EX-99.1 2 d359346dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

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. (NYSE: KCG) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for Virtu Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: 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  

 

(1) 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