MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:MKTX) the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, and the provider of market data and post-trade services for the global fixed-income markets, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2022.

Rick McVey, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MarketAxess, commented:

"We delivered another quarter of record market share gains across our expanded product set in the third quarter, driven by increased value for clients from Open Trading liquidity. Our diversified liquidity pool is helping both investor and dealer clients navigate through incredibly difficult and volatile fixed-income trading conditions. The foundation of our business has never been stronger with growing market share in existing as well as new products, an expanded global footprint and record numbers of active clients.

"We believe the growth in both public and private debt around the world, combined with higher interest rates, creates a long runway for growth in fixed income e-trading in the years ahead. We are in a strong position to capitalize on this opportunity due to our significant global institutional client network and our unique capabilities in all-to-all trading."

3Q22 financial and operational highlights*

Record levels of estimated market share driving strong growth in trading volume. Estimated market share records across composite corporate bond¹ (+170 bps), high-yield (+400 bps), Eurobonds (+450 bps) and municipals (+270 bps).
Revenues of $172.1 million, up 6%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, revenues would have increased approximately 9%.
Total expenses of $95.8 million, up 9%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, expenses would have increased approximately 13%.
Diluted EPS of $1.58 on net income of $59.3 million, compared to $1.52 in the prior year, representing an increase of 4%.
$94.3 million in EBITDA, up 6%, and EBITDA margin of 54.8%, in line with the prior year.
Board declared $0.70 per share dividend.
Record 1,972 total active clients, up 7%, and a record 993 active international clients, up 6%, reflecting the continued expansion of our global liquidity pool.
- Record 11,530 active traders on the platform, up 6% from the prior year.
Total trading average daily volume ("ADV") of $31.4 billion, up 32%, driven by an 18% increase in total credit ADV to $11.0 billion and a 42% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $20.1 billion.
$260 million in estimated transaction cost savings² for clients via Open Trading^®, our differentiated liquidity pool; $699 million in estimated transaction cost savings² year-to-date, up 57%.
Record $25 billion in portfolio trading volume, up from $9 billion in 3Q21 and $23 billion in 2Q22.

*All comparisons versus third quarter 2021 unless otherwise noted.

Table 1: 3Q22 select financial results

$ in millions, except per share data (unaudited)	Revenues	Operating Income	Net Income	Diluted EPS	EBITDA	EBITDA Margin (%)
3Q22	$172	$76	$59	$1.58	$94	55%
3Q21	$162	$74	$58	$1.52	$89	55%
% Change	6%	3%	2%	4%	6%	0%

Table 1A: 3Q22 trading volume (ADV)

			CREDIT						RATES
$ in millions (unaudited)	US/UK Trading Days³	Total ADV	High-Grade	High-Yield	Emerging Markets	Eurobonds	Other Credit	Total Credit	US Govt. Bonds	Agcy./Other Govt. Bonds	Total Rates
3Q22	64/64	$31,440	$5,124	$1,626	$2,592	$1,255	$377	$10,974	$20,133	$333	$20,466
3Q21	64/65	$23,836	$4,341	$1,299	$2,407	$1,173	$91	$9,311	$14,226	$299	$14,525
% Change		32%	18%	25%	8%	7%	314%	18%	42%	11%	41%

Table 1B: 3Q22 estimated market share

	CREDIT							RATES
(unaudited)	High-Grade	High-Yield	High-Grade/High- Yield Combined	Emerging Markets	Eurobonds	Composite Corporate Bond¹	Municipals	US Govt. Bonds
3Q22	21.1%	19.3%	20.6%	20.6%	17.6%	20.6%	4.9%	3.5%
3Q21	21.4%	15.3%	19.6%	17.0%	13.1%	18.9%	2.2%	2.6%
Bps Change	(30) bps	+400 bps	+100 bps	+360 bps	+450 bps	+170 bps	+270 bps	+90 bps

