additionally, the Company has recorded reserves for certain contingencies to which it may have exposure, such as reserves for contingencies related to the employer portion of National Insurance Contributions in the U.K.

 

The staff of the Market Regulation Department of FINRA (the “Staff”) has been conducting an inquiry into the activities of interdealer brokerage firms in connection with the determination of the commission rates paid to them by certain dealers for brokering transactions in credit default swaps. GFI Securities LLC has been cooperating with the Staff in this inquiry by responding to requests for documents, testimony and other information. In January 2009, the Staff advised GFI Securities LLC that it has made a preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action in connection with allegedly improper communications between certain of GFI Securities LLC’s brokers and those at other interdealer brokers, purportedly inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and certain antifraud and supervisory requirements under FINRA rules and the federal securities laws. All but one of these brokers who made the allegedly improper communications resigned in April 2008 to become employed by affiliates of Compagnie Financiere Tradition. GFI Securities LLC intends to vigorously contest any such disciplinary action which, if brought and/or settled, could result in a censure, fine or other sanction.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding matters are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position. However, the outcome of any such matters may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in a given period. It is not presently possible to determine the Company’s ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the Company’s outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.

 

Risks and Uncertainties—The Company primarily generates its revenues by executing and facilitating transactions for third parties. Revenues for these services are transaction based. As a result, the Company’s revenues vary based upon, among other things, the volume of transactions in various securities, commodities, foreign exchange and derivative markets in which the Company provides services.

 

Guarantees— The Company, through its subsidiaries, is a member of certain exchanges and clearing houses. Under the membership agreements, members are generally required to guarantee certain obligations.  To mitigate the performance risks of its members, the exchanges and clearing houses may, from time to time, require members to post collateral, as well as meet certain minimum financial standards. The Company’s maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is not likely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for these arrangements.

 

11.    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS

 

Disclosure regarding the Company’s financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk is described in “Note 16—Financial Instruments with Market and Credit Risks” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to our off-balance sheet risk during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

12.    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are carried at fair value or contracted amounts that approximate fair value.  Assets and liabilities that are recorded at contracted amounts approximating fair value consist primarily of receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations. These receivables and payables are short-term in nature, and following March 31, 2010, substantially all receivables and payables have settled at the contracted amounts.  The Company’s marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value based on their quoted market price.  The Company’s investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods are in companies that are not publicly traded and for which no established market for their securities exists.  The fair value of these investments is not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.  The Company’s debt obligations are carried at historical amounts.  The fair value of the Company’s Senior Notes was estimated using market rates of interest available to the Company for debt obligations of similar types and was approximately $63,638 at March 31, 2010.  The fair value of the Company’s short-term borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement approximated the carrying value at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC 820-10.  In accordance with ASC 820-10, the Company has categorized its financial assets and liabilities, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below.

 

Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identifiable assets or liabilities in an active market that the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, listed derivatives, and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

 

Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets.  Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

·                  Quoted prices for identifiable or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

and municipal bonds which trade infrequently);

 

·                  Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include interest rate and currency swaps), and

 

Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.  As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities.

 

Valuation Techniques

 

The Company uses the following valuation techniques in valuing the financial instruments at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

The Company has determined certain of its investments in marketable securities should be classified as trading securities or available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  To the extent that the values of the Company’s trading and available-for-sale marketable securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets, these securities were categorized as Level 1.

 

Fair value of the Company’s foreign exchange derivative contracts is based on the indicative prices obtained from the banks that are counter-parties to these foreign exchange derivative contracts and management’s own calculations and analyses.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company’s foreign exchange derivative contracts have been categorized in Level 2.

 

The fair value of trading securities owned as a result of matched principal transactions and principal trading business is estimated using either (i) recently executed transactions and market price quotations, which trading securities are primarily categorized as Level 1, or (ii) a modified Black Scholes model using observable market inputs, which trading securities are categorized as Level 2.

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Balance at
 March 31,
2010

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$

4,354

 

$

154

 

$

4,508

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

2,083

 

2,083

 

Foreign government bonds

 

2,038

 

 

2,038

 

Foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

 

347

 

347

 

Commodity derivative contracts

 

178

 

69

 

247

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$

38

 

$

 

$

38

 

Foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

 

990

 

990

 

Commodity derivative contracts

 

164

 

 

164

 

 

The Company’s financial instruments at fair value are included within Other assets and Other liabilities with the exception of long and short futures contracts of $178 and $164, which are included within Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, respectively.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

Significant Other

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets for

 

Observable

 

Balance at

 

 

 

Identical Assets

 

Inputs

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

2009

 

Included within Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

$

5,110

 

$

154

 

$

5,264

 

Corporate bonds

 

 

3,152

 

3,152

 

Foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

 

818

 

818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included within Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange derivative contracts

 

$

 

$

804

 

$

804

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company uses foreign exchange derivative contracts, including forward contracts and foreign currency swaps, to reduce the effects of fluctuations in certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also hedges a portion of its foreign currency exposures on anticipated foreign currency denominated revenues and expenses by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2009, none of these contracts were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-10”) (formerly SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended). Contracts that are not designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value and all realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The Company provides brokerage services to its customers for exchange traded and over-the-counter derivative products, which include futures, forwards and options contracts.  The Company may enter into principal transactions for exchange traded and over-the-counter derivative products to facilitate customer trading activities or to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account.

 

The Company monitors market risk exposure from its matched principal business and principal trading business by regularly monitoring its concentration of market risk to financial instruments, countries or counterparties and regularly monitoring trades that have not settled within prescribed settlement periods or volume thresholds.  Additionally, market risks are monitored and mitigated by the use of the Company’s proprietary, electronic risk monitoring system, which provides daily credit reports in each of the Company’s geographic regions that analyze credit concentration and facilitates the regular monitoring of transactions against key risk indicators.

 

For certain derivative contracts, the Company has entered into agreements with counterparties that allow for netting.  The Company reports these derivative contracts on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Fair values of derivative contracts included within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

 

 

 

Derivative Assets

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange Contracts (1)

 

$

7,833

 

$

8,468

 

Commodity Contracts (2)

 

$

374

 

$

291

 

 


(1)     Included within Other assets and Other liabilities.

(2)     Included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, Other assets, Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Other liabilities.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts with a combined notional value of $83,756.  Approximately $54,036 of these forward foreign exchange contracts represents a hedge of euro-denominated balance sheet positions at March 31, 2010.  The remaining contracts are hedges of anticipated future cash flows. In addition, the Company had outstanding long and short foreign exchange spot and options contracts of approximately $947,368 and approximately $947,368, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding long and short futures and forwards commodity contracts with notional values of approximately $68,181 and approximately $68,227, respectively.

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Derivative Assets

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange Contracts (1)

 

$

818

 

$

804

 

 


(1)     Included within Other assets and Other liabilities.

