Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-34774
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
20-5446972
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
433 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois
60607
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(312) 786-5600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
CBOE
CboeBZX
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated filer
Accelerated Filer
◻
Non-accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Class
April 22, 2022
106,188,570 shares
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
7
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income—Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
8
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
9
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity—Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
10
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
11
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
12
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
41
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
66
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
69
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
70
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
71
Defaults upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
72
Item 6.
Exhibits
73
SIGNATURES
74
2
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Throughout this document, unless otherwise specified or the context so requires:
3
TRADEMARK AND OTHER INFORMATION
Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, Bats®, BIDS Trading®, BYX®, BZX®, Cboe Volatility Index®, CFE®, EDGA®, EDGX®, EuroCCP®, Hybrid®, LiveVol®, MATCHNow®, Options Institute®, Silexx®, VIX® and XSP® are registered trademarks, and Cboe Futures ExchangeSM, Cboe BIDS EuropeSM, C2SM, f(t)optionsSM, HanweckSM, NANOSM, Nanos by CboeSM, and Trade AlertSM are service marks of Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Standard & Poor's®, S&P®, S&P 100®, S&P 500® and SPX® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and have been licensed for use by Cboe Exchange, Inc. Dow Jones®, Dow Jones Industrial Average®, DJIA® and Dow Jones Indices are registered trademarks or service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, used under license. Russell® and the Russell index names are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company, used under license. FTSE® and the FTSE indices are trademarks and service marks of FTSE International Limited, used under license. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
MSCI and the MSCI index names are service marks of MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”) or its affiliates and have been licensed for use by us. Any derivative indices and any financial products based on the derivative indices (“MCSI-Based Products”) are not sponsored, guaranteed or endorsed by MSCI, its affiliates or any other party involved in, or related to, making or compiling such MSCI index. Neither MSCI, its affiliates nor any other party involved in, or related to, making or compiling any MSCI index makes any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such MSCI-Based Products; makes any warranty, express or implied; or bears any liability as to the results to be obtained by any person or any entity from the use of any such MSCI index or any data included therein. No purchaser, seller or holder of any MSCI-Based Product, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote any security without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes market share and industry data that we obtained from industry publications and surveys, reports of governmental agencies and internal company surveys. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we cannot assure you that this information is accurate or complete. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Statements as to our market position are based on the most currently available market data. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors. We refer you to the “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC.
4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report and our other filings with the SEC.
While we believe we have identified material risks, these risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:
5
For a detailed discussion of these and other factors that might affect our performance, see Part II, Item 1A of this Report. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing.
6
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in millions, except par value data and share amounts)
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
659.4
341.9
Financial investments
48.7
37.1
Accounts receivable, net of $0.9 allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2022 and $1.0 at December 31, 2021
380.3
326.9
Margin deposits and clearing funds
1,810.3
745.9
Income taxes receivable
—
42.7
Other current assets
36.5
36.8
Total current assets
2,935.2
1,531.3
Investments
244.5
245.8
Land
2.3
Property and equipment, net
106.7
105.2
Operating lease right of use assets
122.5
110.1
Goodwill
3,018.1
3,025.4
Intangible assets, net
1,628.6
1,668.6
Other assets, net
140.2
125.8
Total assets
8,198.1
6,814.5
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
387.1
295.4
Section 31 fees payable
36.2
40.8
Deferred revenue
26.4
15.2
Income taxes payable
32.5
8.2
Current portion of contingent consideration liabilities
48.6
63.8
Total current liabilities
2,341.1
1,169.3
Long-term debt
1,593.6
1,299.3
Unrecognized tax benefits
163.0
197.9
Deferred income taxes
352.4
372.7
Non-current operating lease liabilities
141.3
129.2
Contingent consideration liabilities
4.7
6.7
Other non-current liabilities
34.7
34.6
Total liabilities
4,630.8
3,209.7
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 325,000,000 shares authorized, 108,369,053 and 106,188,570 shares issued and outstanding, respectively at March 31, 2022 and 108,159,319 and 106,646,498 shares issued and outstanding, respectively at December 31, 2021
1.1
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 2,180,483 shares at March 31, 2022 and 1,512,821 shares at December 31, 2021
(185.2)
(106.8)
Additional paid-in capital
1,518.6
1,509.4
Retained earnings
2,203.7
2,145.5
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
29.1
55.6
Total stockholders’ equity
3,567.3
3,604.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Revenues:
Cash and spot markets
461.9
548.9
Data and access solutions
118.9
100.6
Derivatives markets
393.7
361.3
Total revenues
974.5
1,010.8
Cost of revenues:
Liquidity payments
467.5
501.8
Routing and clearing
22.3
27.1
Section 31 fees
35.7
91.9
Royalty fees and other cost of revenues
30.9
24.5
Total cost of revenues
556.4
645.3
Revenues less cost of revenues
418.1
365.5
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits
81.2
72.3
Depreciation and amortization
40.9
42.0
Technology support services
19.2
17.2
Professional fees and outside services
19.7
15.6
Travel and promotional expenses
2.9
1.6
Facilities costs
6.5
5.3
Acquisition-related costs
2.0
3.4
Other expenses
6.0
3.5
Total operating expenses
178.4
160.9
Operating income
239.7
204.6
Non-operating (expenses) income:
Interest expense, net
(10.8)
(12.3)
Other (expense) income, net
(4.0)
0.6
Income before income tax provision
224.9
192.9
Income tax provision
115.3
55.7
Net income
109.6
137.2
Net income allocated to participating securities
(0.4)
Net income allocated to common stockholders
109.2
136.8
Basic earnings per share
1.02
1.27
Diluted earnings per share
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
106.6
107.3
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
106.8
107.4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(26.5)
4.8
Comprehensive income
83.1
142.0
Comprehensive income allocated to participating securities
Comprehensive income allocated to common stockholders, net of income tax
82.7
141.6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Accumulated
Additional
other
Total
Preferred
Common
Treasury
paid-in
Retained
comprehensive
stockholders’
Stock
capital
earnings
income, net
equity
Balance at December 31, 2021
Cash dividends on common stock of $0.48 per share
(51.4)
Stock-based compensation
9.1
Repurchases of common stock from employee stock plans
(8.4)
Purchase of common stock
(70.0)
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan
0.1
Other comprehensive loss
Balance at March 31, 2022
Balance at December 31, 2020
1.2
(1,250.4)
2,713.3
1,809.8
75.0
3,348.9
Cash dividends on common stock of $0.42 per share
(45.3)
11.7
11.8
(5.7)
(47.6)
Other comprehensive income
Balance at March 31, 2021
1.3
(1,303.7)
2,725.1
1,901.7
79.8
3,404.2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of debt issuance cost and debt discount
0.5
0.7
Provision for accounts receivable credit losses
0.2
Provision for deferred income taxes
(17.8)
(5.8)
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
Impairment charge of investment
Equity loss in investments
3.1
0.4
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(56.2)
(37.6)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (margin deposits and clearing funds)
1,064.4
447.9
53.1
0.3
(12.8)
Other assets
(15.7)
(6.1)
2.8
(2.5)
(4.6)
(60.6)
11.2
11.0
56.0
9.5
Other liabilities
(11.3)
7.1
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,259.8
599.1
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale financial investments
(20.8)
(71.0)
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale financial investments
8.6
67.6
Contributions to investments
(1.9)
Purchases of property and equipment and leasehold improvements
(9.9)
Net cash used in investing activities
(24.9)
(13.3)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
298.6
Principal payments of current portion of long-term debt
(20.0)
Debt issuance costs
(4.8)
Cash dividends on common stock
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition
(17.4)
(0.8)
(0.1)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
146.5
(119.5)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents
(0.5)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents
1,382.1
465.8
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period
1,092.2
1,057.5
End of period
2,474.3
1,523.3
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents:
263.3
1,260.0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (included in other current assets)
4.6
Supplemental disclosure of cash transactions:
Cash paid for income taxes
10.3
Cash paid for interest
8.8
13.8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (“Cboe” or “the Company”), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The Company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, and to providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Cboe’s subsidiaries include the largest options exchange and the third largest stock exchange operator in the U.S. In addition, the Company operates one of the largest stock exchanges by value traded in Europe, and owns EuroCCP, a leading pan-European equities and derivatives clearinghouse, BIDS Trading, a leading block-trading ATS by volume in the U.S., MATCHNow, a leading equities ATS in Canada, Cboe Australia, an operator of trading venues in Australia, and Cboe Japan, an operator of trading venues in Japan. Cboe also is a leading market globally for exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) listings and trading.
The Company is headquartered in Chicago with offices in Amsterdam, Belfast, Calgary, Hong Kong, Kansas City, London, Manila, New York, San Francisco, Sarasota Springs, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.
Basis of Presentation
These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP as established by FASB for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates based upon historical experience, observance of trends, information available from outside sources and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions or assumptions.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2022, the Company updated the financial statement captions within its condensed consolidated statements of income for both periods presented to better reflect the Company’s diversified products, expansive geographical reach, and overall business strategy. Below is a summary of the changes to the financial statement captions. The changes do not have a financial impact on the Company’s reported revenue, revenues less cost of revenues, reported net income, or cash flows from operations.
Revenues
Cost of Revenues
Segment Information
The Company has five business segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, and Global FX, which is reflective of how the Company’s chief operating decision-maker reviews and operates the business. See Note 14 (“Segment Reporting”) for more information.
Update to Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted
There were no recent applicable material accounting pronouncements that have been adopted as of March 31, 2022.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Issued, not yet Adopted
There were no applicable material accounting pronouncements that have been issued, but not yet adopted as of March 31, 2022.
2. REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company’s main types of revenue contracts consist of the following, which are disaggregated from the condensed consolidated statements of income.
13
All revenue recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers, with the exception of interest income from clearing operations. The following table depicts the disaggregated revenue contract types listed above within each respective financial statement caption in the condensed consolidated statements of income (in millions):
Cash
Data and
and Spot
Access
Derivatives
Markets
Solutions
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Transaction and clearing fees
395.5
374.1
769.6
Access and capacity fees
77.9
Market data fees
22.9
39.6
70.7
Regulatory fees
31.9
10.7
42.6
Other revenue
11.6
1.4
13.7
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
428.9
334.3
763.2
66.4
26.9
29.7
7.2
82.4
19.1
101.5
4.5
15.9
14
The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to segment (in millions):
North
Europe
Corporate
American
and Asia
Global
Items and
Options
Equities
Pacific
Futures
FX
Eliminations
348.3
330.8
50.1
25.8
14.6
35.8
26.0
9.3
25.9
34.2
8.3
1.9
0.8
10.9
422.6
423.7
78.6
32.3
17.3
Timing of revenue recognition
Services transferred at a point in time
360.9
363.5
61.0
14.7
825.9
Services transferred over time
61.7
60.2
17.6
2.6
148.6
308.7
381.8
25.6
12.4
29.4
23.4
4.4
2.1
20.5
37.5
4.0
0.9
10.0
382.4
526.0
55.8
31.6
332.5
465.1
44.7
880.6
49.9
60.9
11.1
130.2
Contract liabilities as of March 31, 2022 primarily represent prepayments of transaction fees and certain access and capacity and market data fees to the Exchanges. The revenue recognized from contract liabilities and the remaining balance is shown below (in millions):
Balance atDecember 31,2021
CashAdditions
RevenueRecognized
Balance atMarch 31,2022
Liquidity provider sliding scale (1)
(1.8)
5.4
Other, net
15.3
(3.5)
21.1
Total deferred revenue
16.5
(5.3)
26.5
3. ACQUISITIONS
On July 1, 2021, the Company purchased Chi-X Holdings Limited, which was subsequently rebranded to Cboe Asia Pacific. Cboe Asia Pacific is a holding company of alternative market operators and providers of market solutions, which is included in the Company’s Europe and Asia Pacific segment. The acquisition of Cboe Asia Pacific provided the Company with a single point of entry into two key capital markets, Australia and Japan, to help enable it to expand its global equities and market data business into Asia Pacific, bring other products and services to the region, and further expand access to its proprietary product suite in the region. Of the acquisition’s purchase price, $133.6 million was allocated to goodwill, $73.8 million was allocated to intangible assets, $25.7 million was allocated to working capital, and $49.6 million in contingent consideration, which is earned based on developmental milestones of the acquired business. These amounts represent the allocation of the purchase price and are subject to revision during the remainder of the measurement period, a period not to exceed twelve months from the acquisition date. See below for further discussion of intangible assets acquired.
15
The following table presents the details of intangible assets at the date of acquisition (in millions, except as stated). All acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method.
CboeAsia Pacific
Useful Life (Years)
Trading registrations and licenses
6.2
Indefinite
Customer relationships
60.1
30
Technology
7.5
Total identifiable intangible assets
73.8
Acquisition-related costs relate to acquisitions and other strategic opportunities. The Company expensed $2.0 million of acquisition-related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2022, all of which related to professional fees and other expenses. The Company expensed $3.4 million of acquisition-related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021, which included $2.8 million of professional fees and other expenses and $0.6 million of impairment charges related to investments. These acquisition-related expenses are included in acquisition-related costs in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
4. INVESTMENTS
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s investments were comprised of the following (in millions):
Equity method investments:
Investment in 7Ridge Investments 3 LP
208.2
209.5
Total equity method investments
Other equity investments:
Investment in Eris Exchange Holdings, LLC
20.0
Investment in American Financial Exchange, LLC
10.6
Investment in Cboe Vest Financial Group, Inc.
Investment in Eris Digital Holdings, LLC
Investment in OCC
Other equity investments
Total other equity investments
36.3
Total investments
Equity Method Investments
The Company’s investment in 7Ridge Investments 3 LP (“7Ridge Fund”), accounted for under the equity method of accounting, represents a nonconsolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company has determined that consolidation of the VIE is not required as the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the 7Ridge Fund, as it does not have controlling financial interest and lacks the ability to unilaterally remove the general partner, 7Ridge Investments 3 GP Limited, direct material strategic decisions, or dissolve the entity (i.e., the Company does not have unilateral substantive “kick-out” or “liquidation” rights).
The Company’s interest in the 7Ridge Fund is equal to the carrying value of the investment as of March 31, 2022, or $208.2 million, which includes periodic capital contributions to the 7Ridge Fund, as well as the Company’s share of 7Ridge Fund’s profit or loss, including gains or losses arising from the fair value measurement of the investment(s) held by the 7Ridge Fund, booked against the investment account. The carrying value of the investment is included in investments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s maximum loss exposure, in the unlikely event that all of the VIE’s assets become worthless, is limited to the carrying value of Company’s investment.
Other Equity Investments
The carrying value of other equity investments is included in investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company accounts for these investments using the measurement alternative given the absence of readily
16
determinable fair values for the respective investments and due to the Company’s inability to exercise significant influence over the investments based upon the respective ownership interests held. As of March 31, 2022, other equity investments primarily reflect a 20% investment in OCC and minority investments in Eris Exchange Holdings, LLC, American Financial Exchange, LLC, and Cboe Vest Financial Group, Inc.
As announced on October 20, 2021, the Company plans to acquire the remaining interest in Eris Digital Holdings, LLC. However, Eris Exchange Holdings, LLC is not a part of this transaction and the Company retains its minority equity ownership interest in Eris Exchange Holdings, LLC. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. As a result, the timing of the closing is uncertain, but the Company presently anticipates a closing in the second quarter of 2022. See Item 2 (“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”) for more information.
