EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED 10/22/2003 Press Release dated 10/22/2003

Exhibit 99.1

 

KNIGHT TRADING GROUP REPORTS $0.20 GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE

FOR THIRD QUARTER 2003

 

Third Quarter 2003 Total Revenues of $182.3 Million Highest Since First Quarter 2001

 

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (October 22, 2003) – Knight Trading Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NITE) today reported GAAP net income of $23.6 million for the third quarter of 2003, or $0.20 per diluted share. For the third quarter of 2002, the company reported a GAAP net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.03 loss per diluted share.

 

Revenues for the third quarter of 2003 were $182.3 million, compared to $119.5 million for the third quarter of 2002. During the third quarter of 2003, the company’s cash equity and options market-making activities generated net trading revenue and interest of $112.6 million and $34.4 million, respectively, versus $69.3 million and $30.0 million during the third quarter of 2002.

 

 

     Q3 2003

   Q3 2002

 

Revenues ($)

   182,304,850    119,474,654  

Income/(loss) from continuing operations ($)

   23,602,552    (1,959,053 )

Loss from discontinued operations ($)

   0    (1,471,613 )

Net income/(loss) ($)

   23,602,552    (3,430,666 )

Diluted EPS ($)

   0.20    (0.03 )

U.S. equity trades executed

   47,649,565    31,108,203  

Average daily U.S. equity trades

   744,524    486,066  

U.S. equity shares traded *

   118,946,863,128    51,528,587,423  

U.S. options contracts traded

   17,117,045    13,464,822  

*   Includes 83.0 billion and 27.6 billion of OTC Bulletin Board and Pink Sheet shares for the third quarter of 2003 and third quarter of 2002, respectively

 

     YTD 2003

    YTD 2002

 

Revenues ($)

   467,980,730     381,422,989  

Income/(loss) from continuing operations ($)

   30,682,493     (34,849,526 )

Loss from discontinued operations ($)

   (2,124,297 )   (4,803,612 )

Net income/(loss) ($)

   28,558,196     (39,653,138 )

Diluted EPS ($)

   0.25     (0.33 )

U.S. equity trades executed

   128,739,173     89,045,740  

Average daily U.S. equity trades

   684,783     473,648  

U.S. equity shares traded *

   269,444,767,958     138,815,221,168  

U.S. options contracts traded

   46,008,772     36,948,149  

*   Includes 170.1 billion and 73.6 billion of OTC Bulletin Board and Pink Sheet shares for the year-to-date 2003 and year-to-date 2002, respectively.

 


“Knight just reported its best quarterly earnings in more than two years, coming in well above expectations during what are typically the slowest three months of the year for our industry,” said Thomas M. Joyce, Chief Executive Officer and President of Knight Trading Group. “Each of Knight’s businesses operated on a profitable basis for the second consecutive quarter. Higher volume, intra-day volatility and increases in dollar value traded during the quarter made for a positive trading environment for Knight as well as attracted more investors to the market. Finally, Knight made further progress adding new clients while garnering more business from its current roster.”

 

Domestic Businesses

 

The company’s domestic businesses earned net income of $23.4 million, led by a strong performance in the cash equity market-making business. For the third quarter of 2002, the net loss from all domestic businesses was $1.0 million.

 

“Knight continues to introduce fundamental change to our business – for instance, our recent agreement to purchase Donaldson & Co., a leading soft dollar and commission recapture firm,” Mr. Joyce said. “These programs are an integral part of the investment process, and we believe the addition to Knight’s institutional offering is an extension of the company’s strategy to focus all efforts around client needs. Knight always seeks growth opportunities through appropriate investments in new products and services, like soft dollar programs, and in the select hiring of key personnel. To offset the short-term rise in expenses resulting from these initiatives, Knight will continue its internal efforts to drive efficiencies across all businesses.”

 

The company’s Asset Management business segment generated $13.0 million in asset management fees during the third quarter of 2003, up from $6.1 million in the same period a year ago, reflecting better returns. The asset management business had approximately $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion of assets under management at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In addition, the company earned $5.3 million during the third quarter of 2003 on its investment in the Deephaven funds.