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts with a combined notional value of approximately $126,251.  Approximately $64,422 of these forward foreign exchange contracts represents a hedge of euro-denominated balance sheet positions at December 31, 2009.  The remaining contracts are hedges of anticipated future cash flows.

 

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain or (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized in Income on

 

 

 

Location of Gain (Loss)

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

Recognized in Income

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

on Derivatives

 

2010

 

2009

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

 

(1)

 

$

3,181

 

$

8,667

 

Commodity Contracts

 

Principal transactions

 

1,140

 

 

 


(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2010, approximately $3,079 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income and approximately $102 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the entire gain was related to foreign exchange derivative contracts and was included within Other income.

 

13.    REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

 

GFI Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). GFI Securities LLC is also a registered introducing broker with the National Futures Association and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Accordingly, GFI Securities LLC is subject to the net capital rules under the Exchange Act and the Commodity Exchange Act.  Under these rules, GFI Securities LLC is required to maintain minimum Net Capital, as defined, of not less than the greater of $250 or 2% of aggregate debits, as defined.

 

GFI Brokers Limited and GFI Securities Limited are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Authority in the United Kingdom (“FSA”).

 

GFI (HK) Securities LLC is subject to the capital requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong (the “SFC”), which require that GFI (HK) Securities LLC maintain minimum capital, as defined, of approximately $386.

 

The following table sets forth information about the minimum net capital that certain of the Company’s subsidiaries were required to maintain as of March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

GFI Securities
LLC

 

GFI Brokers
Limited

 

GFI Securities
Limited

 

GFI (HK)
Securities LLC

 

Net Capital

 

$

27,340

 

$

106,549

 

$

59,058

 

$

2,896

 

Minimum Net Capital required

 

250

 

35,070

 

27,247

 

386

 

Excess Net Capital

 

$

27,090

 

$

71,479

 

$

31,811

 

$

2,510

 

 

In addition to the minimum net capital requirements outlined above, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to additional regulatory requirements.

 

GFI Securities Limited’s Japanese branch is subject to certain licensing requirements established by the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (the “FIEL”) in Japan. As part of the licensing requirements, GFI Securities Limited’s Japanese branch is required to maintain minimum “brought-in” capital and stockholders’ equity of 50,000 Japanese Yen each (approximately $535), as defined under the FIEL.  In addition, GFI Securities Limited’s Japanese branch is also subject to the net capital rule promulgated by the FIEL, which requires that net worth, including “brought-in” capital, exceed a ratio of 120.0% of the risk equivalent amount including relevant expenditure.  At March 31, 2010, GFI Securities Limited’s Japanese branch was in compliance with these capital requirements.

 

GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd. is registered with and regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. As part of this registration, GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd. is required to maintain stockholders’ equity of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (or approximately $644). At March 31, 2010, GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd. had stockholders’ equity of 20,227 Hong Kong dollars (or approximately $2,605), which exceeded the minimum requirement by 15,227 Hong Kong dollars (or approximately $1,961).

 

GFI Group Pte. Ltd. is subject to the compliance requirements of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”), which requires that GFI Group Pte. Ltd., among other things, maintain stockholders’ equity of 3,000 Singapore dollars (or approximately $2,144), measured annually.   At December 31, 2009, GFI Group Pte. Ltd. exceeded the minimum requirement by approximately 14,464 Singapore dollars (or approximately $10,295).

 

GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited is licensed and regulated by the Ministry of Finance and Economy to engage in foreign exchange brokerage business, and is subject to certain regulatory requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and regulations thereunder.  As a licensed foreign exchange brokerage company, GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited is required to maintain minimum paid-in capital of 5,000,000 Korean Won (or approximately $4,419). At March 31, 2010, GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited met the minimum requirement for paid-in-capital of 5,000,000 Korean Won.

 

These regulatory rules may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its regulated subsidiaries. The Company’s regulated subsidiaries were in compliance with all minimum net capital requirements as of March 31, 2010.

 

14.    SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company has three operating segments: Americas Brokerage, Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) Brokerage and Asia Brokerage.  Additionally, the Company presents its operating segments as four reportable segments: Americas Brokerage, EMEA Brokerage, Asia Brokerage and All Other.  The All Other segment captures costs that are not directly assignable to one of the operating business segments, primarily consisting of the Company’s corporate business activities and operations from software, analytics and market data.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Selected financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is presented below for periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

77,836

 

$

89,912

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

107,882

 

93,307

 

Asia Brokerage

 

18,848

 

14,783

 

All Other

 

16,209

 

18,233

 

Total Consolidated Revenues

 

$

220,775

 

$

216,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

 

$

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

 

 

Asia Brokerage

 

 

 

All Other

 

240

 

497

 

Total Consolidated Interest Revenues

 

$

240

 

$

497

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

 

$

9

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

103

 

166

 

Asia Brokerage

 

16

 

2

 

All Other

 

2,456

 

2,292

 

Total Consolidated Interest Expense

 

$

2,575

 

$

2,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

 

$

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

 

 

Asia Brokerage

 

 

 

All Other

 

8,184

 

7,839

 

Total Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

8,184

 

$

7,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before Provision for Income Taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

18,117

 

$

21,122

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

37,051

 

30,113

 

Asia Brokerage

 

4,299

 

(1,886

)

All Other

 

(39,353

)

(31,224

)

Total Consolidated Income before Provision for Income taxes

 

$

20,114

 

$

18,125

 

 

In addition, with the exception of goodwill, the Company does not identify or allocate assets by operating segment, nor does its chief operating decision maker evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information.  See Note 4 for goodwill by reportable segment.

 

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GFI GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

Geographic information regarding revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and information regarding long-lived assets (defined as property, equipment, leasehold improvements and software inventory) in each geographic area as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

77,653

 

$

90,541

 

United Kingdom

 

101,722

 

87,389

 

Other

 

41,400

 

38,305

 

Total

 

$

220,775

 

$

216,235

 

 

 

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

Long-lived Assets, as defined:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

55,080

 

$

56,348

 

United Kingdom

 

13,607

 

14,139

 

Other

 

3,985

 

4,489

 

Total

 

$

72,672

 

$

74,976

 

 

Revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the Company’s relevant subsidiary.

 

15.    OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

Before Tax Amount

 

$

(474

)

$

(559

)

Tax Benefit

 

133

 

157

 

After Tax Amount

 

$

(341

)

$

(402

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

Before Tax Amount

 

$

(708

)

$

(822

)

Tax Benefit

 

296

 

355

 

After Tax Amount

 

$

(412

)

$

(467

)

 

16.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

In April 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on May 28, 2010 to shareholders of record on May 14, 2010.

 

Subsequent events have been evaluated for recording and disclosure in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements through the filing date of this Form 10Q.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

GFI Group Inc.

