Intercontinental (ICE) Beats Q3 Earnings & Revenue Estimates
Intercontinental Exchange ICE reported third-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share of $1.06, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.6%. Also, the bottom line improved 24.7% on a year-over-year basis.
The company witnessed improved operating income and growth in business segments.
Intercontinental Exchange Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Intercontinental Exchange Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Intercontinental Exchange Inc. Quote
Performance in Detail
Intercontinental Exchange’s revenues of $1.3 billion increased 11% year over year on higher transaction and clearing, data services and other revenues. Moreover, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.16%.
Net revenues of Trading and Clearing segment were $669 million, up 20% year over year, while Data and Listings revenues were $667 million, up 4% year over year.
Total operating expenses rose 5.4% year over year to $630 million, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits, professional services, technology and communication, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted operating expenses were $551 million in the third quarter, up 5.8% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Adjusted operating income improved 15.6% year over year to $785 million. Adjusted operating margin contracted 200 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter to 59%.
Trading and Clearing's adjusted operating income of $438 million was up 24.4% year over year. Adjusted operating margin expanded 200 bps. Data and Listings' adjusted operating income rose 6.1% year over year to $347 million and adjusted operating margin of 52% expanded 100 bps.
Total Futures & Options totaled 5.8 million contracts, up 12% year over year. Revenue per contract of $1.10 increased 2% year over year.
Financial Update
As of Sep 30, 2019, Intercontinental Exchange had cash and cash equivalents of $655 million, down 9.5% from the level as of Dec 31, 2018.
Long-term debt of $6.5 billion was up 0.1% from 2018-end level.
Total equity was $17.2 billion as of Sep 30, 2019, down 0.3% from the level as of Dec 31, 2018.
Operating cash flow was $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2019, up 11.8% year over year. Free cash flow was $1.7 billion, up 3.4% year over year.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Update
In the third quarter of 2019, the company bought back shares worth $1.1 billion and paid out dividends amounting to $467 million.
Q4 Guidance
Data revenues are estimated between $555 million and $560 million.
Operating expenses are projected in the range of $637-$647 million. Adjusted operating expenses are expected to be in the range of $562 million to $572 million.
The company expects interest expense of $71 million in the period.
Weighted average shares outstanding are anticipated between 557 million and 563 million.
Zacks Rank
Intercontinental Exchange currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
Of the finance industry players that have reported third-quarter results so far, American Financial Group, Inc. AFG, Arthur J. Gallagher AJG and CNA Financial Corporation CNA beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings.
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