 

The company had 870 employees in the U.S. at the end of the third quarter, down from 967 at the end of 2002 and down from 945 at the end of September 2002.

 

International Businesses

 

For the third quarter of 2003 (and for the second consecutive quarter), continuing international operations were slightly profitable. For the third quarter of 2002, the net loss from continuing international operations was $2.4 million.

 

As of September 30, 2003, Knight had 40 employees in Europe. The company had 63 employees in all international operations at the end of 2002, compared to 89 international employees at the end of September 2002.

 

“While we have two consecutive solid quarters under our belt, Knight has yet to pass the test under unfavorable market conditions,” Mr. Joyce said. “Recent questions around the broad market infrastructure and oversight could make for a potentially choppy trading environment in the fourth quarter. And, while recent economic indicators have been positive, there remains a possibility for investors to become unsettled again in this atmosphere of change. With directionality for the coming months unclear, Knight continues its search to uncover maximum trade efficiency across the breadth and depth of the marketplace – a necessity for both Knight and for our clients, who themselves face challenge and opportunity in the wake of the revived market structure debate.”

 

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Liquidity and Stock Repurchase Plan

 

The company had $765.4 million in stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2003, equivalent to a book value of $6.74 per share. As of September 30, 2003, the company had $276.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and a $192.1 million investment in funds managed by its Deephaven subsidiary.

 

At its May 12, 2003 meeting, the Board of Directors authorized an additional increase in the size of the repurchase program from $70 million to $95 million. During the third quarter of 2003, the company repurchased 522,900 shares for $5.1 million. To date, the company has repurchased 14,290,200 shares for $74.3 million under the $95 million stock repurchase program. The company cautions that there are no assurances that any further repurchases may actually occur.

 

Knight Trading Group had approximately 113.6 million shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2003.

 

Knight is focused on meeting the needs of institutional and broker-dealer clients by providing comprehensive trade execution services in cash equities and options. A leading execution specialist, Knight offers capital commitment and access to a deep pool of liquidity across the depth and breadth of the market as it strives to provide superior client service. Knight also maintains a $1.4 billion asset management business for institutions and high net worth individuals. More information about Knight can be obtained at www.knighttradinggroup.com.

 

Copies of this earnings release and other information on the company can be obtained via the Internet at the company’s Web site, or by calling the company’s toll-free investor information line at 1-877-INFO-NITE. The company will conduct its third quarter earnings conference call for analysts, investors and the media at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) today, October 22, 2003. The conference call will be Webcast live at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) for all investors and interested parties on Knight’s Web site. In addition, the company will release its volume statistics for September 2003 before the start of trading today on Knight’s Web site.

 

On Monday, November 10, 2003, Knight will provide a live Webcast of its semi-annual Meeting for Analysts and Institutional Investors. Interested parties can access this event through the company’s Web site at www.knighttradinggroup.com.

 

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. 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. Since such statements involve risks and uncertainties, the actual results and performance of the Company may turn out to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company 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; however, readers should carefully review reports or documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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CONTACTS

   Margaret Wyrwas    Judy Pirro
     Senior Managing Director,    Vice President,
     Corporate Communications & Investor Relations    Investor & Shareholder Relations
     201-557-6954 or mwyrwas@knighttrading.com    201-356-1548 or jpirro@knighttrading.com
     Kara Fitzsimmons    Catherine Smith
     Vice President,    Assistant Vice President,
     Corporate Communications    Marketing Communications & Public Relations
     201-356-1523 or kfitzsimmons@knighttrading.com    201-557-6992 or csmith@knighttrading.com

 

 

[Financial Tables Follow]


KNIGHT TRADING GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS*

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,


    For the nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2003

   2002

    2003

    2002

 

REVENUES

                               

Net trading revenue

   $ 146,915,058    $ 97,997,221     $ 367,293,163     $ 318,785,648  

Commissions and fees

     14,016,884      9,943,424       40,333,357       31,326,429  

Asset management fees

     12,994,069      6,053,433       36,985,896       20,121,346  

Interest and dividends, net

     341,099      1,654,131       3,348,331       4,258,566  

Investment income and other

     8,037,740      3,826,445       20,019,983       6,931,000  
    

  