New York, New York

 

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition of GFI Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 15, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated statement of financial condition from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

New York, New York
May 10, 2010

 

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) contains ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘will be,’’ ‘‘will likely continue,’’ ‘‘will likely result,’’ or words or phrases of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

 

·                  the risks and other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our 2009 Form 10-K;

 

·                  our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly qualified brokerage personnel;

 

·                  our entrance into new brokerage markets, including investments in establishing new brokerage desks;

 

·                  competition from current and new competitors;

 

·                  risks associated with our matched principal and principal trading business, including risks arising from specific brokerage transactions, or series of brokerage transactions, such as credit risk and market risk;

 

·                  the extensive regulation of the Company’s business, changes in laws and regulations governing our business and operations or permissible activities and our ability to comply with such laws and regulations;

 

·                  our ability to keep up with rapid technological change and to continue to develop and support our electronic                                               brokerage systems in a cost-effective manner;

 

·                  future results of operations and financial condition;

 

·                  the success of our business strategies;

 

·                  economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes, securities prices, or demand for our brokerage services, including recent conditions in the world economy and financial markets in which we provide our services;

 

·                  financial difficulties experienced by our customers or key participants in the markets in which we focus our brokerage services;

 

·                  risks associated with potential acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies;

 

·                  the maturing of key markets and any resulting contraction in commissions;

 

·                  risks associated with the expansion and growth of our operations generally or of specific products or services, including, in particular, our ability to manage our international operations;

 

·                  uncertainties associated with currency fluctuations;

 

·                  our failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights;

 

·                  uncertainties relating to litigation;

 

·                  liquidity and clearing capital requirements and the impact of the recent conditions in the world economy and the financial markets in which we provide our services on the availability and terms of additional or future capital, and

 

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·                  the effectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures.

 

The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks discussed under the headings ‘‘Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ and ‘‘Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk’’ and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q with the SEC and future events or circumstances could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Business Environment

 

As a wholesale broker, our results of operations are impacted by a number of external market factors, including market volatility, the organic growth or contraction of the derivative and cash markets in which we provide our brokerage services, the particular mix of transactional activity in our various products, the competitive and regulatory environment in which we operate and the financial condition of the dealers, hedge funds and other market participants to whom we provide our services.  Outlined below are management’s observations of these external market factors during the most recent fiscal period. The factors outlined below are not the only factors that have impacted our results of operations for the most recent fiscal period, and additional or other factors may impact, or have different degrees of impact, on our results of operations in future periods.

 

Market Volatility and General Business Environment

 

As a general rule, our business typically benefits from volatility in the markets that we serve, as periods of increased volatility often coincide with more robust trading by our clients and a higher volume of transactions.  However, periods of extreme volatility may result in significant market dislocations that can also lead certain clients to reduce their trading activity.

 

Market volatility is driven by a range of external factors, some of which are market specific and some of which are correlated to general macro-economic conditions.  During the first quarter of 2010, many of the markets in which we operate experienced lower volatility than in the first quarter of 2009, although there was increased volatility later in the first quarter due to sovereign debt concerns.  Despite the lower volatility, the overall business environment was better than the first quarter of 2009 as many of the markets in which we provide our services stabilized, the credit and equity markets continued to rebound from the global recession during the quarter and many areas of the global economy, and the financial sector in particular, continued to improve. The combination of these and other factors led to brokerage revenues being up slightly year-over-year.

 

Growth in Underlying Markets and New Product Offerings

 

Our business has historically benefited from growth in the OTC derivatives markets due to either the expansion of existing markets, including increased notional amounts outstanding or increased transaction volumes, or the development of new products or classes of products.  The level of growth in these markets is difficult to measure on a quarterly basis as there are only a few independent, objective measures of growth in outstanding notional amount of OTC derivatives, all of which are published retrospectively and do not measure transactional volumes.  Therefore, to help gauge growth in any particular quarter, management also looks to the published results of large OTC derivatives dealers and certain futures exchanges as potential indicators of transactional activity in the related OTC derivative markets.

 

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) released its Year-End 2009 Market Survey in April 2010 detailing growth in global notional amounts outstanding in various over-the-counter markets.  Notional amounts outstanding included new transactions and those from previous periods.  The ISDA statistics indicated that there was a decline in the notional amounts outstanding for many derivative categories over the previous year-end and mid-year results, including credit default swaps, which were down 21% year over year and 3% sequentially, and equity derivatives, which were down 23% year over year and sequentially.  ISDA attributed the declines in credit default swaps to the industry’s steady progress in such areas as electronic processing, portfolio compression and collateralized portfolio reconciliation.  Interest rate derivatives grew 6.0% year over year and 3% sequentially.  ISDA noted that the level of interest rate derivatives outstanding reflected the industry’s focus on reducing the amounts of their swap portfolios, even as new trading activity remained solid.

 

Many OTC derivatives products trended toward lower trading volumes in 2009 as market participants deployed less trading capital due to investor redemptions and reduced borrowing capacity.  Evidence of this trend was seen in the reduced

 

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transaction volumes of certain products traded on futures exchanges.  However, as the economy and markets continued to recover, the year-over-year comparisons have returned to growth in many cases.  In the first quarter of 2010, the CME Group, Inc. (“CME”), reported 12% and 6% increases in average daily volumes, overall and in energy (including CME ClearPort), respectively.  IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. (“ICE”) reported a 28% increase in futures average daily volumes and a 27% increase in OTC energy average daily commissions year over year.  Revenues from ICE’s credit default swap (CDS) trade execution, processing and clearing were up 9% from the first quarter of 2009.

 

In addition, newer products and our expansion into growing markets and new geographical areas have historically contributed to the growth in our brokerage revenues. For example, we have also recently invested in new businesses in commodity products such as ethanol, soft and agricultural commodities in the U.S. and natural gas and iron ore in the U.K.  Additionally, we have expanded into Latin America and the Middle East in the past several years which has contributed to our growth year over year.

 

Competitive and Regulatory Environment

 

Another major external market factor affecting our business and results of operations is competition, which may take the form of competitive pressure on the commissions we charge for our brokerage services or competition for brokerage personnel with extensive experience in the specialized markets we serve. Competition for the services of productive brokers remained intense in the first quarter of 2010.  The consolidation and personnel layoffs by dealers, hedge funds and other market participants during the last few years has also led to increased competition to provide brokerage services to a smaller number of market participants in the near term.  However, there were indications in the first quarter of 2010 that trading activity by our customers had increased over prior periods, including activity relating to certain derivative markets.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, there was a continuing effort to establish new regulations for the global OTC derivatives markets. We believe that the legislative and regulatory proposals for increased transparency, position limits and collateral or capital requirements have caused uncertainty in these markets as market participants await any final regulations. This increased uncertainty in the markets has led investors and banks to commit less capital to many OTC markets. Nevertheless, we are optimistic that the regulatory solutions that are likely to emerge, including centralized clearing, increased transparency, automation and electronic execution, will be generally beneficial to the long-term health of the broader financial markets. The proposed legislation in the U.S. would require certain OTC derivatives to be executed through a registered exchange or “swap execution facility.” We believe that we will be able to qualify as a swap execution facility and we believe that our expertise, technology and scale positions us well to capture any newly created opportunities in these markets.

