KCG ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2017 RESULTS


KCG ACCEPTS PROPOSAL FROM VIRTU FINANCIAL, INC. TO ACQUIRE
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF KCG`S CLASS A COMMON STOCK FOR
$20 PER SHARE - A 46 PERCENT PREMIUM TO UNAFFECTED PRICE

KCG announces consolidated earnings of $0.05
per diluted share for the first quarter of 2017

NEW YORK, New York - April 20, 2017 - KCG Holdings, Inc. (KCG) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) to acquire all outstanding shares of KCG`s Class A Common Stock for $20.00 per share in cash. The price represents a premium of 46 percent over KCG`s closing share price of $13.73 on March 14, 2017, prior to news reports of the proposal.

Charles Haldeman, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, said "After a thorough evaluation, KCG`s Board of Directors concluded that the proposal from Virtu provides compelling value for KCG`s stockholders. Further, the combination of Virtu and KCG will create a true industry leader with greater diversification and scale."

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is serving as the financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is providing legal advice to KCG.

Additionally, KCG reported consolidated earnings of $3.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2017. Consolidated earnings includes an income tax benefit of approximately $3.5 million associated with stock-based compensation awards. Included in the first quarter pre-tax loss of $0.4 million is a pre-tax gain of $4.8 million from the sale of all remaining shares of Bats Global Markets, Inc. ("Bats") owned by KCG.

Select Financial Results

($ in thousands, except EPS)

1Q17

4Q16

1Q16

Total Revenues

255,373

580,542

345,424

Trading revenues, net

154,307

143,355

223,938

Commissions and fees

93,589

102,516

106,101

Net Revenues(1)

148,862

147,461

249,972

Pre-tax (loss) earnings

(404)

309,872

59,965

EPS

0.05

2.47

0.41

  • See Exhibit 4 for a reconciliation of Total revenues to Net revenues. Net revenues is a non-GAAP measure the company uses to measure its performance as well as make certain strategic decisions.

First Quarter Highlights

  • KCG Market Making increased market share of retail SEC Rule 605 U.S. equity share volume 5.5 percent year over year

  • KCG BondPoint set a new quarterly record for average daily fixed income par value traded with a 38.5 percent rise year over year

  • During the quarter, KCG repurchased 0.9 million shares for $13.3 million under the stock repurchase program

Daniel Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of KCG, said, "The first quarter of 2017 was marked by historic low market volatility. Realized intraday volatility for the S&P 500 posted the lowest quarterly average in 55 years while U.S. equity market volumes and bid-ask spreads contracted from a year ago. Despite all of this, retail investors provided a pocket of strength in the U.S. equity and bond markets."

Market Making
The Market Making segment encompasses direct-to-client and non-client, exchange-based market making across multiple asset classes and is an active participant in all major cash, options and futures markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia. During the first quarter of 2017, the segment generated total revenues of $174.7 million and pre-tax income of $18.0 million.

In the first quarter of 2017, the U.S. equity market remained uncharacteristically calm. For the quarter, realized intraday volatility for the S&P 500 averaged 5.7 basis points, average daily consolidated U.S. equity dollar volume declined 11.7 percent year over year and the average weighted spread for Russell 3000 stocks tightened more than one full basis point from a year ago. Retail investors were the exception to the broader market. For the quarter, average daily gross SEC Rule 605 U.S. equity dollar volume rose 12.0 percent year over year, retail investors committed an estimated $59.5 billion in net inflows to U.S. equities and average daily over-the-counter (OTC) trades rose 54.4 percent from a year ago.

Mr. Coleman commented, "KCG market share gains among retail brokers helped offset the poor overall market conditions. For the quarter, KCG`s revenue capture per U.S. equity dollar value traded returned to more normal levels, despite the pressures from market volatility, volumes and spreads."

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $168.3 million and a pre-tax loss of $8.5 million.