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Construction in progress
17.7
Building
68.8
Furniture and equipment
261.4
256.5
Total property and equipment
347.9
342.6
Less accumulated depreciation
(241.2)
(237.4)
Total property and equipment, net
Depreciation expense using the straight-line method was $8.6 million and $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As a result of the Merger, there was a reduction in employee workspace needed in Chicago, which led to the decision to market for sale the former headquarters location. The Company classified the associated land, building, and certain furniture and equipment of the former headquarters location as held for sale, performed an impairment assessment, and ceased depreciation effective May 1, 2019, as the Company anticipated selling the property held for sale in less than twelve months. As of March 31, 2022, the former headquarters location remains on the market for sale and management’s intent to sell the property is unchanged. However, due to the time elapsed since active marketing for sale of the building commenced, the Company has reclassified the property to held and used, effective May 1, 2021, and the building was once again subject to depreciation. The total value of the property classified as property held and used was $11.2 million, which includes $2.3 million of land and $8.9 million of property and equipment, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2022.
6. CREDIT LOSSES
Current expected credit losses are estimated for accounts receivable and certain notes receivable. The notes receivable included within other assets, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets primarily relate to the consolidated audit trail (“CAT”), which involves the creation of an audit trail that strives to enhance regulators’ ability to monitor trading activity in the U.S. markets through a phased implementation. The funding of the CAT is ultimately expected to be provided by both self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) (which includes the Exchanges) and industry members; however, the funding to date has solely been provided by the SROs in exchange for promissory notes, which are expected to be repaid once fee filings and plan amendments associated with a funding model are approved by the SEC and such industry member fees are collected. Until those fees are collected, the SROs may continue to incur additional significant costs, including additional promissory notes to fund CAT operations. The allowance for notes receivable credit losses associated with the CAT is calculated using a probability of default methodology that is primarily based on various potential outcomes of the funding model proposals being discussed with the SEC. Accounts receivable represent amounts due from the Company’s member firms. The allowance for accounts receivable credit losses is calculated using an aging schedule.
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The following represents the changes in allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in millions):
Current period provision for expected credit losses
Write-offs charged against the allowance
Recoveries collected
Allowance for notes receivable credit losses
30.1
Allowance for accounts receivable credit losses
1.0
(0.3)
Total allowance for credit losses
31.1
31.0
7. OTHER ASSETS, NET
Other assets, net consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Software development work in progress
3.7
5.6
Data processing software
106.3
103.8
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(72.8)
(70.9)
Data processing software, net
37.2
38.5
Other assets (1)
103.0
87.3
Total other assets, net
Amortization expense related to data processing software was $1.7 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
The following table presents the details of goodwill by segment (in millions):
North American
Europe and
Asia Pacific
Global FX
Balance as of December 31, 2021
305.8
1,876.9
575.5
267.2
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
(7.9)
(7.3)
Balance as of March 31, 2022
1,877.5
567.6
Goodwill has been allocated to specific reporting units for purposes of impairment testing - Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, and Global FX. No goodwill has been allocated to Futures. Goodwill impairment testing is performed annually in the fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently if conditions exist that indicate that the asset may be impaired.
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The following table presents the details of the intangible assets (in millions):
159.1
991.4
426.4
91.7
Amortization
(3.4)
(15.2)
(6.9)
(5.1)
(30.6)
(9.4)
155.7
976.7
409.6
86.6
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, amortization expense was $30.6 million and $32.9 million, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense is $85.2 million for the remainder of 2022, $102.5 million for 2023, $79.1 million for 2024, $68.6 million for 2025, and $61.2 million for 2026.
The following tables present the categories of intangible assets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions, except as stated):
March 31, 2022
Weighted
Average
Period (in years)
95.5
592.4
215.3
46.6
378.6
227.1
140.0
Market data customer relationships
53.6
322.0
63.4
64.4
28.1
41.1
34.8
22.5
Trademarks and tradenames
12.8
7.8
2.5
Accumulated amortization
(80.9)
(365.2)
(133.5)
(141.5)
December 31, 2021
592.0
221.1
378.3
232.3
65.2
35.6
12.9
(77.6)
(349.8)
(130.3)
(136.4)
9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Compensation and benefit-related liabilities
27.7
68.6
Royalties
25.4
23.0
Current unrecognized tax benefits
90.9
Accrued liabilities
73.9
73.3
Rebates payable
132.0
95.3
Marketing fee payable
16.0
15.7
Accounts payable
21.2
19.5
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities
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10. DEBT
The Company’s debt consisted of the following as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Term Loan Agreement due December 2023, floating rate
159.5
$300 million fixed rate Senior Notes due March 2032, stated rate of 3.000%
295.8
$500 million fixed rate Senior Notes due December 2030, stated rate of 1.625%
493.5
493.3
$650 million fixed rate Senior Notes due January 2027, stated rate of 3.650%
646.7
646.5
Revolving Credit Agreement (1)
EuroCCP Credit Facility
Total debt
(1)
As of March 31, 2022 there was no balance drawn from the Revolving Credit Facility. The above represents the debt issuance costs related to the amendment of the Revolving Credit Agreement as defined below.
As described below in further detail, on February 25, 2022, the Company amended the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined below) to allow for an additional $150 million borrowing, on March 16, 2022, the Company issued $300 million, in aggregate principal amount, of the Company’s fixed rate Senior Notes due March 2032, in order to fund anticipated acquisitions, and on March 29, 2022, the Company amended the Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) to allow for additional draws of up to $400 million in the aggregate.
Term Loan Agreement
On March 22, 2018, the Company, as borrower, entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”), as administrative agent and initial lender, and the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders. Bank of America also acted as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner with respect to the Term Loan Agreement. The Term Loan Agreement provided for a senior unsecured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million. The proceeds of the loan under the Term Loan Agreement were used to repay the $300 million of outstanding indebtedness under the prior term loan agreement entered into on December 15, 2016.
Loans under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) periodically fixed for an interest period (as selected by the Company) of one, two, three or six months plus a margin (based on the Company’s public debt ratings) ranging from 1.00 percent per annum to 1.50 percent per annum or (ii) a daily floating rate based on the agent’s prime rate (subject to certain minimums based upon the federal funds effective rate or LIBOR) plus a margin (based on the Company’s public debt ratings) ranging from zero percent per annum to 0.50 percent per annum. The Company was required to pay an up-front fee of 0.05 percent to the agent for the entry into the Term Loan Agreement.
On May 29, 2020, the Company amended the Term Loan Agreement to, among other items, (i) permit liens on assets of the EuroCCP settlement and clearing business that secures indebtedness incurred in support of its settlement and clearing activities, and permit the Company’s subsidiaries to incur such indebtedness, provided that such amounts are repaid within 35 days; and (ii) provide that LIBOR, as used in the Term Loan Agreement, may be succeeded by one or more secured overnight financing rates (“SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or another alternate benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then-existing convention for similar agreements.
On June 25, 2021, the Company further amended the Term Loan Agreement to, among other items, (i) extend the maturity date from December 15, 2021 to December 15, 2023; (ii) allow for an additional draw of $110 million, which the Company borrowed on June 25, 2021 in order to fund a portion of the previously announced acquisition of Cboe Asia Pacific; (iii) modify the applicable margin paid on the loans to 65 basis points regardless of the Company’s debt rating; (iv) add LIBOR replacement provisions, generally transitioning to a hardwired approach based on SOFR, with certain adjustments as further described in the amendment; (v) increase the amount of indebtedness certain subsidiaries may incur from the greater of $250 million and 35 percent consolidated EBITDA for four consecutive quarters to the greater of $350 million and 35 percent consolidated EBITDA for four consecutive quarters; (vi) allow the Company to increase the
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maximum permitted consolidated leverage ratio to 4.00 to 1.00 (from 3.50 to 1.00) for four consecutive fiscal quarters following certain acquisitions, provided this increase may be made only once; and (vii) modify certain other provisions to be consistent with the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined below).
On March 29, 2022, the Company further amended the Term Loan Agreement to, among other items, (i) allow for additional delayed draws of up to $400 million in the aggregate by the earliest of: (1) September 30, 2022, (2) the date of termination of the commitments of all of the lenders and (3) the date of termination of the commitment of each lender to make loans pursuant to an event of default; provided that this borrowing period shall end immediately upon the funding of the fifth borrowing of committed loans; (ii) adds a commitment fee based on the Company’s public debt ratings that will accrue until the expiration of the borrowing period; (iii) replaces LIBOR as the applicable reference rate with SOFR; and (iv) allows the company to increase the maximum permitted consolidated leverage ratio to 4.25 to 1.00 or 4.00 to 1.00 (from 3.50 to 1.00) for four consecutive fiscal quarters following certain acquisitions, provided this increase may be made only once and at the time it exercises such financial covenant step-up, the Company shall be exercising a like step-up under its revolving credit facility.
The Term Loan Agreement, which matures on December 15, 2023, contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants for facilities of its type, including financial covenants, events of default, including cross-defaults from the Company’s other indebtedness, and indemnification provisions in favor of the lenders thereunder. The negative covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens, the incurrence of indebtedness by the Company’s subsidiaries and fundamental changes, subject to certain exceptions in each case. The financial covenants require the Company to meet a quarterly financial test with respect to a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.00 to 1.00 and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00; provided that the consolidated leverage ratio may, subject to certain triggering events set forth in the Term Loan Agreement, be increased to 4.25 to 1.00 or 4.00 to 1.00 (from 3.50 to 1.00) for four consecutive fiscal quarters following certain acquisitions, provided this increase may be made only once and at the time it exercises such financial covenant step-up, the Company shall be exercising a like step-up under its revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and did not exercise financial covenant step-up.
Senior Notes
On January 12, 2017, the Company entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association), as trustee, in connection with the issuance of $650 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.650% Senior Notes due 2027 (“3.650% Senior Notes”). The form and terms of the 3.650% Senior Notes were established pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, dated as of January 12, 2017, supplementing the Indenture. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 3.650% Senior Notes to fund, in part, the Merger, including the payment of related fees and expenses and the repayment of Bats’ existing indebtedness, and the remainder for general corporate purposes. The 3.650% Senior Notes mature on January 12, 2027 and bear interest at the rate of 3.650% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 12 and July 12 of each year, commencing July 12, 2017.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 1.625% Senior Notes due 2030 ("1.625% Senior Notes"). The form and terms of the 1.625% Senior Notes were established pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, dated as of December 15, 2020, supplementing the Indenture. The Company used the net proceeds from the 1.625% Senior Notes to finance the acquisition of BIDS Trading, repay a portion of amounts outstanding under the term loan facility and all outstanding indebtedness under the revolving credit facility and the remainder for general corporate purposes, which may include the financing of future acquisitions or the repayment of other outstanding indebtedness. The 1.625% Senior Notes mature on December 15, 2030 and bear interest at the rate of 1.625% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2021.
On March 16, 2022, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 3.000% Senior Notes due 2032 (“3.000% Senior Notes” and, together with the 1.625% Senior Notes and the 3.650% Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"). The form and terms of the 3.000% Senior Notes were established pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, dated as of March 16, 2022, supplementing the Indenture. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the 3.000% Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, and the proceeds of additional borrowings, to fund its previously announced acquisition of ErisX. The 3.000% Senior Notes mature on March 16, 2032 and bear interest at the rate of 3.000% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 16 and September 16 of each year, commencing September 16, 2022.
The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured, senior indebtedness, but are effectively junior to the Company’s secured indebtedness, to
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the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be structurally subordinated to the secured and unsecured indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries.
The Company has the option to redeem some or all of the Senior Notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable Officer’s Certificate. The Company may also be required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as such term is defined in the applicable Officer’s Certificate) at a repurchase price equal to 101 percent of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes to be repurchased.
Indenture
Under the Indenture, the Company may issue debt securities, which includes the 3.650% Senior Notes, the 1.625% Senior Notes, and the 3.000% Senior Notes at any time and from time to time, in one or more series without limitation on the aggregate principal amount. The Indenture governing the 3.650% Senior Notes, the 1.625% Senior Notes, and the 3.000% Senior Notes contains customary restrictions, including a limitation that restricts the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to create or incur secured debt. Such Indenture also limits certain sale and leaseback transactions and contains customary events of default. At March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Revolving Credit Agreement
On February 25, 2022, the Company, as borrower, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), which amended and restated the prior revolving credit agreement, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and as swing line lender, certain lenders named therein (the “Revolving Lenders”), BOFA Securities, Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner and certain syndication agents named therein ("Syndication Agents").
The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a senior unsecured $400 million three-year revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) that includes a $25 million swing line sub-facility. The Company may also, subject to the agreement of the applicable lenders, increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility by up to $200 million, for a total of $600 million. Subject to specified conditions, the Company may designate one or more of its subsidiaries as additional borrowers under the Revolving Credit Agreement provided that the Company guarantees all borrowings and other obligations of any such subsidiaries under the Revolving Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2022, no subsidiaries were designated as additional borrowers.
Funds borrowed under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be used to fund working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including the making of any acquisitions the Company may pursue in the ordinary course of its business. As of March 31, 2022, no borrowings were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Accordingly, at March 31, 2022, $400 million of borrowing capacity was available for the purposes permitted by the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Loans under the Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (i) the Relevant Rate (defined herein) plus a margin (based on the Company’s public debt ratings) ranging from 0.75 percent per annum to 1.25 percent per annum or (ii) a daily fluctuating rate based on the Administrative Agent’s prime rate (subject to certain minimums based upon the federal funds effective rate or Term SOFR), which is subject to a 1 percent floor, plus a margin (based on the Company’s public debt ratings) ranging from zero percent per annum to 0.25 percent per annum. “Relevant Rate” means with respect to any committed borrowing or swingline borrowing denominated in (a) Dollars, Term SOFR plus a spread adjustment of 0.10 percent per annum, (b) Sterling, SONIA plus a spread adjustment of 0.0326 percent per annum and (c) Euros, EURIBOR, as applicable, provided that each Relevant Rate is subject to a 0 percent floor.
Subject to certain conditions stated in the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company and any subsidiaries designated as additional borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility at any time during the term of the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Agreement will terminate and all amounts owing thereunder will be due and payable on February 25, 2027, unless the commitments are terminated earlier, either at the request of the Company or, if an event of default occurs, by the Revolving Lenders (or automatically in the case of certain bankruptcy-related events). The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants for facilities of its type, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnification provisions in favor of the Revolving Lenders. The negative covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens, the incurrence of indebtedness by the Company’s subsidiaries and fundamental changes, subject to
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certain exceptions in each case. The financial covenants require the Company to meet a quarterly financial test with respect to a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.00 to 1.00 and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00; provided that the consolidated leverage ratio may, subject to certain triggering events set forth in the Revolving Credit Agreement, be increased to 4.25 to 1.00 on one occasion and 4.00 to 1.00 on another occasion, in each case, for four consecutive fiscal quarters; provided that, prior to the exercise of the second such financial covenant step-up, the maximum consolidated leverage ratio shall have returned to a level of 3.50 to 1.00 for at least two consecutive fiscal quarters. At March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and did not exercise financial covenant step-up.
On July 1, 2020, EuroCCP, as borrower, the Company, as guarantor, entered into a Facility Agreement (the “Facility” or “EuroCCP Credit Facility”) with Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Designated Activity Company, as co-ordinator, facility agent, lender, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, Citibank N.A., as security agent, and certain other lenders named therein.