3Q19 Pre-Pandemic Levels	20.2%	11.9%	17.9%	11.5%	9.0%	15.7%	0.7%	-
Bps Change 3Q22 vs. 3Q19	+90 bps	+740 bps	+270 bps	+910 bps	+860 bps	+490 bps	+420 bps	+350 bps

Overview of results

Revenues and Trading Volumes

Credit

Total credit commission revenue of $147.6 million (including $31.3 million in fixed-distribution fees) increased $8.7 million, or 6%, compared to $138.9 million (including $30.6 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. The increase in total credit commission revenue was driven principally by higher trading volumes and strong estimated market share gains across most credit products, partially offset by lower average variable transaction fees per million ("FPM"). The decline in average FPM for total credit to $165.60, compared to $181.43 in the third quarter of 2021, was mainly due to the lower duration of bonds traded in U.S. high-grade, driven principally by higher bond yields, as well as product mix-shift.
- 92% of credit volume on the platform was executed by institutional clients.
- Record 37% of total credit trading volume was executed via Open Trading, up from 34% in the prior year.
  - Estimated total transaction cost savings² via Open Trading were approximately $260 million, and $699 million year-to-date. Average transaction cost savings per million²via Open Trading was $1,141.
- Record composite corporate bond¹estimated market share of 20.6%, up from 18.9%.
- 21.1% U.S. high-grade estimated market share on an 18% increase in ADV.
- Record U.S. high-yield estimated market share of 19.3%, up from 15.3% in the prior year on ADV of $1.6 billion, representing an increase of 25%.
- Emerging markets ADV of $2.6 billion, up 8%; up approximately 12% excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
- Record Eurobonds estimated market share of 17.6% on ADV of $1.3 billion, up 7%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Eurobonds ADV would have increased approximately 25%.
- Record municipal bond estimated market share of 4.9%, up from 2.2%, on record trading volume of $23.1 billion.

Rates

Total rates commission revenue of $5.5 million increased $1.6 million, or 42%, compared to the prior year, driven by a 42% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $20.1 billion on strong estimated market share gains. The average FPM for total rates products was $4.17, compared to $4.11 in the third quarter of 2021.
- 3.5% U.S. Treasury estimated market share, up from 2.6%.
  - 226 active participants on the platform, up from 122 in the prior year.

Information services & post-trade services

Information services revenue of $9.7 million increased $0.1 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue was principally driven by new data contract revenue, mainly offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, information services revenue would have increased approximately 10%.
Post-trade services revenue of $9.0 million decreased $0.4 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenue was principally driven by the impact of currency fluctuations, which was offset by net new contract revenue and higher transaction reporting revenue on higher volumes. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and one-time revenue activity, post-trade services revenue would have increased approximately 8%.

Expenses

Total expenses of $95.8 million increased $7.7 million, or 9%. The increase in expenses was driven principally by higher employee compensation and benefits as a result of the increase in headcount, increased investments to enhance the trading system and data products, as well as higher technology and communication expenses due to higher subscription costs, cloud hosting expense and platform licensing fees. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total expenses would have increased approximately 13%.

Non-operating

Other income (expense): Other income was $2.6 million, up from $0.5 million in the prior year. The current quarter included higher investment income of $1.3 million due to rising interest rates and $0.9 million of income from the Company's unconsolidated equity investment.
Tax rate: The effective tax rate was 24.8%, compared to 22.2% in the prior year. The higher effective tax rate was driven by a $1.7 million decrease in estimated excess tax benefits related to share based compensation awards.

Capital

The Company had $352.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments; there are no outstanding borrowings under the Company's credit facility.
The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on November 16, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2022.

Other

The Company had a record 1,972 total active client firms and a record 993 active international client firms, representing year-over-year increases of 7% and 6%, respectively.
- The Company also had record active traders of 11,530 (up 6%), consisting of a record 6,121 domestic traders (up 4%) and a record 5,409 international traders (up 9%).
Employee headcount was 732 as of September 30, 2022, compared to 671 as of September 30, 2021, and 676 as of December 31, 2021. The increase in headcount was due to the continued investment in the Company's growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, trading automation and new trading protocols.

