StoneX Group Inc 10-Q for FY2025 Q1
StoneX Group Inc. (SNEX)
10-Q
2025-02-05
For: 2024-12-31
View Original
Added on
April 12, 2026
About this 10-Q
StoneX Group Inc filed this 10-Q on February 5, 2025, covering the quarter ended December 31, 2024 (FY2025 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended December 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $27.94B
- up 42.7% from $19.57B a year earlier
- Net income
- $85.1M
- up 23.2% from net income of $69.1M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $2.54
- up 19.2% from $2.13 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM 10-Q
____________________
(Mark One)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2024
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 000-23554
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(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 | ||||||||||||
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.
| x | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | o | 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 ☒
As of February 3, 2025, there were 32,084,624 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
StoneX Group Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2024
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||||||
| Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Part II. OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
| (in millions, except par value and share amounts) | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
Cash, securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations (including $ | |||||||||||
| Collateralized transactions: | |||||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | |||||||||||
| Securities borrowed | |||||||||||
Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties, net (including $ | |||||||||||
Receivable from clients, net (including $( | |||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | |||||||||||
Financial instruments owned, at fair value (includes securities pledged as collateral that can be sold or repledged of $ | |||||||||||
Physical commodities inventory, net (including $ | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax asset | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Operating right of use assets | |||||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (including $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Payables to: | |||||||||||
Clients (including $ | |||||||||||
Broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties (including $ | |||||||||||
| Lenders under loans | |||||||||||
| Senior secured borrowings, net | |||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | |||||||||||
| Collateralized transactions: | |||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | |||||||||||
| Securities loaned | |||||||||||
| Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $ | |||||||||||
Common stock, $ | |||||||||||
Common stock in treasury, at cost. | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions, except share and per share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Principal gains, net | |||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | |||||||||||
| Consulting, management, and account fees | |||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | |||||||||||
| Operating revenues | |||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | |||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||
| Interest expense on corporate funding | |||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | |||||||||||
| Compensation and other expenses: | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||
| Trading systems and market information | |||||||||||
| Professional fees | |||||||||||
| Non-trading technology and support | |||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment rental | |||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | |||||||||||
| Travel and business development | |||||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | ( | ||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total compensation and other expenses | |||||||||||
| Other gains | |||||||||||
| Income before tax | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss)/gain, net of tax: | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | ( | ||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive (loss)/gain, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Amortization of right of use assets | |||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | ( | ||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | |||||||||||
| Amortization of share-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net: | |||||||||||
| Securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations | |||||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Securities borrowed | ( | ||||||||||
| Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Receivables from clients, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Notes receivable, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | ( | ||||||||||
| Financial instruments owned, at fair value | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Physical commodities inventory, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Payables to clients | |||||||||||
| Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties | ( | ||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | |||||||||||
| Securities loaned | ( | ||||||||||
| Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Acquisition of businesses and assets, net of cash received | ( | ||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Net change in payables to lenders under loans with maturities 90 days or less | |||||||||||
| Deferred payments on acquisitions | ( | ||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover taxes on vesting of equity awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rates on cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Net (decrease)/increase in cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents at beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes paid, net of cash refunds | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Identified intangible assets and goodwill on acquisitions | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Additional consideration payable related to acquisitions, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Acquisition consideration paid in silver bullion | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Acquisition of business: | |||||||||||
| Assets acquired | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities assumed | |||||||||||
| Total net assets acquired | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued
(Unaudited)
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents reported within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
Cash segregated under federal and other regulations(1) | |||||||||||
Securities segregated under federal and other regulations(1) | |||||||||||
Cash segregated and deposited with or pledged to exchange-clearing organizations and other futures commission merchants (“FCMs”)(2) | |||||||||||
Securities segregated and pledged to exchange-clearing organizations(2) | |||||||||||
| Total cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows | $ | $ | |||||||||
(1) Represents segregated client cash held at third-party banks. Excludes segregated commodity warehouse receipts, segregated U.S. Treasury obligations with original or acquired maturities of greater than 90 days, and other assets of $9.2 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, included within Cash, securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) Represents segregated client cash and U.S. Treasury obligations on deposit with, or pledged to, exchange clearing organizations and other FCMs. Excludes non-segregated cash, segregated U.S. Treasury obligations pledged to exchange-clearing organizations with original or acquired maturities greater than 90 days, and other assets of $5,986.5 million and $5,137.7 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, included within Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
StoneX Group Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive gain, net of tax | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover taxes on vesting of equity awards | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld to cover taxes on vesting of equity awards | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
StoneX Group Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Consolidation and Accounting Standards Adopted
StoneX Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “StoneX” or “the Company”), is a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high touch service, and deep expertise. The Company’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SNEX”.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2024, which has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of September 30, 2024, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. The Company believes that the included disclosures clearly and fairly present the information within. In management’s opinion, all adjustments, generally consisting of normal accruals, considered necessary to fairly present the condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods presented have been reflected as required by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.
Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC.
These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of StoneX Group Inc. and all entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Preparing condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions in the current year relate to fair value measurements for financial instruments, revenue recognition, valuation of inventories, and income taxes. The Company reviews all significant estimates affecting the financial statements on a recurring basis and makes necessary adjustments in the financial statements presented within this Form 10-Q. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from estimates. Estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future, using information reasonably available to the Company as of December 31, 2024 and through the date of this Form 10-Q.
Physical Commodities Inventory
The JBR Recovery Limited assets and business acquisition, discussed and defined in Note 17, introduced stages of refining, such as raw materials, work in process, and completed goods. These are reported as components of Physical commodities inventory, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s valuation policy includes estimating the cost to complete refining the various stages into finished product, the type of materials being refined, along with the market prices of the finished product to arrive at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Subsequent Common Stock Split
On February 5, 2025, the Company announced a 3-for-2 split of its common stock, which will be effected as a stock dividend entitling each shareholder of record to receive one additional share of common stock for every two shares owned. Additional shares issued as a result of the stock dividend will be distributed after close of trading on March 21, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2025. Cash will be distributed in lieu of fractional shares based on the opening price of a share of common stock on March 12, 2025. All share and per share amounts contained herein have not been retroactively adjusted for this subsequent stock split.
Accounting Standards
7
Note 2 – Earnings per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the diluted earnings per share computations for the periods presented below.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions, except share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less: Allocation to participating securities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net income allocated to common stockholders | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||
| Weighted average number of: | |||||||||||
| Common shares outstanding | |||||||||||
| Dilutive potential common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
| Share-based awards | |||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average common shares | |||||||||||
The dilutive effect of share-based awards is reflected in diluted net income per share by applying the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of unamortized share-based compensation expense.
Note 3 – Assets and Liabilities, at Fair Value
Fair value is defined by U.S. GAAP as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company is required to develop a set of assumptions that reflect those that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many securities. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy.
The Company has designed independent price verification controls to validate relevant prices.
Financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). A market is active if there are sufficient transactions on an ongoing basis to provide current pricing information for the asset or liability, pricing information is released publicly, and price quotations do not vary substantially either over time or among market participants. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity.
Relevant guidance requires the Company to consider counterparty credit risk of all parties to outstanding derivative instruments that would be considered by a market participant in the transfer or settlement of such contracts (exit price). The Company’s exposure to credit risk on derivative financial instruments principally relates to the portfolio of Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative contracts as all exchange-traded contracts held can be settled on an active market with a credit guarantee from the respective exchange. The Company requires each counterparty to deposit margin collateral for all OTC instruments and is also required to deposit margin collateral with counterparties. The Company has assessed the nature of these deposits and used its discretion to adjust each based on the underlying credit considerations for the counterparty and determined that the collateral
8
deposits minimize the exposure to counterparty credit risk in the evaluation of the fair value of OTC instruments as determined by a market participant.
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement, the Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1 - Valuation is based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Level 1 consists of financial assets and liabilities whose fair values are estimated using quoted market prices.
Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active, that is, markets in which there are few transactions for the asset or liability that are observable for substantially the full term. Included in Level 2 are those financial assets and liabilities for which fair values are estimated using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various observable inputs, including time value, yield curve, volatility factors, observable current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.
Level 3 - Valuation is based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Level 3 comprises financial assets and liabilities whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are not readily observable from objective sources. Level 3 includes contingent liabilities that have been valued using an income approach based upon management developed discounted cash flow projections, which are an unobservable input.
Fair value of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are carried on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash and cash equivalents reported at fair value on a recurring basis includes certificates of deposit and money market mutual funds, which are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.
Cash, securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations reported at fair value on a recurring basis include the value of pledged investments, primarily U.S. Treasury obligations and commodities warehouse receipts.
Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties and payable to clients and broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties includes the fair value of pledged investments, primarily U.S. Treasury obligations and foreign government obligations. These balances also include the fair value of exchange-traded options on futures and OTC forwards, swaps and options.
Financial instruments owned and sold, not yet purchased include the fair value of equity securities, which includes common, preferred, and foreign ordinary shares, American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. government agency obligations, foreign government obligations, agency mortgage-backed obligations, asset-backed obligations, derivative financial instruments, commodities warehouse receipts, exchange firm common stock, and investments in managed funds. The fair value of exchange firm common stock is determined by quoted market prices.
Cash equivalents, debt and equity securities, commodities warehouse receipts, physical commodities inventory, derivative financial instruments and contingent liabilities are carried at fair value, on a recurring basis, and are classified and disclosed into three levels in the fair value hierarchy.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure classes of financial instruments at fair value and specifies the level within the fair value hierarchy where various financial instruments are classified.
The Company uses quoted prices in active markets, where available, and classifies instruments with such quotes within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Examples include U.S. Treasury obligations, foreign government obligations, commodities warehouse receipts, certain equity securities traded in active markets, physical precious metals inventory held by a regulated broker-dealer subsidiary, exchange firm common stock, investments in managed funds, as well as options on futures contracts traded on national exchanges. The fair value of exchange firm common stock is determined by recent sale transactions and is included within Level 1.
When instruments are traded in secondary markets and observable prices are not available for substantially the full term, the Company generally relies on internal valuation techniques based upon observable inputs for comparable financial instruments, or prices obtained from third-party pricing services or brokers or a combination thereof, and accordingly, classifies these instruments as Level 2. Examples include corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. government agency obligations, agency-mortgage backed obligations, asset-backed obligations, certain equity securities traded in less active markets, and OTC
9
derivative contracts, which include purchase and sale commitments related to the Company’s foreign exchange, agricultural, and energy commodities.
Certain derivatives without a quoted price in an active market and derivatives executed OTC are valued using internal valuation techniques, including pricing models which utilize significant inputs observable to market participants. The valuation techniques and inputs depend on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying instrument. The key inputs depend upon the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying instrument and include interest yield curves, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, volatilities and correlation. These derivative instruments are included within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Physical commodities inventory includes precious metals that are a part of the trading activities of a regulated broker-dealer subsidiary. The physical commodities held by the broker dealer are recorded at fair value using exchange-quoted prices. Physical commodities inventory also includes agricultural commodities that are a part of the trading activities of a non-broker dealer subsidiary and are recorded at net realizable value using exchange-quoted prices. The fair value of precious metals physical commodities inventory is based upon unadjusted exchange-quoted prices and is, therefore, classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of agricultural physical commodities inventory and related the OTC firm sale and purchase commitments are generally based upon exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for basis or differences in local markets, broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or OTC markets. Exchange-quoted prices are adjusted for location and quality because the exchange-quoted prices for agricultural and energy related products represent contracts that have standardized terms for commodity, quantity, future delivery period, delivery location, and commodity quality or grade. The basis or local market adjustments are observable inputs or have an insignificant impact on the measurement of fair value and, therefore, the agricultural physical commodities inventory, as well as the related OTC forward firm sale and purchase commitments have been included within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
With the exception of certain derivative instruments where the valuation approach is disclosed above, financial instruments owned and sold are primarily valued using third-party pricing sources. Third-party pricing vendors compile prices from various sources and often apply matrix pricing for similar securities when market-observable transactions for the instruments are not observable for substantially the full term. The Company reviews the pricing methodologies used by third-party pricing vendors in order to evaluate the fair value hierarchy classification of vendor-priced financial instruments and the accuracy of vendor pricing, which typically involves comparing of primary vendor prices to internal trader prices or secondary vendor prices. When evaluating the propriety of vendor-priced financial instruments using secondary prices, considerations include the range and quality of vendor prices, level of observable transactions for identical and similar instruments, and judgments based upon knowledge of a particular market and asset class. If the primary vendor price does not represent fair value, justification for using a secondary price, including source data used to make the determination, is subject to review and approval by authorized personnel prior to using a secondary price. Financial instruments owned and sold that are valued using third party pricing sources are included within either Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of the inputs used and the level of activity in the market.
The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and through the dates of the respective reports. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these condensed consolidated financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
10
The following tables set forth the Company’s financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value, on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 by level in the fair value hierarchy. All fair value measurements were performed on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Netting (1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market mutual funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities warehouse receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be announced and forward settling securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables from clients, net - Derivatives | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities warehouse receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange firm common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial instruments owned | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical commodities inventory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to clients - Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be announced and forward settling securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payable to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Represents cash collateral and the impact of netting across at each level of the fair value hierarchy.
11
| September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Netting (1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market mutual funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities warehouse receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be announced and forward settling securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables from clients, net - Derivatives | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities warehouse receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange firm common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial instruments owned | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical commodities inventory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities - contingent liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to clients - Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be announced and forward settling securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payable to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and municipal bonds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government agency obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in Principal gains, net, Interest income, and Cost of sales of physical commodities in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
12
Additional disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments that are not carried on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value
Many, but not all, of the financial instruments that the Company holds are recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following represents financial instruments for which the ending balance at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 was not carried at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
Short-term financial instruments: The carrying value of short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, cash segregated under federal and other regulations, securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and securities borrowed and loaned are recorded at amounts that approximate the fair value of these instruments due to their short-term nature and level of collateralization. These financial instruments generally expose the Company to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities or have short-term maturities and carry interest rates that approximate market rates. Under the fair value hierarchy, cash and cash equivalents and cash segregated under federal and other regulations are classified as Level 1. Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and securities borrowed and loaned are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy as they are generally overnight, or short-term in nature, and are collateralized by equity securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. government agency obligations, agency mortgage-backed obligations, and asset-backed obligations.