The Facility provides for a €1.5 billion committed syndicated multicurrency revolving and swingline credit facility (i) that is available to be drawn by EuroCCP (as borrower) towards (a) financing unsettled amounts in connection with the settlement of transactions in securities and other items processed through EuroCCP’s clearing system and (b) financing any other liability or liquidity requirement of EuroCCP incurred in the operation of its clearing system and (ii) under which the scheduled interest and fees on borrowings (but not the principal amount of any borrowings) are guaranteed by the Company. Subject to certain conditions, EuroCCP is able to increase the commitments under the Facility by up to €500 million, to a total of €2.0 billion.
Borrowings under the Facility are secured by cash, eligible government bonds and eligible equity assets deposited by EuroCCP into secured accounts. In addition, EuroCCP must ensure that at all times the aggregate of (a) each clearing participant’s contribution to the relevant clearing fund, (b) each clearing participant’s margin amount and (c) any cash equities purchased using the proceeds of the assets described in (a) and (b), less the amount of any such clearing participant contribution, margin amount or cash equities which have been transferred to (or secured in favor of) any provider of settlement or custody services to EuroCCP, is not less than €500 million. As of March 31, 2022, no borrowings were outstanding under the Facility. Accordingly, at March 31, 2022, €1.5 billion of borrowing capacity was available for the purposes permitted by the Facility.
Borrowings under the Facility’s revolving loans and non-U.S. dollar swingline loans bear interest at the relevant floating base rate plus a margin of 1.75 percent per annum and (subject to certain conditions) borrowings under the Facility’s U.S. dollar swingline loans bear interest as the higher of the relevant agent’s prime commercial lending rate for U.S. dollars and 0.5 percent per annum over the federal funds effective rate. A commitment fee of 0.30 percent per annum is payable on the unused and uncalled amount of the Facility during the availability period.
Subject to certain conditions stated in the Facility, EuroCCP may borrow, prepay and reborrow amounts under the Facility at any time during the term of the Facility. The Facility will terminate and all amounts owing thereunder will be due and payable on 364 days from the date of the agreement, unless the commitments are terminated earlier, either at the request of EuroCCP or, if an event of default occurs, by the Lenders (or automatically in the case of certain bankruptcy-related events).
The Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants for facilities of its type, including events of default of the Company and EuroCCP and indemnification provisions in favor of the Lenders. In particular, the covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens by EuroCCP and its subsidiaries, and an event of default will be triggered if EuroCCP ceases its business, subject to certain exceptions in each case. There is also a requirement for the net worth of (a) the Company to be no less than $1.75 billion on the date of each drawdown and delivery of compliance certificates and (b) EuroCCP to be the higher of €24 million and any such amount required for EuroCCP to meet minimum liquidity regulations under applicable regulation at all times. At March 31, 2022, the Company and EuroCCP were in compliance with these covenants.
On July 1, 2021, the Facility was amended and restated to, among other items: (i) extend the term of the Facility until June 30, 2022; (ii) update benchmark rates for U.S. dollar swingline loans and alternative term rates for revolving loans; (iii) remove references to LIBOR and clarified procedures to calculate interest rates; (iv) reduce the minimum tangible net worth requirement from €24 million to €20 million; (v) include a new tranche in the revolving and swingline facilities to
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increase access to certain currencies; (vi) update the borrowing base calculations to more accurately reflect the collateral held by EuroCCP; and (vii) modify certain other provisions to incorporate updates in applicable laws and regulations.
Loan and Notes Payments and Contractual Interest
The future expected loan repayments related to the Term Loan Agreement and the Senior Notes as of March 31, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
Remainder of 2022
2023
160.0
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
1,450.0
Principal amounts repayable
1,610.0
(9.7)
Unamortized discounts on notes
(6.7)
Total debt outstanding
Interest expense recognized on the Term Loan Agreement, the Senior Notes, and the Revolving Credit Agreement is included in interest expense, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company is also obligated to pay commitment fees under the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement and Facility, which are also included in interest expense, net. Interest expense, net recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows (in millions):
Components of interest expense:
Contractual interest
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs
Interest expense
Interest income
(0.9)
10.8
12.3
11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET
The following represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net by component (in millions):
Foreign
Total Accumulated
Currency
Unrealized
Other
Translation
Investment
Post-Retirement
Comprehensive
Adjustment
Loss
Benefits
Income, Net
55.4
28.9
12. CLEARING OPERATIONS
EuroCCP is a European equities central counterparty that provides post-trade services to stock exchanges, MTFs, over-the-counter (“OTC”) equities trades and an equity index derivatives exchange. EuroCCP clears equities from eighteen European markets and the United States, as well as Depositary Receipts, ETFs, and exchange traded currencies (“ETCs”). In September 2021, EuroCCP began clearing equity index derivatives for six European markets. Through a novation process, EuroCCP becomes the buyer for every seller and the seller for every buyer, thereby protecting clearing participants from counterparty risk and allowing the settlement of trades in the event of a clearing participant default.
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EuroCCP only assumes the guarantor role if it has an equal and offsetting claim against a clearing participant. For the period ended March 31, 2022, there have been no events of default for which a liability is required to be recognized in accordance with GAAP.
Clearing Participant Deposits
EuroCCP generally requires all clearing participants to deposit collateral to help mitigate EuroCCP’s exposure to credit risk in the event that a clearing participant fails to meet a financial or contractual obligation.
Margin Deposits
Margin deposits, which are predominately in the form of cash and cash equivalents, are deposits made by each clearing participant to EuroCCP to cover some or all of the credit risk of its failure to fulfill its obligations in the trade. EuroCCP maintains and manages all cash deposits related to margin deposits. Substantially all risks and rewards of margin deposit ownership, including net interest income, belong to EuroCCP and are recorded in other revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of income. In the event of a default, EuroCCP can access the defaulting participant’s margin deposits to cover the defaulting participant’s losses. For more information, see “Default and Liquidity Waterfalls” below.
Clearing Funds
The clearing fund mutualizes the risk of default among all clearing participants. Depending on their membership, clearing participants contribute to the cash-equity and/or derivatives segment of the clearing fund. Although the entire clearing fund is available to cover potential losses in the event that the margin deposits and the clearing fund deposits of a defaulting clearing participant are inadequate to fulfill that clearing participant’s outstanding financial obligations, the clearing fund first uses the product class segment of the Clearing Fund in which the defaulting participants was active (see “Default and Liquidity Waterfalls” below). In the event of a default, EuroCCP is generally required to liquidate the defaulting clearing participant’s open positions. To the extent that the positions remain open, EuroCCP is required to assume the defaulting clearing participant’s obligations related to the open positions. Clearing participants are required to make contributions to the clearing fund that are proportional to their risk exposure in the form of cash or non-cash contributions, which generally consist of highly liquid securities.
Interoperability Fund
For the cash equity business line, EuroCCP has entered into interoperable arrangements with two other central counterparties (“CCPs”). Under these arrangements, margin is paid to, and received from, the other CCPs. The interoperability fund consists of collateral pledged by EuroCCP to the other interoperable CCPs, to cover margin calls EuroCCP received from other interoperable CCPs. For EuroCCP, the collateral pledged by the clearing participants is maintained in an interoperability fund designated account. EuroCCP does not have any economic interest or ownership in the collateral; therefore, these balances are not included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The following tables present the Company’s total clearing participant deposits as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Cash Contributions
Non-Cash Contributions (1)
Total Contributions
Margin deposits
1,666.8
495.8
2,162.6
Clearing funds
143.5
38.3
181.8
Interoperability funds (1)
788.6
95.8
884.4
2,598.9
629.9
3,228.8
600.0
287.0
887.0
145.9
41.9
187.8
423.3
92.6
515.9
1,169.2
421.5
1,590.7
(1) These amounts are not reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as EuroCCP does not take economic ownership of these balances.
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Default and Liquidity Waterfalls
The default waterfall is the priority order in which the capital resources are expected to be utilized in the event of a default where the defaulting clearing participant’s collateral would not be sufficient to cover the cost to liquidate its portfolio. If a default occurs and the defaulting clearing participant’s collateral, including margin deposits and clearing fund deposits, are depleted, then additional capital is utilized in the following order:
In addition to the default waterfall, the liquidity waterfall is the priority order in which the liquidity resources are expected to be utilized for EuroCCP’s ordinary course business operations and in situations when additional liquidity resources and liquidity measures may be activated in case of a potential liquidity shortfall. Liquidity, intraday or overnight, is mainly required for securities settlement. In ordinary course business circumstances, liquidity resources include the collateral directly deposited with EuroCCP, FX swap arrangements, and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as the use of the Facility.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity. In addition, the fair value of liabilities should include consideration of non-performance risk, including the Company’s own credit risk.
The Company applied FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820— Fair Value Measurement, which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities by defining fair value and establishing the framework for measuring fair value. ASC 820 applies to financial and nonfinancial instruments that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. The three-level hierarchy of fair value measurements is based on whether the inputs to those measurements are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available and consists of the following levels:
The Company has included a tabular disclosure for financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
U.S. Treasury securities
21.3
Marketable securities:
Mutual funds
17.4
Money market funds
Liabilities:
53.3
18.4
9.6
70.5
The following is a description of the Company’s valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Financial Investments
Financial investments consist of highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities and marketable securities held in a trust for the Company’s non-qualified retirement and benefit plans, also referred to as deferred compensation plan assets. The deferred compensation plan assets have an equal and offsetting deferred compensation plan liability based on the value of the deferred compensation plan assets. These securities are valued by obtaining feeds from a number of live data sources, including active market makers and inter dealer brokers and therefore categorized as Level 1. No material adjustments were made to the carrying value of financial investments for the period ended March 31, 2022. See Note 15 (“Employee Benefit Plans”) for more information.
Contingent Consideration Liabilities
In connection with the acquisitions of Hanweck Associates, LLC (“Hanweck”), MATCHNow, and Cboe Asia Pacific, as well as the acquisition of assets of FT Providers, LLC (“FT Options”) and Trade Alert, LLC (“Trade Alert”), the Company entered into contingent consideration arrangements with the former owners. The total fair value of the liabilities at March 31, 2022 was $53.3 million. That value is based on the Company’s estimate of the likelihood that certain performance targets in the respective acquisition agreements are expected to be accomplished. In connection with the contingent consideration arrangements, the Company paid a total of $17.4 million in contingent consideration to Hanweck, FT Options, and Cboe Asia Pacific during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Because the fair value measurements relating to the contingent consideration liabilities are subject to management judgment, measurement uncertainty is inherent in the valuation of the contingent consideration liabilities as of the reporting date. Based on the recorded balance of the liabilities, any measurement uncertainty related to this Level 3 measurement is immaterial as of March 31, 2022.
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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets, such as goodwill and intangible assets, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. For goodwill, the process involves using a market approach and income approach (using discounted estimated cash flows) to determine the fair value of each reporting unit on a stand-alone basis. That fair value is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit, including its recorded goodwill. In connection with the annual impairment evaluation of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles, impairment is considered to have occurred if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than the carrying value of the reporting unit. For the intangible assets, the process also involves using a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of each intangible asset. Impairment is considered to have occurred if the fair value of the intangible asset is lower than its carrying value. The Company did not perform an impairment test during the three months ended March 31, 2022, as there were no market events that would indicate it was more likely than not that these assets were impaired. These measurements are considered Level 3 and these assets are recognized at fair value if they are deemed to be impaired.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values that are valued using the measurement alternative are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. See Note 4 (“Investments”) for more information. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, no observable transactions or impairments materially impacted the measurements of the investments accounted for as other equity investments.
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for certain assets and liabilities held by the Company, with the exception of debt which is presented at its carrying value, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Deferred compensation plan assets
27.4
Deferred compensation plan liabilities
Debt
1,674.3
28.0
1,397.8
Certain financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, income tax receivable, accounts payable and Section 31 fees payable, are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, but the carrying values approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature.
The debt balance consists of fixed rate Senior Notes and a floating rate Term Loan Agreement. The fair values of the Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy and are estimated using prevailing market quotes.
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The fair value of the Term Loan Agreement was determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis and is considered a Level 2 measurement.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair values of the Company’s debt obligations were as follows (in millions):
Fair Value
155.0
160.1
3.650% Senior Notes
661.7
702.6
1.625% Senior Notes
430.4
470.9
3.000% Senior Notes
300.0
Information on Level 3 Financial Liabilities
The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in millions):
Level 3 Financial Liabilities for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Balance at
Realized (Gains)
Beginning of
Losses during
End of
Period
Additions
Settlements
Liabilities
14. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company reports five business segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, and Global FX, which is reflective of how the Company's chief operating decision-maker reviews and operates the business, as discussed in Note 1 (“Organization and Basis of Presentation”). Segment performance is primarily evaluated based on operating income (loss). The Company’s chief operating decision-maker does not use segment-level assets or income and expenses below operating income (loss) as key performance metrics; therefore, such information is not presented below. The Company has aggregated all of its corporate costs, as well as other business ventures, within the Corporate Items and Eliminations totals based on the decision that those activities should not be used to evaluate the operating performance of the segments; however, operating expenses that relate to activities of a specific segment have been allocated to that segment.
Options. The Options segment includes options on market indices (“index options”), as well as on the stocks of individual corporations (“equity options”), and options on ETPs, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), which are “multi-listed” options and listed on a non-exclusive basis. These options are eligible to trade on Cboe Options, C2, BZX, EDGX, and other U.S. national security exchanges. Cboe Options is the Company’s primary options market and offers trading in listed options through a single system that integrates electronic trading and traditional open outcry trading on the Cboe Options trading floor in Chicago. C2 Options, BZX Options, and EDGX Options are all-electronic options exchanges, and typically operate with different market models and fee structures than Cboe Options. The Options segment also includes applicable market data fees generated from the consolidated tape plans, the licensing of proprietary options market data, index licensing, and access and capacity services.
North American Equities. The North American Equities segment includes listed U.S. equities and ETP transaction services that occur on fully electronic exchanges owned and operated by BZX, BYX, EDGX, and EDGA, equities transactions that occur on the BIDS Trading platform, and Canadian equities and other transaction services that occur on or through the MATCHNow ATS. The North American Equities segment also includes ETP listings on BZX, the Cboe Global Markets, Inc. common stock listing, applicable market data fees generated from the consolidated tape plans, the licensing of proprietary equities market data, routing services, and access and capacity services.
Europe and Asia Pacific. The Europe and Asia Pacific segment includes the pan-European listed equities and derivatives transaction services, ETPs, exchange-traded commodities, and international depository receipts that are hosted on MTFs operated by Cboe Europe Equities (Cboe Europe and Cboe NL equities exchanges) and Cboe Europe
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Derivatives (“CEDX”). It also includes the ETP listings business on RMs and clearing activities of EuroCCP, as well as the equities transaction services of Cboe Australia and Cboe Japan, each operators of trading venues in Australia and Japan. This segment was previously referred to as the European Equities segment but was updated to the Europe segment in the first quarter of 2021 as a result of the launch of Cboe Europe Derivatives, a pan-European derivatives platform in September 2021. The segment was subsequently updated to Europe and Asia Pacific to reflect the acquisition of Cboe Asia Pacific in July 2021. Cboe Europe operates lit and dark books, a periodic auctions book, and Cboe BIDS Europe, a Large-in-Scale (“LIS”) trading negotiation facility for UK symbols. Cboe NL, launched in October 2019 and based in Amsterdam, operates similar business functionality to that offered by Cboe Europe, and provides for trading only in European Economic Area (“EEA”) symbols. The new Cboe Europe Derivatives venue offers futures and options based on Cboe Europe equity indices. This segment also includes Cboe Europe, Cboe NL, CEDX, Cboe Australia and Cboe Japan revenue generated from the licensing of proprietary market data and from access and capacity services.