 

Financial Overview

 

As more fully discussed below, our results of operations are significantly impacted by our revenue growth and the amount of compensation and benefits we provide to our employees.  The following factors had a significant impact on our revenues and employee costs during the three month period ended March 31, 2010:

 

Our revenues have increased 2.1% to $220.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $216.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The main factors contributing to our revenue increase were:

 

·                  The stabilization of many of the key markets in which we provide our brokerage services, as well as improved global economic and market conditions in emerging markets and Asia;

·                  Increased trading activity in certain of the financial product and commodity product markets in which we have a leading market share resulted in increased revenues year over year;

·                  Higher share, index and commodity values positively affected our equities and commodities revenues in Europe;

·                  Increased electronic trading activity in Europe and the U.S. on our hybrid brokerage platforms;

·                  Strong performance of our Trayport subsidiary; and

·                  New brokerage desks and new brokers hired across all product categories.

 

Partially offsetting this increase were several factors adversely affecting our brokerage and other revenues, including:

 

·                  Narrow credit spreads and decreased equity volatility and trading volumes in the U.S.;

·                  Increased competition in certain cash fixed income markets in the U.S.;

 

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·                  A decrease in realized and unrealized gains of $5.6 million on foreign currency hedges in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009; and

·                  Regulatory and governmental uncertainty as it relates to market structure and operations in OTC derivative markets.

 

The most significant component of our cost structure is employee compensation and benefits, which includes salaries, sign-on bonuses, incentive compensation and related employee benefits and taxes.  Our employee compensation and benefits expense remained relatively consistent at $144.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $145.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Our compensation and employee benefits for all employees have both a fixed and variable component.  Base salaries and benefit costs are primarily fixed for all employees while bonuses constitute the variable portion of our compensation and employee benefits.  Within this overall compensation and employee benefits, employment costs of our brokerage personnel are the key component.  Bonuses for brokerage personnel are primarily based on the operating results of their related brokerage desk as well as their individual performance.  For many of our brokerage employees, their bonus constitutes a significant component of their overall compensation.  Broker performance bonuses decreased to $64.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $66.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  A portion of our bonus expense is subject to contractual guarantees that may require us to make bonus payments to brokers regardless of their performance in any particular period.

 

Further, we grant sign-on bonuses for certain newly-hired brokers or for certain of our existing brokers who agree to long-term employment agreements.  Expenses relating to sign-on bonuses decreased to $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as the result of the $25.5 million charge taken in the fourth quarter of 2009 related to the renegotiation of certain employee contracts.  These sign-on bonuses may be paid in the form of cash, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or forgivable loans and are typically amortized over the term of the related employment agreement, which is generally two to four years.  These employment agreements typically contain repayment or forfeiture provisions for unvested RSUs or all or a portion of the sign-on bonus and forgivable loan should the employee voluntarily terminate his or her employment or if the employee’s employment is terminated for cause during the initial term of the agreement.

 

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Results of Consolidated Operations

 

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Agency commissions

 

$

143,830

 

$

125,399

 

Principal transactions

 

60,296

 

72,215

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

204,126

 

197,614

 

Software, analytics and market data

 

14,900

 

13,052

 

Interest income

 

240

 

497

 

Other income

 

1,509

 

5,072

 

Total revenues

 

220,775

 

216,235

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

144,663

 

145,548

 

Communications and market data

 

11,886

 

11,498

 

Travel and promotion

 

8,893

 

7,480

 

Rent and occupancy

 

5,431

 

4,734

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,184

 

7,839

 

Professional fees

 

6,597

 

5,091

 

Clearing fees

 

7,424

 

8,107

 

Interest

 

2,575

 

2,469

 

Other expenses

 

5,008

 

5,344

 

Total expenses

 

200,661

 

198,110

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

20,114

 

18,125

 

Provision for income taxes

 

6,738

 

6,525

 

Net income

 

$

13,376

 

$

11,600

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth our condensed consolidated results of income as a percentage of our total revenues for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Agency commissions

 

65.1

%

58.0

%

Principal transactions

 

27.3

 

33.4

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

92.4

%

91.4

%

Software, analytics and market data

 

6.7

 

6.0

 

Interest income

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

Other income

 

0.8

 

2.4

 

Total revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

65.5

 

67.3

 

Communications and market data

 

5.4

 

5.3

 

Travel and promotion

 

4.0

 

3.5

 

Rent and occupancy

 

2.5

 

2.2

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3.7

 

3.6

 

Professional fees

 

3.0

 

2.4

 

Clearing fees

 

3.4

 

3.7

 

Interest

 

1.2

 

1.1

 

Other expenses

 

2.3

 

2.5

 

Total expenses

 

91.0

%

91.6

%

Income before provision for income taxes

 

9.0

%

8.4

%

Provision for income taxes

 

3.1

 

3.0

 

Net income

 

5.9

%

5.4

%

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $13.4 million as compared to net income of $11.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $1.8 million or approximately 15.3%. Total revenues increased by $4.6 million, or 2.1%, to $220.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $216.2 million for the prior year. Our increased revenues were primarily due to the reasons set forth above under “Financial Overview”.  We also benefited from foreign exchange rates in the first quarter of 2010 to the extent we earned revenues denominated in Euros and the British Pound as these currencies were stronger, on average, relative to the U.S. Dollar than in the first quarter of 2009.  Additionally, we experienced strong growth in our software and analytics product offerings.  Partially offsetting this growth was weakness in the U.S. in equities and cash fixed income. Total expenses increased by $2.6 million, or 1.3%, to $200.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $198.1 million for the prior year. Expenses increased primarily because of higher professional fees and travel and promotion expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth the changes in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

%*

 

2009

 

%*

 

(Decrease)

 

%**

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

$

71,484

 

32.4

%

$

74,404

 

34.4

%

$

(2,920

)

(3.9

)%

Equity

 

47,566

 

21.5

 

53,394

 

24.7

 

(5,828

)

(10.9

)

Financial

 

38,110

 

17.2

 

31,091

 

14.4

 

7,019

 

22.6

 

Commodity

 

46,966

 

21.3

 

38,725

 

17.9

 

8,241

 

21.3

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

204,126

 

92.4

 

197,614

 

91.4

 

6,512

 

3.3

 

Other revenues

 

16,649

 

7.6

 

18,621

 

8.6

 

(1,972

)

(10.6

)

Total Revenues

 

$

220,775

 

100.0

%

$

216,235

 

100.0

%

$

4,540

 

2.1

%

 


*            Denotes % of total revenues

**     Denotes % change in the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009

 

·                  Brokerage Revenues — We offer our brokerage services in four broad product categories: credit, equity, financial and commodity.  Below is a discussion on our brokerage revenues by product category.