 


 


Total revenues

     182,304,850      119,474,654       467,980,730       381,422,989  

EXPENSES

                               

Employee compensation and benefits

     71,799,982      47,450,339       187,258,566       161,988,907  

Execution and clearance fees

     30,982,099      30,017,218       90,844,269       87,485,368  

Payments for order flow

     14,528,628      14,514,242       38,942,727       50,557,586  

Communications and data processing

     7,280,108      8,062,490       24,017,404       27,637,469  

Depreciation and amortization

     6,656,126      8,772,363       22,166,923       27,429,628  

Occupancy and equipment rentals

     4,448,483      5,249,974       13,786,410       18,711,117  

Professional fees

     1,849,530      3,574,148       9,424,937       13,393,664  

Business development

     1,456,253      1,305,262       5,286,906       5,642,972  

International charges

     —        —         —         28,395,515  

Writedown of assets and lease loss accrual

     —        1,395,834       17,412,066       10,456,782  

Other

     3,548,136      2,897,956       8,259,027       9,493,893  
    

  


 


 


Total expenses

     142,549,345      123,239,826       417,399,235       441,192,901  

Income/(loss) before income taxes, minority interest and discontinued operations

     39,755,505      (3,765,172 )     50,581,495       (59,769,912  

Income tax expense/(benefit)

     16,152,953      (1,806,119 )     19,899,002       (19,819,889 )
    

  


 


 


Income/(loss) before minority interest and discontinued operations

     23,602,552      (1,959,053 )     30,682,493       (39,950,023  

Minority interest in losses of consolidated subsidiaries

     —        —         —         (5,100,497  
    

  


 


 


Net income/(loss) from continuing operations

     23,602,552      (1,959,053 )     30,682,493       (34,849,526 )
    

  


 


 


Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —        (1,471,613 )     (2,124,297 )     (4,803,612 )
    

  


 


 


Net income/(loss)

   $ 23,602,552    $ (3,430,666 )   $ 28,558,196     $ (39,653,138 )
    

  


 


 


Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.20    $ (0.02 )   $ 0.26     $ (0.29 )
    

  


 


 


Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

   $ —      $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.04 )
    

  


 


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.20    $ (0.03 )   $ 0.25     $ (0.33 )
    

  


 


 


Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share

     117,698,712      118,316,798       115,984,945       121,658,913  
    

  


 


 



*   Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 


KNIGHT TRADING GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

     September 30,
2003


    December 31,
2002


 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 276,458,391     $ 316,722,259  

Securities owned, held at clearing brokers, at market value

     2,796,635,375       1,984,500,084  

Receivable from brokers and dealers

     159,380,870       480,203,140  

Investment in Deephaven sponsored funds

     192,141,442       153,790,799  

Fixed assets and leasehold improvements at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     40,556,322       58,066,695  

Strategic investments

     20,090,332       24,715,110  

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

     32,840,505       34,852,535  

Goodwill

     17,536,945       17,536,945  

Other assets

     72,512,465       101,488,739  
    


 


Total assets

     3,608,152,647       3,171,876,306  
    


 


LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Liabilities

                

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value

     2,633,328,385       2,254,900,355  

Payable to brokers and dealers

     70,512,300       35,271,654  

Accrued compensation expense

     83,069,010       60,525,247  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     55,881,108       52,753,720  
    


 


Total liabilities

     2,842,790,803       2,403,450,976  

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

     —         12,009,561  

Stockholders’ equity

                

Class A common shares

     1,266,026       1,247,053  

Additional paid-in-capital

     354,039,925       340,211,426  

Retained earnings

     489,089,850       460,541,000  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (67,670,368 )     (35,423,292 )

Unamortized stock-based compensation

     (11,363,589 )     (6,791,533 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)—foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

     —         (3,368,885  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     765,361,844       756,415,769  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

     3,608,152,647       3,171,876,306  
    


 


 

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