Empresas y finanzas

MF Global Reports Fiscal 2008 First Quarter Results



    MF Global Ltd. (NYSE: MF), the world's leading broker of
    exchange-listed futures and options, today reported fiscal 2008 first
    quarter revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses (net
    revenues), of $374.4 million. For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the
    company recorded GAAP net income of $72.9 million, or $0.60 per
    diluted pro forma share, and $0.57 per adjusted diluted pro forma
    share based on 127.0 million adjusted diluted pro forma shares
    outstanding.

    Net income on an adjusted basis was $46.1 million, or $0.36 per
    adjusted diluted pro forma share, in the first fiscal quarter.(1)
    Adjusted figures do not include gains from exchange memberships, the
    non-recurring expense of initial public offering costs or the
    integration expenses related to the acquisition of Refco assets.

    "This was a solid quarter for MF Global driven by continued strong
    performance in Europe and Asia," said Kevin Davis, chief executive
    officer, MF Global. "Our unique diversification across products,
    markets, regions and clients continues to deliver consistent results."

    "Our business is one which tends to thrive in times of market
    turmoil and uncertainty. Accordingly, MF Global has been a beneficiary
    of the recent significant volatility, particularly in July, in many of
    the markets in which we operate," Mr. Davis continued. "We remain
    confident in our long-term financial objectives as well as the overall
    growth prospects for MF Global."

    Pre-tax margin, or pre-tax income divided by net revenues, was
    29.8 percent for the period ended June 30, 2007. Adjusted pre-tax
    margin was 18.8 percent for the same period.

    For the fiscal first quarter of 2008, execution-only volume was
    132.0 million lots and cleared volume was 338.5 million lots.

    For the fiscal first quarter of 2008, execution-only commissions
    were $110.3 million, cleared commissions were $358.7 million and
    principal transactions were $63.8 million.

    Interest income totaled $860.7 million in the fiscal first quarter
    of 2008. Interest income is comprised of interest earned on client
    funds, interest received on margin accounts, interest received from
    collateralized financing arrangements, and interest earned from the
    investment of excess capital.

    For the fiscal first quarter of 2008, compensation and employee
    benefits expense was $215.4 million, or 57.5 percent of net revenues.
    Adjusted non-compensation expense for the fiscal first quarter of 2008
    was $80.1 million, or 21.4 percent of net revenues.

    "We maintained strong expense discipline in the quarter
    demonstrating the scalability and operating leverage of the financial
    model," said Amy Butte, chief financial officer, MF Global. "As we
    move forward as an independent public company, we are focused on
    operating flexibility and maximizing long-term shareholder value."

    For the fiscal first quarter of 2008, the company's effective tax
    rate on ordinary operations was approximately 35.0 percent. Overall,
    the company's effective tax rate for the fiscal first quarter of 2008
    was approximately 33.0 percent. The lower overall effective tax rate
    in the first quarter reflects the impact of one-time items associated
    with the separation transaction, including non-deductible initial
    public offering costs and the reversal of previously accrued taxes
    relating to gains on the sale of certain assets to Man Group plc.

    At June 30, 2007, MF Global had $1.2 billion in cash and cash
    equivalents.

    Due to its foreign issuer status at the time of its recently
    completed initial public offering, MF Global intends to begin periodic
    financial reporting as a domestic issuer with respect to the second
    fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007. Accordingly, the company
    will not hold an earnings conference call or file a report on Form
    10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the
    quarter ended June 30, 2007. Going forward, starting with fiscal
    second quarter results expected at the end of October, the company
    will include quarterly year-over-year financial comparisons in the
    press release, will host an earnings conference call and file a report
    on Form 10-Q for that quarter.

    Other First Quarter Highlights

    On July 19 2007, MF Global, formerly Man Financial, successfully
    completed its separation from Man Group plc (LSE:EMG) through an
    initial public offering of 97.4 million shares of common stock.

