NASDAQ OMX Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

• Third quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.62, compared to $0.67 in the prior year quarter; Third quarter 2012 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.52
• Third quarter net exchange revenues ¹ were $409 million, down six percent year-over-year, both on a reported and on an organic basis (constant currency and excluding acquisitions)
• 2012 operating expense guidance lowered to $922 to $935 million, previously $935 to $965 million

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today reported results for the third quarter of 2012. Third quarter net exchange revenues were $409 million, down six percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, third quarter 2012 net exchange revenues declined four percent year-over-year.

Operating expenses were $239 million, compared to $241 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, third quarter 2012 operating expenses were $228 million, down $4 million year-over-year.

Third quarter 2012 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.62, down $0.05 compared to the prior year quarter. Non-GAAP earnings per share in the third quarter of 2012 excludes a loss on the sale of IDCG of $14 million, restructuring charges of $10 million, merger and strategic initiatives net gain of $3 million, and special legal expenses of $4 million. On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX for the third quarter of 2012 was $89 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with $110 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.

1 Represents revenues less transaction rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees.

"Our strategy to build a diversified franchise that generates substantial recurring revenues and cash flows, even against the backdrop of U.S. and Nordic equity volumes declining over 30 percent year-over-year, is clearly paying dividends," said Bob Greifeld, CEO, NASDAQ OMX.

Mr. Greifeld continued, "Despite the low level of trading activity, we remain focused on the factors that allow us to continue to win in our markets, and position us ideally for when a higher level of trading activity resumes. We continued to exercise disciplined expense control and continued to invest in our future through our "GIFT" internal investment program. This program has resulted in a variety of new initiatives this year, including our successful BX Options exchange introduction. We will continue to fund these innovative ideas, which drive organic growth and diversify our business into compelling adjacent markets." 

Lee Shavel, NASDAQ OMX's EVP and Chief Financial Officer, said: "We are pleased that the cost reduction plan that we put in place in the first quarter has enabled us to deliver strong expense control, without sacrificing investment in our business. Our previously announced cost reduction plan is on track to reduce our cost base by a $50 million run rate by the end of fiscal 2012. As a result of our ongoing efforts to manage the expense base, we are reducing our fiscal 2012 operating expense guidance to $922 to $935 million, down from the previous range of $935 to $965 million. In addition to prudently managing our cost base, we continued to generate substantial capital and to execute on our strategy to deploy that capital effectively. Year-to-date, we have returned $225 million to our shareholders through buybacks and $43 million through our dividend program. As always, we approach our capital deployment initiatives with the goal of maximizing return on invested capital to deliver substantial value for our shareholders." 

At September 30, 2012, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $438 million and total debt of $1,986 million, resulting in net debt of $1,548 million. This compares to net debt of $1,611 million at December 31, 2011. During the third quarter of 2012, the company repurchased 2.2 million shares of outstanding common stock under a share repurchase program, for a total of $50 million. Since January 2009, we have repurchased $1,122 million of outstanding common stock, representing 51.3 million shares at an average price of $21.90.

1 2 3 Next › Last »