In the first quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $258.9 million and pre-tax income of $75.5 million. Included in first quarter revenues was a $2.9 million gain from the sale of assets related to retail U.S. options market making.

Select Trade Statistics: U.S. Equity Market Making

1Q17

4Q16

1Q16

Average daily dollar volume traded ($ millions)

27,404

28,414

30,888

Average daily trades (thousands)

3,411

3,497

4,236

Average daily shares traded (millions)

10,082

6,472

4,816

NMS shares traded

986

1,000

1,109

OTC Bulletin Board and OTC Market shares traded

9,096

5,472

3,707

Average revenue capture per U.S. equity dollar value traded (bps)

0.94

0.83

1.13

Global Execution Services
The Global Execution Services segment comprises agency execution services and trading venues. During the first quarter of 2017, the segment generated total revenues of $70.8 million and pre-tax income of $2.0 million.

In the first quarter of 2017, the uncertain macroeconomic outlook muted institutional trading activity. The decline in consolidated U.S. equity share volume year over year included a decrease in U.S. ETF share volume of 20.7 percent and drop in aggregate dark pool U.S. equity share volume of approximately 25.5 percent. As in equities, retail investors were active in bonds. Average daily corporate and municipal bond transactions under 250 bonds rose 17.6 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively, year over year.

Mr. Coleman commented, "Institutional investors were measured given the array of concerns in the markets. Meanwhile, retail investors drove the record quarter for KCG BondPoint as volumes of corporate and municipals bonds in retail-size lots continued to build."

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $75.5 million and pre-tax income of $4.5 million.

In the first quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $76.4 million and pre-tax income of $6.3 million.

Select Trade Statistics: Agency Execution and Trading Venues

1Q17

4Q16

1Q16

Average daily KCG Institutional Equities U.S. equities shares traded (millions)

215.1

228.7

271.8

Average daily KCG BondPoint fixed income par value
traded ($ millions)

266.5

209.6

192.4

Corporate and Other
The Corporate and Other segment includes strategic investments and corporate overhead expenses. During the first quarter of 2017, the segment generated total revenues of $10.0 million and a pre-tax loss of $20.4 million. Included in first quarter revenues are pre-tax gains totaling $4.8 million from the sale of Bats shares.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $336.7 million and pre-tax income of $313.9 million. Included in fourth quarter revenues are pre-tax gains totaling $331.0 million from the sale of Bats shares.

In the first quarter of 2016, the segment generated total revenues of $10.1 million and a pre-tax loss of $21.8 million. Included in first quarter revenues are a $3.7 million gain from KCG`s repurchase of a portion of its 6.875 percent Senior Secured Notes and a $2.8 million net gain primarily related to a distribution from an investment.

Financial Condition
As of March 31, 2017, KCG had $669.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and total outstanding debt of $455.2 million. KCG had $1.35 billion in stockholders` equity, equivalent to a book value of $20.21 per share and tangible book value of $18.61 per share based on total shares outstanding of 66.7 million, including restricted stock units.

During the first quarter of 2017, KCG repurchased 0.9 million shares for approximately $13.3 million under the Company`s stock repurchase program.

KCG`s headcount was 923 full-time employees at March 31, 2017, compared to 952 at December 31, 2016.

Due to the announced merger with Virtu Financial, LLC, KCG will not host a conference call on the first quarter of 2017.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed Merger between KCG and Virtu ("Merger"). In connection with the Merger, KCG intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a proxy statement on Schedule 14A. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF KCG ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING KCG`S PROXY STATEMENT, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain copies of the documents, when filed, free of charge at the SEC`s website (http://www.sec.gov). Investors and stockholders may also obtain copies of documents filed by KCG with the SEC by contacting KCG at Investor Relations, KCG Holdings, Inc., 300 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10282, by email at jmairs@kcg.com, or by visiting KCG`s website (http://investors.kcg.com).

Participants in Solicitation
KCG and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of KCG Class A Common Stock in connection with the proposed Merger. Information about KCG`s directors and executive officers is available in KCG`s proxy statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed Merger when they become available. Investors and stockholders should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any investment or voting decisions.