Receivables and other assets: Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties, receivables from clients, net, notes receivables and certain other assets are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature and are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
Payables: Payables to clients and payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature and are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
Lenders under loans: Payables to lenders under loans carry variable rates of interest and thus approximate fair value and are classified as Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
Note 4 – Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company is party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its business. The Company has sold financial instruments that it does not currently own and will therefore be obliged to purchase such financial instruments at a future date. The Company has recorded these obligations in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 at the fair values of the related financial instruments. The Company will incur losses if the fair value of the underlying financial instruments increases subsequent to December 31, 2024. The total Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased of $3,541.6 million and $2,853.3 million as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively, includes $288.9 million and $264.8 million for derivative contracts not designated as hedges, respectively, which represented a liability to the Company based on their fair values as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
Derivatives
The Company utilizes derivative products in its trading capacity as a dealer in order to satisfy client needs and mitigate risk. The Company manages risks from both derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments on a consolidated basis. The risks of derivatives should not be viewed in isolation, but in aggregate with the Company’s other trading activities. The Company’s derivative positions are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties, Receivables from clients, net; Financial instruments owned and sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, Payable to clients, and Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties.
13
Listed below are the fair values of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024. Assets represent net unrealized gains and liabilities represent net unrealized losses.
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Assets (1) | Liabilities (1) | Assets (1) | Liabilities (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts not accounted for as hedges: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded commodity derivatives | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| OTC commodity derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded foreign exchange derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTC foreign exchange derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded interest rate derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTC interest rate derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded equity index derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTC equity and indices derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| TBA and forward settling securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross fair value of derivative contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of netting and collateral | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties, net | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Receivable from clients, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Financial instruments owned, at fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Payables to clients | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total fair value included in Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1)As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Company’s derivative contract volume for open positions was approximately 11.3 million and 12.2 million contracts, respectively.
The Company’s derivative contracts are principally held in its Institutional, Commercial, and Self-Directed/Retail segments. The Company provides its Institutional segment clients access to exchanges at which they can carry out their trading strategies. The Company assists its Commercial segment clients in protecting the value of their future production by entering into option or forward agreements with them on an OTC basis. The Company also provides its Commercial segment clients with exchange products, including combinations of buying and selling puts and calls. In its Self-Directed/Retail segment, the Company provides its retail clients with access to spot foreign exchange, precious metals trading, as well as contracts for difference (“CFD”) and spread bets, where permitted. The Company mitigates its risk by generally offsetting the client’s transaction simultaneously with one of the Company’s trading counterparties or will offset that transaction with a similar but not identical position on the exchange. The risk mitigation of these offsetting trades is not within the documented hedging designation requirements of the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC. These derivative contracts are traded along with cash transactions because of the integrated nature of the markets for these products. The Company manages the risks associated with derivatives on an aggregate basis along with the risks associated with its proprietary trading and market-making activities in cash instruments as part of its firm-wide risk management policies. In particular, the risks related to derivative positions may be partially offset by inventory, other derivatives, or cash collateral paid or received.
Hedging Activities
The Company uses foreign currency derivatives, in the form of forward contracts, to hedge risk related to the variability in exchange rates relative to certain of the Company’s non-USD expenditures. These hedges are designated cash flow hedges, through which the Company mitigates variability in exchange rates by exchanging foreign currency for USD at fixed exchange rates at a pre-determined future date, or several cash flows at several pre-determined future dates. While the forward contracts mitigate exchange rate variability risk, they do introduce credit risk, which is the possibility that the Company’s trading counterparty fails to meet its obligation. The Company minimizes this risk by entering into its forward contracts with highly-rated, multi-national institutions. These hedges will all mature within 2 years from the end of the current period.
14
The Company used interest rate derivatives, in the form of swaps, to hedge risk related to variability in overnight rates. These hedges were designated cash flow hedges, through which the Company mitigated uncertainty in its interest income by converting floating-rate interest income to fixed-rate interest income. The swaps introduced credit risk, which the Company minimized by entering into its swaps with highly-rated, multi-national institutions. In addition to credit risk, there was limited market risk associated with the swap position, because any amounts the Company paid from having exchanged variable interest was funded by the variable interest the Company received on its deposits. During the period ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s interest rate hedges all matured.
The Company assesses the effectiveness of its hedges at each reporting period to identify any required reclassifications into current earnings. During the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not designate any portion of its hedges as ineffective and thus did not have any values in current earnings related to ineffective hedges.
The fair values of derivative instruments designated for hedging held as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 are as follow:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Balance Sheet Location | Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | Financial instruments owned, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Derivative assets expected to be released from Other comprehensive income into current earnings: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Total expected to be released from Other comprehensive income into earnings | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased | ||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities expected to be released from Other comprehensive income into current earnings: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Total expected to be released from Other comprehensive income into earnings | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
The notional values of derivative instruments designated for hedging held as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 are as follows:
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| (in millions) | Notional Value | Notional Value | ||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts: | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts to purchase Polish Zloty: | ||||||||||||||
| Local currency | zł | zł | ||||||||||||
| USD | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling: | ||||||||||||||
| Local currency | £ | £ | ||||||||||||
| USD | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The Condensed Consolidated Income Statement effects of derivative instruments designated for hedging held for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
15
| (in millions) | Income Statement Location | Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total amounts of gain/(loss) reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | Interest income | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | Compensation and benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income as a result of a forecasted transaction that is no longer probable of occurring | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accumulated other comprehensive income effects of derivative instruments designated for hedging held for three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| Amount of (Loss)/Gain Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives, net of tax | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships: | |||||||||||
| Interest rate contracts | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Foreign currency forward contracts | ( | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
The following table sets forth the Company’s net gains/(losses) related to derivative financial instruments for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC. The net gains/(losses) set forth below are included in Principal gains, net and Cost of sales of physical commodities in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Commodities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange | |||||||||||
| Interest rate, equities, and indices | |||||||||||
| To be announced (“TBA”) and forward settling securities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net gains from derivative contracts | $ | $ | |||||||||
Credit Risk
In the normal course of business, the Company purchases and sells financial instruments, commodities and foreign currencies as either a principal or agent on behalf of its clients. If either the client or counterparty fails to perform, the Company may be required to discharge the obligations of the nonperforming party. In such circumstances, the Company may sustain a loss if the fair value of the financial instrument, commodity, or foreign currency is different from the contract value of the transaction.
The majority of the Company’s transactions and, consequently, the concentration of its credit exposure are with commodity exchanges, clients, broker-dealers and other financial institutions. These activities primarily involve collateralized and uncollateralized arrangements and may result in credit exposure in the event that a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company’s exposure to credit risk can be directly impacted by volatile financial markets, which may impair counterparties’ ability to satisfy contractual obligations. The Company seeks to control its credit risk through a variety of reporting and control procedures, including establishing credit and/or position limits based upon a review of the counterparties’ financial condition and credit ratings. The Company monitors collateral levels on a daily basis for compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines and requests changes in collateral levels as appropriate.
The Company is a party to financial instruments in the normal course of its business through client and proprietary trading accounts in exchange-traded and OTC derivative instruments. These instruments are primarily the result of the execution of orders for commodity futures, options on futures, OTC swaps and options and spot and forward foreign currency contracts on behalf of its clients, substantially all of which are transacted on a margin basis. Such transactions may expose the Company to significant credit risk in the event that margin requirements are not sufficient to fully cover losses which clients may incur. The Company controls the risks associated with these transactions by requiring clients to maintain margin deposits in compliance with individual exchange regulations and internal guidelines. The Company monitors required margin levels daily, and therefore, may require clients to deposit additional collateral or reduce positions when necessary. The Company also establishes credit limits for clients, which are monitored daily. The Company evaluates each client’s creditworthiness on a case by case
16
basis. Clearing, financing, and settlement activities may require the Company to maintain funds with or pledge securities as collateral with other financial institutions. Generally, these exposures to both clients and exchanges are subject to master netting, or client agreements, which reduce the exposure to the Company by permitting receivables and payables with such clients to be offset in the event of a client default. Management believes that the margin deposits held as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024 were adequate to minimize the risk of material loss that could be created by positions held at that time. Additionally, the Company monitors collateral fair value on a daily basis and adjusts collateral levels in the event of excess market exposure.
Derivative financial instruments involve varying degrees of off-balance sheet market risk whereby changes in the fair values of underlying financial instruments may result in changes in the fair value of the financial instruments in excess of the amounts reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Exposure to market risk is influenced by a number of factors, including the relationships between the financial instruments and the Company’s positions, as well as the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the financial instruments are traded. The principal risk components of financial instruments include, among other things, interest rate volatility, the duration of the underlying instruments and changes in commodity pricing and foreign exchange rates. The Company attempts to manage its exposure to market risk through various techniques. Aggregate market limits have been established and market risk measures are routinely monitored against these limits.
Note 5 – Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts related to deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2024 and $0.0 million as of September 30, 2024. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to receivables from clients was $52.8 million and $51.9 million as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was as follows:
| (in millions) | |||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2024 | $ | ||||
Provision for bad debts(1) | |||||
| Allowance charge-offs | |||||
| Other | ( | ||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2024 | $ | ||||
(1) An additional $ | |||||
Note 6 – Physical Commodities Inventory
The Company’s inventories consist of physical commodities as shown below:
| (in millions) | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| Physical ag and energy | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Precious metals - held by broker-dealer subsidiary | |||||||||||
Precious metals - held by non-broker-dealer subsidiaries(1) | |||||||||||
| Physical commodities inventory, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
(1) Includes raw materials of $ | |||||||||||
Physical ag and energy consists of agricultural commodity inventories, including corn, soybeans, wheat, dried distillers grain, canola, sorghum, coffee, cocoa, cotton, and various energy commodity inventories. Agricultural inventories have reliable, readily determinable and realizable market prices, have relatively insignificant costs of disposal and are available for immediate delivery. The Company records changes to these values in Cost of sales of physical commodities on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
17
Note 7 – Goodwill
Goodwill allocated to the Company’s operating segments is as follows:
| (in millions) | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Total Goodwill | $ | $ | |||||||||
Note 8 – Intangible Assets
The gross and net carrying values of intangible assets as of the balance sheet dates, by major intangible asset class are as follows (in millions):
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Amount | Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets subject to amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade/domain names and other licenses | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Software programs/platforms | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Client and supplier base | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets subject to amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets not subject to amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website domains | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business licenses | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets not subject to amortization | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $1.1 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company wrote off $16.2 million of fully amortized intangible assets during the three months ended December 31, 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, estimated future amortization expense was as follows:
| (in millions) | |||||
| Fiscal 2025 (remaining months) | $ | ||||
| Fiscal 2026 | |||||
| Fiscal 2027 | |||||
| Fiscal 2028 | |||||
| Fiscal 2029 and thereafter | |||||
| Total intangible assets subject to amortization | $ | ||||
18
Note 9 – Credit Facilities
Committed Credit Facilities
The Company and its subsidiaries have committed credit facilities under which they may borrow up to $1,205.0 million, subject to the terms and conditions of these facilities. The amounts outstanding under these credit facilities carry variable rates of interest, thus approximating fair value. The committed credit facilities generally have covenant requirements that relate to various leverage, debt to net worth, fixed charge, tangible net worth, excess net capital, or profitability measures. The Company and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all relevant covenants as of December 31, 2024.
Uncommitted Credit Facilities
The Company has access to certain uncommitted financing agreements that support its ordinary course securities and commodities inventories. The agreements are subject to certain borrowing terms and conditions.
Note Payable to Bank
The Company has a note payable to a commercial bank related to the financing of certain equipment which secures the note.
Senior Secured Notes
On March 1, 2024, the Company issued $550 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.875 % Notes due 2031 at the offering price of 100 % of the aggregate principal amount. The Notes due 2031 are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured second lien basis by each of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee indebtedness under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and certain other senior indebtedness. Interest related to these notes is payable twice annually, in arrears. The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $7.7 million, which are being amortized over the term of the Notes due 2031 under the effective interest method.
The following table sets forth a listing of credit facilities, the current committed amounts as of the report date on the facilities, and outstanding (in millions, except for percentages):
| (in millions) | Amounts Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrower | Security | Renewal/Expiration Date | Total Commitment | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Committed Credit Facilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior StoneX Group Inc. Committed Credit Facility - Revolving Line of Credit | (1) | April 21, 2026 | $ | $ | (5) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Inc. | None | October 28, 2025 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| StoneX Commodity Solutions LLC | Certain assets | July 29, 2025 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Ltd. | None | October 9, 2025 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd. | None | September 5, 2025 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Uncommitted Credit Facilities | Various | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note Payable to Bank | Certain equipment | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Secured Notes due 2031 | (2) | (3),(4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total outstanding borrowings | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The StoneX Group Inc. senior committed credit facility is a revolving facility secured by substantially all of the assets of StoneX Group Inc. and certain subsidiaries identified in the credit facility agreement as obligors, and pledged equity of certain subsidiaries identified in the credit facility as limited guarantors.
(2) The Notes due 2031 and the related guarantees are secured by liens on substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ assets, subject to certain customary and other exceptions and permitted liens. The liens on the assets that secure the Notes and the related guarantees are contractually subordinated to the liens on the assets that secure the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future first lien secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under the Company’s senior committed credit facility.
(3) Amounts outstanding under the Notes due 2031 are reported net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $6.7 million and $6.9 million, in the respective periods presented.
(4) Included in Senior secured borrowings, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(5) Included in Payables to Lenders under loans on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As reflected above, certain of the Company’s committed credit facilities are scheduled to expire during the next twelve months following the quarterly period ended December 31, 2024. The Company intends to renew or replace these facilities as they expire, and based on the Company’s liquidity position and capital structure, the Company believes it will be able to do so.
19
Note 10 – Securities and Commodity Financing Transactions
The Company’s repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and lending arrangements are generally recorded at cost in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is a reasonable approximation of their fair values due to their short-term nature. Secured borrowing and lending arrangements are entered into to obtain collateral necessary to effect settlement, finance inventory positions, meet customer needs or re-lend as part of our dealer operations. The fair value of securities loaned and borrowed is monitored daily compared with the related payable or receivable, and additional collateral or returning excess collateral is requested, as appropriate. These arrangements may serve to limit credit risk resulting from transactions with counterparties. Financial instruments are pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements and other secured arrangements, including clearing arrangements. Agreements with counterparties generally contain contractual provisions allowing counterparties the right to sell or repledge collateral. Either the Company or its counterparties may require additional collateral. All collateral is held by the Company or a custodian.
