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Why Is MarketAxess (MKTX) Down 5.6% Since Last Earnings Report?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for MarketAxess (MKTX - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 5.6% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is MarketAxess due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
MarketAxess Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates
MarketAxess second-quarter 2018 earnings per share of $1.07 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9% and grew 7% year over year.
Better-than-expected results were driven by increased trading volumes, year-over-year market share gains across its core products and record open trading activity.
Operational Update
Second-quarter revenues were a record $107 million, up 11.1% year over year and in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Commission revenues increased 10.5% year over year to $96.1 million. All other revenues, which consist of information services, post-trade services and other revenues, increased 16.7% to $10.9 million.
Total trading volume increased 16.4% year over year to $420.8 billion year over year.
Total expenses at MarketAxess increased 16.1% from the prior-year quarter to $54.93 million. This rise was due to higher costs incurred for employee compensation and benefit, technology and communication, and occupancy.
The effective tax rate was 23.9% in the second quarter compared with 23.3% in the year-ago quarter. The prior-year quarter gained from excess tax benefits.
Financial Update
Total assets were $617.6 million as of Jun 30, 2018, up 6.2% from year-end 2017.
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments were $420.3 million, up 3.3% from year-end 2017.
Free cash flow totaled $44 million, up 33% year over year.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Update
MarketAxess bought back shares worth $6.6 million in the second quarter. The company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 42 cents per share. The same will be paid out on Aug 23, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on Aug 9, 2018.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted downward by 5.58% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, MarketAxess has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable soley for growth based on our styles scores.
Outlook
MarketAxess has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is MarketAxess (MKTX) Down 5.6% Since Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for MarketAxess (MKTX - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 5.6% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is MarketAxess due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
MarketAxess Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates
MarketAxess second-quarter 2018 earnings per share of $1.07 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9% and grew 7% year over year.
Better-than-expected results were driven by increased trading volumes, year-over-year market share gains across its core products and record open trading activity.
Operational Update
Second-quarter revenues were a record $107 million, up 11.1% year over year and in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Commission revenues increased 10.5% year over year to $96.1 million. All other revenues, which consist of information services, post-trade services and other revenues, increased 16.7% to $10.9 million.
Total trading volume increased 16.4% year over year to $420.8 billion year over year.
Total expenses at MarketAxess increased 16.1% from the prior-year quarter to $54.93 million. This rise was due to higher costs incurred for employee compensation and benefit, technology and communication, and occupancy.
The effective tax rate was 23.9% in the second quarter compared with 23.3% in the year-ago quarter. The prior-year quarter gained from excess tax benefits.
Financial Update
Total assets were $617.6 million as of Jun 30, 2018, up 6.2% from year-end 2017.
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments were $420.3 million, up 3.3% from year-end 2017.
Free cash flow totaled $44 million, up 33% year over year.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Update
MarketAxess bought back shares worth $6.6 million in the second quarter. The company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 42 cents per share. The same will be paid out on Aug 23, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on Aug 9, 2018.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted downward by 5.58% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, MarketAxess has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable soley for growth based on our styles scores.
Outlook
MarketAxess has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.