Guidance for 2022

Based on the progression of operating expenses and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations year-to-date, the Company is refining its previously stated full year 2022 expense guidance range of $385.0 million to $415.0 million, to a range of $390.0 million to $398.0 million, which at the midpoint implies 9% growth in full year 2022 expenses versus the prior year. The Company is also refining its previously stated full year 2022 capital expenditure guidance range of $58.0 million to $62.0 million, to a range of $48.0 million to $52.0 million, mainly due to a transition from purchasing to leasing fixed assets and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations year-to-date.
The Company is re-confirming that it expects the full year effective tax rate to be at the upper-end of the previously stated range of 24.0% to 26.0%.

¹	Composite corporate bond estimated market share is defined as combined estimated market share across U.S. high-grade (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), U.S. high-yield (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), emerging markets (derived from FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging markets trading volume, principally U.S. dollar denominated corporates) and Eurobonds (derived from MarketAxess Post-Trade data which is currently estimated to represent approximately 70% of the total European market) product areas.
²	Estimated transaction cost savings consists of estimated liquidity taker cost savings (defined as the difference between the winning price and the best disclosed dealer cover price) and estimated liquidity provider cost savings (defined as the difference between the winning price and then current Composite+ bid or offer level, offer if the provider is buying, bid if provider is selling) at the time of the inquiry.
³	Please refer to the Company's website at investor.marketaxess.com/volume for more information on trading days.

Non-GAAP financial measures and other items

To supplement the Company's unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in understanding the Company's operating results. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA and EBITDA margin and GAAP cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow.

Webcast and conference call information

Rick McVey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Concannon, President and Chief Operating Officer and Christopher Gerosa, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial results and outlook on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 888-660-6576 (U.S.) and use the ID 3629577 or 929-203-1995 (international) and use the ID 3629577. The Company will also host a live audio Webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.marketaxess.com. The Webcast will be archived on http://investor.marketaxess.com for 90 days following the announcement.

About MarketAxess

MarketAxess (NASDAQ:MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Over 1,900 firms leverage MarketAxess' patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. MarketAxess' award-winning Open Trading^® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through the full trading lifecycle, including automated trading solutions, intelligent data products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on Twitter @MarketAxess.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for Company and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company's future financial and operating performance. These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess' current expectations. The Company's actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: global economic, political and market factors; risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possible effects of the economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse effects as a result of climate change or other ESG risks that could affect our reputation; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the rapidly evolving nature of the electronic financial services industry; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; reputational or credibility risks related to our data products and index business; the variability of our growth rate; our ability to introduce new fee plans and our clients' response; our ability to attract clients or adapt our technology and marketing strategy to new markets; risks related to our growing international operations; our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the loss of any of our significant institutional investor clients; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our clients in which we act as an intermediary in matched principal trades; risks related to self-clearing; the effect of rapid market or technological changes on us and the users of our technology; our dependence on third-party suppliers for key products and services; our ability to successfully maintain the integrity of our trading platform and our response to system failures, capacity constraints and business interruptions; the occurrence of design defects, errors, failures or delays with our platforms; our vulnerability to cyber security risks; our actual or perceived failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights or technology and defend against intellectual property infringement or other claims; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our dependence on our management team and our ability to attract and retain talent; limitations on our flexibility because we operate in a highly regulated industry; the increasing government regulation of us and our clients; risks related to the U.K.'s exit from the European Union; our exposure to costs and penalties related to our extensive regulation; our risks of litigation and securities laws liability; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; limitations on our operating flexibility contained in our credit agreement; and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess' business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess' periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com.