The following tables set forth the carrying value of repurchase agreements, and securities lending agreements by remaining contractual maturity (in millions):
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overnight and Open | Less than 30 Days | 30-90 Days | Over 90 Days | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross amount of secured financing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overnight and Open | Less than 30 Days | 30-90 Days | Over 90 Days | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross amount of secured financing | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offsetting of Collateralized Transactions
The following table sets forth the carrying value of repurchase agreements and securities lending agreements by class of collateral pledged (in millions):
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury obligations | $ | $ | |||||||||
| U.S. government agency obligations and municipal bonds | |||||||||||
| Asset-backed obligations | |||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed obligations | |||||||||||
| Foreign government obligations | |||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | |||||||||||
| Total securities sold under agreement to repurchase | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Securities loaned | |||||||||||
| Equity securities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total securities loaned | |||||||||||
| Gross amount of secured financing | $ | $ | |||||||||
20
The following tables provide the netting of securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, securities borrowed and securities loaned as of the periods indicated (in millions):
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Offsetting of collateralized transactions: | Gross Amounts Recognized | Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amounts Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities borrowed | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Offsetting of collateralized transactions: | Gross Amounts Recognized | Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amounts Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities borrowed | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||
The Company pledges securities owned as collateral in both tri-party and bilateral arrangements. Pledged securities under tri-party arrangements may not be repledged or sold by the Company’s counterparties, whereas bilaterally pledged securities may be. The approximate fair value of pledged securities that can be sold or repledged by the Company’s counterparties has been parenthetically disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company receives securities as collateral under reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowed agreements, and margin securities held on behalf of counterparties. This collateral is used by the Company to cover financial instruments sold, not yet purchased; to obtain financing in the form of repurchase agreements; and to meet counterparties’ needs under lending arrangement and matched-booked trading strategies. Additional securities collateral is obtained as necessary to ensure such transactions are adequately collateralized. In many instances, the Company is permitted by contract to repledge the securities received as collateral, which may include pledges to cover collateral requirements for tri-party repurchase agreements.
The following table sets forth the fair values, which approximates carrying value because of the short term nature of collateral pledged, received and repledged (in millions):
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Securities pledged or repledged to cover collateral requirements for tri-party arrangements | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Securities received as collateral that may be repledged | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Securities received as collateral that may be repledged covering securities sold short | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Repledged securities borrowed and client securities held under custodial clearing arrangements to collateralize securities loaned agreements | $ | $ | |||||||||
Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal actions and proceedings, including tort claims, contractual disputes, employment matters, workers’ compensation claims and collections. The Company carries insurance that provides protection against certain types of claims, up to the relevant policy’s limits.
In November 2023, BTIG filed a civil complaint (the “BTIG complaint”) against the Company and StoneX Financial Inc. in San Francisco Superior Court (CGC-23-610525) seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief for, among other things, alleged theft of purported trade secrets by former BTIG employees later employed at StoneX. The proceedings have moved to FINRA Arbitration and the court action is stayed. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself. The Company subsequently received from the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the SEC subpoenas that the Company believes are related to conduct alleged in the BTIG complaint, and the Company is cooperating with these agencies. The ultimate outcomes of the BTIG complaint and the DOJ and SEC subpoenas cannot presently be determined.
As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include loss contingency accruals which are not material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company’s financial position or liquidity. In the opinion of management, possible exposure from loss contingencies in excess of the amounts accrued, is not likely to be material to the Company’s earnings, financial position or liquidity.
21
Contractual Commitments
Post-Acquisition Commitment
Subsequent to the Gain Capital Holdings, Inc (“Gain”) acquisition, which closed on July 30, 2020 (“the Gain acquisition date”), certain holders of Gain common stock outstanding at the Gain acquisition date who did not vote to approve the merger (“Dissenting Holders”, and the shares held by such Dissenting Holders, the “Dissenting Shares”) purportedly demanded appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. In December 2024, the Company’s settlement with the Dissenting Holders was approved by the Court, and funds that were placed in escrow and included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 were released, extinguishing $31.1 million due to the Dissenting Holders, which had been recorded in Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024.
Note 12 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income includes net actuarial losses from defined benefit pension plans, foreign currency translation adjustments, and cash flow hedge gains or losses. See note 4 for additional information on cash flow hedges.
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net for the three months ended December 31, 2024.
| (in millions) | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | Pension Benefits Adjustment | Cash Flow Hedge | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of September 30, 2024 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2024 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 13 – Revenue from Contracts with Clients
The Company accounts for revenue earned from contracts with clients for services such as the execution, clearing, brokering, and custody of futures and options on futures contracts, OTC derivatives, and securities, investment management, and underwriting services in accordance FASB ASC 606, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). Revenues for these services are recognized when the performance obligations related to the underlying transaction are completed.
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenues are analyzed to determine whether the Company is the principal (i.e. reports revenue on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., reports revenues on a net basis) in the contract. Principal or agent designations depend primarily on the control an entity has over the good or service before control is transferred to a client. The indicators of which party exercises control include primary responsibility over performance obligations, inventory risk before the good or service is transferred, and discretion in establishing the price.
Topic 606 does not apply to revenues associated with dealing, or market-making, activities in financial instruments or contracts in the capacity of a principal, including derivative sales contracts which result in physical settlement and interest income.
Revenues within the scope of Topic 606 are presented within Commission and clearing fees, Consulting, management, and account fees; and Sales of physical commodities on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements. Revenues that are not within the scope of Topic 606 are presented within Sales of physical commodities, Principal gains, net, and Interest income on the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Revenues from contracts with clients as a percentage of total revenues | % | % | |||||||||
22
The following table represents a disaggregation of the Company’s total revenues separated between revenues from contracts with clients and other sources of revenue for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Revenues from contracts with clients: | |||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees: | |||||||||||
| Sales-based: | |||||||||||
| Exchange-traded futures and options | $ | $ | |||||||||
| OTC derivative brokerage | |||||||||||
| Equities and fixed income | |||||||||||
| Mutual funds | |||||||||||
| Insurance and annuity products | |||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||
| Total sales-based commission | |||||||||||
| Trailing: | |||||||||||
| Mutual funds | |||||||||||
| Insurance and annuity products | |||||||||||
| Total trailing commission | |||||||||||
| Clearing fees | |||||||||||
| Trade conversion fees | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total commission and clearing fees | |||||||||||
| Consulting, management, and account fees: | |||||||||||
| Underwriting fees | |||||||||||
| Asset management fees | |||||||||||
| Advisory and consulting fees | |||||||||||
| Sweep program fees | |||||||||||
| Client account fees | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total consulting, management, and account fees | |||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities: | |||||||||||
| Precious metals sales under ASC Topic 606 | |||||||||||
| Total revenues from contracts with clients | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Method of revenue recognition: | |||||||||||
| Point-in-time | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Time elapsed | |||||||||||
| Total revenues from contracts with clients | |||||||||||
| Other sources of revenues | |||||||||||
| Physical precious metals under ASC Topic 815 | |||||||||||
| Physical agricultural and energy products | |||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | |||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total revenues by primary geographic region: | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Europe | |||||||||||
| South America | |||||||||||
| Middle East and Asia | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating revenues by primary geographic region: | |||||||||||
| United States | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Europe | |||||||||||
| South America | |||||||||||
| Middle East and Asia | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | $ | |||||||||
23
The substantial majority of the Company’s performance obligations for revenues from contracts with clients are satisfied at a point in time and are typically collected from clients by debiting their accounts with the Company.
Commission and clearing fees revenue and Consulting, management, and account fees revenue are primarily related to the Commercial, Institutional and Self-Directed/Retail reportable segments. Sales of physical commodities under topic 606 are primarily related to the Company’s Commercial and Self-Directed/Retail segments. Principal gains, net are contributed by all of the Company’s reportable segments. Interest income is primarily related to the Commercial and Institutional reportable segments. Precious metals trading and agricultural and energy product trading revenues are primarily related to the Commercial reportable segment. Precious metals sales that are recognized on a point-in-time basis are included in the Self-Directed/Retail and the Commercial reportable segments.
Principal gains, net also includes dividend income on long equity positions and dividend expense on short equity positions, which are recognized on the ex-dividend date. The following table indicates the relevant income and expense:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Dividend income on long equity positions | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Dividend expense on short equity positions | |||||||||||
| Dividend (expense) income, net reported within Principal Gains, net | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
Remaining Performance Obligations
Remaining performance obligations are services that the firm has committed to perform in the future in connection with its contracts with clients. The Company’s remaining performance obligations are generally related to its risk management consulting and asset management contracts with clients. Revenues associated with remaining performance obligations related to these contracts with clients are not material to the overall consolidated results of the Company. For the Company’s asset management activities, where fees are calculated based on a percentage of the fair value of eligible assets in clients’ accounts, future revenue associated with remaining performance obligations cannot be determined as such fees are subject to fluctuations in the fair value of eligible assets in clients’ accounts.
Note 14 – Other Expenses
Other expenses consisted of the following, for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Non-income taxes | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Insurance | |||||||||||
| Employee related expenses | |||||||||||
| Other direct business expenses | |||||||||||
| Membership fees | |||||||||||
| Director and public company expenses | |||||||||||
| Office expenses | |||||||||||
| Other expenses | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | $ | |||||||||
Note 15 – Income Taxes
The income tax provision for interim periods comprises income tax on ordinary income/(loss) at the most recent estimated annual effective income tax rate, adjusted for the income tax effect of discrete items. Management uses an estimated annual effective income tax rate based on the forecasted pretax income/(loss) and statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) and the G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the "Inclusive Framework") have put forth Pillar Two proposals that ensure a minimal level of taxation. Several countries in which the Company operates, including several European Union member states, have adopted domestic legislation to implement the Inclusive Framework's global corporate minimum tax rate of fifteen percent. This legislation became effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2024. Based on the Company's current analysis of Pillar Two provisions, these tax law changes did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and are not expected to have a material impact for fiscal 2025.
24
Current and Prior Period Tax Expense
Income tax expense of $31.8 million and $26.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, reflects estimated federal, foreign, state and local income taxes.
The Company’s effective tax rate was 27 % and 28 % for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 due to U.S. state and local taxes, Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), U.S. and foreign permanent differences, and the amount of foreign earnings taxed at higher rates.
Note 16 – Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Company’s activities are subject to significant governmental regulation, both in the U.S. and in the international jurisdictions in which it operates. Subsidiaries of the Company were in compliance with all of their regulatory requirements as of December 31, 2024. The following table details those subsidiaries with minimum regulatory requirements in excess of $10.0 million along with the actual balance maintained as of that date.
| (in millions) | As of December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary | Regulatory Authority | Actual | Minimum Requirement | ||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Inc. | SEC and CFTC | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Ltd. | FCA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Gain Capital Group, LLC | CFTC and NFA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd. | MAS | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| StoneX Markets LLC | CFTC and NFA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Certain other subsidiaries of the Company, typically with a minimum requirement less than $10.0 million, are also subject to net capital requirements promulgated by authorities in the countries in which they operate. As of December 31, 2024, all of the Company’s subsidiaries were in compliance with their local regulatory requirements.
Note 17 - Acquisitions
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the operating results and cash flows of the acquired businesses from the dates of acquisition.
Assets of JBR Recovery Limited
On October 1, 2024, the Company’s subsidiary, StoneX Metals Limited, executed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the recycling and refining business, along with certain assets, including licenses, silver inventory and refining/recycling equipment, from JBR Recovery Limited (“JBR”) a company incorporated in England and Wales. This transaction was effective on the closing date of October 1, 2024. The asset purchase was accounted for as a business acquisition in accordance with ASC 805. JBR is one of only two UK companies accredited for the supply of “Good Delivery” silver to the London Bullion Market and is expected to enhance the Company’s supply chain integration.
The purchase price consists of $8.0 million of cash consideration paid at closing, approximately $12.6 million in silver bullion paid at closing, approximately $0.7 million of silver bullion payable upon determination of final silver inventory valuation, and deferred consideration totaling $2.4 million due in two equal annual payments beginning on October 1, 2025. The business activities of JBR have been assigned to the Company’s Commercial reportable segment. The acquisition generated $4.8 million of Goodwill and $2.5 million of intangible assets.
Subsequent Acquisition - Octo Finances SA
25
Note 18 – Segment Analysis
The Company’s operating segments are principally based on the nature of the clients it serves (commercial, institutional, and self-directed/retail), and a fourth operating segment, its payments business. The Company manages its business in this manner due to its large global footprint, in which it has approximately 4,600 employees allowing it to serve clients in more than 180 countries.
The Company’s business activities are managed as operating segments, which are our reportable segments for financial statement purposes as shown below.
•Commercial
•Institutional
•Self-Directed/Retail
•Payments
Commercial
The Company offers commercial clients a comprehensive array of products and services, including risk management and hedging services, execution and clearing of exchange-traded and OTC products, voice brokerage, market intelligence and physical trading, as well as commodity trading, marketing, procurement, logistics and price management services. The ability to provide these high-value-added products and services, differentiates the Company from its competitors and maximizes the opportunity to retain clients.
Institutional
The Company provides institutional clients with a complete suite of equity trading services to help them find liquidity with best execution, consistent liquidity across a robust array of fixed income products, competitive and efficient clearing and execution in all major futures and securities exchanges globally as well as prime brokerage in equities and major foreign currency pairs and swap transactions. In addition, the Company originates, structures and places debt instruments in the international and domestic capital markets. These instruments include asset-backed securities (primarily in Argentina) and domestic municipal securities.
Self-Directed/Retail
The Company provides self-directed/retail clients around the world access to over 18,000 global financial markets, including spot foreign exchange ("forex"), both financial trading and physical investment in precious metals, as well as CFDs, which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of underlying assets. In addition, its independent wealth management business offers a comprehensive product suite to self-directed/retail investors in the U.S.
Payments
The Company provides customized foreign exchange and treasury services to banks and commercial businesses as well as charities and non-governmental organizations and government organizations. The Company provides transparent pricing and offers payments services in more than 180 countries and 140 currencies, which it believes is more than any other payments solution provider.
********
The total revenues reported combine gross revenues from physical contracts for subsidiaries that are not broker-dealers and net revenues for all other businesses. In order to reflect the way that the Company’s management views the results, the table below also reflects the segment contribution to Operating revenues, which is shown on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and which is calculated by deducting physical commodities cost of sales from total revenues.