 

·                  Broker productivity (defined as total brokerage revenues during the period divided by average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for the period) in the first quarter of 2010 was level with that of the comparable period in 2009.

 

·                  The decrease in credit product brokerage revenues of $2.9 million in 2010 was due to a decline in U.S. cash fixed income revenues partially offset by significant growth in credit derivative revenues.  Narrow credit spreads and increased competition adversely affected our U.S. cash fixed income business, while our credit derivative revenues increased in the U.S. and Europe due to an improved business environment, increased electronic trading on our CreditMatch® platform and heightened volatility from sovereign debt concerns.  Our credit product brokerage personnel headcount increased by 29 to 304 employees at March 31, 2010 from 275 employees at March 31, 2009.

 

·                  The decrease in equity product brokerage revenues of $5.8 million in 2010 was primarily due to lower revenues in the U.S., which was impacted by lower volatility and trading volumes.  This decrease was partially offset by stronger revenues in Europe aided by higher share and index values as compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Our equity product brokerage personnel headcount increased by 13 to 246 employees at March 31, 2010 from 233 employees at March 31, 2009.

 

·                  The increase in financial product brokerage revenues of $7.0 million in 2010 was primarily attributable to improved economic conditions and growth in emerging markets and Asia.  Our emerging market foreign exchange and interest rate derivative products exhibited strong growth year-over-year.  Our financial product headcount increased by 9 to 257 employees at March 31, 2010 from 248 employees the previous year.

 

·                  The increase in commodity product brokerage revenues of $8.2 million in 2010 was primarily attributable to improved economic conditions reflected in higher commodity prices and increased demand for certain commodity products including shipping, electricity and natural gas.  We also benefited from new hires in our energy and commodities product area in the U.S. and Europe. Our commodity product brokerage personnel headcount increased by 1 to 284 employees at March 31, 2010 from 283 employees at March 31, 2009.

 

·                  Other Revenues

 

Other revenues is comprised of the following:

 

 

 

For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
2010

 

For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software, analytics and market data

 

$

14,900

 

$

13,052

 

Remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances

 

(2,294

)

(5,226

)

Net realized and unrealized gains from foreign currency hedges

 

3,079

 

8,667

 

Interest income

 

240

 

497

 

Other

 

724

 

1,631

 

Total other revenues

 

$

16,649

 

$

18,621

 

 

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The $2.0 million net decrease in other revenues in the first quarter of 2010 to $16.6 million from $18.6 million in the same period in 2009 was largely related to a $5.6 million decrease in net realized and unrealized gains on foreign currency hedges, which decreased to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $8.7 million in the year earlier period.  These hedges of foreign currency assets and current and anticipated foreign currency revenues partially offset a $2.9 million decrease in the remeasurement of the underlying foreign currency balances, as well as the value of anticipated future euro revenues.  Also contributing to the decrease in Other Income in the quarter was a $0.7 million gain that occurred in the first quarter of 2009 related to the exchange of our investment in The Clearing Corporation for an investment in a holding company of ICE Trust.  Our software, analytics and market data revenues grew by $1.8 million, partially offsetting the decreases discussed above.

 

Expenses

 

The following table sets forth the changes in expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 (dollars in thousands, except percentage data):

 

 

 

For the Three Month Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

%*

 

2009

 

%*

 

(Decrease)

 

%**

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

$

144,663

 

65.5

%

$

145,548

 

67.3

%

$

(885

)

(0.6

)%

Communications and market data

 

11,886

 

5.4

 

11,498

 

5.3

 

388

 

3.4

 

Travel and promotion

 

8,893

 

4.0

 

7,480

 

3.5

 

1,413

 

18.9

 

Rent and occupancy

 

5,431

 

2.5

 

4,734

 

2.2

 

697

 

14.7

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,184

 

3.7

 

7,839

 

3.6

 

345

 

4.4

 

Professional fees

 

6,597

 

3.0

 

5,091

 

2.4

 

1,506

 

29.6

 

Clearing fees

 

7,424

 

3.4

 

8,107

 

3.7

 

(683

)

(8.4

)

Interest

 

2,575

 

1.2

 

2,469

 

1.1

 

106

 

4.3

 

Other expenses

 

5,008

 

2.3

 

5,344

 

2.5

 

(336

)

(6.3

)

Total Expenses

 

$

200,661

 

91.0

%

$

198,110

 

91.6

%

$

2,551

 

1.3

%

 


*            Denotes % of total revenues

**     Denotes % change in the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009

 

·                  Compensation and Employee Benefits

 

·                  The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expenses of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2010 was primarily attributable to lower broker performance bonus and sign-on bonus expense due to our restructuring efforts in 2009, offset partially by higher broker salaries, payroll taxes and benefits from increased broker headcount.

 

·                  Total compensation and employee benefits as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 65.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to 67.3% for the same period in the prior year. The lower compensation rate was largely the result of a $25.5 million charge related to the renegotiation of certain employee contracts in the fourth quarter of 2009, lowering the amortization of sign-on bonus expense in future periods. Additionally, the first quarter of 2009 included a $3.8 million front and back office restructuring charge.

 

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Table of Contents

 

·                  Bonus expense represented 49.5% and 50.8% of total compensation and employee benefits expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A portion of our bonus expense is subject to contractual guarantees that may require us to make bonus payments to brokers regardless of their performance in any particular period. Additionally, sign-on bonus expense represented 5.8% and 7.6% of total compensation and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This decrease in sign-on bonus expense was primarily due to the renegotiation of certain employment agreements in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the resulting $25.5 million charge.

 

·                  All Other Expenses

 

·                  The increase in travel and promotion was primarily attributable to increased broker headcount, increased competition and the improved financial condition of many of our customers.  Travel and promotion, as a percentage of our total brokerage revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010, increased to 4.4% from 3.8% for the same period from the prior year.

 

·                  The increase in rent and occupancy of $0.7 million was primarily due to an increase in rent and related costs due to our headcount and geographical expansion.

 

·                  The decrease in clearing fees was primarily due to the decline in our cash equities and cash fixed income volumes in the U.S.  Clearing fees, as a percentage of our total revenues from principal transactions increased to 12.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 11.2% for the same period from the prior year.  This increase was primarily due to the change in product mix as our cash fixed income business decreased relative to our cash equities business.  Principal transactions are generally settled through third party clearing organizations that charge us a fee for their services.  We also use the services of stock exchanges and floor brokers, to assist in the execution of transactions.  Fees paid to floor brokers and execution fees paid to exchanges in these circumstances are included in clearing fees.  In addition, clearing fees also includes fees incurred in certain equity transaction executed on an agency basis.

 

·                  The increase in professional fees of $1.5 million was primarily due to increased legal fees relating to litigation and corporate transactions, as well as consulting and professional fees related to strategic projects.