Table 2: Consolidated Statements of Operations
In thousands, except per share data	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(unaudited)	2022			2021			% Change			2022			2021			% Change
Revenues
Commissions	$	153,164		$	142,826		7.2		%	$	482,740		$	475,095		1.6		%
Information services		9,711			9,608		1.1				28,916			28,614		1.1
Post-trade services		9,000			9,444		(4.7	)			28,056			29,553		(5.1	)
Other		237			215		10.2				686			629		9.1
Total revenues		172,112			162,093		6.2				540,398			533,891		1.2

Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits		44,805			40,878		9.6				137,996			129,698		6.4
Depreciation and amortization		15,302			13,964		9.6				45,716			38,840		17.7
Technology and communications		14,169			10,665		32.9				38,851			31,245		24.3
Professional and consulting fees		7,560			10,847		(30.3	)			26,101			31,191		(16.3	)
Occupancy		3,381			3,265		3.6				10,468			9,882		5.9
Marketing and advertising		1,797			1,821		(1.3	)			6,535			6,153		6.2
Clearing costs		4,211			3,269		28.8				13,049			12,335		5.8
General and administrative		4,576			3,381		35.3				12,479			9,893		26.1
Total expenses		95,801			88,090		8.8				291,195			269,237		8.2
Operating income		76,311			74,003		3.1				249,203			264,654		(5.8	)
Other income (expense)
Investment income		1,433			108		NM				1,746			322		NM
Interest expense		(138	)		(314	)	(56.1	)			(648	)		(676	)	(4.1	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate		869			—		NM				1,060			—		NM
Other, net		388			697		(44.3	)			7,499			(1,952	)	NM
Total other income (expense)		2,552			491		NM				9,657			(2,306	)	NM
Income before income taxes		78,863			74,494		5.9				258,860			262,348		(1.3	)
Provision for income taxes		19,556			16,536		18.3				67,862			56,645		19.8
Net income	$	59,307		$	57,958		2.3			$	190,998		$	205,703		(7.1	)

Per Share Data:
Net income per common share
Basic	$	1.58		$	1.54					$	5.10		$	5.49
Diluted	$	1.58		$	1.52					$	5.07		$	5.40
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.70		$	0.66					$	2.10		$	1.98
Weighted-average common shares:
Basic		37,479			37,529						37,464			37,502
Diluted		37,567			38,084						37,666			38,114

Table 3: Commission Revenue Detail
In thousands, except fee per million data	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
(unaudited)	2022		2021		% Change			2022		2021		% Change
Variable transaction fees
Credit	$	116,309	$	108,323	7.4		%	$	370,793	$	376,065	(1.4	)	%
Rates		5,463		3,825	42.8				17,674		11,580	52.6
Total variable transaction fees		121,772		112,148	8.6				388,467		387,645	0.2
Fixed distribution fees
Credit		31,328		30,609	2.3				94,098		87,251	7.8
Rates		64		69	(7.2	)			175		199	(12.1	)
Total fixed distribution fees		31,392		30,678	2.3				94,273		87,450	7.8
Total commission revenue	$	153,164	$	142,826	7.2			$	482,740	$	475,095	1.6
Average variable transaction fee per million
Credit		165.60		181.43	(8.7	)			168.00		186.14	(9.7	)
Rates		4.17		4.11	1.4				4.09		3.94	3.8

Table 4: Trading Volume Detail*
	Three Months Ended September 30,
In millions (unaudited)	2022				2021				% Change
	Volume		ADV		Volume		ADV		Volume		ADV
Credit
High-grade	$	327,916	$	5,124	$	277,837	$	4,341	18.0	%	18.0	%
High-yield		104,066		1,626		83,136		1,299	25.2		25.2
Emerging markets		165,910		2,592		154,034		2,407	7.7		7.7
Eurobonds		80,305		1,255		76,215		1,173	5.4		7.0
Other credit		24,159		377		5,824		91	314.8		314.3
Total credit trading		702,356		10,974		597,046		9,311	17.6		17.9
Rates
U.S. Government Bonds		1,288,543		20,133		910,439		14,226	41.5		41.5
Agency and other government bonds		21,281		333		19,295		299	10.3		11.4
Total rates trading		1,309,824		20,466		929,734		14,525	40.9		40.9
Total trading	$	2,012,180	$	31,440	$	1,526,780	$	23,836	31.8		31.9
Number of U.S. Trading Days¹				64				64
Number of U.K. Trading Days²				64				65