Segment data includes the profitability measure of net contribution by segment. Net contribution is one of the key measures used by management to assess the performance of each segment and for decisions regarding the allocation of the Company’s resources. Net contribution is calculated as revenue less direct cost of sales, transaction-based clearing expenses, variable compensation, introducing broker commissions, and interest expense. Variable compensation paid to risk management consultants/traders generally represents a fixed percentage of revenues generated, and in some cases, revenues generated less transaction-based clearing expenses, base salaries and an overhead allocation.
Segment data also includes segment income which is calculated as net contribution less non-variable direct expenses of the segment. These non-variable direct expenses include trader base compensation and benefits, operational employee compensation and benefits, communication and data services, business development, professional fees, bad debt expense and other direct expenses.
Inter-segment revenues, expenses, receivables and payables are eliminated upon consolidation.
26
Total revenues, operating revenues and net operating revenues shown in the table below as “Corporate” primarily consist of interest income from the Company’s centralized corporate treasury function. In the normal course of operations, the Company operates a centralized corporate treasury function in which it may sweep excess cash from certain subsidiaries, where permitted within regulatory limitations, in exchange for a short-term interest bearing intercompany payable, or provide excess cash to subsidiaries in exchange for a short-term interest bearing intercompany receivable in lieu of the subsidiary borrowing on external credit facilities. The intercompany receivables and payables are eliminated during consolidation.
“Overhead costs and expenses” include costs and expenses of certain shared services such as information technology, accounting and treasury, credit and risk, legal and compliance, and human resources and other activities. These amounts represent the gross overhead costs and expenses, before any allocation of overhead costs to operating segments.
27
Information for the reportable segments is shown in accordance with the Segment Reporting Topic of the ASC as follows:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Total revenues: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||
| Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating revenues: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||
| Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net operating revenues (loss): | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Corporate | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net contribution: | |||||||||||
| (Revenues less cost of sales of physical commodities, transaction-based clearing expenses, variable compensation, introducing broker commissions and interest expense) | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Segment income: | |||||||||||
| (Net contribution less non-variable direct segment costs) | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Reconciliation of segment income to income before tax: | |||||||||||
| Segment income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net operating loss within Corporate | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Overhead costs and expenses | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Income before tax | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (in millions) | As of December 31, 2024 | As of September 30, 2024 | |||||||||
| Total assets: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Institutional | |||||||||||
| Self-Directed/Retail | |||||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
28
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Throughout this document, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to StoneX Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,”, “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including adverse changes in economic, political and market conditions, including losses from our market-making and trading activities arising from counterparty failures, the loss of key personnel, the impact of increasing competition, the impact of changes in government regulation, the possibility of liabilities arising from violations of foreign, United States (“U.S.”) federal and U.S. state securities laws, the impact of changes in technology in the securities and commodities trading industries, and other risks discussed in our filings with the SEC, including Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024. Although we believe that our forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding our business and future market conditions, there can be no assurances that our actual results will not differ materially from any results expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution readers that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
Overview
We operate a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high touch service and deep expertise. We strive to be the one trusted partner to our clients, providing our network, product and services to allow them to pursue trading opportunities, manage their market risks, make investments and improve their business performance. Our businesses are supported by our global infrastructure of regulated operating subsidiaries, our advanced technology platforms and our team of more than 4,600 employees as of December 31, 2024. We believe our client-first approach differentiates us from large banking institutions, engenders trust and has enabled us to establish market leading positions in a number of complex fields in financial markets around the world. For additional information, see Overview of Business and Strategy within “Item 1. Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
We report three of our operating segments based primarily on the nature of the clients we serve (commercial, institutional, and self-directed/retail), and a fourth operating segment, our payments business. See Segment Information, below, for a listing of business activities performed within our reportable segments
Unless noted otherwise, comparisons in the following discussions relate to the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior fiscal year.
Executive Summary
We achieved record net operating revenues and net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which represented a strong start to the fiscal year. This was principally driven by continued growth in client engagement as we experienced an increase in transaction volumes across all of our product offerings, as well as very strong growth in operating revenues derived from physical contracts.
In terms of revenue capture on our transactional volumes as compared to the prior fiscal year, we experienced:
•Rate per contract (“RPC”) on listed derivatives was flat with the prior year.
•Lower OTC derivatives RPC due to diminished volatility in the agricultural and energy commodity markets.
•Lower securities rate per million (“RPM”) due to diminished volatility, as well as continued growth in lower spread products including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. listed equities.
•Higher FX/CFD RPM due to both improved spread retention and product mix.
•Lower payments RPM due to generally lower FX spreads in certain markets, most notably in Africa.
Interest and fee income earned on client balances increased as we experienced increases in both average client equity and money market (“MM”)/FDIC client balances.
Operating revenues increased $160.1 million, as we experienced growth across all but one of our operating segments, led by our Institutional segment which added $103.9 million, with our Commercial and Self-Directed/Retail also increasing $33.9 million and $31.6 million, respectively. Operating revenues in our Payments segment decreased $2.5 million.
Overall segment income increased $55.2 million with all but one of our segments experiencing growth versus the prior year led by our Self-Directed/Retail segment which added $28.2 million, while our Commercial and Institutional segments increased $15.0 million and $12.9 million, respectively. Payments segment income decreased $0.9 million.
On the expense side, we continued to focus on maintaining our variable cost model and limiting the growth of our non-variable
expenses. Variable expenses were 52% of total expenses in the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 54% in the three months ended December 31, 2023. Non-variable expenses, excluding bad debts, increased $41.5 million, principally due to higher fixed compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment rental, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, and non-trading technology and support, with these increases related to the continuing build out and expansion of our product offering and geographic reach of our operating segments as well as overhead departments to support this growth. The increase in fixed compensation and benefits includes $5.8 million in severance and accelerated share-based compensation related to the departure of an executive officer.
Income before tax includes gains of $5.7 million related to class action settlements in the three months ended December 31, 2024, which are included in Other gains.
Net income increased $16.0 million to $85.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024. Diluted earnings per share was $2.54 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $2.13 in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
30
Selected Summary Financial Information
Results of Operations
Our total revenues, as reported, combine gross revenues for the physical commodities business and net revenues for all other businesses. Management believes that operating revenues, which deduct the cost of sales of physical commodities from total revenues, is a more useful financial measure with which to assess our results of operations. The table below sets forth our operating revenues, as well as other key financial measures, for the periods indicated.
Financial Information (Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | 27,051.1 | $ | 18,820.9 | 44% | ||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 308.9 | 293.8 | 5% | ||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 149.3 | 129.7 | 15% | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management, and account fees | 47.8 | 38.5 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 378.2 | 290.1 | 30% | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 27,935.3 | 19,573.0 | 43% | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | 26,991.0 | 18,788.8 | 44% | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 944.3 | 784.2 | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 86.5 | 74.3 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 44.3 | 39.1 | 13% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 306.2 | 236.0 | 30% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on corporate funding | 15.2 | 13.2 | 15% | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 492.1 | 421.6 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | 252.5 | 218.1 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | 1.8 | (0.3) | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 126.6 | 108.1 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and other expenses | 380.9 | 325.9 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Other gains | 5.7 | — | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Income before tax | 116.9 | 95.7 | 22% | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 31.8 | 26.6 | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 85.1 | $ | 69.1 | 23% | ||||||||||||
| Return on average stockholders’ equity | 19.5 | % | 19.3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet information: | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 29,585.3 | $ | 23,244.8 | 27% | ||||||||||||
| Payables to lenders under loans | $ | 550.0 | $ | 418.5 | 31% | ||||||||||||
| Senior secured borrowings, net | $ | 543.3 | $ | 342.9 | 58% | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,777.4 | $ | 1,482.8 | 20% | ||||||||||||
| n/m = not meaningful to present as a percentage | |||||||||||||||||
31
The tables below present operating revenues disaggregated across the key products we provide to our clients and select operating data and metrics used by management in evaluating our performance, for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives | $ | 111.8 | $ | 109.2 | 2% | ||||||||||||
| Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives | 36.6 | 44.5 | (18)% | ||||||||||||||
| Securities | 401.8 | 316.2 | 27% | ||||||||||||||
| FX / Contracts For Difference (“CFD”) contracts | 98.6 | 74.6 | 32% | ||||||||||||||
| Payments | 56.8 | 59.4 | (4)% | ||||||||||||||
| Physical contracts | 92.6 | 51.4 | 80% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest / fees earned on client balances | 107.6 | 98.4 | 9% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 48.3 | 33.5 | 44% | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 11.1 | 9.2 | 21% | ||||||||||||||
| Eliminations | (20.9) | (12.2) | 71% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 944.3 | $ | 784.2 | 20% | |||||||||||||
| Volumes and Other Select Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives (contracts, 000’s) | 53,180 | 50,759 | 5% | ||||||||||||||
Listed derivatives, average rate per contract (1) | $ | 2.03 | $ | 2.03 | —% | ||||||||||||
| Average client equity - listed derivatives (millions) | $ | 6,620 | $ | 6,170 | 7% | ||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives (contracts, 000’s) | 859 | 814 | 6% | ||||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives, average rate per contract | $ | 42.84 | $ | 54.92 | (22)% | ||||||||||||
| Securities average daily volume (“ADV”) (millions) | $ | 8,733 | $ | 6,224 | 40% | ||||||||||||
Securities rate per million (“RPM”) (2) | $ | 237 | $ | 295 | (20)% | ||||||||||||
| Average money market / FDIC sweep client balances (millions) | $ | 1,197 | $ | 1,060 | 13% | ||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts ADV (millions) | $ | 11,685 | $ | 10,917 | 7% | ||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts RPM | $ | 133 | $ | 109 | 22% | ||||||||||||
| Payments ADV (millions) | $ | 84 | $ | 75 | 12% | ||||||||||||
| Payments RPM | $ | 10,414 | $ | 12,557 | (17)% | ||||||||||||
(1) | Give-up fee revenues, related to contract execution for clients of other FCMs, as well as cash and voice brokerage revenues are excluded from the calculation of listed derivatives, average rate per contract. | |||||||||||||
(2) | Interest expense associated with our fixed income activities is deducted from operating revenues in the calculation of Securities RPM, while interest income related to securities lending is excluded. | |||||||||||||
Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Operating revenues increased $160.1 million, or 20%, to $944.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $784.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. The table above displays operating revenues disaggregated across the key products we provide to our clients.
Operating revenues derived from listed derivatives increased $2.6 million, with our Commercial segment up $2.8 million, which was partially offset by a $0.2 million decline in our Institutional segment.
Operating revenues derived from OTC derivatives declined $7.9 million, principally driven by a 22% decline in the average RPC, which was partially offset by a 6% increase in OTC derivative contract volumes.
Operating revenues derived from securities transactions increased $85.6 million, principally due to a 40% increase in ADV. Carried interest on fixed income securities is a component of operating revenues, however interest expense associated with financing these positions is not. We deduct interest expense associated with our fixed income activities from operating revenues in the calculation of securities RPM in the table above in order to provide a more useful measure of the financial performance of our securities business. Net operating revenues derived from securities transactions increased $5.9 million, principally due to the increase in ADV noted above, which was partially offset by a 20% decline in the RPM resulting from the tightening of spreads and a change in product mix.
Operating revenues derived from FX/CFD contracts increased $24.0 million, as a result of a $22.4 million increase in our Self-Directed/Retail segment and a $1.6 million increase in Institutional segment FX contracts operating revenues.
32
Operating revenues from payments decreased $2.6 million, principally driven by a 17% decline in payments RPM, which was partially offset by a 12% increase in payments ADV.
Operating revenues derived from physical contracts increased $41.2 million, as a result of a $16.1 million increase in precious metals operating revenues, as well as a $23.3 million increase in physical agricultural and energy operating revenues. Precious metals related operating revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2024 were favorably impacted by realized gains of $4.7 million on the sale of physical inventories carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, for which losses on related derivative positions were recognized in prior periods. Precious metals related operating revenues were unfavorably impacted during the three months ended December 31, 2023, by unrealized losses on derivative positions of $1.7 million, related to physical inventories held at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Interest and fee income earned on client balances, which is associated with our listed and OTC derivative businesses, as well as our Correspondent Clearing and Independent Wealth Management businesses, increased $9.2 million, principally as a result of an increase in average client equity and average money-market/FDIC sweep client balances of 7% and 13%, respectively.
Interest and Transactional Expenses
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Transaction-based clearing expenses
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | $ | 86.5 | $ | 74.3 | $ | 12.2 | 16% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of operating revenues | 9% | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses were higher in the Equity and Debt Capital Markets businesses, principally related to the increased ADV, and to a lesser extent higher expenses in our Exchange-Traded Futures & Options, Financial Ag and Energy and LME businesses, principally related to the increase in contracts traded. Partially offsetting these increases were modestly lower expenses in the Self-Directed/Retail Forex business.
Introducing broker commissions
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | $ | 44.3 | $ | 39.1 | $ | 5.2 | 13% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of operating revenues | 5% | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Introducing broker commissions were higher in our Independent Wealth Management business, principally due to increased revenues, and also higher in our Financial Ag and Energy business, principally due to increased volume and client mix traded. These increases were partially offset by lower introducing broker commissions in our Physical Ag and Energy business and lower payouts within our Self-Directed/Retail Forex business.
Interest expense
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense attributable to: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trading activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Institutional dealer in fixed income securities | $ | 223.6 | $ | 172.1 | $ | 51.5 | 30 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities borrowing | 22.0 | 14.6 | 7.4 | 51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Client balances on deposit | 33.8 | 36.3 | (2.5) | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term financing facilities of subsidiaries and other direct interest of operating segments | 26.8 | 13.0 | 13.8 | 106 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| 306.2 | 236.0 | 70.2 | 30 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate funding | 15.2 | 13.2 | 2.0 | 15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 321.4 | $ | 249.2 | $ | 72.2 | 29 | % | |||||||||||||||
33
Increased interest expense attributable to trading activities principally resulted from an increase in our fixed income, securities borrowing, and physical business activities. The increase in interest expense attributable to securities borrowing was principally due to the growth in the size of the securities lending business. The increase in interest expense attributable to corporate funding was principally due to an increase in the aggregate amount of senior secured notes outstanding, related to the March 1, 2024 issuance of our 7.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (the “Notes due 2031”), effectively replacing our 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025. This increase was partially offset by lower average borrowings on our revolving credit facility.
