Core Viewpoint - BGC Group Inc. is positioned as a leader in digital transformation within capital markets, with upcoming first-quarter 2025 results expected to reflect strong performance driven by brokerage revenue growth in key sectors [1][2]. Financial Performance - BGC's fourth-quarter 2024 results showed strong brokerage revenue growth in Energy, Commodities and Shipping (ECS), Rates, and Foreign Exchange, contributing to a decent performance overall [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BGC's sales is $635.1 million, indicating a year-over-year growth of 9.8%, while earnings are expected to rise by 16% to 29 cents [5][10]. - The total brokerage revenues are estimated at $576.3 million, reflecting a 9.1% increase from the prior year, driven by higher rates and foreign exchange revenues [9][10]. Revenue Estimates - The consensus estimate for rates is $182.3 million (4.1% growth), foreign exchange revenues are projected at $103.3 million (23% growth), and ECS revenues at $153.5 million (29.6% growth) [10][11]. - BGC Group anticipates total revenues between $610 million and $660 million, up from $578.6 million in the prior year [12]. Investment Strategy - BGC Group has focused on enhancing its electronic trading operations through its proprietary Fenics platform, which supports faster transactions and improved market data analytics [23]. - Recent acquisitions, including OTC Global Holdings and Sage Energy Partners, are expected to contribute over $450 million in annual revenues, solidifying BGC's position in the energy sector [24][27]. - The company has prioritized share repurchases, with a recent authorization of a $400 million buyback program, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [29]. Market Position - BGC Group's stock has performed well, rising 3.3% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average of 1.4% and Interactive Brokers' 2.8% increase [15]. - The current price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 15.05X is below its three-year median of 18.90X, suggesting potential for value despite being at a premium compared to peers [19][22]. Future Outlook - The company is well-positioned to benefit from ongoing trends in energy transition and consistent global demand for oil, with a projected revenue CAGR of 1.5% from 2019 to 2024 [27]. - Despite potential challenges such as tariff uncertainties and regulatory pressures, BGC Group's strategic initiatives and market positioning suggest promising prospects for growth and returns [30][31].

Core Insights - Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR) reported strong performance metrics for its Electronic Brokerage segment in April 2025, highlighting significant growth in client trading activity and account numbers [1][2]. Performance Metrics - Total client Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) reached 3,818,000 in April 2025, marking a 63.2% increase year-over-year and a 10% rise from March 2025 [2]. - Cleared average DARTs per customer account were 227 for April 2025, reflecting a 20.7% increase year-over-year and a 7.6% rise from the previous month [2]. Customer Accounts and Trading Activity - The total number of customer accounts grew to 3.71 million, a 32.2% increase year-over-year and a 2.6% increase from March 2025 [3]. - Net new accounts added in April were 95,100, representing a 56.7% year-over-year increase and a 27.8% sequential rise [3]. - Total options contracts traded were 137.8 million, up 30.4% year-over-year and 3% from the prior month [3]. - Futures contracts increased to 26.8 million, a 28.5% year-over-year rise and a 13.8% increase from the previous month [3]. Client Equity and Balances - Client equity at the end of April was $588.1 billion, a 28.5% increase year-over-year and a 2.5% sequential rise [4]. - Client credit balances reached $132.8 billion, up 25.5% from April 2024 and 6.1% from March 2025 [4]. - Customer margin loan balance was $58.2 billion, reflecting a 14.8% increase year-over-year but an 8.6% decline from the previous month [4]. Stock Performance - IBKR shares have increased by 45.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry average growth of 20% [5].

Core Viewpoint - Robinhood Markets Inc. reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with a notable increase in earnings per share and net income, driven by higher trading activity and increased subscription revenues [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - First-quarter 2025 earnings per share reached 37 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents and up from 18 cents in the prior-year quarter [1]. - Net income (GAAP) was $336 million, significantly higher than $157 million in the same quarter last year [2]. - Total net revenues surged 50% year over year to $927 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $922.68 million [3]. - Average revenue per user (ARPU) increased 39% year over year to $145 [3]. - Transaction-based revenues rose 77.2% to $583 million, driven by improvements in options, equities, and cryptocurrencies [3]. Revenue Breakdown - Net interest revenues (NIR) grew 14.2% to $290 million, attributed to a higher balance of interest-earning assets and securities lending activity [4]. - Other revenues increased 54.3% to $54 million, mainly due to a rise in Gold subscription revenues, with Gold subscribers increasing 90% year over year to 3.2 million [4]. Expense Analysis - Total operating expenses were $557 million, up 21.1%, primarily due to increases across all components [5]. - Adjusted operating expenses rose 15.6% to $460 million, while adjusted EBITDA jumped to $470 million from $247 million in the prior year [5]. Business Activities - As of March 31, 2025, total assets under custody (AUC) increased 70% year over year to $221 billion, driven by net deposits and the TradePMR acquisition [6]. - Equity notional trading volumes rose 84% to $413 billion, options contracts traded increased 46% to 500 million, and crypto notional trading volumes grew 28% to $46 billion [6]. - Monthly Active Users (MAU) reached 14.4 million, up 5.1% year over year [6]. Share Repurchase and Outlook - In the reported quarter, the company repurchased nearly 7.2 million shares for $322 million and increased its share repurchase authorization by $500 million to $1.5 billion [7]. - The company anticipates combined adjusted operating expenses and share-based compensation for 2025 to be in the range of $2.085-$2.185 billion, including TradePMR-related costs [8].