Futures. The Futures segment includes transaction services provided by the Company’s fully electronic futures exchange, CFE, which includes offerings for trading of VIX futures and other futures products, the licensing of proprietary market data, as well as access and capacity services.
Global FX. The Global FX segment includes institutional FX trading services that occur on the Cboe FX fully electronic trading platform, non-deliverable forward FX transactions (“NDFs”) offered for execution on Cboe SEF and Cboe Swiss, as well as revenue generated from the licensing of proprietary market data and from access and capacity services.
Summarized financial data of reportable segments was as follows (in millions):
Operating income (loss)
162.7
38.6
20.9
17.0
2.4
128.7
45.1
14.5
17.5
(2.4)
15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Eligible U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the Cboe Options SMART Plan (“SMART Plan”). The SMART Plan is a defined contribution plan, which is qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). In addition, eligible employees may participate in the Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, Executive Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan. Effective January 1, 2017, the Executive Retirement Plan is closed to new executive officers and employees. Each plan is a defined contribution plan that is non-qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. The Deferred Compensation Plan assets, held in a trust, are subject to the claims of general creditors of the Company and totaled $27.4 million and $28.0 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Although the value of the plans are recorded in financial investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, there are equal and offsetting liabilities in other non-current liabilities. The investment results of these plans have no impact on net income as the investment results are recorded in equal amounts to both other expense, net and compensation and benefits expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company contributed $3.3 million and $2.2 million to the defined contribution plans for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Eligible employees outside of the U.S., which includes employees of Cboe Europe, EuroCCP, MATCHNow, BIDS, and Cboe Asia Pacific are eligible to participate in various employee-selected stakeholder contribution plans or plans covered by local jurisdictions or by applicable laws. The Company’s contribution amounted to $0.9 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This expense is included in compensation and benefits in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
16. REGULATORY CAPITAL
As broker-dealers registered with the SEC, Cboe Trading and BIDS Trading are subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (“Rule 15c3-1”), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined therein. The SEC’s requirement also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or a cash dividend paid if certain minimum net capital
requirements are not met. Cboe Trading and BIDS Trading compute the net capital requirements under the basic method provided for in Rule 15c3-1. As of March 31, 2022, Cboe Trading and BIDS Trading were required to maintain net capital equal to the greater of 6.67% of aggregate indebtedness items, as defined, or $0.1 million.
As entities regulated by the FCA, Cboe Europe is subject to the Financial Resource Requirement (“FRR”) and Cboe Chi-X Europe is subject to the Capital Resources Requirement (“CRR”). As a RIE, Cboe Europe computes its FRR in accordance with its Financial Risk Assessment, as agreed by the FCA.
In accordance with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive of the FCA requirements, Cboe Chi-X Europe computes its CRR as the greater of the base requirement of $0.1 million at March 31, 2022, or the summation of the credit risk, market risk and fixed overheads requirements, as defined.
On March 8, 2019, Cboe NL received approval from the Dutch Ministry of Finance to operate a RM, an MTF, and an approved publication arrangement in the Netherlands. As a RM, Cboe NL is subject to minimum capital requirements, as established by the Dutch Ministry of Finance in the license dated March 8, 2019.
EuroCCP was granted authorization under European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”) by the National Competent Authority, DNB. EuroCCP is required by the EMIR, to maintain a minimum amount of capital to reflect an estimate of the capital required to wind down or restructure the activities of the clearinghouse, cover operational, legal and business risks and to reserve capital to meet credit, counterparty and market risks not covered by the clearing participants’ collateral and clearing funds.
The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (“IIROC”) sets and monitors regulatory capital requirements for MATCHNow to protect its clients and counterparties. MATCHNow is required to maintain a prescribed minimum level of risk adjusted capital in accordance with such requirements as IIROC may from time to time prescribe.
As a designated contract market regulated by the CFTC, CFE is required to meet two capital adequacy tests: (i) its financial resources must be equal to at least twelve months of its projected operating costs and (ii) its unencumbered, liquid financial assets, which may include a line of credit, must be equal to at least six months of its projected operating costs. The amounts presented below represent the greater of the two capital adequacy requirements.
As a swap execution facility regulated by the CFTC, Cboe SEF is required to meet two capital adequacy tests: (i) its financial resources must exceed at least twelve months of its projected operating costs and (ii) its unencumbered, liquid financial assets must be equal to the greater of: (a) three months of projected operating costs or (b) its projected wind-down costs. The amounts presented below represent the greater of the two capital adequacy requirements.
The following table presents the Company’s subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements discussed above, as well as the actual and minimum regulatory capital requirements of the subsidiary as of March 31, 2022 (in millions):
Minimum
Subsidiary
Regulatory Authority
Actual
Requirement
Cboe Trading
FINRA/SEC
BIDS Trading
Cboe Europe
FCA
49.7
26.7
Cboe Chi-X Europe
Cboe NL
Dutch Authority for Financial Markets
9.9
EuroCCP
DNB
57.9
37.7
MATCHNow
IIROC
CFE
CFTC
59.7
46.8
SEF
Cboe Australia is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”). Cboe Australia is required to maintain sufficient financial resources to operate the market properly in accordance with Section 794A(d) of the Corporations Act, which Cboe Australia satisfies by maintaining a prudent cash reserve, which must be equal to at least six months of its projected operating expenses. As of March 31, 2022, Cboe Australia holds $4.6 million in cash deposits to meet this requirement.
Cboe Japan is regulated by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (“JFSA”) and the Japan Securities Dealers Association (“JSDA”). Cboe Japan is required to maintain a minimum level of regulatory capital ratio of 120% in
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accordance with such requirements prescribed by the JFSA and JSDA. As of March 31, 2022, Cboe Japan had a regulatory capital ratio of 266%.
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock-based compensation is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, which is recognized over the related service period, net of actual forfeitures. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. Vesting may be accelerated for certain officers and employees as a result of attaining certain age and service based requirements in the Company’s long-term incentive plan and award agreements.
The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $9.1 million and $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in compensation and benefits and acquisition-related costs in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The activity in the Company’s restricted stock, consisting of restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was as follows:
RSAs and RSUs
The following table summarizes RSA and RSU activity during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
Number of
average grant
Shares
date fair value
Nonvested stock at December 31, 2021
443,319
99.22
Granted
253,860
120.77
Vested
(176,343)
98.19
Forfeited
(20,438)
98.98
Nonvested stock at March 31, 2022
500,398
110.52
RSAs granted to non-employee members of the Board of Directors have a one-year vesting period and vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. Unvested portions of the RSAs will be forfeited if the director leaves the Board of Directors prior to the applicable vesting date. The RSAs have voting rights and entitle the holder to receive dividends.
RSUs entitle the holder to one share of common stock upon vesting, typically vest over a three year period, and vesting accelerates upon the occurrence of a change in control or a termination of employment following a change in control or in the event of a participant’s earlier death or disability. Vesting will also accelerate upon a qualified retirement where applicable and permitted. Where applicable and permitted, qualified retirement eligibility occurs once achieving 55 years of age and 10 years of service for grants awarded in and after 2017. Unvested RSUs will be forfeited if the officer, or employee leaves the Company prior to the applicable vesting date, except in limited circumstances. The RSUs have no voting rights but entitle the holder to receive dividend equivalents.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, to satisfy employees’ tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock, the Company purchased 65,429 shares of common stock totaling $7.8 million as the result of the vesting of 175,047 shares of restricted stock.
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PSUs
The following table summarizes restricted stock units contingent upon achievement of performance conditions, also known as PSUs, activity during the three months ended March 31, 2022:
152,410
108.41
62,388
142.05
(16,834)
96.00
(33,542)
95.40
164,422
125.10
PSUs include awards related to earnings per share during the performance period as well as awards related to total shareholder return during the performance period. The Company used the Monte Carlo valuation model method to estimate the fair value of the total shareholder return PSUs which incorporated the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate (1.75)%, three-year volatility (32.2)% and three-year correlation with S&P 500 Index (0.51). Each of these performance shares has a performance condition under which the number of units ultimately awarded will vary from 0% to 200% of the original grant, with each unit representing the contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. The vesting period for the PSUs contingent on the achievement of performance conditions is three years. For each of the performance awards, the PSUs will be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock following vesting of the PSU assuming that the participant has been continuously employed during the vesting period, subject to acceleration in the event of a change in control of the Company, or a termination of employment following a change in control, or in the event of a participant’s earlier death or disability. Participants have no voting rights with respect to the PSUs until the issuance of the shares of common stock. Dividends are accrued by the Company and will be paid once the PSUs contingent on the achievement of performance conditions vest.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, to satisfy employees’ tax obligations upon the vesting of performance stock, the Company purchased 5,245 shares of common stock totaling $0.6 million as the result of the vesting of 16,834 shares of performance stock.
As of March 31, 2022, there were $50.6 million in total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance stock units. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In May 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (“ESPP”), under which a total of 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock will be made available for purchase to employees. The ESPP is a broad-based plan that permits employees to contribute up to 10% of wages and base salary to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount, subject to applicable annual Internal Revenue Service limitations. Under the ESPP, a participant may not purchase more than a maximum of 312 shares of the Company’s common stock during any single offering period. No participant may accrue options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a rate that exceeds $25,000 in fair market value of the Company’s common stock (determined at the time such options are granted) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time. The exercise price per share of common stock shall be 90% (for eligible U.S. employees) or 85% (for eligible international employees) of the lesser of the fair value of the stock on the first day of the applicable offering period or the applicable exercise date.
The Company records compensation expense over the offering period related to the discount that is given to employees, which totaled $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, 637,225 shares were reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.
18. EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company’s common stock is listed on Cboe BZX under the trading symbol CBOE. As of March 31, 2022, 325,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized, $0.01 par value, and 108,369,053 and
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106,188,570 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, 325,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized, $0.01 par value, and 108,159,319 and 106,646,498 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
Common Stock in Treasury, at Cost
The Company accounts for the purchase of treasury stock under the cost method with the shares of stock repurchased reflected as a reduction to Cboe stockholders’ equity and included in common stock in treasury, at cost in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Shares repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program are retired or they are available to be redistributed. When treasury shares are redistributed, they are recorded at the average cost of the treasury shares acquired. When treasury shares are retired, they are removed from the common stock in treasury balance. The Company held 2,180,483 and 1,512,821 shares of common stock in treasury as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Share Repurchase Program
In 2011, the Board of Directors approved an initial authorization for the Company to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock of $100 million and subsequently approved additional authorizations for a total authorization of $1.6 billion. The Company expects to fund repurchases primarily through the use of existing cash balances. The program permits the Company to purchase shares, through a variety of methods, including in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable securities laws. It does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases at any specific time or situation.
The table below shows the repurchased shares of common stock under the Company’s share repurchase program during the periods presented as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Number of shares of common stock repurchased
596,988
490,632
Average price paid per share
117.25
96.97
Total purchase price (in millions)
70.0
47.6
Since inception of the program through March 31, 2022, the Company has repurchased 18,669,117 shares of common stock at an average cost per share of $69.69, totaling $1.3 billion.
As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $248.9 million and $352.5 million of availability remaining under its existing share repurchase authorizations, respectively.
Purchase of Common Stock from Employees
The Company purchased 70,674 and 59,202 shares that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization from employees for an average price paid per share of $118.89 and $96.03 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These shares consisted of shares retained to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and performance share awards.
Preferred Stock
The Company has authorized the issuance of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, issuable from time to time in one or more series. As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company had no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Dividends
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company declared and paid cash dividends per share of $0.48 for an aggregate payout of $51.4 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid cash dividends per share of $0.42 for an aggregate payout of $45.3 million.
Each share of common stock, including RSAs, RSUs, and PSUs, is entitled to receive dividend and dividend equivalents, respectively, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company’s expectation
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is to continue to pay dividends. The decision to pay a dividend, however, remains within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and may be affected by various factors, including earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness and other considerations the Board of Directors deems relevant. Future debt obligations and statutory provisions, among other things, may limit, or in some cases prohibit, the Company’s ability to pay dividends.
As a holding company, the Company’s ability to declare and continue to pay dividends in the future with respect to its common stock will also be dependent upon the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends to it under applicable corporate law.
19. INCOME TAXES
The Company records income tax expense during interim periods based on the best estimate of the full year’s tax rate as adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant interim period. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate and any change in the estimated rate is recorded on a cumulative basis. The effective tax rate from continuing operations was 51.3% (29.9% excluding Section 199 related matters) and 28.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table summarizes the non-GAAP calculation of the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
Tax Rate
GAAP effective tax rate
51.3
%
Tax effect of Section 199 related matters
(21.4)
Effective tax rate excluding Section 199 matters
29.9
The higher effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2022 is due to the derecognition of the Company’s Section 199 tax benefits for tax years 2008 through 2016 upon the unfavorable decision by the United States Tax Court in the matter of Bats Global Markets Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, on March 31, 2022.
The Company petitioned the U.S. Tax Court on January 13, 2017, May 7, 2018 and November 29, 2018 for a redetermination of IRS notices of deficiency for Cboe and certain of its subsidiaries for tax years 2011 through 2015 related to its Section 199 claims. These petitions resulted in the establishment of three cases before the U.S. Tax Court. The Company also filed a complaint on October 9, 2018 with the Court of Federal Claims for a refund of Section 199 claims related to tax years 2008 through 2010, resulting in the establishment of a single case before the Court of Federal Claims.
The first case that went to trial involved certain subsidiaries related to electronic trading for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013. The U.S. Tax Court held the trial remotely from May 24, 2021 to June 1, 2021. On March 31, 2022, the U.S. Tax Court issued its decision rejecting the Company’s basis for its petition (the “Opinion”). A notice of appeal, which would lie before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, must be filed within 90 days of entry of the pending decision which will give effect to the Opinion. The Company plans to appeal. Two cases remain pending in U.S. Tax Court and the case before the Court of Federal Claims also remains pending. Trial dates in those cases have not been established.
As a result of the Opinion, the Company’s Section 199 positions no longer meet the recognition threshold provided by ASC 740-10. Accordingly, the Company increased its provision for income taxes in order to fully reserve for the expected aggregate amount of additional liabilities that the Company currently expects would result from these cases if they were all decided against the Company.
20. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computation of basic net income per common share is calculated by reducing net income for the period by dividends paid or declared and undistributed net income for the period that are allocated to participating securities to arrive at net income allocated to common stockholders. Net income allocated to common stockholders is divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period to determine net income per share allocated to common stockholders.
The computation of diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income allocated to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus all additional common
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shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. The dilutive effect is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class or treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in millions, except per share data):
Basic earnings per share numerator:
Earnings allocated to participating securities
Basic earnings per share denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding
Diluted earnings per share numerator:
Diluted earnings per share denominator:
Dilutive potential common shares outstanding
Total dilutive weighted average shares
For the periods presented, the Company did not have shares of stock-based compensation that would have an anti-dilutive effect on the computation of diluted earnings per share.
21. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES
As of March 31, 2022, the Company was subject to the various legal proceedings and claims discussed below, as well as certain other legal proceedings and claims that have not been fully resolved and that have arisen in the ordinary course of business.
The Company reviews its legal proceedings and claims, regulatory reviews and inspections and other legal proceedings on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions. The Company establishes accruals for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and the Company discloses the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for the condensed consolidated financial statements to not be misleading. The Company does not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. The Company’s assessment of whether a loss is remote, reasonably possible, or probable is based on its assessment of the ultimate outcome of the matter following all appeals.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss exceeding the amounts already recognized for these legal proceedings and claims, regulatory reviews, inspections or other legal proceedings, if any, has been incurred. While the consequences of certain unresolved proceedings are not presently determinable, the outcome of any proceeding is inherently uncertain and an adverse outcome from certain matters could have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company in any given reporting period.