Net Operating Revenues
Net operating revenues is one of the key measures used by management to assess operating segment performance. Net operating revenue is calculated as operating revenue less transaction-based clearing expenses, introducing broker commissions and interest expense. Transaction-based clearing expenses represent variable expenses paid to executing brokers, exchanges, clearing organizations and banks in relation to our transactional volumes. Introducing broker commissions include commission paid to non-employee third parties that have introduced clients to us. Net operating revenues represent revenues available to pay variable compensation to risk management consultants and traders and direct non-variable expenses, as well as variable and non-variable expenses of operational and administrative employees, including our executive management team.
The table below presents a disaggregation of consolidated net operating revenues used by management in evaluating our performance, for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Net Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives | $ | 49.9 | $ | 50.4 | (1)% | ||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives | 36.6 | 44.4 | (18)% | ||||||||||||||
| Securities | 101.8 | 95.9 | 6% | ||||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts | 90.3 | 66.2 | 36% | ||||||||||||||
| Payments | 54.2 | 57.0 | (5)% | ||||||||||||||
| Physical contracts | 77.1 | 42.0 | 84% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest, net / fees earned on client balances | 77.4 | 63.0 | 23% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 25.9 | 18.3 | 42% | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | (21.1) | (15.6) | 35% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 492.1 | $ | 421.6 | 17% | |||||||||||||
Compensation and Other Expenses
The following table presents a summary of expenses, other than interest and transactional expenses.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits: | |||||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits | $ | 133.3 | $ | 121.9 | 9% | ||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 119.2 | 96.2 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| 252.5 | 218.1 | 16% | |||||||||||||||
| Other expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Trading systems and market information | 20.0 | 18.7 | 7% | ||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 19.0 | 15.7 | 21% | ||||||||||||||
| Non-trading technology and support | 19.7 | 16.9 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment rental | 13.0 | 7.7 | 69% | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | 12.0 | 11.7 | 3% | ||||||||||||||
| Travel and business development | 8.4 | 7.1 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Communications | 2.1 | 2.2 | (5)% | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15.7 | 11.2 | 40% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | 1.8 | (0.3) | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 16.7 | 16.9 | (1)% | ||||||||||||||
| 128.4 | 107.8 | 19% | |||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and other expenses | $ | 380.9 | $ | 325.9 | 17% | ||||||||||||
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Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Compensation and Other Expenses: Compensation and other expenses increased $55.0 million, or 17%, to $380.9 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $325.9 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Compensation and Benefits:
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front office | $ | 110.7 | $ | 99.3 | $ | 11.4 | 11% | ||||||||||||||||
| Administrative, executive, and centralized and local operations | 22.6 | 22.6 | — | —% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total variable compensation and benefits | 133.3 | 121.9 | 11.4 | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits as a percentage of net operating revenues | 27% | 29% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-variable salaries | 79.4 | 72.0 | 7.4 | 10% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Employee benefits and other compensation | 23.3 | 15.3 | 8.0 | 52% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 11.3 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 49% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Severance | 5.2 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 300% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed compensation and benefits | 119.2 | 96.2 | 23.0 | 24% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and benefits | 252.5 | 218.1 | 34.4 | 16% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and benefits as a percentage of operating revenues | 27% | 28% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of employees, end of period | 4,620 | 4,192 | 428 | 10% | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-variable salaries increased principally due to the increase in headcount resulting from business growth across our business lines, the growth in our operational and overhead support departments, and the impact of annual merit increases.
Employee benefits and other compensation increased principally due to higher healthcare benefits, payroll taxes, and retirement costs driven by the increased headcount, and a decrease in employee-elected deferred incentive. The three months ended December 31, 2024 also included $0.9 million in accelerated long-term incentive due to the departure of an executive officer.
Share-based compensation, which contains stock option and restricted stock expense, increased principally due to the issuance of additional stock option awards during the first quarter of 2024, as well as from the increase in the value of previously granted restricted stock awards related to employee-elected and statutorily-required deferred incentive, which is exchanged for restricted stock that is amortized over a thirty-six month period following the grant date. The three months ended December 31, 2024 also included $1.1 million in accelerated share-based compensation due to the departure of the executive officer.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, severance costs were related to the departure of several employees, including the executive officer mentioned above.
Other Expenses: Other non-compensation expenses increased $20.6 million, or 19%, to $128.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $107.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Professional fees increased $3.3 million, principally due to higher legal fees related to matters in which we are defendants, as well as related to advisory matters in the normal course of business. Additionally, the increase is related to higher consulting fees, principally within our Physical Ag & Energy business and across various overhead departments.
Non-trading technology and support increased $2.8 million, principally due to higher non-trading software maintenance and support costs related to various IT systems primarily within our Core IT and other overhead departments.
Occupancy and equipment rental costs increased $5.3 million, principally due to the three months ended December 31, 2023 including a partial refund of property rates covering prior years in London. The increase is also due to additional office space acquired in London, as we consolidate office space in order to support our current and anticipated future growth, as well as higher costs in India and the U.S.
Depreciation and amortization increased $4.5 million, principally due to incremental depreciation expense from internally developed software placed into service, partially offset by lower amortization, as certain intangibles, recognized as part the acquisition of Gain Capital Holdings, Inc. in fiscal 2020, became fully amortized during fiscal 2024.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, we recorded bad debts, net of recoveries of $1.8 million, principally related to bad debt expense of $0.8 million of client receivables in the Physical Ag & Energy business of our Commercial segment, and client trading deficits in our Self-Directed/Retail segment and Financial Ag & Energy business of our Commercial segment of
35
$0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, we recorded net recoveries of bad debts of $0.3 million, principally related to recoveries within our Institutional segment.
Other Gains: The results of the three months ended December 31, 2024 include nonrecurring gains of $5.7 million, resulting from proceeds received from class action settlements, reported within the Self-Directed/Retail and Institutional segments.
Provision for Taxes: The effective income tax rate was 27% and 28% in the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to U.S. state and local taxes, global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”), U.S. and foreign permanent differences, and the amount of foreign earnings taxed at higher rates.
Variable vs. Fixed Expenses
The table below presents our variable expenses and non-variable expenses as a percentage of total non-interest expenses for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | % of Total | 2023 | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits | $ | 133.3 | 26% | $ | 121.9 | 28% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 86.5 | 17% | 74.3 | 17% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 44.3 | 9% | 39.1 | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total variable expenses | 264.1 | 52% | 235.3 | 54% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 119.2 | 23% | 96.2 | 22% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 126.6 | 25% | 108.1 | 24% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | 1.8 | —% | (0.3) | —% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-variable expenses | 247.6 | 48% | 204.0 | 46% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest expenses | $ | 511.7 | 100% | $ | 439.3 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our variable expenses include variable compensation paid to traders and risk management consultants, bonuses paid to operational, administrative, and executive employees, transaction-based clearing expenses and introducing broker commissions. We seek to make our non-interest expenses variable to the greatest extent possible, and to keep our fixed costs as low as possible.
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Segment Information
Our operating segments are based principally on the nature of the clients we serve (commercial, institutional, and self-directed/retail), and a fourth operating segment, our payments business. We manage our business in this manner due to our large global footprint, in which we have more than 4,600 employees allowing us to serve clients in more than 180 countries.
Our business activities are managed as operating segments, which are our reportable segments for financial reporting purposes, as shown below.
| StoneX Group Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | Institutional | Self-Directed/Retail | Payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Activities: | Primary Activities: | Primary Activities: | Primary Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Ag & Energy | Equity Capital Markets | Forex/CFD | Payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LME Metals | Debt Capital Markets | Independent Wealth Management | Payment Technology Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Ag & Energy | FX Prime Brokerage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Precious Metals | Exchange-Traded Futures & Options | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Correspondent Clearing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues, net operating revenues, net contribution and segment income are some of the key measures used by management to assess the performance of each segment and for decisions regarding the allocation of our resources. Operating revenues are calculated as total revenues less cost of sales of physical commodities.
Net operating revenues are calculated as operating revenues less transaction-based clearing expenses, introducing broker commissions and interest expense.
Net contribution is calculated as net operating revenues less variable compensation. Variable compensation paid to risk management consultants and traders generally represents a fixed percentage that can vary by revenue type. This fixed percentage is applied to revenues generated, and in some cases, revenues generated less transaction-based clearing expenses, base salaries and other expenses/allocations.
Segment income is calculated as net contribution less non-variable direct segment costs. These non-variable direct expenses include trader base compensation and benefits, operational charges, trading systems and market information, professional fees, travel and business development, communications, bad debts, trade errors and direct marketing expenses.
Segment income is used by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) as the primary measure of segment profit or loss in the evaluation for each of our operating segments. In addition, the CODM also uses ‘Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs’ as an additional segment measure of our segments’ financial performance. The allocation of overhead costs to operating segments includes costs associated with compliance, technology, and credit and risk costs. The share of allocated costs is based on resources consumed by the relevant businesses. In addition, the allocation of human resources and occupancy costs is principally based on employee costs within the relevant businesses. The measure of segment profit or loss most consistent with the corresponding amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements is segment income.
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Total Segment Results
The following table shows summary information concerning all of our business segments combined.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | % of Operating Revenues | 2023 | % of Operating Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | 27,051.1 | $ | 18,820.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 309.7 | 293.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 149.7 | 130.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management, and account fees | 47.4 | 38.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 387.2 | 293.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 27,945.1 | 19,576.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | 26,991.0 | 18,788.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 954.1 | 100% | 787.2 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 85.8 | 9% | 74.0 | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 44.3 | 5% | 39.1 | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 310.8 | 33% | 236.9 | 30% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 513.2 | 437.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable direct compensation and benefits | 111.8 | 12% | 100.4 | 13% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net contribution | 401.4 | 336.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 51.6 | 49.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 82.4 | 71.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | 1.8 | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-variable direct expenses | 135.8 | 14% | 120.7 | 15% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other gains | 5.7 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 271.3 | 216.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | 42.7 | 38.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs | $ | 228.6 | $ | 177.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Commercial
We offer our commercial clients a comprehensive array of products and services, including risk management and hedging services, execution and clearing of exchange-traded and OTC products, voice brokerage, market intelligence and physical trading, as well as commodity marketing, procurement, logistics and price management services. We believe providing these high-value-added products and services differentiates us from our competitors and maximizes our opportunity to retain our clients.
The tables below present the financial performance, a disaggregation of operating revenues, and select operating data and metrics used by management in evaluating the performance of the Commercial segment, for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | 27,033.7 | $ | 18,809.5 | 44% | ||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 67.2 | 77.1 | (13)% | ||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 48.7 | 44.3 | 10% | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management and account fees | 6.5 | 5.8 | 12% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 52.9 | 41.3 | 28% | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 27,209.0 | 18,978.0 | 43% | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | 26,976.7 | 18,779.6 | 44% | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 232.3 | 198.4 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 17.6 | 15.8 | 11% | ||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 11.3 | 10.4 | 9% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 14.2 | 8.8 | 61% | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 189.2 | 163.4 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Variable direct compensation and benefits | 43.5 | 37.0 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Net contribution | 145.7 | 126.4 | 15% | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 17.0 | 15.5 | 10% | ||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 25.3 | 23.8 | 6% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | 1.2 | (0.1) | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Non-variable direct expenses | 43.5 | 39.2 | 11% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 102.2 | 87.2 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | 9.7 | 8.8 | 10% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs | $ | 92.5 | $ | 78.4 | 18% | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives | $ | 62.2 | $ | 59.4 | 5% | ||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives | 36.6 | 44.5 | (18)% | ||||||||||||||
| Physical contracts | 90.1 | 50.6 | 78% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest / fees earned on client balances | 36.6 | 37.2 | (2)% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 6.8 | 6.7 | 1% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 232.3 | $ | 198.4 | 17% | |||||||||||||
| Volumes and Other Select Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives (contracts, 000’s) | 10,608 | 9,523 | 11% | ||||||||||||||
Listed derivatives, average rate per contract (1) | $ | 5.67 | $ | 5.95 | (5)% | ||||||||||||
| Average client equity - listed derivatives (millions) | $ | 1,727 | $ | 1,700 | 2% | ||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives (contracts, 000’s) | 859 | 814 | 5% | ||||||||||||||
| OTC derivatives, average rate per contract | $ | 42.84 | $ | 54.92 | (22)% | ||||||||||||
(1) | Give-up fee revenues, related to contract execution for clients of other FCMs, as well as cash and voice brokerage revenues are excluded from the calculation of listed derivatives, average rate per contract. | |||||||||||||
39
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Operating revenues increased $33.9 million, or 17%, to $232.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $198.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net operating revenues increased $25.8 million, or 16%, to $189.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $163.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Operating revenues derived from listed derivatives increased $2.8 million, principally driven by a 11% increase in listed derivatives contract volumes, primarily in agricultural, energy and base metal commodity markets, which was partially offset by a 5% decline in the average rate per contract.
Operating revenues derived from OTC derivatives declined $7.9 million, principally driven by a 22% decline in the average rate per contract, primarily as a result of a decline in commodity volatility, which was partially offset by a 5% increase in OTC derivative volumes.
Operating revenues derived from physical contracts increased $39.5 million, as a result of a $16.1 million increase in precious metals operating revenues, as well as a $23.3 million increase in physical agricultural and energy operating revenues. Precious metals related operating revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2024 were favorably impacted by realized gains of $2.8 million on the sale of physical inventories carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, for which losses on related derivative positions were recognized in prior periods. Precious metals related operating revenues were unfavorably impacted during the three months ended December 31, 2023, by unrealized losses on derivative positions of $1.4 million, related to physical inventories held at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Interest and fee income earned on client balances declined $0.6 million, with average client equity relatively flat with the prior year.
Variable expenses, excluding interest, expressed as a percentage of operating revenues were 31% and 32% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Segment income increased $15.0 million, principally due to the growth in operating revenues, which was partially offset by a $4.3 million increase in non-variable direct expenses. The increase in non-variable direct expenses was principally driven by a $1.5 million increase in fixed compensation and benefits and a $1.3 million increase in bad debt expense.
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we have calculated an allocation for overhead costs of $9.7 million for the Commercial segment as compared to a $8.8 million allocation in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
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Institutional
We provide institutional clients with a suite of equity trading services to help them find liquidity with best execution, consistent liquidity across a robust array of fixed income products, competitive and efficient clearing and execution in all major futures and securities exchanges globally as well as prime brokerage in equities and major foreign currency pairs and swap transactions. In addition, we originate, structure and place debt instruments in the international and domestic capital markets. These instruments include asset-backed securities (primarily in Argentina) and domestic municipal securities.