About KCG
KCG is a leading independent securities firm offering investors a range of services designed to address trading needs across asset classes, product types and time zones. The firm combines advanced technology with specialized client service across market making, agency execution and venues and also engages in principal trading via exchange-based market making. KCG has multiple access points to trade global equities, fixed income, options, currencies and commodities via voice or automated execution. www.kcg.com

Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "target," "estimate," "continue," "positions," "prospects," or "potential," by future conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may," or by variations of such words or similar expressions. These "forward looking statements" are not historical facts and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about KCG`s industry, management`s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Any forward-looking statement contained herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict including, without limitation, risks associated with: (i) the inability to manage trading strategy performance and grow revenue and earnings; (ii) the receipt of additional payments from the sale of KCG Hotspot that are subject to certain contingencies; (iii) changes in market structure, legislative, regulatory or financial reporting rules, including the increased focus by Congress, federal and state regulators, self-regulatory organizations and the media on market structure issues, and in particular, the scrutiny of high frequency trading, best execution, internalization, alternative trading systems, market fragmentation, colocation, access to market data feeds, and remuneration arrangements such as payment for order flow and exchange fee structures; (iv) past or future changes to KCG`s organizational structure and management; (v) KCG`s ability to develop competitive new products and services in a timely manner and the acceptance of such products and services by KCG`s customers and potential customers; (vi) KCG`s ability to keep up with technological changes; (vii) KCG`s ability to effectively identify and manage market risk, operational and technology risk, cybersecurity risk, legal risk, liquidity risk, reputational risk, counterparty and credit risk, international risk, regulatory risk, and compliance risk; (viii) the cost and other effects of material contingencies, including litigation contingencies, and any adverse judicial, administrative or arbitral rulings or proceedings; (ix) the effects of increased competition and KCG`s ability to maintain and expand market share; (x) the migration of KCG`s Jersey City, NJ data center operations to other commercial data centers and colocations; (xi) the completion of the Merger in a timely manner or at all; (xii) obtaining required governmental approvals of the Merger on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; (xiii) KCG`s stockholders failing to approve the Merger; (xiv) the parties to the Merger Agreement failing to satisfy other conditions to the completion of the Merger, or failing to meet expectations regarding the timing and completion of the Merger; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (xv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Merger on KCG s business relationships, operating results, and business generally; (xvI) risks that the proposed Merger disrupts current operations of KCG and potential difficulties in KCG employee retention as a result of the Merger; risks related to diverting management`s attention from KCG s ongoing business operations; (xvii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against KCG related to the Merger Agreement or the Merger; and (xvIii) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the Merger. The list above is not exhaustive. Because forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the actual results and performance of KCG may materially differ from the results expressed or implied by such statements. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, KCG also disclaims any obligation to update its view of any such risks or uncertainties or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made herein. Readers should carefully review the risks and uncertainties disclosed in KCG`s reports with the SEC, including those detailed in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A and elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and in other reports or documents KCG files with, or furnishes to, the SEC from time to time.

CONTACTS

Sophie Sohn

Jonathan Mairs

Communications & Marketing

Investor Relations

312-931-2299

646-682-6403

media@kcg.com

investors@kcg.com


KCG HOLDINGS, INC.

Exhibit 1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

March 31, 2016

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenues

Trading revenues, net

$

154,307

$

143,355

$

223,938

Commissions and fees

93,589

102,516

106,101

Interest, net

821

563

117

Investment income and other, net

6,656

334,108

15,268

Total revenues

255,373

580,542

345,424

Expenses

Execution and clearance fees

72,795

75,941

73,634

Employee compensation and benefits

66,003

72,436

97,586

Communications and data processing

39,020

39,220

35,657

Depreciation and amortization

19,038

22,775

21,905

Payments for order flow

17,121

15,175

12,655

Collateralized financing interest

11,761

10,958

9,163

Debt interest expense

9,330

9,379

9,492

Occupancy and equipment rentals

6,760

9,781

8,990

Professional fees

4,544

4,330

6,057

Business development

1,208

1,252

1,119

Other

8,197

9,423

9,201

Total expenses

255,777

270,670

285,459

Income (loss) before income taxes

(404)