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City of Providence
On April 18, 2014, the City of Providence, Rhode Island filed a securities class action lawsuit in the federal district court for the Southern District of New York (“Lower Court”) against Bats and Direct Edge Holdings LLC, as well as 14 other securities exchanges. The action purports to be brought on behalf of all public investors who purchased and/or sold shares of stock in the United States since April 18, 2009 on a registered public stock exchange (“Exchange Defendants”) or a U.S.-based alternate trading venue and were injured as a result of the alleged misconduct detailed in the complaint, which includes allegations that the Exchange Defendants committed fraud through a variety of business practices associated with, among other things, what is commonly referred to as high frequency trading. On May 2, 2014 and May 20, 2014, American European Insurance Company and Harel Insurance Co., Ltd. each filed substantially similar class action lawsuits against the Exchange Defendants which were ultimately consolidated with the City of Providence, Rhode Island securities class action lawsuit. On June 18, 2015, the Lower Court held oral argument on the pending Motion to Dismiss and thereafter, on August 26, 2015, the Lower Court issued an Opinion and Order granting Exchange Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, dismissing the complaint in full. On September 24, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (“2nd Circuit”), seeking to appeal the August 26, 2015 dismissal opinion and order. On January 7, 2016, Plaintiffs filed their opening brief with the 2nd Circuit and on April 7, 2019, the Exchange Defendants filed their opposition brief with the 2nd Circuit. Oral argument was held on August 24, 2016. Following oral argument, the 2nd Circuit issued an order requesting that the SEC submit an amicus brief on whether the Lower Court had jurisdiction and whether the Exchange Defendants have immunity in the claims alleged. The SEC filed its amicus brief with the 2nd Circuit on November 28, 2016 and Plaintiffs and the Exchange Defendants filed their respective supplemental response briefs on December 12, 2016. On December 19, 2017, the 2nd Circuit reversed the Lower Court’s dismissal and remanded the case back to the Lower Court. On March 13, 2018, the 2nd Circuit denied the Exchange Defendants’ motion for re-hearing. The Exchange Defendants filed their opening brief for their motion to dismiss May 18, 2018, Plaintiffs’ response was filed June 15, 2018 and the Exchange Defendants’ reply was filed June 29, 2018. On May 28, 2019, the Lower Court issued an opinion and order denying the Exchange Defendants’ motion to dismiss. On June 17, 2019, the Exchange Defendants filed a motion seeking interlocutory appeal of the May 28, 2019 dismissal order, which was denied July 16, 2019. Exchange Defendants filed their answers on July 25, 2019. Targeted discovery regarding class certification and legal preclusion concluded on April 26, 2021. On May 28, 2021, (1) Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Class Certification, (2) Bats and NYSE filed a joint Motion for Summary Judgment on Grounds of Legal Preclusion and a joint Motion for Summary Judgment on Grounds of Lack of Article III Standing, and (3) Nasdaq filed a Motion for Summary Judgment for Legal Preclusion. Briefing on these dispositive motions concluded in December 2021. The parties also filed motions to exclude some of the other’s experts. Oral argument regarding the joint Motion for Lack of Article III Standing and Exchange Defendant’s motion to exclude the testimony of one of Plaintiffs’ experts occurred on March 11, 2022. On March 28, 2022, the Lower Court entered an opinion and order dismissing all of Plaintiffs’ claims, without prejudice, against the Exchange Defendants and ordered that judgment be entered for the Defendant Exchanges. On April 25, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal with the 2nd Circuit, seeking to appeal the March 28, 2022 dismissal order and the judgment entered against them.
VIX Litigation
On March 20, 2018, a putative class action complaint captioned Tomasulo v. Cboe Exchange, Inc., et al., No. 18-cv-02025 was filed in federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that the Company intentionally designed its products, operated its platforms, and formulated the method for calculating VIX and the Special Opening Quotation, (i.e., the special VIX value designed by the Company and calculated on the settlement date of VIX derivatives prior to the opening of trading), in a manner that could be collusively manipulated by a group of entities named as John Doe defendants. A number of similar putative class actions, some of which do not name the Company as a party, were filed in federal court in Illinois and New York on behalf of investors in certain volatility-related products. On June 14, 2018, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized the putative class actions in the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois. On September 28, 2018, plaintiffs filed a master, consolidated complaint that is a putative class action alleging various claims against the Company and John Doe defendants in the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois. The claims asserted against the Company consist of a Securities Exchange Act fraud claim, three Commodity Exchange Act claims and a state law negligence claim. Plaintiffs request a judgment awarding class damages in an unspecified amount, as well as punitive or exemplary damages in an unspecified amount, prejudgment interest, costs including attorneys’ and experts’ fees and expenses and such other relief as the court may deem just and proper. On November 19, 2018, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the master consolidated complaint and the plaintiffs filed their response on January 7, 2019. The Company filed its reply on January 28, 2019. On May 29, 2019, the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois granted the Company’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ entire complaint against the Company. The state law negligence claim was dismissed with prejudice and the other claims were dismissed without prejudice with leave to file an amended complaint, which plaintiffs filed on July 19, 2019. On August 28, 2019, the Company filed its second motion to dismiss the amended consolidated complaint and plaintiffs filed their response on
37
October 8, 2019. On January 27, 2020, the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois granted the Company’s second motion to dismiss and all counts against the Company were dismissed with prejudice. On April 21, 2020, the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois granted plaintiffs’ motion to certify the January 27, 2020 dismissal order for an immediate appeal. On May 19, 2020, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (“7th Circuit”), seeking to appeal the April 21, 2020 order granting the entry of partial final judgment and both orders granting the Company’s motions to dismiss entered on May 29, 2019 and January 27, 2020. On June 29, 2020, plaintiffs filed their opening brief with the 7th Circuit, on August 28, 2020 the Company filed its opposition brief with the 7th Circuit, on September 7, 2020, CME Group Inc., Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and National Futures Association filed an amici curiae brief in support of the Company on the Bad Faith Standard with the 7th Circuit and on October 16, 2020, plaintiffs filed their reply brief with the 7th Circuit. Oral arguments were held remotely on November 30, 2020 and the parties are currently awaiting a decision by the 7th Circuit. The Company currently believes that the claims are without merit and intends to litigate the matter vigorously. The Company is unable to estimate what, if any, liability may result from this litigation.
As self-regulatory organizations under the jurisdiction of the SEC, Cboe Options, C2, BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA are subject to routine reviews and inspections by the SEC. As a designated contract market under the jurisdiction of the CFTC, CFE is subject to routine rule enforcement reviews and examinations by the CFTC. Cboe SEF, LLC is a swap execution facility registered with the CFTC and subject to routine rule enforcement reviews and examinations by the CFTC. Cboe Trading and BIDS Trading are subject to reviews and inspections by FINRA. The Company has from time to time received inquiries and investigative requests from the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations and the CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight as well as the SEC Division of Enforcement and CFTC Division of Enforcement seeking information about the Company’s compliance with its obligations as a self-regulatory organization under the federal securities laws and Commodity Exchange Act as well as members’ compliance with the federal securities laws and Commodity Exchange Act.
In addition, while Cboe Europe, Cboe Chi-X Europe, EuroCCP, Cboe NL, Cboe Australia, Cboe Japan, and MATCHNow have not been the subject of any material litigation or regulatory investigation in the past, there is always the possibility of such action in the future. As Cboe Europe and Cboe Chi-X Europe are domiciled in the UK, it is likely that any action would be taken in the UK courts in relation to litigation or by the FCA in relation to any regulatory enforcement action. As EuroCCP is domiciled in the Netherlands, it is likely that any action would be taken in the Dutch courts in relation to litigation or by the DNB or Dutch Authority for Financial Markets in relation to any regulatory enforcement action. For Cboe NL, also domiciled in the Netherlands, it is likely that any actions would be taken in the Dutch courts in relation to litigation or Dutch Authority for Financial Markets in relation to any regulatory enforcement action. As Cboe Australia is domiciled in Australia, it is likely that any action would be taken in the Australian courts in relation to litigation or by the ASIC, in relation to any regulatory enforcement action. As Cboe Japan is domiciled in Japan, it is likely that any action would be taken in the Japanese courts in relation to litigation or by the JFSA or the JSDA in relation to any regulatory enforcement action. As MATCHNow is domiciled in Canada, it is likely that any action would be taken in the Canadian courts in relation to litigation or by the IIROC or Ontario Securities Commission in relation to any regulatory enforcement action.
The Company is also currently a party to various other legal proceedings in addition to those already mentioned. Management does not believe that the likely outcome of any of these other reviews, inspections, investigations or other legal proceedings is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
See also Note 6 (“Credit Losses”) for information on promissory notes related to the CAT.
See also Note 19 (“Income Taxes”).
Contractual Obligations
The Company has contractual obligations related to licensing agreements with various licensors, some of which included fixed fees and/or variable fees calculated using agreed upon contracted rates and reported cleared volumes. Certain licensing agreements contain annual minimum fee requirements that total $14.0 million each year for the next five years.
See Note 12 (“Clearing Operations”) for information on EuroCCP’s clearinghouse exposure guarantee.
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See Note 22 (“Leases”) for information on lease obligations.
22. LEASES
The Company currently leases office space, data centers, remote network operations centers, and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with third parties as of March 31, 2022. Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to five years or more, and some of which include the Company’s option to terminate the leases within one year. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, $14.8 million of right of use assets and $14.8 million of lease liabilities were added related to new operating leases.
In May 2021, the Company signed a new lease to secure approximately 21,000 square feet of office space in London. The initial term of the lease is 69 months from the accounting commencement date, June 24, 2021. The Company has the option to renew the lease term for an additional 60 months. The total legally binding minimum lease payments for this lease are approximately $9.5 million.
Additionally, in October 2021, the Company signed a new lease to secure approximately 29,500 square feet of office space in Amsterdam. The initial term of the lease is 120 months from the accounting commencement date, February 1, 2022. The Company has the option to renew the lease term for an additional 60 months. The total legally binding minimum lease payments for this lease are approximately $9.2 million.
The following table presents the supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively (in millions):
Total leased assets
16.9
Total leased liabilities
158.2
144.8
The following table presents operating lease costs and other information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in millions, except as stated):
Operating lease costs (1)
7.4
Lease term and discount rate information:
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
11.9
Weighted average discount rate
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
4.1
Lease incentive for leasehold improvements
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
14.8
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The maturities of the lease liabilities are as follows as of March 31, 2022 (in millions):
21.0
16.1
16.2
After 2026
105.1
Total lease payments (1)
188.8
Less: Interest
Present value of lease liabilities
23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 27, 2022, pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, the Company submitted a committed loan notice to borrow $190 million on April 29, 2022.
On April 28, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its former headquarters building with a tentative close date in June 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
There have been no other subsequent events that would require disclosure in, or adjustment to, the condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, included in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and as contained in that report, the information under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” This discussion contains forward-looking information. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Overview
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (“Cboe” or “the Company”), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The Company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Recent Developments
Planned acquisition of ErisX
On October 20, 2021, the Company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ErisX. ErisX operates a U.S. based digital asset spot market, a regulated futures exchange and a regulated clearinghouse. Ownership of ErisX presents a unique opportunity for the Company to enter the digital asset spot and derivatives marketplaces through a digital-first platform developed with industry partners to focus on robust regulatory compliance, data and transparency. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
Planned acquisition of NEO
On November 15, 2021, the Company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aequitas Innovations, Inc. (“NEO”). NEO is a fintech organization that is comprised of a fully registered Tier-1 Canadian securities exchange with a diverse product and services set ranging from corporate listings to cash equity trading. Ownership of NEO will help allow the Company to provide a more fulsome Canadian equities offering, operating the NEO Exchange, a national securities exchange with trading, listings, and other services, in addition to MATCHNow, the ATS acquired by the Company in 2020. The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory review and other customary closing conditions.
Business Segments
The Company reports five business segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, and Global FX. Segment performance is primarily based on operating income (loss). The Company has aggregated all of its corporate costs and eliminations, as well as other business ventures, within Corporate Items and Eliminations; however, operating expenses that relate to activities of a specific segment have been allocated to that segment. Our management allocates resources, assesses performance and manages our business according to these segments:
Options. The Options segment includes options on market indices (“index options”), as well as on the stocks of individual corporations (“equity options”), and options on ETPs, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), which are “multi-listed” options and listed on a non-exclusive basis. These options are eligible to trade on Cboe Options, C2, BZX, EDGX, and other U.S. national security exchanges. Cboe Options is the Company’s
primary options market and offers trading in listed options through a single system that integrates electronic trading and traditional open outcry trading on the Cboe Options trading floor in Chicago. C2 Options, BZX Options, and EDGX Options are all-electronic options exchanges, and typically operate with different market models and fee structures than Cboe Options. The Options segment also includes applicable market data fees generated from the consolidated tape plans, the licensing of proprietary options market data, index licensing, and access and capacity services.
Europe and Asia Pacific. The Europe and Asia Pacific segment includes the pan-European listed equities and derivatives transaction services, ETPs, exchange-traded commodities, and international depository receipts that are hosted on MTFs operated by Cboe Europe Equities (Cboe Europe and Cboe NL equities exchanges) and Cboe Europe Derivatives (“CEDX”). It also includes the ETP listings business on RMs and clearing activities of EuroCCP, as well as the equities transaction services of Cboe Australia and Cboe Japan, each operators of trading venues in Australia and Japan. This segment was previously referred to as the European Equities segment but was updated to the Europe segment in the first quarter of 2021 as a result of the launch of Cboe Europe Derivatives, a pan-European derivatives platform in September 2021. The segment was subsequently updated to Europe and Asia Pacific to reflect the acquisition of Cboe Asia Pacific in July 2021. Cboe Europe operates lit and dark books, a periodic auctions book, and Cboe BIDS Europe, a Large-in-Scale (“LIS”) trading negotiation facility for UK symbols. Cboe NL, launched in October 2019 and based in Amsterdam, operates similar business functionality to that offered by Cboe Europe, and provides for trading only in European Economic Area (“EEA”) symbols. The new Cboe Europe Derivatives venue offers futures and options based on Cboe Europe equity indices. This segment also includes Cboe Europe, Cboe NL, CEDX, Cboe Australia, and Cboe Japan revenue generated from the licensing of proprietary market data and from access and capacity services.
General Factors Affecting Results of Operations
In broad terms, our business performance is impacted by a number of drivers, including macroeconomic events affecting the risk and return of financial assets, investor sentiment, the regulatory environment for capital markets, geopolitical events, tax policies, central bank policies and changing technology, particularly in the financial services industry. We believe our future revenues and net income will continue to be influenced by a number of domestic and international economic trends, including:
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A number of significant structural, political and monetary issues, global conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic continue to confront the global economy, and instability could continue, resulting in an increased or subdued level of inflation, market volatility, supply chain constraints, changes in trading volumes and greater uncertainty, inflationary increases in our expenses, such as compensation inflation, may have an adverse effect on our financial results.
