Cboe Global's (CBOE) Q3 Earnings And Revenues Beat Estimates

Cboe Global Markets (NYSE:CBOE) third-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of $1.29 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.2%. Moreover, the bottom line increased 22% year over year on higher trading volumes.

Operational Details

Total revenues came in at $294 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.4%. Moreover, the top line increased 9% driven by higher trading volume in proprietary products, including SPX options, VIX options and futures, as well as growth in market data revenues.

Options revenues increased 10% driven by higher revenues from net transaction fees. Total options average daily volume (ADV) increased 15% while revenue per contract (RPC) declined 3%.

Revenues of U.S. Equities increased 6% on higher market data revenues from the industry tape plan, which included audit recoveries of $4.3 million. Futures revenues increased 28% driven by higher net transaction fees.

However, European Equities revenues declined 7%, reflecting a decline in net transaction fees, partially offset by a slight increase in non-transaction revenues.

Global FX revenues declined 4% due to lower net transaction fees.

Total adjusted operating expenses decreased 3% year over year to $96.5 million. The decline was attributable to a decrease in compensation and benefits as a result of lower incentive-based compensation.

Adjusted operating margin in the quarter under review was 67.2%, up 380 basis points (bps), reflecting higher net revenues and lower expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA margin of 70.9% expanded 380 bps.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Financial Update

As of Sep 30, 2019, CBOE Global had cash and cash equivalents of $150 million, down 45.5% from the figure at 2018 end. Total assets were $5.1 billion in the third quarter, down 5.7% from the level at 2018 end.

At the end of the third quarter, long-term debt was $867.1 million, down 5.3% year over year. The company deployed $50 million to pay a term loan, lowering the leverage ratio to 1.1 as of Sep 30 from 1.2 as of Jun 30, 2019.

Total shareholders’ equity was $3.3 billion at the end of the reported quarter, up 2.7% from the value on Dec 31, 2018.

Share Repurchase and Dividend Update

The company paid out cash dividends worth $40.4 million or 36 cents per share in the third quarter.

The company also bought back 0.5 million shares for $52.4 million. On Oct 30, 2019, the board of directors increased its share repurchase authorization by $250 million.

2019 Guidance

Adjusted operating expenses are now expected between $390 and $395 million, down from the previous estimate of $405-$413 million.

Capital expenditures are now projected in the $35-$40 million band, down from the prior band of $50 to $55 million, indicating a shift in the timing of expenditures associated with the company's Chicago headquarters relocation.

Depreciation and amortization expense is reiterated between $35 and $40 million.

The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings for 2019 is expected between 25.5% and 27.5%, down from the previous range of 27% to 29%.

Zacks Rank

Cboe Global currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Securities and Exchanges

Third-quarter earnings of Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ) , MarketAxess Holdings (NASDAQ:MKTX) and CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.

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