The tables below present the financial performance, a disaggregation of operating revenues, and select operating data and metrics used by management in evaluating the performance of the Institutional segment, for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | — | $ | — | —% | ||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 108.6 | 103.2 | 5% | ||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 85.7 | 73.3 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management and account fees | 20.3 | 17.3 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 325.0 | 241.9 | 34% | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 539.6 | 435.7 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | — | — | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 539.6 | 435.7 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 63.0 | 52.9 | 19% | ||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 8.1 | 7.7 | 5% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 294.5 | 226.5 | 30% | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 174.0 | 148.6 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Variable direct compensation and benefits | 56.2 | 48.4 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Net contribution | 117.8 | 100.2 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 18.6 | 16.4 | 13% | ||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 22.4 | 19.0 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts (recoveries), net | — | (0.4) | (100)% | ||||||||||||||
| Non-variable direct expenses | 41.0 | 35.0 | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Other gain | 1.3 | — | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 78.1 | 65.2 | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | 14.8 | 12.8 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs | $ | 63.3 | $ | 52.4 | 21% | ||||||||||||
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| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives | $ | 49.6 | $ | 49.8 | —% | ||||||||||||
| Securities | 373.5 | 293.6 | 27% | ||||||||||||||
| FX contracts | 9.6 | 8.0 | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest / fees earned on client balances | 70.3 | 60.5 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 36.6 | 23.8 | 54% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 539.6 | $ | 435.7 | 24% | |||||||||||||
| Volumes and Other Select Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| Listed derivatives (contracts, 000’s) | 42,572 | 41,236 | 3% | ||||||||||||||
Listed derivatives, average rate per contract (1) | $ | 1.12 | $ | 1.12 | —% | ||||||||||||
| Average client equity - listed derivatives (millions) | $ | 4,893 | $ | 4,470 | 9% | ||||||||||||
| Securities ADV (millions) | $ | 8,733 | $ | 6,224 | 40% | ||||||||||||
Securities RPM (2) | $ | 237 | $ | 295 | (20)% | ||||||||||||
| Average money market / FDIC sweep client balances (millions) | $ | 1,197 | $ | 1,060 | 13% | ||||||||||||
| FX contracts ADV ( millions) | $ | 4,082 | $ | 3,970 | 3% | ||||||||||||
| FX contracts RPM | $ | 36 | $ | 34 | 6% | ||||||||||||
(1) | Give-up fee revenues, related to contract execution for clients of other FCMs, are excluded from the calculation of listed derivatives, average rate per contract. | |||||||||||||
(2) | Interest expense associated with our fixed income activities is deducted from operating revenues in the calculation of Securities RPM, while interest income related to securities lending is excluded. | |||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Operating revenues increased $103.9 million, or 24%, to $539.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $435.7 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net operating revenues increased $25.4 million, or 17%, to $174.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $148.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Operating revenues derived from listed derivatives were relatively flat with the prior year.
Operating revenues derived from securities transactions increased $79.9 million, principally driven by a 40% increase in the ADV of securities traded, primarily as a result of increased client activity in both equity and fixed income markets. The securities RPM decreased 20%, principally due to a tightening of spreads and a change in product mix.
Operating revenues derived from FX contracts increased $1.6 million.
Interest and fee income earned on client balances, which is associated with our listed derivative and correspondent clearing businesses increased $9.8 million, principally driven by 9% and 13% increases in average client equity and average money market / FDIC sweep client balances, respectively.
Primarily as a result of the increase in securities ADV, interest expense increased $68.0 million, with interest expense directly associated with serving as an institutional dealer in fixed income securities increasing $51.5 million and interest expense directly attributable to securities lending activities increasing $7.4 million. Partially offsetting these increases, interest paid to clients decreased $5.1 million.
Variable expenses, excluding interest, expressed as a percentage of operating revenues declined to 24% in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 25% in the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily as the result of the increase in interest income.
Segment income increased $12.9 million, principally due to the increase in net operating revenues noted above, which was partially offset by a $6.0 million increase in non-variable direct expenses, including a $2.2 million increase in fixed compensation and benefits, a $1.6 million increase in professional fees, and a $0.8 million increase in trade systems and market information. Segment income in the three months ended December 31, 2024, was favorably impacted by a nonrecurring gain related to proceeds received of $1.3 million resulting from a foreign exchange class action settlement.
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we have calculated an allocation for overhead costs of $14.8 million for the Institutional segment as compared to a $12.8 million allocation in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
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Self-Directed/Retail
We provide our Self-Directed/Retail clients around the world access to over 18,000 global financial markets, including spot foreign exchange ("forex"), both financial trading and physical investment in precious metals, as well as contracts for difference (“CFDs”), which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of underlying assets. In addition, our independent wealth management business offers a comprehensive product suite to retail investors in the U.S.
The tables below present the financial performance, a disaggregation of operating revenues, and select operating data and metrics used by management in evaluating the performance of the Self-Directed/Retail segment, for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | 17.4 | $ | 11.4 | 53% | ||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 79.5 | 55.6 | 43% | ||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 13.5 | 11.2 | 21% | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management and account fees | 19.3 | 14.1 | 37% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 8.7 | 9.4 | (7)% | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 138.4 | 101.7 | 36% | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | 14.3 | 9.2 | 55% | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 124.1 | 92.5 | 34% | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 3.4 | 3.5 | (3)% | ||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 24.0 | 20.4 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 2.1 | 1.6 | 31% | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 94.6 | 67.0 | 41% | ||||||||||||||
| Variable direct compensation and benefits | 3.0 | 4.4 | (32)% | ||||||||||||||
| Net contribution | 91.6 | 62.6 | 46% | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 9.4 | 10.3 | (9)% | ||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 29.2 | 23.5 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts, net of recoveries | 0.5 | 0.1 | 400% | ||||||||||||||
| Non-variable direct expenses | 39.1 | 33.9 | 15% | ||||||||||||||
| Other gain | 4.4 | — | n/m | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 56.9 | 28.7 | 98% | ||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | 12.6 | 11.5 | 10% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs | $ | 44.3 | $ | 17.2 | 158% | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 28.3 | $ | 22.6 | 25% | ||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts | 89.0 | 66.6 | 34% | ||||||||||||||
| Physical contracts | 2.5 | 0.8 | 213% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest / fees earned on client balances | 0.7 | 0.7 | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 3.6 | 1.8 | 100% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 124.1 | $ | 92.5 | 34% | |||||||||||||
| Volumes and Other Select Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts ADV (millions) | $ | 7,603 | $ | 6,948 | 9% | ||||||||||||
| FX/CFD contracts RPM | $ | 185 | $ | 151 | 23% | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Operating revenues increased $31.6 million, or 34%, to $124.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $92.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net operating revenues increased $27.6 million, or 41%, to $94.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $67.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
43
Operating revenues derived from FX/CFD contracts increased $22.4 million, principally due to an 23% increase in FX/CFD contracts RPM, as well as a 9% increase in FX/CFD contracts ADV.
Operating revenues derived from securities transactions, which relate to our independent wealth management activities, increased $5.7 million.
Operating revenues derived from physical contracts increased $1.7 million, as revenues were favorably impacted by realized gains of $1.9 million on the sale of physical inventories carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, for which losses on related derivative positions were recognized in prior periods.
Interest and fee income earned on client balances was $0.7 million in both the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Variable expenses, excluding interest, as a percentage of operating revenues were 24% in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 31% in the three months ended December 31, 2023, principally due to the increase in operating revenues derived from FX/CFD contracts which typically incur a lower relative percentage of variable expenses than do our other business lines.
Segment income increased $28.2 million, principally due to the increase in net operating revenues noted above, which was partially offset by a $5.2 million increase in non-variable direct expenses. The increase in non-variable direct expenses was primarily a result of a $2.8 million increase in depreciation and amortization, a $0.4 million increase in professional fees, and a $0.3 million increase in selling and marketing. Segment income in the three months ended December 31, 2024, was favorably impacted by a nonrecurring gain related to proceeds received of $4.4 million resulting from a foreign exchange anti-trust class action settlement.
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we have calculated an allocation for overhead costs of $12.6 million for the Self-Directed/Retail segment as compared to a $11.5 million allocation in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
44
Payments
We provide customized foreign exchange and treasury services to banks and commercial businesses, charities, non-governmental organizations, as well as governmental organizations. We provide transparent pricing and offer payments services in more than 180 countries and 140 currencies, which we believe is more than any other payments solutions provider.
The tables below present the financial performance, a disaggregation of operating revenues, and select operating data and metrics used by management in evaluating the performance of the Payments segment for the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Sales of physical commodities | $ | — | $ | — | —% | ||||||||||||
| Principal gains, net | 54.4 | 57.5 | (5)% | ||||||||||||||
| Commission and clearing fees | 1.8 | 1.5 | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting, management, account fees | 1.3 | 0.9 | 44% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 0.6 | 0.7 | (14)% | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 58.1 | 60.6 | (4)% | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales of physical commodities | — | — | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | 58.1 | 60.6 | (4)% | ||||||||||||||
| Transaction-based clearing expenses | 1.8 | 1.8 | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Introducing broker commissions | 0.9 | 0.6 | 50% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | — | — | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating revenues | 55.4 | 58.2 | (5)% | ||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits | 9.1 | 10.6 | (14)% | ||||||||||||||
| Net contribution | 46.3 | 47.6 | (3)% | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 6.6 | 7.3 | (10)% | ||||||||||||||
| Other fixed expenses | 5.5 | 5.2 | 6% | ||||||||||||||
| Bad debts | 0.1 | 0.1 | —% | ||||||||||||||
| Total non-variable direct expenses | 12.2 | 12.6 | (3)% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 34.1 | 35.0 | (3)% | ||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | 5.6 | 5.1 | 10% | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income, less allocation of overhead costs | $ | 28.5 | $ | 29.9 | (5)% | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments | $ | 56.8 | $ | 59.4 | (4)% | ||||||||||||
| Other | 1.3 | 1.2 | 8% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 58.1 | $ | 60.6 | (4)% | |||||||||||||
| Volumes and Other Select Data: | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments ADV (millions) | $ | 84 | $ | 75 | 12% | ||||||||||||
| Payments RPM | $ | 10,414 | $ | 12,557 | (17)% | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Operating revenues decreased $2.5 million, or 4%, to $58.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $60.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net operating revenues decreased $2.8 million, or 5%, to $55.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $58.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
The decrease in operating revenues was principally due to a 17% decline in the RPM traded, which was partially offset by a 12% increase in ADV.
Variable expenses, excluding interest, expressed as a percentage of operating revenues were 20% in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 21% in the three months ended December 31, 2023, principally driven by a decline in variable compensation and benefits.
Segment income decreased $0.9 million, principally driven by the increase in operating revenues noted above as well as a $0.4 million decline in non-variable direct expenses.
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For the three months ended December 31, 2024, we have calculated an allocation for overhead costs of $5.6 million for the Payments segment as compared to a $5.1 million allocation in the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Overhead Costs and Expenses
We incur overhead costs and expenses, including certain shared services such as information technology, accounting and treasury, credit and risk, legal and compliance, and human resources and other activities. The following table provides information regarding our overhead costs and expenses.
In addition, the table provides information regarding the allocation of a portion of these costs to the aforementioned operating segments. The allocation of overhead costs to operating segments includes costs associated with compliance, technology, and credit and risk costs. The share of allocated costs is based on resources consumed by the relevant businesses. In addition, the allocation of human resources and occupancy costs is principally based on employee costs within the relevant businesses.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits: | |||||||||||||||||
| Variable compensation and benefits | $ | 20.2 | $ | 19.4 | 4% | ||||||||||||
| Fixed compensation and benefits | 61.0 | 40.6 | 50% | ||||||||||||||
| 81.2 | 60.0 | 35% | |||||||||||||||
| Other expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment rental | 12.1 | 7.3 | 66% | ||||||||||||||
| Non-trading technology and support | 15.3 | 13.0 | 18% | ||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 8.7 | 7.5 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6.4 | 5.5 | 16% | ||||||||||||||
| Communications | 1.5 | 1.6 | (6)% | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | 0.9 | 1.3 | (31)% | ||||||||||||||
| Trading systems and market information | 1.6 | 1.7 | (6)% | ||||||||||||||
| Travel and business development | 2.6 | 1.7 | 53% | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 3.0 | 5.2 | (42)% | ||||||||||||||
| 52.1 | 44.8 | 16% | |||||||||||||||
| Overhead costs and expenses | 133.3 | 104.8 | 27% | ||||||||||||||
| Allocation of overhead costs | (42.7) | (38.2) | 12% | ||||||||||||||
| Overhead costs and expense, net of allocation to operating segments | $ | 90.6 | $ | 66.6 | 36% | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
The increase in non-variable compensation was partially related to a reorganization of our IT personnel, including the move of certain development teams out of discrete business lines and into centralized shared services, resulting in increased compensation expense in overhead, and lower compensation expense in the discrete business lines, which were partially offset with non-variable charges to the business lines based on use of IT resources. Additionally, the increase in non-variable compensation was partially a result of hiring among our support departments, principally due to company growth. Average administrative headcount increased 23% in the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Also, there was a decrease in employee-elected deferred incentive, which is exchanged for restricted stock that will be amortized over a thirty-six month period following the grant date. Share-based compensation related to stock option expense increased principally due to the issuance of additional stock option awards during the three months ended December 31, 2024.
Fixed compensation and benefits for the three months ended December 31, 2024 included $6.6 million in aggregate related to severance, accelerated long-term incentive and accelerated share-based compensation due to the departure of an executive officer.
Occupancy and equipment rental increased $4.8 million, principally due to the three months ended December 31, 2023 including a partial refund of property rates covering prior years in London. The increase is also due to additional office space acquired in London, as we consolidate office space in order to support our current and anticipated future growth, as well as higher costs in India and the U.S.
Non-trading technology and support increased $2.3 million, principally due to higher non-trading software maintenance and support costs related to various IT systems various technologies used throughout core-IT and compliance.
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Liquidity, Financial Condition and Capital Resources
Overview
Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient funding to meet all of our cash needs. Senior management establishes liquidity and capital policies, which we monitor and review for funding from both internal and external sources. We evaluate how effectively our policies support our business operations, issuing debt and equity securities, and accessing committed credit facilities. Liquidity and capital matters are reported regularly to our Board of Directors.