We continue to closely monitor developments around COVID-19 and follow guidance provided by governmental and public health agencies. In response to COVID-19, we have provided frequent communications to employees, customers, regulators, critical vendors, technology equipment suppliers, data and disaster recovery centers, and other service providers and instructed non-essential employees to work from home on a temporary basis, implemented travel restrictions, and temporarily suspended open outcry trading between March 13, 2020 and June 14, 2020, without any known significant disruptions to our business or control processes. We expect to continue to take further actions as necessary in response to addressing COVID-19. Our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected by the effects of COVID-19, however, the extent to which our results could be affected by COVID-19 largely depends on future developments which cannot be accurately predicted and are uncertain. Further, changes in trading behavior, additional suspensions of open outcry trading, market disruptions and other future developments caused by the effects of COVID-19 could impact trading volumes and the demand for our products, market data, and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows for fiscal year 2022 and could be material during any future period impacted either directly or indirectly by this pandemic.
Components of Revenues
Cash and Spot Markets
Revenue aggregated into cash and spot markets includes associated transaction and clearing fees, the portion of market data fees relating to associated U.S. tape plan market data fees, associated regulatory fees, and associated other revenue from the Company’s North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, and Global FX segments.
Data and Access Solutions
Revenue aggregated into data and access solutions includes access and capacity fees, proprietary market data fees, and associated other revenue across the Company’s five segments.
Derivatives Markets
Includes associated transaction and clearing fees, the portion of market data fees relating to associated U.S. tape plan market data fees, associated regulatory fees, and associated other fees from the Company’s Options, Futures, and Europe and Asia Pacific segments.
Components of Cost of Revenues
Liquidity Payments
Liquidity payments are directly correlated to the volume of securities traded on our markets. As stated above, we record the liquidity rebates paid to market participants providing liquidity, in the case of C2, BZX, EDGX, and Cboe Europe Equities and Derivatives, as cost of revenue. BYX and EDGA offer a pricing model where we rebate liquidity takers for executing against an order resting on our book, which is also recorded as a cost of revenues.
Routing and Clearing
Various rules require that U.S. options and equities trade executions occur at the NBBO displayed by any exchange. Linkage order routing consists of the cost incurred to provide a service whereby Cboe equities and options exchanges deliver orders to other execution venues when there is a potential for obtaining a better execution price or when instructed to directly route an order to another venue by the order provider. The service affords exchange order flow providers an opportunity to obtain the best available execution price and may also result in cost benefits to those clients. Such an
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offering improves our competitive position and provides an opportunity to attract orders which would otherwise bypass our exchanges. We utilize third-party brokers or our broker-dealer, Cboe Trading, to facilitate such delivery. Also included within routing and clearing are the Order Management System and Execution Management System (“OMS” and “EMS”, respectively) fees incurred for U.S. Equities Off-Exchange order execution, as well as settlement costs incurred for the settlement process executed by EuroCCP.
Section 31 Fees
Exchanges under the authority of the SEC (Cboe Options, C2, BZX, BYX, EDGX, and EDGA) are assessed fees pursuant to the Exchange Act designed to recover the costs to the U.S. government of supervision and regulation of securities markets and securities professionals. We treat these fees as a pass-through charge to customers executing eligible listed equities and listed equity options trades. Accordingly, we recognize the amount that we are charged under Section 31 as a cost of revenues and the corresponding amount that we charge our customers as regulatory transaction fees revenue. Since the regulatory transaction fees recorded in revenues are equal to the Section 31 fees recorded in cost of revenues, there is no impact on our operating income. CFE, Cboe Trading, Cboe Europe, Cboe NL, BIDS, MATCHNow, Cboe FX, Cboe Australia and Cboe Japan are not U.S. national securities exchanges, and accordingly are not charged Section 31 fees.
Royalty Fees and Other Cost of Revenues
Royalty fees primarily consist of license fees paid by us for the use of underlying indices in our proprietary products usually based on contracts traded. The Company has licenses with the owners of the S&P 500 Index, S&P 100 Index and certain other S&P indices, FTSE Russell indices, the DJIA, MSCI, and certain other index products. This category also includes fees related to the dissemination of market data related to S&P indices and other products through Cboe Streaming Market Indices (“CSMI”).
Other cost of revenues primarily consists of interest expense from clearing operations, electronic access permit fees and other miscellaneous costs associated with other revenue.
Components of Operating Expenses
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits represent our largest expense category and tend to be driven by our staffing requirements, financial performance, and the general dynamics of the employment market. Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense related to equity awards. Stock-based compensation can vary depending on the quantity and fair value of the award on the date of grant and the related service period.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense results from the depreciation of long-lived assets purchased, the amortization of purchased and internally developed software, and the amortization of intangible assets.
Technology Support Services
Technology support services consists primarily of costs related to the maintenance of computer equipment supporting our system architecture, circuits supporting our wide area network, support for production software, operating system license and support fees, fees paid to information vendors for displaying data and off-site system hosting fees.
Professional Fees and Outside Services
Professional fees and outside services consist primarily of consulting services, which include supplemental staff activities primarily related to systems development and maintenance, legal, regulatory and audit, and tax advisory services.
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Travel and Promotional Expenses
Travel and promotional expenses primarily consist of advertising, costs for special events, sponsorship of industry conferences, options education seminars and travel-related expenses.
Facilities Costs
Facilities costs primarily consist of expenses related to owned and leased properties including rent, maintenance, utilities, real estate taxes and telecommunications costs.
Acquisition-Related Costs
Acquisition-related costs relate to acquisitions and other strategic opportunities, including the Merger. The acquisition-related costs include fees for investment banking advisors, lawyers, accountants, tax advisors, public relations firms, severance and retention costs, impairment of goodwill, capitalized software and facilities, and other external costs directly related to the mergers and acquisitions.
Other Expenses
Other expenses represent costs necessary to support our operations that are not already included in the above categories.
Non-Operating (Expenses) Income
Income and expenses incurred through activities outside of our core operations are considered non-operating and are classified as other (expense) income. These activities primarily include interest earned on the investing of excess cash, interest expense related to outstanding debt facilities, dividend income, income and unrealized gains and losses related to investments held in a trust for the Company’s non-qualified retirement and benefit plans, and equity earnings or losses from our investments in other business ventures.
Financial Summary
The following are summaries of changes in financial performance and include certain non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses these non-GAAP measures internally in conjunction with GAAP measures to help evaluate our performance and to help make financial and operational decisions. These non-GAAP financial measures assist management in comparing our performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not reflect our underlying operations.
We believe our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency into financial measures used by management and is useful to investors for period-to-period comparisons of our ongoing operating performance.
These non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with, or as an alternative to, GAAP financial measures and may be calculated differently from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures. We encourage analysts, investors and other interested parties to use these non-GAAP measures as supplemental information to the GAAP financial measures included herein, including our consolidated financial statements, to enhance their analysis and understanding of our performance and in making comparisons. Please see the footnotes below for definitions, additional information, and reconciliations from the closest GAAP measure.
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The following summarizes changes in financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Increase/
Percent
(Decrease)
Change
(in millions, except percentages, earnings per share, and as noted below)
(36.3)
(4)
(88.9)
(14)
52.6
35.1
32.0
59.6
107
(27.6)
(20)
(0.25)
Organic net revenue (1)
409.7
44.2
EBITDA (2)
276.2
246.8
EBITDA margin (3)
66.1
67.5
(1.4)
*
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
281.2
250.2
Adjusted EBITDA margin (4)
67.3
68.5
(1.2)
Adjusted earnings (5)
184.3
164.8
Adjusted earnings margin (5)
44.1
(1.0)
(0.6)
Adjusted Diluted earnings per share (6)
1.73
1.53
0.20
Not meaningful
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Recent acquisitions:
Acquisition revenues less cost of revenues
Organic net revenue
47
The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (in millions):
North American Equities
Europe and Asia Pacific
Net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders
162.4
38.4
14.0
(124.9)
8.9
110.5
18.1
5.8
EBITDA
169.1
56.5
30.3
(5.5)
Investment establishment costs
3.0
Adjusted EBITDA
56.9
(1.7)
127.9
43.7
(61.2)
51.0
19.6
7.9
6.4
135.3
64.5
22.6
7.6
(1.3)
135.6
1.8
The following is a reconciliation of net income allocated to common stockholders to adjusted earnings (in millions):
30.6
32.9
Tax reserves
48.5
Tax effect of adjustments
(8.7)
(8.2)
Adjusted earnings
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The following summarizes changes in certain operational and financial metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021:
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The following table includes operational and financial metrics for our Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, and Global FX segments. The metrics listed for Australian Equities and Japanese Equities in the table below are newly added for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as a result of the acquisition completed during 2021. Therefore, the table does not include results from the periods preceding each acquisition for the applicable metrics. The following summarizes changes in certain operational and financial metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021:
(in millions, except percentages, trading days, and as noted below)
Options:
Average daily volume (ADV) (in millions of contracts):
Market ADV
42.5
1
Total touched contracts (1)
13.4
12.7
Multi-listed contract ADV
Index contract ADV
Number of trading days
62
61
Total Options revenue per contract (RPC) (2)
0.210
0.177
0.033
Multi-listed options RPC (2)
0.067
Index options RPC (2)
0.857
0.803
0.054
Total Options market share
31.5
30.2
Multi-listed options market share
Index options market share
99.1
99.0
North American Equities:
U.S. Equities:
U.S. Equities - Exchange:
ADV:
Total touched shares (in billions) (1)
(17)
Market ADV (in billions)
(12)
Market share
14.3
15.0
(0.7)
U.S. Equities - Exchange (net capture per one hundred touched shares) (3)
0.017
0.015
0.002
U.S. ETPs: launches (number of launches)
(3)
(9)
U.S. ETPs: listings (number of listings)
566
471
95
U.S. Equities - Off-Exchange:
Total touched shares (in millions) (1)
108.5
99.5
9.0
U.S. Equities - Off-Exchange (net capture per one hundred touched shares) (4)
0.117
0.121
(0.004)
Trading days
Canadian Equities:
ADV (matched shares, in millions) (5)
71.4
(30.3)
(42)
Net capture (per 10,000 touched shares, in Canadian dollars) (6)
9.131
7.184
1.947
Europe and Asia Pacific:
European Equities:
ADNV:
Matched ADNV (in billions) (7)
€
Market ADNV (in billions)
58.7
44.8
13.9
64
63
21.8
16.8
5.0
Net capture (per matched notional value in basis points) (8)
0.233
0.284
(0.051)
(18)
EuroCCP:
Trades cleared (9)
454.4
298.2
156.2
52
Fee per trade cleared (10)
0.009
0.011
(0.002)
Net settlement volume (11)
Net fee per settlement (12)
0.924
0.865
0.059
Australian Equities:
ADNV (AUD billions)
Market share - Continuous
15.8
Net capture (per matched notional value in basis points) (13)
0.173
Japanese Equities:
ADNV (JPY billions)
¥
164.6
58
Market share - Lit Continuous
3.8
Net capture (per matched notional value in basis points) (14)
0.228
Futures:
ADV (in thousands)
253.7
255.9
(2.2)
Revenue per contract
1.637
1.639
Global FX:
ADNV (in billions)
4.9
Global FX (net capture per one million dollars traded) (15)
2.67
2.65
0.02
Average British pound/U.S. dollar exchange rate
1.342
1.379
(0.037)
Average Canadian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate
0.789
0.790
(0.001)
Average Euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate
1.122
1.205
(0.083)
(7)
Average Euro/British pound exchange rate
£
0.836
0.874
(0.038)
Average Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate
0.721
Average Japanese Yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate
Note, the percent change listed represents the change in the unrounded metrics figures.
50
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Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased $36.3 million, or 4%, compared to the prior period primarily due to decreased cash and spot markets revenue as a result of a decline in the Section 31 fee rate and a decline in volumes traded on the U.S. Equities exchanges, partially offset by increased derivatives markets revenue attributable to increased volumes traded on the Options exchanges, coupled with increased data and access solutions revenue primarily related to increased access and capacity fees in the Options and North American Equities segments. The following summarizes changes in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 (in millions, except percentages):
(87.0)
(16)
18.3
32.4
Cash and spot markets revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to decreases in regulatory fees and transaction and clearing fees. Regulatory fees decreased primarily due to a 68% decline in the Section 31 fee rate, from an average rate of $15.80 per million dollars of covered sales for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to an average rate of $5.10 per million dollars of covered sales during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Transaction and clearing fees decreased primarily due to a 17% decrease in total touched shares on U.S. Equities exchanges, partially offset by a 71% increase in European Equities matched ADNV.
Data and access solutions revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in access and capacity fees and proprietary market data fees. Access and capacity fees increased primarily due to increases in logical port revenue in the Options and North American Equities segments, increases in physical port revenue in the North American Equities and Options segments, and increased access fees in the Europe and Asia Pacific segment. Proprietary market data fees increased primarily due to proprietary market data attributable to Cboe Asia Pacific, which was acquired in the third quarter of 2021, coupled with an increase in financial risk analytics market data in the Options segment, partially offset by a decrease in licensing fees.
Derivatives markets revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to an increase in transaction and clearing fees, partially offset by a decrease in regulatory fees. Transaction and clearing fees increased primarily due to a 27% increase in index options ADV. Regulatory fees decreased primarily due to a 68% decline in the Section 31 fee rate, from an average rate of $15.80 per million dollars of covered sales for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to an average rate of $5.10 per million dollars of covered sales during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The following tables reconcile the cost of revenues captions presented on the condensed consolidated statements of income to the updated net revenue captions discussed in Note 1 (“Organization and Basis of Presentation”) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in millions):
Cash andSpot Markets
Data andAccess Solutions
DerivativesMarkets
299.6
167.9
Routing and clearing fees
31.8
3.9
23.9
351.6
202.4
335.8
166.0
21.6
5.5
82.0
4.2
443.6
199.7
Cost of revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to decreased cash and spot markets cost of revenues related to lower Section 31 fees, coupled with a decline in liquidity payments.
The following summarizes changes in the disaggregated cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 (in millions, except percentages):
(34.3)
(61)
Liquidity payments decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decrease in volumes traded on the U.S. Equities exchanges, partially offset by increased volumes traded on the European Equities exchanges.
Routing and clearing fees decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decline in routed trades in the North American Equities segment, partially offset by an increase in routed shares on the Options exchanges.
Section 31 fees decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a 68% decline in the Section 31 fee rate, from an average rate of $15.80 per million dollars of covered
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sales for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to an average rate of $5.10 per million dollars of covered sales during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Royalty fees and other cost of revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to an increase in trading volume in licensed products.
Revenues Less Cost of Revenues
Revenues less cost of revenues increased $52.6 million, or 14%, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increased derivatives markets revenue attributable to increased volumes traded on the Options exchanges, as well as increased access and capacity fees in the Options and North American Equities segments.
The following summarizes the components of revenues less cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 (in millions, except percentages):
Increase
110.3
105.3
116.5
98.6
17.9
191.3
161.6
Total revenues less cost of revenues
Cash and spot markets revenues less cost of revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increased transaction and clearing fees in the European Equities segment. Transaction and clearing fees increased primarily due to a 71% increase in European Equities matched ADNV, partially offset by a 17% decline in total touched shares on U.S. Equities exchanges. Routing and clearing fees decreased primarily due to a 36% decline in routed shares on U.S. Equities exchanges.
Data and access solutions revenues less cost of revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in access and capacity fees and proprietary market data fees. Access and capacity fees increased due to increases in logical port revenue in the Options and North American Equities segments, increases in physical port revenue in the North American Equities and Options segments, and increased access fees in the Europe and Asia Pacific segment. Proprietary market data fees increased due to proprietary market data attributable to Cboe Asia Pacific, coupled with an increase in financial risk analytics market data in the Options segment.