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
In millions (unaudited)	2022				2021				% Change
	Volume		ADV		Volume		ADV		Volume		ADV
Credit
High-grade	$	1,029,794	$	5,478	$	965,291	$	5,135	6.7	%	6.7	%
High-yield		314,721		1,674		287,111		1,527	9.6		9.6
Emerging markets		530,964		2,824		488,895		2,601	8.6		8.6
Eurobonds		263,862		1,411		260,082		1,376	1.5		2.5
Other credit		67,820		361		19,004		101	256.9		257.4
Total credit trading		2,207,161		11,748		2,020,383		10,740	9.2		9.4
Rates
U.S. Government Bonds		4,248,009		22,596		2,891,042		15,378	46.9		46.9
Agency and other government bonds		74,644		397		47,827		254	56.1		56.3
Total rates trading		4,322,653		22,993		2,938,869		15,632	47.1		47.1
Total trading	$	6,529,814	$	34,741	$	4,959,252	$	26,372	31.7		31.7
Number of U.S. Trading Days¹				188				188
Number of U.K. Trading Days²				187				189

¹ The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar.

²The number of U.K. trading days is based on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule.

*Consistent with FINRA TRACE reporting standards, both sides of trades are included in the Company's reported volumes when the Company executes trades on a matched principal basis between two counterparties. Consistent with industry standards, U.S. Government Bond trades are single-counted.

Table 5: Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data
	As of
In thousands (unaudited)	September 30, 2022			December 31, 2021

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	318,699		$	506,735
Cash segregated under federal regulations		50,523			50,159
Investments, at fair value		33,294			36,078
Accounts receivable, net		87,550			63,881
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		584,654			408,346
Goodwill		154,789			154,789
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		99,887			116,377
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software, net		93,512			96,061
Operating lease right-of-use assets		66,662			70,960
Prepaid expenses and other assets		70,177			27,066
Total assets	$	1,559,747		$	1,530,452

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities
Accrued employee compensation	$	45,217		$	59,719
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		336,885			229,325
Income and other tax liabilities		28,257			40,456
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		47,362			71,218
Operating lease liabilities		83,286			88,425
Total liabilities		541,007			489,143

Stockholders' equity
Common stock		123			123
Additional paid-in capital		330,294			330,262
Treasury stock		(320,252	)		(232,712	)
Retained earnings		1,068,662			956,966
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(60,087	)		(13,330	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,018,740			1,041,309
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,559,747		$	1,530,452

Table 6: Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
In thousands (unaudited)	2022			2021			2022			2021

Net income	$	59,307		$	57,958		$	190,998		$	205,703
Add back:
Interest expense		138			314			648			676
Provision for income taxes		19,556			16,536			67,862			56,645
Depreciation and amortization		15,302			13,964			45,716			38,840
EBITDA	$	94,303		$	88,772		$	305,224		$	301,864

EBITDA margin¹		54.8	%		54.8	%		56.5	%		56.5	%

Table 7: Reconciliation of Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
In thousands (unaudited)	2022			2021			2022			2021


Cash flows from operating activities	$	85,098		$	62,813		$	155,005		$	136,380
Exclude: Net change in trading investments		(445	)		—			(445	)		5,569
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		(2,227	)		55,195			45,939			121,969
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements		(3,961	)		(4,758	)		(6,642	)		(14,567	)
Less: Capitalization of software development costs		(8,548	)		(8,191	)		(27,109	)		(24,650	)
Free cash flow	$	69,917		$	105,059		$	166,748		$	224,701

¹ EBITDA margin is derived by dividing EBITDA by revenue for the applicable period.

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MarketAxess Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results