Regulatory
StoneX Financial Inc. is registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is a member of both the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”). In addition, StoneX Financial Inc. is registered as a futures commission merchant with the CFTC and NFA, and a member of various commodities and futures exchanges in the U.S. and abroad. StoneX Financial Inc. has a responsibility to meet margin calls at all exchanges on a daily basis, and even on an intra-day basis, if deemed necessary by relevant regulators or exchanges. We require our clients to make margin deposits the next business day, and we require our largest clients to make intra-day margin payments during periods of significant price movement. Margin required to be posted to the exchanges is a function of our clients’ net open positions and required margin per contract. StoneX Financial Inc. is subject to minimum capital requirements under Section 4(f)(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act, Part 1.17 of the rules and regulations of the CFTC and the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). StoneX Financial Inc. is also subject to Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act (“Customer Protection Rule”).
Gain Capital Group, LLC is registered as both a futures commission merchant and registered foreign exchange dealer, subject to minimum capital requirements under Section 4(f)(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act, Part 1.17 of the rules and regulations of the CFTC and NFA Financial Requirements, Sections 1 and 11.
StoneX Markets LLC is a CFTC registered swap dealer, whose business is overseen by the NFA. The CFTC imposes rules over net capital requirements, as well as the exchange of initial margin between registered swap dealers and certain counterparties.
These rules specify the minimum amount of capital that must be available to support our clients’ account balances and open trading positions, including the amount of assets that StoneX Financial Inc., Gain Capital Group, LLC and StoneX Markets LLC must maintain in relatively liquid form. Further, the rules are designed to maintain general financial integrity and liquidity.
StoneX Financial Ltd is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulator of investment and payment firms in the U.K. as a MiFID investment firm under U.K. law, and is subject to regulations which impose regulatory capital requirements. In Europe, our regulated subsidiaries are subject to E.U. regulation. Across the U.K. and E.U., the respective transpositions of the Market Abuse Regulation, and the General Data Protection Regulation, also apply. StoneX Financial Ltd is a member of various commodities and futures exchanges in the U.K. and Europe and has the responsibility to meet margin calls at all exchanges on a daily basis and intra-day basis, as necessary. StoneX Financial Ltd is required to be compliant with the U.K.’s ‘MIFIDPRU’ regulation. To comply with these standards, we have implemented daily liquidity procedures, conduct periodic reviews of liquidity by stressed scenarios, and are required to maintain enough liquidity for the firm to survive for one year under the appropriate stressed conditions.
The regulations discussed above limit funds available for dividends to us. As a result, we may be unable to access our operating subsidiaries’ funds when we need them.
StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd. is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and operates as an approved holder of a Capital Market Services and a Payments Service License. StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd. is subject to the requirements of MAS pursuant to the Securities and Futures Act and the Payments Services Act 2019. The regulations include those that govern the treatment of client money and other assets which under certain circumstances must be segregated from the firm’s own assets.
In our physical commodities trading, commercial hedging OTC, securities and foreign exchange trading activities, we may be required upon to meet margin calls with our various trading counterparties based upon the underlying open transactions we have in place with those counterparties.
We review our overall credit and capital needs to determine whether our capital base, both stockholders’ equity and debt, as well as available credit facilities can appropriately support the anticipated financing needs of our operating subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2024, we had total equity of $1,777.4 million, outstanding loans under revolving credit facilities and other payables to lenders of $550.0 million, and $543.3 million outstanding on our senior secured notes, net of deferred financing costs.
A substantial portion of our assets are liquid. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 97% of our assets consisted of cash and cash equivalents; securities purchased under agreements to resell; securities borrowed; deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties; receivables from clients; financial instruments owned, at fair value; and physical commodities inventory. All assets that are not client and counterparty deposit financed are financed by our equity
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capital, bank loans, short-term borrowings from financial instruments sold, not yet purchased and under repurchase agreements, securities loaned and other payables.
Client and Counterparty Credit and Liquidity Risk
Our operations expose us to credit risk of default of our clients and counterparties. The risk includes liquidity risk to the extent our clients or counterparties are unable to make timely payment of margin or other credit support. We are indirectly exposed to the financing and liquidity risks of our clients and counterparties, including the risks that our clients and counterparties may not be able to finance their operations.
As a clearing broker, we act on behalf of our clients for all trades consummated on exchanges. We must pay initial and variation margin to the exchanges, on a net basis, before we receive the required payments from our clients. Accordingly, we are responsible for our clients’ obligations with respect to these transactions, which exposes us to significant credit risk. Our clients are required to make any margin deposits the next business day, and we require our largest clients to make intra-day margin payments during periods of significant price movement. Our clients are obligated to maintain initial margin requirements at the level set by the respective exchanges, but we have the ability to increase margin requirements for clients based on their open positions, trading activity, or market conditions.
As it relates to OTC derivative transactions, we act as a principal, which exposes us to the credit risk of both our clients and the counterparties with which we offset our client positions. As with exchange-traded transactions, our OTC transactions require that we meet initial and variation margin payments on behalf of our clients before we receive related required payments from our clients. OTC clients are required to post sufficient collateral to meet margin requirements based on value-at-risk models, as well as variation margin requirements based on the price movement of the commodity or security in which they transact. Our clients are required to make any margin deposits the next business day, and we may require our largest clients to make intra-day margin payments during periods of significant price movement. In this business as well, we have the ability to increase the margin requirements for clients based on their open positions, trading activity, or market conditions. On a limited basis, we provide credit thresholds to certain clients, based on internal evaluations and monitoring of client creditworthiness.
In addition, with OTC transactions, we are at risk that a counterparty will fail to meet its obligations to us when due. We would then be exposed to the risk that the settlement of a transaction which is due from a client will not be collected from the respective counterparty with which the transaction was offset. We monitor the credit quality of our respective counterparties and mark our positions held with each counterparty to market on a daily basis.
We enter into securities purchased under agreements to resell, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions to, among other things, finance financial instruments, acquire securities to cover short positions, acquire securities for settlement, and to accommodate counterparties’ needs. In connection with these agreements and transactions, it is our policy to receive or pledge cash or securities to adequately collateralize such agreements and transactions in accordance with general industry guidelines and practices. The collateral is valued daily and we may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.
Primary Sources and Uses of Cash
Our cash and cash equivalents and client cash and securities held for clients are held at banks, deposits at liquidity providers, investments in money market funds that invest in highly liquid investment grade securities including U.S. treasury bills, as well as investments in U.S. treasury bills. In general, we believe all of our investments and deposits are of high credit quality and we have more than adequate liquidity to conduct our businesses.
Our assets and liabilities may vary significantly from period to period due to changing client requirements, economic and market conditions, and our growth. Our total assets as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, were $29.6 billion and $27.5 billion, respectively. Our operating activities generate or utilize cash as a result of net income or loss earned or incurred during each period and fluctuations in our assets and liabilities. The most significant fluctuations arise from changes in the level of client activity, commodities prices, and changes in the balances of financial instruments and commodities inventory. StoneX Financial Inc. and StoneX Financial Ltd occasionally utilize their margin line credit facilities, on a short-term basis, to meet intraday settlements with the commodity exchanges prior to collecting margin funds from their clients.
The majority of the assets of StoneX Financial Inc., StoneX Financial Ltd, StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd, StoneX Markets LLC, and Gain Capital Group, LLC are restricted from being transferred to us or other affiliates due to specific regulatory requirements. This restriction has no current impact on our ability to meet our cash obligations, and no such impact is expected in the future.
We have liquidity and funding policies and processes in place that are intended to maintain sufficient flexibility to address both company-specific and industry liquidity needs. The majority of our excess funds is held with high-quality institutions, under highly-liquid reverse repurchase agreements, U.S. government obligations, interest earning cash deposits and AA-rated money market investments.
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We do not intend to distribute earnings of our foreign subsidiaries in a taxable manner, and therefore intend to limit distributions to earnings previously taxed in the U.S., or earnings that would qualify for the 100 percent dividends received deduction, and earnings that would not result in any significant foreign taxes. We repatriated $16.0 million and $28.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, of earnings previously taxed in the U.S., resulting in no significant incremental taxes. Therefore, the Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability on its investment in foreign subsidiaries.
Senior Secured Notes
On March 1, 2024, we issued $550.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes due 2031, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured second lien basis, by certain subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee the Company’s senior committed credit facility and certain of its domestic subsidiaries.
The Notes due 2031 will mature on March 1, 2031. Interest on the Notes due 2031 accrues at a rate of 7.875% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on September 1 and March 1 of each year. We incurred debt issuance costs of $7.7 million in connection with the issuance of the Notes due 2031, which are being amortized over the term of the notes.
Committed Credit Facilities
As of December 31, 2024, we had five committed bank credit facilities, totaling $1,205.0 million, of which $412.0 million was outstanding. Additional information regarding the committed bank credit facilities can be found in Note 9 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The credit facilities include:
•A first-lien senior secured syndicated loan facility committed until April 21, 2026, under which $500.0 million is available to us for general working capital requirements and capital expenditures.
•An unsecured line of credit committed until October 28, 2025, under which $250.0 million is available to our wholly owned subsidiary, StoneX Financial Inc. to provide short term funding.
•A syndicated borrowing facility committed until July 29, 2025, under which $325.0 million is available to our wholly owned subsidiary, StoneX Commodity Solutions LLC (“StoneX Commodity Solutions”) to facilitate physical commodity trade and provide marketing, procurement, logistics and price management services to clients across the commodity complex.
•An unsecured syndicated loan facility committed until October 9, 2025, under which our subsidiary, StoneX Financial Ltd is entitled to borrow up to $115.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions of the credit agreement. This facility is intended to provide short-term funding.
•An unsecured revolving credit facility committed until September 5, 2025, under which $15.0 million is available to our wholly owned subsidiary, StoneX Financial Pte. Ltd. for general working capital requirements.
Our facility agreements contain certain financial covenants relating to financial measures on a consolidated basis, as well as on a stand-alone basis for certain subsidiaries, including minimum tangible net worth, minimum regulatory capital, minimum net unencumbered liquid assets, maximum net loss, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum funded debt to net worth ratio. Failure to comply with any such covenants could result in the debt becoming payable on demand. As of December 31, 2024, we and our subsidiaries were in compliance with all of our financial covenants under the outstanding facilities.
In accordance with required disclosure as part of our first-lien senior secured syndicated loan facility, during the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2024, interest expense directly attributable to trading activities includes $903.9 million in connection with trading activities conducted as an institutional dealer in fixed income securities, and $71.7 million in connection with securities lending activities.
As reflected above, certain of our committed credit facilities are scheduled to expire during the next twelve months following the quarterly period ended December 31, 2024. We intend to renew or replace these facilities as they expire, and based on our liquidity position and capital structure, we believe we will be able to do so.
Uncommitted Credit Facilities
We have access to certain uncommitted financing agreements that support our ordinary course securities and commodities inventories. The agreements are subject to certain borrowing terms and conditions. As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Company had $131.2 million and $104.9 million total borrowings outstanding under these uncommitted credit facilities, respectively.
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Other Capital Considerations
Our activities are subject to various significant governmental regulations and capital adequacy requirements, both in the U.S. and in the international jurisdictions in which we operate. Our subsidiaries are in compliance with all of their capital regulatory requirements as of December 31, 2024. Additional information on our subsidiaries subject to significant net capital and minimum net capital requirements can be found in Note 16 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flows
We include client cash and securities that meet the short-term requirement for cash classification to be segregated for regulatory purposes in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We hold a significant amount of U.S. Treasury obligations, which represent investments of client funds or client-owned investments pledged in lieu of cash margin. U.S. Treasury securities held with third-party banks or pledged with exchange-clearing organizations representing investments of client funds or which are held for particular clients in lieu of cash margin are included in the beginning and ending cash balances reconciled on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to the extent that they have an original or acquired maturity of 90 days or less and, therefore, meet the definition of a segregated cash equivalent. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury securities representing investment of clients’ funds and U.S. Treasury securities pledged or redeemed by particular clients in lieu of cash margin are presented as operating uses and sources of cash, respectively, within the operating section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows if they have an original or acquired maturity of greater than 90 days. Typically, there is an offsetting use or source of cash related to the change in the payables to clients. However, we will report a use of cash in periods where segregated U.S. Treasury securities that meet the aforementioned definition of a segregated cash equivalent mature and are replaced with U.S. Treasury securities that have original or acquired maturities that are greater than 90 days.
Our cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents, and segregated cash equivalents decreased by $329.6 million from $6,672.6 million as of September 30, 2024 to $6,343.0 million as of December 31, 2024. During the three months ended December 31, 2024, net cash of $477.8 million was used in operating activities, $21.6 million was used in investing activities and net cash of $188.2 million was provided by financing activities.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended December 31, 2024 included significant inflows from payables to lenders under 90 days of $211.2 million, while we paid deferred acquisition payments of $20.1 million and had outflows for tax related withholdings of $3.7 million.
In the broker-dealer and related trading industries, companies report trading activities in the operating section of the statement of cash flows. Due to the daily price volatility in the commodities market, as well as changes in margin requirements, fluctuations in the balances of deposits held at various exchanges, marketable securities and client commodity accounts may occur from day-to-day. A use of cash, as calculated on the consolidated statement of cash flows, includes unrestricted cash transferred and pledged to the exchanges or guaranty funds. These funds are held in interest-bearing deposit accounts at the exchanges, and based on daily exchange requirements, may be withdrawn and returned to unrestricted cash. Additionally, within our unregulated OTC and foreign exchange operations, cash deposits received from clients are reflected as cash provided from operations. Subsequent transfer of these cash deposits to counterparties or exchanges to margin their open positions will be reflected as an operating use of cash to the extent the transfer occurs in a different period than the cash deposit was received.
Unrealized gains and losses on open positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates are included in trading revenue but have no direct impact on cash flow from operations. Similarly, gains and losses become realized when client transactions are liquidated, though they do not affect cash flow. To some extent, the amount of net deposits made by our clients in any given period is influenced by the impact of gains and losses on our client balances, such that clients may be required to post additional funds to maintain open positions or may choose to withdraw excess funds on open positions.
We evaluate opportunities to expand our business. Investing activities included $13.6 million in capital expenditures for property and equipment during the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $12.7 million during the prior year. Additionally, we paid net cash of $8.0 million for acquisitions of assets and businesses in the current year.