309,872

59,965

Income tax (benefit) expense

(3,616)

113,680

22,800

Net income

$

3,212

$

196,192

$

37,165

Basic earnings per share

$

0.05

$

2.51

$

0.42

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.05

$

2.47

$

0.41

Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share

66,306

78,089

88,458

Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share

67,642

79,358

89,605


KCG HOLDINGS, INC.

Exhibit 2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$

669,869

$

632,234

Cash and cash equivalents segregated under federal and other regulations

3,600

3,000

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

Equities

2,179,211

2,343,033

Debt securities

128,932

177,698

Listed options

12,299

19,100

Other financial instruments

-

30

Total financial instruments owned, at fair value

2,320,442

2,539,861

Collateralized agreements:

Securities borrowed

1,594,442

1,688,222

Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

820,901

832,785

Fixed assets and leasehold improvements, less

accumulated depreciation and amortization

159,595

151,645

Investments

24,716

30,979

Goodwill and Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

106,851

100,338

Deferred tax asset, net

109,877

109,861

Assets of businesses held for sale

-

8,194

Other assets

192,359

164,168

Total assets

$

6,002,652

$

6,261,287

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

Liabilities

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value:

Equities

$

1,694,374

$

1,821,957

Debt securities

177,168

211,222

Listed options

35,835

12,961

Other financial instruments

598

-

Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

1,907,975

2,046,140

Collateralized financings:

Securities loaned

459,533

372,631

Financial instruments sold under agreements to repurchase

952,584

1,027,775

Other collateralized financings

50,000

100,000

Total collateralized financings

1,462,117

1,500,406

Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

514,476

518,900

Payable to customers

52,315

23,580

Accrued compensation expense

36,695

132,406

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

163,343

156,828

Income taxes payable

63,236

71,391

Debt

455,183

454,353

Total liabilities

4,655,340

4,904,004

Equity

Class A Common Stock

918

903

Additional paid-in capital

1,457,412

1,439,412

Retained earnings

195,276

192,064

Treasury stock, at cost

(306,192)

(277,343)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(102)

2,247

Total equity

1,347,312

1,357,283

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,002,652

$

6,261,287


KCG HOLDINGS, INC.

Exhibit 3

PRE-TAX EARNINGS (LOSS) BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

March 31, 2016

Market Making

Revenues

$

174,656

$

168,323

$

258,918

Expenses

156,633

176,814

183,429

Pre-tax earnings (loss)

18,023

(8,491)

75,489

Global Execution Services

Revenues

70,756

75,510

76,394

Expenses

68,762

71,009

70,133

Pre-tax earnings

1,994

4,501

6,261

Corporate and Other

Revenues

9,961

336,709

10,112

Expenses

30,382

22,847

31,897

Pre-tax (loss) earnings

(20,421)

313,862

(21,785)

Consolidated

Revenues

255,373

580,542

345,424

Expenses

255,777

270,670

285,459

Pre-tax (loss) earnings

$

(404)

$

309,872

$

59,965


KCG HOLDINGS, INC.

Exhibit 4

RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL REVENUES TO NET REVENUES

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended

March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

March 31, 2016

Total revenues per Consolidated Statements of Operations

$

255,373

$

580,542

$

345,424

Less:

Execution and clearance fees

72,795

75,941

73,634

Payments for order flow

17,121

15,175

12,655

Collateralized financing interest

11,761

10,958

9,163

Gain from the sale of a portion of the Company`s investment in Bats

4,834

331,007

-

Net revenues

$

148,862

$

147,461

$

249,972




This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: KCG Holdings, Inc. via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2097013

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