J P M O R G A N Asia Pacific Equity Research 27 April 2025 Futu Holdings Our thoughts on Ant Group set to take control of a retail broker in HK Futu's share price fell 6.4% on Friday (vs. KWEB index -0.2%), following the news that Ant Group is acquiring 50.55% stake in Bright Smart Securities (耀才 證券), a retail broker in HK (link). For details about Bright Smart Securities and comparison with Futu, please refer to Table 1Comparisn betwBrigh Smartnd Fuand Table 2Sumary ofkeprating dforFut andBright Smarecuits ...

Core Insights - Sentinel Brokers Company, Inc. has received approval from FINRA to act as an underwriter and selling group member for corporate securities offerings, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the firm [1][2][3] - This approval enhances Sentinel's capabilities in capital markets, allowing participation in IPOs, follow-on offerings, and various corporate financing transactions, thereby positioning the company to better serve clients seeking capital [2][3] - The CEO of Sentinel highlighted that this advancement expands the firm's scope beyond fixed income and equity market making, enabling more effective support for corporate issuers and institutional clients throughout the capital formation process [3] Company Overview - Established in 1996, Sentinel has built a reputation for excellence in institutional fixed income trading and has recently expanded its offerings to include equity market-making [3][6] - As a subsidiary of DSS, Inc., Sentinel benefits from the strategic support and operational scale of a diversified multinational company operating across various business divisions [4][7] - The company specializes in institutional bond brokerage, equity market making, IPOs, follow-on offerings, and other corporate financing transactions, emphasizing a client-focused service approach [6]

Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Robinhood Markets, Inc. ("Robinhood" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: HOOD) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities fraud and may file a class action on behalf of investors. Robinhood investors that lost money on their investment are encouraged to contact Lesley Portnoy, Esq. Investors are encouraged to contac ...

Core Insights - The Charles Schwab Corporation reported better-than-expected earnings for its first fiscal quarter, achieving over $2.0 billion in quarterly profits [1] Financial Performance - The company recorded record revenues amid strong activity in the stock market for both retail and institutional investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. reported a quarterly earnings miss primarily due to a decline in net interest income, which was affected by weaker securities lending revenue [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.88 per share, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.92 [1]. - Net interest income increased by 3% to $770 million, driven by higher average customer margin loans and customer credit balances [2]. Adjustments and Dividends - Non-GAAP results excluded a $5 million loss from the currency diversification strategy and a $3 million mark-to-market adjustment on investments [3]. - The quarterly dividend was raised from 25 cents to 32 cents, and a 4-for-1 forward stock split was declared, effective June 16, 2025 [3]. Analyst Ratings and Price Forecasts - Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Kyle Voigt maintained a Market Perform rating with a price forecast of $181 [1]. - BofA Securities analyst Craig Siegenthaler maintained a Buy rating but lowered the price forecast from $265 to $243 [4]. - IBKR stock has gained over 45% in the past year [4]. Stock Performance - As of the latest check, IBKR shares were trading lower by 9.94% at $156.19 [5].

Core Viewpoint - Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR) experienced a 9.9% decline in after-market hours due to lower-than-expected quarterly results, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.88 falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92, despite a 14.6% increase from the prior-year quarter [1][2] Financial Performance - The first-quarter 2025 total GAAP net revenues reached $1.43 billion, marking an 18.6% year-over-year increase, while adjusted net revenues were $1.4 billion, up 14.8% [4] - Net income available to common shareholders on a GAAP basis was $213 million or $1.94 per share, an increase from $175 million or $1.61 in the prior-year quarter [2] - Comprehensive income available to common shareholders was $241 million or $2.19 per share, compared to $149 million or $1.37 in the prior-year quarter [3] Expense Analysis - Total non-interest expenses rose by 10.4% year over year to $372 million, driven by execution, clearing and distribution fees, employee compensation, and general administrative expenses [5] - Income before income taxes increased by 21.8% to $1.06 billion, with an adjusted pre-tax profit margin of 73%, up from 72% a year ago [5] Customer Metrics - Daily average revenue trades (DARTs) surged by 49.7% year over year to 3.52 million, exceeding the estimate of 3.44 million [6] - Customer accounts grew by 31.7% from the previous year to 3,616,000, although below the prediction of 3,836,000 [6] Capital Position - As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $72.1 billion, up from $68.1 billion as of December 31, 2024 [7] - Total assets increased to $157.7 billion from $150.1 billion, and total equity rose to $17.5 billion from $16.6 billion [7] Corporate Actions - IBKR declared a quarterly cash dividend of 32 cents per share, a 28% increase from the previous payout, to be paid on June 13 to shareholders of record as of May 30 [8] - The company announced a four-for-one forward stock split, with additional shares distributed after market close on June 17, 2025, and trading expected to commence on a split-adjusted basis on June 18, 2025 [9] Future Outlook - The company is expected to benefit from proprietary software development and an increase in emerging market customers, with higher interest rates likely aiding revenue growth in the near term [11]

Core Insights - Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) reported a mixed Q1 performance with revenue reaching $1.43 billion, slightly exceeding analyst estimates by 1.42% [1] - The adjusted EPS for the quarter was $1.88, which fell short of street expectations by 2.66% [1] - Following the earnings report, the stock experienced a decline of approximately 3% in post-market trading [1]