Fluctuations in exchange rates decreased our cash, segregated cash, cash equivalents and segregated cash equivalents by $18.4 million.
Based upon our current operations, we believe that cash flows from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our credit facilities will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for the following year.
Commitments and Contingencies
Information about our commitments and contingent liabilities is contained in Note 11 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business as a registered securities broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, U.K. based investment firm, provisionally registered swap dealer and from our market-making and proprietary trading in the foreign exchange and commodities and debt securities markets. These financial instruments include futures, forward and foreign exchange contracts, exchange-traded and OTC options, To Be Announced (“TBA”) securities and interest rate swaps. Derivative financial instruments involve varying degrees of off-balance sheet market risk whereby changes in the fair values of underlying financial instruments may result in changes in the fair value of the financial instruments in excess of the amounts reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Exposure to market risk is influenced by a number of factors, including the relationships between the financial instruments and our positions, as well as the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the financial instruments are traded. The principal risk components of financial instruments include, among other things, interest rate volatility, the duration of the underlying instruments and changes in commodity pricing and foreign exchange rates. We attempt to manage our exposure to market risk through various techniques. Aggregate market limits have been established and market risk measures are routinely monitored against these limits. Derivative contracts are traded along with cash transactions because of the integrated nature of the markets for such products. We manage the risks associated with derivatives on an aggregate basis along with the risks associated with our proprietary trading and market-making activities in cash instruments as part of our firm-wide risk management policies.
A significant portion of these instruments are primarily the execution of orders for commodity futures and options on futures contracts on behalf of our clients, substantially all of which are transacted on a margin basis. Such transactions may expose us to significant credit risk in the event margin requirements are not sufficient to fully cover losses which clients may incur. We control the risks associated with these transactions by requiring clients to maintain margin deposits in compliance with both clearing organization requirements and internal guidelines. We monitor required margin levels daily and, therefore, may require clients to deposit additional collateral or reduce positions when necessary. We also establish contract limits for clients, which are monitored daily. We evaluate each client’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. Clearing, financing, and settlement activities may require us to maintain funds with or pledge securities as collateral with other financial institutions. Generally, these exposures to exchanges are subject to netting of open positions and collateral, while exposures to clients are subject to netting, per the terms of the client agreements, which reduce the exposure to us by permitting receivables and payables with such clients to be offset in the event of a client default. Management believes that the margin deposits held as of December 31, 2024 are adequate to minimize the risk of material loss that could be created by positions held at that time. Additionally, we monitor collateral fair value on a daily basis and adjust collateral levels in the event of excess market exposure. Generally, these exposures to both counterparties and clients are subject to master netting agreements and the terms of the client agreements, which reduce our exposure.
As a broker-dealer in U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. government agency obligations, agency mortgage-backed obligations, and asset-backed obligations, we are engaged in various securities trading, borrowing and lending activities serving solely institutional counterparties. Our exposure to credit risk associated with the nonperformance of counterparties in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to these securities transactions and market risk associated with the sale of securities not yet purchased can be directly impacted by volatile trading markets which may impair their ability to satisfy outstanding obligations to us. In the event of non-performance and unfavorable market price movements, we may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments, which may result in a loss to us.
We transact OTC and foreign exchange contracts with our clients, and our OTC and foreign exchange trade desks will generally offset the client’s transaction simultaneously with one of our trading counterparties or will offset that transaction with a similar, but not identical, position on the exchange. These unmatched transactions are intended to be short-term in nature and are conducted to facilitate the most effective transaction for our client.
Additionally, we hold options and futures on options contracts resulting from market-making and proprietary trading activities in these product lines. We assist clients in our commodities trading business to protect the value of their future production (precious or base metals) by selling them put options on an OTC basis. We also provide our physical commodities trading business clients with sophisticated option products, including combinations of buying and selling puts and calls. We mitigate our risk by effecting offsetting options with market counterparties or through the purchase or sale of exchange-traded commodities futures. The risk mitigation of offsetting options is not within the documented hedging designation requirements of the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC.
As part of the activities discussed above, we carry short positions. We sell financial instruments that we do not own, borrow the financial instruments to make good delivery, and therefore are obliged to purchase such financial instruments at a future date in order to return the borrowed financial instruments. We record these obligations in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, at fair value of the related financial instruments, totaling $3,541.6 million and $2,853.3 million, respectively. These positions are held to offset the risks related to financial assets owned, and reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in Financial instruments owned, at fair value and Physical commodities inventory, net. We will incur losses if the fair value of the financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, increases
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subsequent to December 31, 2024, which might be partially or wholly offset by gains in the value of assets held as of December 31, 2024. The totals of $3,541.6 million and $2,853.3 million include a net liability of $289.8 million and $265.0 million for derivative contracts, including those designated as hedges, based on their fair value as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
We do not anticipate non-performance by counterparties in the above situations. We have a policy of reviewing the credit standing of each counterparty with which we conduct business. We have credit guidelines that limit our current and potential credit exposure to any one counterparty. We administer limits, monitor credit exposure, and periodically review the financial soundness of counterparties. We manage the credit exposure relating to our trading activities in various ways, including entering into collateral arrangements and limiting the duration of exposure. Risk is mitigated in certain cases by closing out transactions and entering into risk reducing transactions.
We are a member of various exchanges that trade and clear futures and option contracts. We are also a member of and provide guaranties to securities clearinghouses and exchanges in connection with client trading activities. Associated with our memberships, we may be required to pay a proportionate share of the financial obligations of another member who may default on its obligations to the exchanges. While the rules governing different exchange memberships vary, in general our guaranty obligations would arise only if the exchange had previously exhausted its resources. In addition, any such guaranty obligation would be apportioned among the other non-defaulting members of the exchange. Our liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities we have posted as collateral at the exchanges. However, management believes that the potential for us to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability for these arrangements has been recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
Effects of Inflation
Increases in our expenses, such as compensation and benefits, transaction-based clearing expenses, as well as occupancy and equipment rental, may result from inflation, and may not be readily recoverable from increasing the prices of our services. While heightened interest rates are generally favorable for us, to the extent that changes in interest rates arise from inflationary pressures, and such inflationary pressures have other adverse effects on the financial markets and on the value of the financial instruments held in inventory, it may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
See our critical accounting policies discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to these policies.
Other Accounting Policies
Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within the most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K includes our significant accounting policies. There have been no material changes to these policies.
Accounting Development Updates
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”). The guidance primarily will require enhanced disclosures about certain types of expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance allows for adoption using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on our disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which will require the Company to disclose specified additional information in its income tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 will also require the Company to disaggregate its income taxes paid disclosure by federal, state and foreign taxes, with further disaggregation required for significant individual jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance allows for adoption using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on our disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which will require the Company to disclose segment expenses that are significant and regularly provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). In addition, ASU 2023-07 will require the Company to disclose the title and position of its CODM and how the CODM uses segment profit or loss information in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending September
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30, 2026. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively unless impracticable. We are currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on our disclosures.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Credit Risk
See also Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, “Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk”.
Market Risk
We conduct our market-making and trading activities predominantly as a principal, which subjects our capital to significant risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, absolute and relative price movements, price volatility and changes in liquidity, over which we have virtually no control. Our exposure to market risk varies in accordance with the volume of client-driven market-making transactions, the size of the proprietary positions and the volatility of the financial instruments traded.
We seek to mitigate exposure to market risk by utilizing a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques:
•Diversification of business activities and instruments;
•Limitations on positions;
•Allocation of capital and limits based on estimated weighted risks; and
•Daily monitoring of positions and mark-to-market profitability.
We utilize derivative products in a trading capacity as a dealer to satisfy client needs and mitigate risk. We manage risks from both derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments on a consolidated basis. The risks of derivatives should not be viewed in isolation, but in aggregate with our other trading activities.
We are exposed to market risk in connection with our retail trading activities. Because we act as counterparty to our self-directed/retail clients’ transactions, we are exposed to risk on each trade that the value of our position will decline. Accordingly, accurate and efficient management of our net exposure is a high priority, and we have developed policies addressing both our automated and manual procedures to manage our exposure. These risk-management policies and procedures are established and reviewed regularly by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors. Our risk-management policies require quantitative analyses by instrument, as well as assessment of a range of market inputs, including trade size, dealing rate, client margin and market liquidity. Our risk-management procedures require our team of senior traders to monitor risk exposure and update senior management both informally over the course of the trading day and formally through intraday and end of day reporting. A key component of our approach to managing market risk is that we do not initiate market positions for our own account in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of products we offer.
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Management believes that the volatility of revenues is a key indicator of the effectiveness of our risk management techniques. The graph below summarizes volatility of our daily revenue, determined on a marked-to-market basis, during the three months ended December 31, 2024.
The graph above includes unrealized price movements in our precious metals inventories and related futures hedge positions during the period in which we experienced temporary dislocations in published London spot market cash prices and Comex listed gold and silver futures contracts, related to potential tariffs to be imposed by the U.S. government on imported metals.
In our securities market-making and trading activities, we maintain inventories of equity and debt securities. In our Commercial segment, our positions include physical commodities inventories, precious metals on lease, forwards, futures and options on futures, and OTC derivatives. Our commodity trading activities are managed as one consolidated book for each commodity encompassing both cash positions and derivative instruments. We monitor the aggregate position for each commodity in equivalent physical ounces, metric tons, or other relevant unit.
Interest Rate Risk
In the ordinary course of our operations, we have interest rate risk from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect the values of financial instruments and impact interest income earned. Within our domestic institutional dealer in fixed income securities business, we maintain a significant amount of trading assets and liabilities which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. These trading activities primarily consist of securities trading in connection with U.S. Treasury, U.S. government agency, agency mortgage-backed and agency asset-backed obligations, as well as investment grade, high-yield, convertible and emerging markets debt securities. Derivative instruments, which consist of futures, TBA securities and forward settling transactions, are used to manage risk exposures in the trading inventory. We enter into TBA securities transactions for the sole purpose of managing risk associated with mortgage-backed securities.
In addition, we generate interest income from the positive spread earned on client deposits. We typically invest in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and obligations issued by government sponsored entities, reverse repurchase agreements involving U.S. Treasury bills and government obligations or AA-rated money market funds. In some instances, we maintain interest earning cash deposits with banks, clearing organizations and counterparties. We have an investment policy which establishes acceptable
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standards of credit quality and limits the amount of funds that can be invested within a particular fund, institution, clearing organization or counterparty. We estimate that as of December 31, 2024, an immediate 25 basis point decrease in short-term interest rates would result in approximately $5.8 million less in annual net income.
We manage interest expense using a combination of variable and fixed rate debt. The debt instruments are carried at their unpaid principal balance which approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2024, $550.0 million of outstanding principal debt was variable-rate debt. We are subject to earnings and liquidity risks for changes in the interest rate on this debt. As of December 31, 2024, $550.0 million of outstanding principal debt was fixed-rate long-term debt.
Foreign Currency Risk
Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of our earnings and assets. Entities that have assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the primary economic environment in which the entity operates are subject to remeasurement. Principally, all sales are denominated in the currency of the subsidiary, while related operating costs are denominated in the currency of the local country and translated into USD for consolidated reporting purposes. Although the majority of the assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary, they may also hold assets or liabilities denominated in other currencies. As a result, our results of operations and financial position are exposed to changing currency rates. We have executed hedging transactions in relation to certain currencies to mitigate our exposure to volatility in those certain foreign currency exchange rates. From time-to-time, we may consider entering into larger hedges in those certain contracts or hedging transactions in additional currencies to mitigate our exposure to more foreign currency exchange rates. These hedging transactions may not be successful.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
In connection with the filing of this Form 10-Q, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2024. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that their objectives were met as of December 31, 2024.
There are limitations inherent in any internal control, such as the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and may not prevent or detect misstatements. As conditions change over time, so too may the effectiveness of internal controls. As a result, there can be no assurance that a control system will succeed in preventing all possible instances of error and fraud. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and the conclusions our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are made at the “reasonable assurance” level.
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For information regarding certain legal proceedings to which we are currently a party, see Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies” in the notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, information regarding risks affecting us appears in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. These are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that management currently considers to be non-material may in the future adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On August 28, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market purchases and private transactions, commencing on October 1, 2024 and ending on September 30, 2025. Repurchases under our stock repurchase plan are subject to the discretion of the senior management team and market conditions, and as permitted by securities laws and other legal, regulatory and contractual requirements and covenants.
Our common stock repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was as follows:
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program | Maximum Number of Shares Remaining to be Purchased Under the Program | |||||||||||||||||||
| October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024 | 17,274 | $ | 91.17 | — | 1,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| November 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024 | 207 | 90.04 | — | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 | 22,876 | 98.97 | — | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 40,357 | $ | 95.59 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) The 2022 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan allows for “withhold to cover” as a tax payment method for vesting of restricted stock awards. Pursuant to the “withhold to cover” method, we withheld from certain employees shares noted in the table above to cover tax withholding related to the vesting of their awards. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 5. Other Information
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement ” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement
| Name and Title | Type of Plan | Adoption Date | Duration or End Date | Aggregate Number of Securities to be Sold | Description of Trading Arrangement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/27/2026 | Sales of shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2025 | Sales of shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2025 | Sales of shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2025 | Exercise of stock options and sale of the underlying shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Item 6. Exhibits
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 32.2 | ||||||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | |||||||
| * | Filed as part of this report. | |||||||
| # | This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. | |||||||
Signatures
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.
StoneX Group Inc.
| Date: | February 5, 2025 | /s/ Philip Smith | ||||||||||||
| Philip Smith | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | February 5, 2025 | /s/ William Dunaway | ||||||||||||
| William Dunaway | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1
SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION
I, Philip Smith, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of StoneX Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | February 5, 2025 | ||||
| /s/ PHILIP SMITH | ||
| Philip Smith | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
Exhibit 31.2
SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION
I, William Dunaway certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of StoneX Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | February 5, 2025 | ||||
| /s/ WILLIAM DUNAWAY | ||
| William Dunaway | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of StoneX Group Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Philip Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 5, 2025
| /s/ PHILIP SMITH | ||
| Philip Smith | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to StoneX Group Inc. and will be retained by StoneX Group Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of StoneX Group Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, William Dunaway, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 5, 2025
| /s/ WILLIAM DUNAWAY | ||
| William Dunaway | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to StoneX Group Inc. and will be retained by StoneX Group Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.