 

·                  Our effective tax rate was 33.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to 36.0% for the same period in the prior year. The reduction in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a shift in the geographic mix of our earnings in favor of jurisdictions with lower tax rates, resulting in a lower aggregate effective tax rate.

 

Results of Segment Operations

 

The Company has three operating segments: Americas Brokerage, Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) Brokerage and Asia Brokerage.  Additionally, the Company presents its operating segments as four reportable segments: Americas Brokerage, EMEA Brokerage, Asia Brokerage and All Other.  The All Other segment captures costs that are not directly assignable to one of the operating business segments, primarily consisting of the Company’s corporate business activities and its software, analytics and market data operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following tables summarize our revenues, expenses and pre-tax income by segment:

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

77,836

 

$

89,912

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

107,882

 

93,307

 

Asia Brokerage

 

18,848

 

14,783

 

All Other

 

16,209

 

18,233

 

Total Consolidated Revenues

 

$

220,775

 

$

216,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

59,719

 

$

68,790

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

70,831

 

63,194

 

Asia Brokerage

 

14,549

 

16,669

 

All Other

 

55,562

 

49,457

 

Total Consolidated Interest Revenues

 

$

200,661

 

$

198,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax Income/(Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Americas Brokerage

 

$

18,117

 

$

21,122

 

EMEA Brokerage

 

37,051

 

30,113

 

Asia Brokerage

 

4,299

 

(1,886

)

All Other

 

(39,353

)

(31,224

)

Total Pre-tax Income

 

$

20,114

 

$

18,125

 

 

Segment Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

·                  Revenues

 

·                  Revenues for Americas Brokerage decreased $12.1 million, or 13.4%, to $77.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $89.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Revenues for EMEA Brokerage increased $14.6 million, or 15.6%, to $107.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $93.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Revenues for Asia Brokerage increased $4.1 million, or 27.5%, to $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Total revenues for our three brokerage segments increased by $6.6 million, or 3.3%, to $204.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $198.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in revenues was primarily due to increased brokerage revenues in financial and commodity product categories partially offset by decreases in equity and credit product categories resulting from the factors described above under “Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009”.

 

·                  Revenues for All Other primarily consisted of revenues generated from sales of software, analytics and market data.  Total revenues from All Other decreased by $2.0 million, or 11.1%, to $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This decrease was primarily related to $5.6 million decrease in net realized and unrealized gains on foreign currency hedges, which decreased to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $8.7 million in the year earlier period.  These hedges of foreign currency assets and current and anticipated foreign currency revenues partially offset a $2.9 million decrease in the remeasurement of the underlying foreign currency balances, as well as the value of anticipated future euro revenues.  Also contributing to the decrease in the quarter was a $0.7 million gain that occurred in first quarter of 2009 related to our investment in The Clearing Corporation. We experienced a $1.8 million increase in software, analytics and market data revenues, partially offsetting the decreases discussed above.

 

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Table of Contents

 

·                  Expenses

 

·                  Expenses for Americas Brokerage decreased $9.1 million, or 13.2%, to $59.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $68.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Expenses for EMEA Brokerage increased $7.6 million, or 12.1%, to $70.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $63.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Expenses for Asia Brokerage decreased $2.1 million, or 12.7%, to $14.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $16.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Total expenses for our three brokerage segments decreased by $3.6 million, or 2.4%, to $145.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $148.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in compensation and employee benefits, clearing fees and other expenses, partially offset by increase in communications and market data and travel and promotion expenses as well as other factors described above under “Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009”.

 

The Company records certain direct expenses other than compensation and employee benefits to the operating segments; however, the Company does not allocate certain expenses to its operating segments that are managed separately at the corporate level.  The unallocated costs including rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, interest and other expenses are included in the expenses for All Other described below.  Management does not believe that allocating these costs to our brokerage segments is optimal for evaluating the performance of its brokerage segments.

 

·                  Total expenses for All Other increased by $6.1 million, or 12.3%, to $55.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $49.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and employee benefits, travel and promotion and professional fees.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Quarterly Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, by quarter, our unaudited statement of operations data for the period from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010. Results of any period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and may, in certain periods, be affected by seasonal fluctuations in our business.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

September

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2009

 

2009

 

2009

 

2008

 

30, 2008

 

2008

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency commissions

 

$

143,830

 

$

115,043

 

$

119,396

 

$

121,488

 

$

125,399

 

$

143,556

 

$

182,591

 

$

192,074

 

Principal transactions

 

60,296

 

53,608

 

64,989

 

79,566

 

72,215

 

50,272

 

43,771

 

53,532

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

204,126

 

168,651

 

184,385

 

201,054

 

197,614

 

193,828

 

226,362

 

245,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software, analytics and market data

 

14,900

 

14,649

 

13,627

 

13,019

 

13,052

 

12,800

 

14,034

 

13,157

 

Interest income

 

240

 

148

 

172

 

226

 

497

 

1,669

 

2,187

 

2,078

 

Other income (loss) (1)

 

1,509

 

2,112

 

(5,938

)

10,367

 

5,072

 

(12,061

)

555

 

688

 

Total revenues

 

220,775

 

185,560

 

192,246

 

224,666

 

216,235

 

196,236

 

243,138

 

261,529

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

144,663

 

156,053

 

135,139

 

146,575

 

145,548

 

137,583

 

176,462

 

158,730

 

Communications and market data

 

11,886

 

11,864

 

11,661

 

11,240

 

11,498

 

12,245

 

12,640

 

11,744

 

Travel and promotion

 

8,893

 

9,509

 

8,280

 

8,550

 

7,480

 

8,897

 

11,845

 

13,291

 

Rent and occupancy (2)

 

5,431

 

5,343

 

5,470

 

4,778

 

4,734

 

4,811

 

14,399

 

6,176

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,184

 

7,959

 

7,680

 

8,015

 

7,839

 

7,827

 

7,192

 

8,449

 

Professional fees

 

6,597

 

4,674

 

4,508

 

4,129

 

5,091

 

6,081

 

7,756

 

7,351

 

Clearing fees

 

7,424

 

6,988

 

7,153

 

8,106

 

8,107

 

9,706

 

12,026

 

10,486

 

Interest

 

2,575

 

2,645

 

2,769

 

2,657

 

2,469

 

3,993

 

3,508

 

3,748

 

Other expenses (1), (2)

 

5,008

 

6,046

 

5,170

 

4,366

 

5,344

 

5,445

 

7,887

 

5,219

 

Total expenses

 

200,661

 

211,081

 

187,830

 

198,416

 

198,110

 

196,588

 

253,715

 

225,194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

20,114

 

(25,521

)

4,416

 

26,250

 

18,125

 

(352

)

(10,577

)

36,335

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

6,738

 

(11,070

)

1,633

 

9,894

 

6,525

 

(544

)

(3,861

)