Derivatives markets revenues less cost of revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to increased transaction and clearing fees, partially offset by increased royalty fees in the Options segment. Transaction and clearing fees increased primarily due to a 27% increase in index options ADV.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 increased $17.5 million, or 11%, primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits, professional fees and outside services, and other expenses, partially offset by a decrease in acquisition-related costs.
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The following summarizes changes in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 (in millions, except percentages):
(1.1)
81
(41)
Compensation and benefits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a $9.8 million increase in salaries, wages, and bonuses, driven by a $3.5 million increase in compensation and benefits expense related to Cboe Asia Pacific, a $4.6 million increase in salaries, wages, and bonuses driven by strong Company performance year to date, merit increases, and increased headcount excluding acquisitions, and a $1.0 million increase in benefits driven by increases in payroll taxes and benefit plan contributions, partially offset by a $2.7 million decrease in equity compensation related to the reversal of 2019 PSUs which did not meet performance conditions required for vesting and forfeited awards during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Depreciation and amortization decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decrease in amortization under the discounted cash flow method for the intangibles acquired in the Bats acquisition, partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense related to Cboe Asia Pacific, as well as an increase in depreciation expense related to the former headquarters location, which was not subject to depreciation during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as it was classified as held for sale from May 1, 2019 until May 1, 2021.
Technology support services increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in software maintenance support service fees and market data support service fees, partially offset by a decrease in purchased hardware and equipment.
Professional fees and outside services increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in legal fees, contract services, and recruiting fees.
Travel and promotional expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in marketing expenses and travel expenses.
Facilities costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to an increase in rent expense related to additional office locations following the acquisition of Cboe Asia Pacific, along with the new trading floor in Chicago.
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Acquisition-related costs decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decline in professional fees, partially offset by an impairment charge related to the Company’s investment in Signal Trading Systems, LLC that occurred in the first quarter of 2021 and did not recur in 2022.
Other expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in taxes, licenses, and permits, as well as record storage costs and additional one-time charitable contributions made related to Ukraine relief efforts during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Operating Income
As a result of the items above, operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $239.7 million, compared to $204.6 million for the same period in 2021, an increase of $35.1 million.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense related to the EuroCCP Credit Facility, which was amended and restated in July 2021, partially offset by interest income related to Cboe Asia Pacific.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Net other income decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a $3.1 million loss, related to the Company’s share of the 7Ridge Fund’s loss accounted for under the equity method of accounting, of which $3.0 million was related to investment establishment costs, which are not expected to recur.
Income Before Income Tax Provision
As a result of the above, income before income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $224.9 million, compared to $192.9 million for the same period in 2021, an increase of $32.0 million.
Income Tax Provision
The effective tax rate from continuing operations was 51.3% and 28.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is primarily due to additional tax reserves of $48.5 million related to the Section 199 litigation.
Net Income
As a result of the items above, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $109.6 million, compared to $137.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $27.6 million.
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Segment Operating Results
We report results from our five segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, and Global FX. Segment performance is primarily based on operating income (loss). We have aggregated all corporate costs, as well as other business ventures, within Corporate Items and Eliminations as those activities should not be used to evaluate a segment’s operating performance. All operating expenses that relate to activities of a specific segment have been allocated to that segment.
The following summarizes our total revenues by segment (in millions, except percentages):
Note, the chart excludes Corporate revenues less cost of revenues of $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
Percentage
of Total
(19)
100
57
The following summarizes our revenues less cost of revenues by segment (in millions, except percentages):
Percentage of
Total Revenues
Less Cost of Revenues
219.2
181.7
93.1
96.1
57.5
42.1
31.2
17.1
The following summarizes revenues less cost of revenues, operating expenses, operating income, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin for our Options segment (in millions, except percentages):
Operating expenses
53.0
EBITDA (1)
EBITDA margin (2)
77.1
74.5
Revenues less cost of revenues increased $37.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to a 27% increase in index options ADV and a 7% increase in index options net capture. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating income for the Options segment increased $34.0 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in revenues less cost of revenues. Operating expenses increased $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to increases in professional fees and outside services, other expenses, and technology support services.
The following summarizes revenues less cost of revenues, operating expenses, operating income, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin for our North American Equities segment (in millions, except percentages):
54.5
60.7
67.1
Revenues less cost of revenues decreased $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to a decline in transaction and clearing fees as a result of a 17% decrease in total touched shares on U.S. Equities exchanges. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating income for the North American Equities segment decreased $6.5 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in operating expenses, coupled with a decrease in revenues less cost of revenues. Operating expenses increased $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to increases in professional fees and outside services and compensation and benefits, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization.
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The following summarizes revenues less cost of revenues, operating expenses, operating income, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin for our Europe and Asia Pacific segment (in millions, except percentages):
75
36.6
27.6
52.7
53.7
*Not meaningful
Revenues less cost of revenues increased $15.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to a 71% increase in European Equities matched ADNV, driven by a 31% increase in European Equities market ADNV, and additional revenue attributable to Cboe Asia Pacific. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating income for the Europe and Asia Pacific segment increased $6.4 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, due to higher revenues less cost of revenues. Operating expenses increased $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits and depreciation and amortization attributable to Cboe Asia Pacific.
The following summarizes revenues less cost of revenues, operating expenses, operating income, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin for our Futures segment (in millions, except percentages):
97
14.2
13.1
56.4
59.2
Revenues less cost of revenues increased $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in proprietary market data and logical port fees. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating income for the Futures segment decreased $0.5 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to higher operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in professional fees and outside services.
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The following summarizes revenues less cost of revenues, operating expenses, operating income, EBITDA, and EBITDA margin for our Global FX segment (in millions, except percentages):
99
13.5
85
92
48.0
51.7
Revenues less cost of revenues increased $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to a 13% increase in Global FX ADNV. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating income for the Global FX segment increased $1.2 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in revenues less cost of revenues. Operating expenses increased $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Below are charts that reflect elements of our capital allocation:
We expect our cash on hand at March 31, 2022 and other available resources, including cash generated from operations, to be sufficient to continue to meet our cash requirements for the foreseeable future. In the near term, we expect that our cash from operations and availability under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement will
meet our cash needs to fund our operations, capital expenditures, interest payments on debt, any dividends, potential strategic acquisitions, opportunities for common stock repurchases under the previously announced program, and payouts related to the unfavorable decision in the Section 199 litigation. We may also utilize excess cash on hand to pay down amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement. See Note 10 (“Debt”) of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
EuroCCP also has a €1.5 billion committed syndicated multicurrency revolving and swingline credit facility agreement with EuroCCP as borrower and the Company as guarantor of scheduled interest and fees on borrowings (but not the principal amount of any borrowings) (the “Facility”). The Facility is available to be drawn by EuroCCP towards (a) financing unsettled amounts in connection with the settlement of transactions in securities and other items processed through EuroCCP’s clearing system and (b) financing any other liability or liquidity requirement of EuroCCP incurred in the operation of its clearing system. Borrowings under the Facility are secured by cash, eligible bonds and eligible equity assets deposited by EuroCCP into secured accounts. As a result, should the Facility be drawn by EuroCCP it could potentially impact EuroCCP’s liquidity, and we can give no assurance that this Facility will be sufficient to meet all of such obligations or sufficiently mitigate EuroCCP’s liquidity risk to meet its payment obligations when due. Additionally, a default of the Facility may allow lenders, under certain circumstances, to accelerate any related drawn amounts and may result in the acceleration of the Company’s other outstanding debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies, which may limit the Company’s liquidity, business and financing activities. The Facility is expected to terminate on June 30, 2022 and we may not be able to enter into a replacement facility on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Our long-term cash needs will depend on many factors, including an introduction of new products, enhancements of current products, the geographic mix of our business and any potential acquisitions. We believe our cash from operations and the availability under our Revolving Credit Facility will meet any long-term needs unless a significant acquisition or acquisitions are identified, in which case we expect that we would be able to borrow the necessary funds and/or issue additional shares of our common stock to complete such acquisition(s). In addition, we do not expect COVID-19 to have a material impact on our liquidity or capital resources, including cash from operations or uses of cash, or change our ability to access capital markets in the near term or the foreseeable future.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and all non-restricted, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 increased $317.5 million from December 31, 2021 primarily due to the issuance of the 3.000% Senior Notes, results of operations, and adjustment for depreciation expense. See “Cash Flow” below for further discussion.
Our cash and cash equivalents held outside of the United States in various foreign subsidiaries totaled $173.1 million as of March 31, 2022. The remaining balance was held in the United States and totaled $486.3 million as of March 31, 2022. The majority of cash held outside the United States is available for repatriation, but under current law, could subject us to additional United States income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits.
Our financial investments include deferred compensation plan assets, as well as investments with original or acquired maturities longer than three months, but that mature in less than one year from the balance sheet date and are recorded at fair value. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, financial investments consisted of U.S. Treasury securities and deferred compensation plan assets.
Cash Flow
The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in millions):
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents
As of March 31,
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,150.2 million higher than net income. The variance is primarily attributable to the change of $1,064.4 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, driven by margin deposits and clearing funds related to EuroCCP, the change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $93.7 million, the change in income taxes receivable of $42.7 million, the adjustment for depreciation of $40.9 million, and the change in income taxes payable of $24.5 million, partially offset by the change in accounts receivable of $56.2 million and the adjustment for the provision for deferred income taxes of $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $1,259.8 million and $599.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The change in net cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily due to the change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, driven by margin deposits and clearing funds related to EuroCCP, the change in Section 31 fees payable, and the change in unrecognized tax benefits, partially offset by the change in accounts receivable and the change in other liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities were $24.9 million and $13.3 million for the three months March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The variance is primarily due to the change in the proceeds from available-for-sale financial investments, partially offset by the change in purchases of available-for-sale financial investments for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities were $146.5 and ($119.5) million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The variance is primarily attributable to proceeds from the long-term debt issuance of $298.6 million, partially offset by the change in share repurchases, as well as the change in payment of contingent consideration from acquisition for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Financial Assets
The following summarizes our financial assets, excluding margin deposits and clearing funds, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Less deferred compensation plan assets
(27.4)
(28.0)
Less cash collected for Section 31 fees
(20.7)
(25.9)
Adjusted cash (1)
660.0
325.1
The following summarizes our debt obligations as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in millions):
650.0
500.0
Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
(16.4)
(10.7)
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with the covenants of our debt agreements.
In addition to the debt outstanding, as of March 31, 2022, we had an additional $400.0 million available through our revolving credit facility, with the ability to borrow another $200.0 million by increasing the commitments under the facility, and, as of March 31, 2022, through September 30, 2022 we have an additional $400.0 million available through our term loan agreement. Together with adjusted cash, we had $1.7 billion available to fund our operations, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, debt repayments and any dividends as of March 31, 2022.
The Company’s expectation is to continue to pay dividends. The decision to pay a dividend, however, remains within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and may be affected by various factors, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness and other considerations our Board of Directors deems relevant. Future debt obligations and statutory provisions, among other things, may limit, or in some cases prohibit, our ability to pay dividends.
In 2011, the Board of Directors approved an initial authorization for the Company to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock of $100 million and subsequently approved additional authorizations for a total authorization of $1.6 billion. The program permits the Company to purchase shares through a variety of methods, including in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable securities laws. It does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases at any specific time or situation.
Under the program, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 596,988 shares of common stock at an average cost per share of $117.25, totaling $70.0 million. Since inception of the program through March 31, 2022, the Company has repurchased 18,669,117 shares of common stock at an average cost per share of $69.69, totaling $1.3 billion.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $248.9 million of availability remaining under its existing share repurchase authorizations.
Commercial Commitments and Contractual Obligations
As of March 31, 2022, our commercial commitments and contractual obligations included operating leases, data and telecommunications agreements, equipment leases, our long-term debt outstanding, contingent considerations and other obligations. See Note 21 (“Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees”) to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of commitments and contingencies, Note 10 (“Debt”) for a discussion of the outstanding debt, Note 12 (“Clearing Operations”) for information on EuroCCP’s clearinghouse exposure guarantee, and Note 22 (“Leases”) for discussion on operating leases and equipment leases.
Guarantees
We use Wedbush and Morgan Stanley to clear our routed equities transactions for our U.S. Equities exchanges. Wedbush and Morgan Stanley guarantee the trade until one day after the trade date, after which time the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) provides a guarantee. The BIDS Trading ATS platform delivers matched trades to BofA Securities, Inc. (“BOA”), which delivers the matched trades to the NSCC. BOA guarantees the trade until one day after the trade date, after which time the NSCC provides a guarantee. In the case of failure to perform on the part of Wedbush or Morgan Stanley on routed transactions for our U.S. Equities exchanges, we provide the guarantee to the counterparty to the trader. In the case of failure to perform on the part of BOA on transactions for the BIDS Trading ATS platform, BIDS has obligations to the counterparties to satisfy the trades. OCC acts as a central counterparty on all transactions in listed equity options in our Options segment, and as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our options transactions. We believe that any potential requirement for us to make payments under these guarantees is remote and accordingly, have not recorded any liability in the consolidated financial statements for these guarantees. Similarly, with respect to U.S. listed equity options and futures, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the OCC, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Options, C2, BZX, EDGX, and CFE and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched options and futures trades. With respect to Canadian equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to The Canadian Depository for Securities, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on MATCHNow and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched Canadian equities trades. With respect to Australian equities and derivatives, we deliver matched trades of our customers to ASX Clear Pty Ltd and ASX Settlement Pty Ltd. ASX Clear Pty Ltd acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Australia and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement on all of our matched trades in Australia. With respect to Japanese equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the Japanese Securities Clearing Corporation, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Japan and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement on all of our matched trades in Japan.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to areas that require a significant level of judgment or are otherwise subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, observance of trends in particular areas, information available from outside sources and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Information from these sources form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that may not be readily apparent from other sources.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates from those disclosed in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
As a result of our operating activities, we are exposed to market risks such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, equity risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. We have implemented policies and procedures to measure, manage and monitor and report risk exposures, which are reviewed regularly by management and our Board of Directors.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Our operations in Europe, Canada and Asia are subject to increased currency translation risk as revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound, Canadian dollar, Euro, Australian dollar, and Japanese Yen. We also have de minimis exposure to other foreign currencies, including the Swiss Franc, Norwegian Kroner, Swedish Krona, Danish Kroner, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, and Philippine Peso.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, our exposure to foreign-denominated revenues and expenses is presented by primary foreign currency in the following table (in millions, except percentages):
British
Australian
Pounds (1)
Euros (1)
Dollars (1)
Foreign denominated % of:
3.6
Cost of revenues
3.2
Impact of 10% adverse currency fluctuation on:
Equity Risk
Our investment in European, Canadian, and Asia Pacific operations is exposed to volatility in currency exchange rates through translation of our net assets or equity to U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of our European businesses are denominated in British pounds or Euros. The assets and liabilities of our Canadian businesses are denominated in Canadian dollars. The assets and liabilities of our Asia Pacific businesses are denominated in Hong Kong dollars, Australian dollars, Japanese Yen, or Philippine Pesos. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may create volatility in our reported results as we are required to translate foreign currency reported statements of financial condition and operational results into U.S. dollars for consolidated reporting. The translation of these non-U.S. dollar statements of financial condition into U.S. dollars for consolidated reporting results in a cumulative translation adjustment, which is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net within stockholders' equity on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Our primary exposure to this equity risk as of March 31, 2022 is presented by foreign currency in the following table (in millions):
Canadian
Net equity investment in Cboe Europe Equities and Derivatives, EuroCCP, and MATCHNow
634.8
129.4
194.5
Impact on consolidated equity of a 10% adverse currency fluctuation
63.5
19.4
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk from third parties, including customers, counterparties and clearing agents. These parties may default on their obligations due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. We limit our exposure to credit risk by considering such risk when selecting the counterparties with which we make investments and execute agreements.
