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Interactive Brokers (IBKR) Beats on Q1 Earnings, Costs Rise

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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR - Free Report) released first-quarter 2018 results. Earnings per share of 63 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents. Also, the figure was higher than prior-year quarter’s figure of 34 cents per share.

Results benefited from an improvement in revenues and rise in DARTs. Further, the Electronic Brokerage segment continued to perform decently. However, higher expenses were the undermining factor.

The company reported comprehensive income available to common shareholders of $47 million or 65 cents per share, up from $28 million or 40 cents per share reported in the prior-year quarter.

Revenues Improve, Expenses Escalate

Total net revenues for the quarter increased 40.9% year over year to $527 million. The rise was primarily driven by an increase in commission fees, trading gains and interest income, partially offset by rise in interest expense. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $477.5 million.

Total non-interest expenses increased 16.1% from the year-ago quarter to $187 million. The increase was primarily due to higher execution and clearing expenses, employee compensation and benefits costs, general and administrative costs, and customer bad debt.

Income before income taxes was $340 million in the quarter, up from $213 million in the prior-year quarter. Similarly, the pre-tax profit margin was 65% compared with 57% in the prior-year quarter.

Quarterly Segment Performance

Electronic Brokerage: Net revenues increased 48.1% year over year to $465 million. Pre-tax income rose 57.3% to $291 million. Total DARTs for cleared and execution-only customers were 939,000, up 43% from the year-ago quarter. Pre-tax profit margin improved to 63% from 59% in the prior-year quarter.

Market Making: Net revenues were $21 million, up from $8 million recorded in the prior-year quarter. Pre-tax income was $9 million compared with a loss of $22 million in the year-ago quarter. Pre-tax profit margin was 43% compared with a pre-tax loss margin of 275% in the prior-year quarter.

Moreover, the Corporate segment reported net revenues of $41 million compared with $52 million in the year-ago quarter. Pre-tax income was $40 million, down 20% year over year.

Capital Position

As of Mar 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents (including cash and securities set aside for regulatory purposes) totaled $22.2 billion compared with $22 billion as of Dec 31, 2017. As of Mar 31, 2018, total assets amounted to $59.1 billion compared with $61.2 billion as of Dec 31, 2017. Total equity was $6.7 billion compared with $6.4 billion at the end of December 2017.

Our Take

Interactive Brokers is poised to capitalize on growth scopes, backed by its market-leading position, technological advancement and optimization of resource allocation across global electronic networks. With the completion of the sale of its U.S. options-market-making business, the company plans to focus on strengthening its Electronic Brokerage segment. These restructuring efforts will likely support its financials in the future.

However, the company’s high dependence on IBG remains a concern. If IBG LLC fails to provide sufficient funds to pay taxes or for any other purpose, its financial condition may suffer.

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
 

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Quote

Currently, Interactive Brokers carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Upcoming Releases of Other Investment Brokers

We now look forward to E*TRADE Financial Corporation , TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (AMTD - Free Report) and LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA - Free Report) , which are slated to report results on Apr 19, Apr 23 and May 3, respectively.

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