12,687

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

13,376

 

$

(14,451

)

$

2,783

 

$

16,356

 

$

11,600

 

$

192

 

$

(6,716

)

$

23,648

 

 


(1) Certain software development contract revenues were previously presented in a line item called “Contract revenue” and have been combined into “Other income (loss)” to conform with the presentation for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009.  Certain expenses related to these software development contracts were presented as “Contract costs” in the consolidated statements of income and have been combined into “Other expenses” to conform with the presentation for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009.  The amounts that were combined for the respective revenue and costs for each period presented above were as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

September 30,

 

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2009

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008

 

2008

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Contract Revenue

 

$

 

$

97

 

$

5

 

$

28

 

$

 

$

45

 

Contract Costs

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

46

 

$

 

$

16

 

 

(2) Certain amounts totaling $538, $519 and $416 related to insurance expense were previously presented in the “Rent and occupancy” line item in the consolidated statements of income for the three month periods ended September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2009, respectively, but should have been presented in “Other expenses” in the consolidated statements of income for those periods.  These amounts have been properly reclassified to “Other expenses” for those periods.  Certain amounts totaling $552, $570, and $583 for the three month periods ended December 31, September 30, June 30, 2008, respectively, were also reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

The following table sets forth our quarterly results of operations as a percentage of our total revenues for the indicated periods:

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

September 30,
2009

 

June 30,
2009

 

March 31,
2009

 

December 31,
2008

 

September
30, 2008

 

June 30,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency commissions

 

65.1

%

62.0

%

62.1

%

54.1

%

58.0

%

73.2

%

75.1

%

73.4

%

Principal transactions

 

27.3

 

28.9

 

33.8

 

35.4

 

33.4

 

25.6

 

18.0

 

20.5

 

Total brokerage revenues

 

92.4

 

90.9

 

95.9

 

89.5

 

91.4

 

98.8

 

93.1

 

93.9

 

Software, analytics and market data

 

6.7

 

7.9

 

7.1

 

5.8

 

6.0

 

6.5

 

5.8

 

5.0

 

Interest income

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

0.9

 

0.9

 

0.8

 

Other income (loss)

 

0.8

 

1.1

 

(3.1

)

4.6

 

2.4

 

(6.1

)

0.2

 

0.3

 

Total revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and employee benefits

 

65.5

%

84.1

%

70.3

%

65.2

%

67.3

%

70.1

%

72.6

%

60.7

%

Communications and market data

 

5.4

 

6.4

 

6.1

 

5.0

 

5.3

 

6.2

 

5.2

 

4.5

 

Travel and promotion

 

4.0

 

5.1

 

4.3

 

3.8

 

3.5

 

4.5

 

4.9

 

5.1

 

Rent and occupancy

 

2.5

 

2.9

 

2.8

 

2.1

 

2.2

 

2.5

 

5.9

 

2.4

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3.7

 

4.3

 

4.0

 

3.6

 

3.6

 

4.0

 

3.0

 

3.2

 

Professional fees

 

3.0

 

2.5

 

2.3

 

1.8

 

2.4

 

3.1

 

3.2

 

2.8

 

Clearing fees

 

3.4

 

3.8

 

3.7

 

3.6

 

3.7

 

4.9

 

4.9

 

4.0

 

Interest

 

1.2

 

1.4

 

1.4

 

1.2

 

1.1

 

2.0

 

1.4

 

1.4

 

Other expenses

 

2.3

 

3.3

 

2.7

 

2.0

 

2.5

 

2.8

 

3.2

 

2.0

 

Total expenses

 

91.0

%

113.8

%

97.6

%

88.3

%

91.6

%

100.2

%

104.4

%

86.1

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

9.0

 

(13.8

)

2.4

 

11.7

 

8.4

 

(0.2

)

(4.4

)

13.9

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

3.1

 

(6.0

)

0.8

 

4.4

 

3.0

 

(0.3

)

(1.6

)

4.9

 

Net (loss) income

 

5.9

%

(7.8

)%

1.6

%

7.3

%

5.4

%

0.1

%

(2.8

)%

9.0

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $13.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared with $0.3 million used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $13.6 million.  This increase is, in large part, attributable to an increase in working capital employed in the business of $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 relative to the same period in 2009.  The increase in working capital is primarily related to a $9.8 million decrease in the change in net receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, a decrease in the change in accrued compensation and accounts payable of $6.3 million, an increase of $9.8 million in the change in commissions receivable, an increase in the change in other assets of $13.0 million, and was offset by a $26.3 million increase in the change in other liabilities.  Offsetting the additional working capital deployed in the business was an increase of $1.8 million in our net income, from $11.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $13.4 million in the current quarter.  Items which reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities such as depreciation, amortization of deferred compensation, unrealized foreign currency gains and losses, and other items decreased by $0.7 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $7.5 million compared to $5.4 million used in the three months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in cash used for investing activities was primarily attributable to an increase in purchases of certain investments, offset by a decrease in payments related to foreign exchange derivative hedge contracts and for capital expenditures.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $10.4 million, compared to $14.7 million used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in cash used in financing activities as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily related to a reduction of $4.0 million in repayments of borrowings under our Credit Agreement and a reduction of $2.6 million in repurchases of common stock, offset by a $3.9 million increase in cash paid for taxes on the vesting of RSUs.  See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our short-term borrowings and long-term obligations.

 

Our liquidity and available cash resources are in part restricted by the regulatory requirements of our operating subsidiaries, including GFI Securities LLC, GFI Securities Limited, GFI Brokers Limited, GFI (HK) Securities LLC, GFI (HK) Brokers Ltd., GFI Group Pte. Ltd. and GFI Korea Money Brokerage Limited. GFI Securities LLC is subject to regulatory capital requirements under the Exchange Act and the Commodity Exchange Act. These subsidiaries are subject to the regulatory capital and compliance requirements described in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  At March 31, 2010, all of our regulated subsidiaries were in compliance with their respective regulatory capital requirements.  See Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these regulatory requirements.  In addition, our liquidity may be impacted by the amount of capital that we maintain in clearing accounts and with exchanges to support our principal transactions business.

 

It is our expectation that from time to time we may purchase additional shares of our common stock on the open market in accordance with a stock repurchase program authorized by the Board.  See Note 7 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the stock repurchase program.