    MF Global continued its track record of consolidation in the first
    fiscal quarter. The company acquired FXA Securities Ltd., a leading
    provider of online foreign exchange products to retail investors in
    Japan. This acquisition represents an opportunity for MF Global to
    roll out a retail foreign exchange platform to all of Asia Pacific and
    Europe.

    The company also acquired Dowd Wescott in February 2007. The
    strategic acquisition expanded MF Global's professional trader client
    segment which generates significant volumes and creates long-term
    global opportunities for the company.

    In conjunction with the separation from Man Group and MF Global's
    initial public offering, the company received strong credit ratings of
    A3 from Moody's, BBB+ from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, BBB+
    from Fitch Ratings.

    About MF Global Ltd.

    MF Global Ltd., formerly Man Financial, is the leading broker of
    exchange-listed futures and options in the world. It provides
    execution and clearing services for exchange-traded and
    over-the-counter derivative products as well as for non-derivative
    foreign exchange products and securities in the cash market.

    MF Global is uniquely diversified across products, trading
    markets, customers and regions. Its worldwide client base of more than
    130,000 active accounts ranges from financial institutions, industrial
    groups, hedge funds and other asset managers to professional traders
    and private/retail clients.

    MF Global operates in 12 countries on more than 70 exchanges,
    providing access to the largest and fastest growing financial markets
    in the world. It is the leader by volume on many of these markets and
    on a single day averages six million lots, more than most of the
    world's largest derivatives exchanges. For more information, please
    visit www.mfglobal.com.

    Forward-Looking Statement

    SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
    REFORM ACT OF 1995: Forward-looking statements in this press release,
    including statements relating to the Company's future revenues and
    earnings, plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions,
    are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
    Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that
    such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and
    uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy, and
    some of which might not be anticipated. We caution you not to place
    undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We refer you to
    the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    (SEC) for a description of the risks and uncertainties the Company
    faces. This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial
    measures, as defined under SEC rules. A reconciliation of these
    measures is included in the financial information later in this
    release, as well as in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
    furnished to the SEC in connection with this earnings release, which
    is available on the Company's website at www.mfglobal.com and on the
    SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

    (1) Adjusted items are non-GAAP measures. For a reconciliation of
    non-GAAP measures used in this release with the comparable GAAP
    measures, please reference the information at the end of this release.

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    MF Global
    Combined Statement of Operations
    (Dollars in thousands)

    For the three
    months ended
    June 30, 2007
    --------------

    Revenues
    Execution only commissions $ 110,296
    Cleared commissions 358,673
    Principal transactions 63,767
    Interest income 860,670
    Other 9,440
    --------------
    Total revenues 1,402,846

    Interest and transaction-based expenses:
    Interest expense 735,246
    Execution and clearing fees 221,401
    Sales commissions 71,796
    --------------
    Total interest and transaction-based expenses 1,028,443

    Revenues, net of interest expense and transaction-based
    expenses 374,403
    --------------

    Expenses
    Employee compensation and benefits 215,378
    Communications and technology 26,647
    Occupancy and equipment costs 8,563
    Depreciation and amortization 12,383
    Professional fees 14,472
    General and other 18,019
    IPO-related costs 20,752
    Refco integration costs 1,327
    --------------
    Total other expenses 317,541

    Gains on exchange seats and shares 63,301
    Interest on borrowings 8,692
    --------------

    Income before provision for income taxes 111,471
    Provision for income taxes 36,859
    Minority interests in income of combined companies (net
    of tax) 943
    Equity in earnings of uncombined entities (net of tax) (772)
    --------------
    Net income $ 72,897
    ==============
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    MF Global
    Combined Balance Sheets
    (Dollars in thousands)