We do not have counterparty credit risk with respect to trades matched on our exchanges in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. With respect to listed equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the NSCC without taking on counterparty risk for those trades. NSCC acts as a central counterparty on all equity transactions occurring on BZX, BYX, EDGX and EDGA and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched equity trades. Similarly, with respect to U.S. listed equity options and futures, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the OCC, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Options, C2, BZX, EDGX and CFE and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched options and futures trades. With respect to Canadian equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to The Canadian Depository for Securities, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on MATCHNow and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement of all of our matched Canadian equities trades. The BIDS Trading ATS platform delivers matched trades to BOA, which delivers the matched trades to the NSCC. BOA guarantees the trade until one day after the trade date, after which time the NSCC provides a guarantee. Thus, BIDS Trading is potentially exposed to credit risk to the counterparty between the trade date and one day after the trade date in the event BOA fails. With respect to Australian equities and derivatives, we deliver matched trades of our customers to ASX Clear Pty Ltd and ASX Settlement Pty Ltd. ASX Clear Pty Ltd acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Australia and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement on all of our matched trades in Australia. With respect to Japanese equities, we deliver matched trades of our customers to the Japanese Securities Clearing Corporation, which acts as a central counterparty on all transactions occurring on Cboe Japan and, as such, guarantees clearance and settlement on all of our matched trades in Japan.
With respect to orders Cboe Trading routes to other markets for execution on behalf of our customers, Cboe Trading is exposed to some counterparty credit risk in the case of failure to perform on the part of our clearing firms, Morgan Stanley or Wedbush. Morgan Stanley and Wedbush guarantee trades until one day after the trade date, after which time NSCC provides a guarantee. The BIDS Trading ATS platform delivers matched trades to BOA, which delivers the matched trades to the NSCC. Thus, Cboe Trading is potentially exposed to credit risk to the counterparty to a trade routed to another market center between the trade date and one day after the trade date in the event that Morgan Stanley or Wedbush fails. The BIDS Trading ATS platform is potentially exposed to counterparty credit risk on equities trades between the trade date and one day after the trade date in the event that BOA fails. We believe that any potential requirement for us to make payments under these guarantees is remote and accordingly, have not recorded any liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these guarantees.
Historically, we have not incurred any liability due to a customer’s failure to satisfy its contractual obligations as counterparty to a system trade. Credit difficulties or insolvency, or the perceived possibility of credit difficulties or insolvency, of one or more larger or more visible market participants could also result in market-wide credit difficulties or other market disruptions.
We do not have counterparty credit risk with respect to institutional spot FX trades occurring on our platform because Cboe FX is not a counterparty to any FX transactions. All transactions occurring on our platform occur bilaterally between two banks or prime brokers as counterparties to the trade. While Cboe FX does not have direct counterparty risk, Cboe FX may suffer a decrease in transaction volume if a bank or prime broker experiences an event that causes other prime brokers to decrease or revoke the credit available to the prime broker experiencing the event. Therefore, Cboe FX may have risk that is related to the credit of the banks and prime brokers that trade FX on the Cboe FX platform.
We also have credit risk related to transaction fees that are billed in arrears to customers on a monthly basis. Our potential exposure to credit losses on these transactions is represented by the receivable balances in our balance sheet. Our customers are financial institutions whose ability to satisfy their contractual obligations may be impacted by volatile securities markets.
The Company is exposed to further credit risk through our clearing operations. EuroCCP holds material amounts of clearing participant collateral, both cash and non-cash deposits, which are held or invested primarily to provide security of
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capital while minimizing credit risk as well as liquidity and market risks. The following is a summary of the risks associated with these deposits and how these risks are mitigated:
On a regular basis, we review and evaluate changes in the status of our counterparties’ creditworthiness. Credit losses such as those described above could adversely affect our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations. Any such effects to date have been minimal.
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relating to our cash and cash equivalents, financial investments, and indebtedness. As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, our cash and cash equivalents and financial investments were $708.1 million and $358.8 million, respectively, of which $173.1 million and $133.4 million is held outside of the United States in various foreign subsidiaries in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The remaining cash and cash equivalents and financial investments are denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not use our investment portfolio for trading or other speculative purposes. Due to the nature of these investments, we have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in interest rates, assuming no change in the amount or composition of our cash and cash equivalents and financial investments.
As of March 31, 2022, we had $1,593.6 million in outstanding debt, of which $1,436.0 million relates to our Senior Notes, which bear interest at fixed interest rates. Changes in interest rates will have no impact on the interest we pay on fixed-rate obligations. $159.5 million of the outstanding debt relates to the Term Loan Agreement, which bears interest at fluctuating rates and, therefore, subjects us to interest rate risk. The discontinuance of LIBOR and introduction to SOFR also contributes to interest rate risk. The overnight Treasury repurchase market underlying SOFR has experienced and may experience disruptions from time to time, which may result in unexpected fluctuations, including potentially higher rates, in SOFR. The Company continues to monitor the transition from LIBOR to SOFR and the potential impacts on our operating results. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates relating to the amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement as of March 31, 2022 would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by $1.6 million, assuming no change in the composition of our outstanding indebtedness. We are also exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement and the EuroCCP Credit Facility, as these facilities bear interest at fluctuating rates. As of March 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement. However, there were $1.9 million in debt issuance costs related to the amendment of the Revolving Credit Agreement as
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defined in Note 10 (“Debt”). There were no outstanding borrowings under the EuroCCP Credit Facility. See Note 10 (“Debt”) to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of debt agreements.
Liquidity Risk
We are exposed to liquidity risk under certain circumstances in relation to the cross-acceleration and cross-default provisions within the Term Loan Agreement and the Revolving Credit Agreement as a result of the Company, as guarantor, entering into the EuroCCP Credit Facility. A default of the Facility may allow lenders to accelerate any related drawn amounts and may result in the acceleration of the Company’s other outstanding debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies, which may limit the Company’s liquidity, business and financing activities. See Note 10 (“Debt”) to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of debt agreements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Cboe incorporates herein by reference the discussion set forth in Note 19 (“Income Taxes”) and Note 21 (“Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees”) of the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein.
Other than the legal proceedings below and incorporated by reference herein, there have been no material updates during the period covered by this Form 10-Q to the Legal Proceedings as set forth in Item 3. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
CT Plan Order (Continuation of Consolidated Data Plans Proceeding)
On May 6, 2020, the SEC issued an order (the “Consolidated Data Plan Order”) that directed the U.S. equities exchanges and FINRA to submit a new National Market System (“NMS”) Plan regarding Consolidated Equity Market Data. The contemplated new NMS Plan is referred to as the “CT Plan” and it will replace three Equity Data Plans that govern the dissemination of real-time, consolidated market data for NMS stocks. The Consolidated Data Plan Order set forth certain changes to be included in the proposed CT Plan, including governance structure changes related to voting rights and a deadline of August 11, 2020 by which the proposed CT Plan had to be filed.
On June 29, 2020, the Company filed a Petition for Review (“PFR”) with the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court (“D.C. Circuit) challenging the Consolidated Data Plan Order. Briefing concluded on March 12, 2021 and oral argument was held on April 26, 2021. On June 15, 2021, the D.C. Circuit issued an order dismissing the PFR for lack of jurisdiction, holding that the Consolidated Data Plan Order was not a “final order” because the SEC had not determined whether the challenged features would make it into the new CT Plan.
On August 6, 2021, the SEC issued an order approving the CT Plan that was previously filed on August 11, 2020 (as mandated by the Consolidated Data Plan Order) and subject to public comment (“CT Plan Order”). On August 9, 2021, the Company filed another PFR with the D.C. Circuit challenging the CT Plan Order and the prior Consolidated Data Plan Order. On September 13, 2021, the Company filed a motion requesting that the D.C. Circuit stay the CT Plan Order pending resolution of the appeal and also requesting that the D.C. Circuit expedite the appeal. On October 13, 2021, the D.C. Circuit granted the motion to stay the CT Plan order and to expedite the appeal and established a briefing schedule. Briefing concluded in January 2022 and oral argument occurred on March 24, 2022. The Company is currently awaiting a decision by the D.C. Circuit.
The new CT Plan approved by the SEC may cause the Company’s equities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX, and EDGA, to require additional resources to comply with or challenge such new consolidated data plan and it may have a material impact on our business, financial condition and operating results if, for example, there is a negative impact on the applicable market data fees that we receive that are generated from such new plan.
Market Data Infrastructure Final Rule
On December 9, 2020, the SEC issued a Market Data Infrastructure Final Rule (“Final Rule”), which makes significant additions to the content available on the Securities Information Processors (“SIPs”) and replaces the exclusive processors with a competing consolidator model. The Final Rule is limited to market data disseminated by the equities SIPs and does not apply to proprietary market data, or the dissemination of options market data through OPRA.
On February 5, 2021, the Company filed a Petition for Review (the “2/5 PFR”) with the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging the Final Order. Additionally, on February 5, 2021, the Company filed a motion for stay of the Final Rule with the SEC, which the SEC denied on March 24, 2021.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC filed a Motion to Dismiss (“MTD”) with the D.C. Circuit: (1) arguing that the PFR is not ripe because the Final Rule had not been published in the Federal Register (“FR”), (2) suggesting (if there is ambiguity) that the D.C. Circuit clarify whether publication in the FR opens the filing window, and (3) suggesting that the D.C. Circuit could hold the case in abeyance pending filing of a PFR after publication in the FR.
On April 9, 2021, the Final Rule was published in the FR. On April 13, 2021, the Company filed another PFR (the “4/13 PFR””) as a protective measure in the event the D.C. Circuit determined that the time to file a PFR does not commence until publication of the Final Rule in the FR.
On June 15, 2021, the D.C. Circuit entered an order granting the SEC’s MTD respecting the 2/5 PFR. This order does not affect the 4/13 PFR, which was filed after publication of the Final Rule in the FR on April 9, 2021. On July 9, 2021, the D.C. Circuit entered a briefing schedule, which concluded in January 2022. Oral argument occurred on March 18, 2022. The Company is currently awaiting a decision by the D.C. Circuit.
The implementation of the Final Rule could cause Cboe’s equities exchanges, BZX, BYX, EDGX, and EDGA, to require additional resources to comply with or to challenge the new rules and they may have a material impact on our business, financial condition and operating results if, for example, there are lower SIP plan revenues or we must reduce the fees we charge for market data. The Company intends to litigate the matter vigorously.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Other than the risk factor listed below, there have been no material updates during the period covered by this Form 10-Q to the Risk Factors as set forth in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These risks and uncertainties, however, are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also significantly impact us. Any of these risks and uncertainties may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.
Risks Relating to Our Business Following Consummation of Pending ErisX Acquisition
Digital asset custodial solutions and related technology, including ErisX’s systems and custodial arrangements, are subject to risks related to a loss of funds due to theft of digital assets, employee or vendor sabotage, security and cybersecurity risks, system failures and other operational issues which could cause damage to our and ErisX’s reputation and brand.
The secure storage and transmission of digital assets and data over networks is a critical element of ErisX’s operations. Threats to ErisX’s storage and transmission of digital assets and data may come from external factors such as governments, organized crime, hackers and other third parties such as outsourced or infrastructure-support providers and application developers, or may originate internally from an employee or service provider to whom ErisX has granted access to its systems.
Digital asset transactions may be irrevocable, and stolen or incorrectly transferred digital assets may be irretrievable. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an incorrect transfer of a digital asset generally will not be reversible, and ErisX may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, the digital asset could be
transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties, or to uncontrolled accounts. Such events could have a material adverse effect on the ability of ErisX to continue as a going concern, which may have an adverse effect on our business following the acquisition.
While we and ErisX maintain cybersecurity procedures and policies, those procedures and policies may not be adequate to avoid the potential losses caused by security breaches, and ErisX may lose digital assets without any recourse. Unlike bank accounts or accounts at some other financial institutions, in the event of loss or loss of utility value, there is no public insurer, such as the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or the FDIC, to offer recourse to us, ErisX, or to any investor and the misappropriated digital assets may not easily be traced to the bad actor.
Further, when cryptocurrency custodial solutions (whether involving ErisX systems or others) experience system failures or other operational issues, such events could result in a reduction in cryptocurrency prices or confidence and impact the success of ErisX and have a material adverse effect on the ability of ErisX to continue as a going concern, which may have an adverse effect on our business following the acquisition.
While we understand that ErisX has experienced in the past cybersecurity threats and events of varying degrees, we are not aware of any of these threats or events having a material impact on ErisX’s business, financial condition or operating results to date. However, we cannot assure you that we or ErisX will not experience future threats or events that may be material. If any such threats or events materialize, ErisX may be subject to contractual restrictions, liability and damages, loss of business, penalties, unfavorable publicity, and increased scrutiny by its regulators, which may materially impact its business, financial condition and operating results, and which may have an adverse effect on our business following the acquisition.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Share repurchase program
In 2011, the Board of Directors approved an initial authorization for the Company to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock of $100 million and subsequently approved additional authorizations for a total authorization of $1.6 billion. The program permits the Company to purchase shares through a variety of methods, including in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable securities laws. It does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases at any specific time or situation. The Company repurchased 596,988 shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program during the first quarter of 2022 at an average cost per share of $117.25, totaling $70.0 million and had $248.9 million of availability remaining under its existing share repurchase authorizations as of March 31, 2022.
Purchase of common stock from employees
The table below reflects the acquisition of common stock by the Company in the three months ended March 31, 2022 that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization. These shares consisted of shares retained to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock unit awards and performance share awards.
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
January 1 to January 31, 2022
February 1 to February 28, 2022
323,377
118.87
March 1 to March 31, 2022
273,611
115.32
Use of proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
Officers’ Certificate, dated as of March 16, 2022, establishing the 3.000% Senior Notes due 2032 of Cboe Global Markets, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34774) filed on March 16, 2022.
Form of 3.000% Senior Notes due 2032 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
10.1
Amendment No. 19 to the Restated License Agreement, dated November 1, 1994, by and between Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (as successor-in-interest to Standard & Poor’s, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.) and Cboe Exchange, Inc. (f/k/a Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated), effective as of February 23, 2022 (Filed herewith).
10.2
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2022, by and among Cboe Global Markets, Inc., with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and as swing line lender, certain lenders named therein, BofA Securities, Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner and certain syndication agents named therein, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34774) filed on February 28, 2022.
Form of 2022 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for David Howson, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34774) filed on March 10, 2022.*
10.4
Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2022, by and among Cboe Global Markets, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and initial lender, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34774) filed on April 1, 2022.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (Filed herewith).
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (Filed herewith).
32.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (Filed herewith).
32.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (Filed herewith).
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (Filed herewith). — The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (Filed herewith).
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (Filed herewith).
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (Filed herewith).
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (Filed herewith).
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (Filed herewith).
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded as Inline XBRL document).
* Indicates Management Compensatory Plan, Contract or Arrangement.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CBOE GLOBAL MARKETS, INC.
Registrant
By:
/s/ Edward T. Tilly
Edward T. Tilly
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: April 29, 2022
/s/ Brian N. Schell
Brian N. Schell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)