 

We believe that, based on current levels of operations and anticipated growth, our cash from operations, together with cash currently available and the available borrowings under our Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.  Our Credit Agreement expires on February 24, 2011 and we are in the process of evaluating our options to either renew the existing agreement, replace it with a new credit agreement or to seek alternative sources of capital.  Poor financial results, unanticipated expenses, unanticipated acquisitions or unanticipated strategic investments could give rise to additional financing requirements sooner than we expect. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available when needed or, if available, that the financing will be on terms satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current stockholders.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2010:

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

$

114,602

 

$

13,062

 

$

21,267

 

$

16,472

 

$

63,801

 

Short-term borrowings (1)

 

115,000

 

115,000

 

 

 

 

Interest on Long-term obligations

 

14,706

 

4,902

 

9,804

 

 

 

Long-term obligations

 

60,000

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

Purchase obligations(2)

 

25,172

 

18,245

 

6,914

 

13

 

 

Total

 

$

329,480

 

$

151,209

 

$

97,985

 

$

16,485

 

$

63,801

 

 

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Table of Contents

 


(1)           Amounts listed under Short-term borrowings represent outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement and vary from the Short-term borrowings reflected in our financial statements because our financial statements reflect the total debt net of unamortized loan fees.   See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

(2)           Amounts listed under Purchase Obligations include agreements for quotes with various information service providers. Additionally, such amounts include purchase commitments for capital expenditures for the implementation of a redundant data and software application facility and other purchase commitments for capital expenditures, hosting and software licensing agreements.  See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these obligations.

 

We have unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $8.7 million determined in accordance with ASC 740-10 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109).  Due to the uncertainty of the amounts to be ultimately paid as well as the timing of such payments, all such liabilities which have not been paid are excluded from the Contractual Obligations and Commitments table.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2010.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

We have disclosed in Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2009 Form 10-K those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining our results of operations and financial condition. There have been no material changes to those policies that we consider to be significant since our 2009 Form 10-K. The accounting principles utilized by us in preparing our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements conform in all material respects to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events, which is now a sub-topic within ASC 855-10 Subsequent Events (“ASC 855-10”). ASC 855-10 provides guidance for accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events that are not addressed in other applicable generally accepted accounting principles. ASC 855-10 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and has been applied prospectively by us. In February 2010, the FASB amended ASC 855-10 through the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 (“ASU 2010-09”), Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. ASU 2010-09 removed the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date in both the issued and revised financial statements and was effective upon issuance. See Note 16 for disclosures on Subsequent Events.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 (“ASU 2009-13”) Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. ASU 2009-13 establishes the accounting and reporting guidance for arrangements with multiple-revenue generating activities. ASU 2009-13 addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to one or more units of accounting and provides a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. ASU 2009-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted but must be retrospectively applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We do not expect the impact of the adoption of ASU 2009-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-14 (“ASU 2009-14”) Software (Topic 985) Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements. ASU 2009-14 provides guidance on how to allocate arrangement consideration to deliverables in an arrangement that includes both tangible products and software. ASU 2009-14

 

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Table of Contents

 

also provides additional guidance on how to determine which software, if any, relating to the tangible product would be excluded from software revenue recognition. ASU 2009-14 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted but must be retrospectively applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2009-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures including the amounts of and reasons for transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and reporting activity in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements on a gross basis. ASU 2010-06 provides amendments that clarify existing disclosures regarding the level of disaggregation for providing fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. In addition, it clarifies existing disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements that are required for either Level 2 or Level 3. ASU 2010-06 was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2009 except for the disclosures about the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and the adoption of ASU 2010-06 with respect to disclosures of the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 3.                    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are described in “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” contained in the 2009 Form 10-K. Except as described below in this Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to those market risks during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

Foreign Currency Exposure Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk associated with movements in foreign currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes to our risk management policy during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

While our international results of operations, as measured in U.S. Dollars, are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we do not consider the related risk to be material to our results of operations.  If the Euro strengthened against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and the British Pound Sterling weakened by 10% against the U.S. Dollar, the net impact to our net income would be a reduction of approximately $3.8 million as of March 31, 2010.

 

ITEM 4.                    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

In addition, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) and determined that there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the normal course of business, we are and have been party to, or otherwise involved in, litigations, claims and arbitrations that involve claims for substantial amounts. These proceedings have generally involved either proceedings against our competitors in connection with employee hires, or claims from former employees in connection with the termination of their employment from us. There is also potential for client claims alleging the occurrence of errors in the execution of brokerage transactions. We are also currently and will, in the future, be involved in examinations, investigations or proceedings by government agencies and self-regulatory organizations. These examinations or investigations could result in substantial fines or administrative proceedings that could result in censure, the issuance of cease and desist orders, the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer and its affiliated persons, officers or employees or other similar consequences.

 

The staff of the Market Regulation Department of FINRA (the “Staff”) has been conducting an inquiry into the activities of interdealer brokerage firms in connection with the determination of the commission rates paid to them by certain dealers for brokering transactions in credit default swaps.  GFI Securities LLC has been cooperating with the Staff in this inquiry by responding to requests for documents, testimony and other information.  In January 2009, the Staff advised GFI Securities LLC that it has made a preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action in connection with allegedly improper communications between certain of GFI Securities LLC’s brokers and those at other interdealer brokers, purportedly inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and certain antifraud and supervisory requirements under FINRA rules and the federal securities laws.  All but one of these brokers who made the allegedly improper communications resigned in April 2008 to become employed by affiliates of Compagnie Financiere Tradition.  We intend to vigorously contest any such disciplinary action which, if brought and/or settled, could result in a censure, fine or other sanction.

 

Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding matters are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position.  However, the outcome of any such matters may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in a given period.  It is not presently possible to determine the Company’s ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the Company’s outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.

 

ITEM 1A.           RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in the 2009 Form 10-K. For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2009 Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2.                    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by the Company of its common stock during the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid Per
Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
As Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (C)

 

Approximate
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

 

January

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Program (a)

 

 

$

 

 

579,660

 

Employee Transactions (b)

 

84,486

 

$

5.10

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Program (a)

 

 

$

 

 

1,271,339

 

Employee Transactions (b)

 

66,088

 

$

4.81

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Program (a)

 

 

$

 

 

4,988,836

 

Employee Transactions (b)

 

666,862

 

$

5.88

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Program (a)

 

 

$

 

 

4,988,836

 

Employee Transactions (b)

 

817,436

 

$

5.71

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

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Table of Contents

 


(a) In August 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to implement a stock repurchase program to repurchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market. Under the repurchase plan, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market in such amounts as determined by the Company’s management, provided, however, such amounts are not to exceed, during any calendar year, the number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock options plus the number of shares underlying grants of RSUs that are granted or which management reasonably anticipates will be granted in such calendar year. Any repurchases are also subject to compliance with certain covenants and limits under the Company’s Credit Agreement.

 

(b)  Under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, we allow employees to elect to have us withhold shares of common stock to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations arising on the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units. When we withhold these shares, we are required to remit to the appropriate taxing authorities the market price of the shares withheld, which could be deemed a purchase of the shares of our common stock by us on the date of withholding.

 

ITEM 6.                    EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.1

 

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2010.

15

 

Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer.

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer.

32.1

 

Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

32.2

 

Written Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 10th day of May, 2010.

 

 

 

GFI GROUP INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JAMES A. PEERS

 

 

 

 Name:

James A. Peers

 

 

 

 Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)

 

43