    June 30, March 31,
    2007 2007
    ----------- -----------

    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,210,516 $ 1,733,098
    Cash segregated under Federal and other
    regulations 5,446,262 4,373,496
    Securities purchased under agreements to resell 28,431,481 19,056,287
    Securities borrowed 8,954,648 4,843,281
    Securities received as collateral 409,095 555,229
    Securities owned, at fair value 17,153,716 13,598,979
    Receivables:
    Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 8,295,133 6,185,144
    Customers (net of allowances) 906,131 801,643
    Affiliates 3,751 12,004
    Other 37,887 41,741
    Memberships in exchanges, at cost 16,897 17,514
    Furniture, equipment and leasehold
    improvements, net 50,831 45,756
    Intangible assets, net and goodwill 254,266 238,058
    Other assets 190,841 168,042

    ----------- -----------
    TOTAL ASSETS 71,361,455 51,670,272
    =========== ===========

    Liabilities and Equity
    Short-term borrowings, including current
    portion of long-term borrowings 93,752 82,005
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 24,614,474 16,874,222
    Securities loaned 16,031,688 10,107,681
    Obligation to return securities borrowed 409,095 555,229
    Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair
    value 6,086,721 3,378,462
    Payables:
    Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 3,972,265 2,561,509
    Customers 17,661,880 15,756,035
    Affiliates 910,871 869,897
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities 243,681 345,868
    Long-term borrowings 604,270 594,622

    ----------- -----------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 70,628,697 51,125,530
    ----------- -----------

    Minority interests in combined subsidiaries 8,317 6,973
    ----------- -----------

    EQUITY 724,441 537,769

    ----------- -----------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $71,361,455 $51,670,272
    =========== ===========
    *T

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to our combined financial statements presented in
    accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures of
    our financial performance for the reasons described further below. The
    presentation of these measures is not intended to be considered in
    isolation from, as a substitute for or as superior to, the financial
    information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, and our
    presentation of these measures may be different from non-GAAP
    financial measures used by other companies. In addition, these
    non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of
    the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in
    accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures we use are (1)
    non-GAAP adjusted net income, which we refer to as "adjusted net
    income", and (2) non-GAAP adjusted net income per adjusted diluted pro
    forma common shares. These non-GAAP financial measures currently
    exclude the following items from our statement of operations:

    -- Refco integration costs

    -- Gains on exchange memberships

    -- IPO-related costs

    We do not believe that any of these items are representative of
    our future operating performance. Other than exchange membership gains
    and losses, these items reflect costs that were incurred for specific
    reasons outside of normal operations.

    In addition, we may consider whether other significant
    non-operating or unusual items that arise in the future should also be
    excluded in calculating the non-GAAP financial measures we use. The
    non-GAAP financial measures also take into account income tax
    adjustments with respect to the excluded items.

    GAAP Reconciliation

    The table below reconciles net income to adjusted net income
    (applying an assumed tax rate of 35% to the adjustments), for the
    periods presented:

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    For the Three
    Months Ended
    June 30, 2007
    ------------------
    (dollars in
    millions)
    Net income (unadjusted) 72.9
    Add: Refco integration costs 0.9
    Add: IPO-related costs 13.5
    Less: Exchange memberships gains (41.2)
    -----------------

    Adjusted net income 46.1

    Adjusted diluted pro forma shares outstanding (in
    millions) (1) 127.0
    *T

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    (1) We believe it is meaningful to investors to present adjusted net
    income per adjusted diluted pro forma common share. Adjusted diluted
    pro forma shares outstanding are adjusted to add back shares
    underlying an additional 4,753,933 restricted share units granted as
    part of the IPO Awards that are not considered dilutive under U.S.
    GAAP and therefore not included in pro forma diluted common shares
    outstanding. For fiscal 2007, our adjusted diluted pro forma shares
    outstanding would be 127.0 million, subject to increase to reflect our
    grant of additional awards after the pricing of the initial public
    offering. Since we expect to add back the expenses associated with
    these awards in determining our adjusted net income in future periods,
    we believe it is more meaningful to investors to calculate pro forma
    adjusted net income per common share based on adjusted diluted shares
    outstanding. We believe that this presentation is meaningful because
    it demonstrates the dilution that investors will experience at the end
    of the three-year vesting period of these awards.
    *T