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Nasdaq (NDAQ) Beats on Q1 Earnings, Cuts Expense Guidance
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Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share of $1.22, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 by 4.3%. The bottom line decreased 1.6% year over year.
The company witnessed growth in non-trading revenues and decline in expenses. Strategic acquisitions contributed to revenues in the quarter.
Performance in Detail
Nasdaq’s revenues of $634 million decreased 4.8% year over year. The downside was primarily due to the impact of the divestitures of Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses in 2018 and unfavorable forex. However, organic revenues grew 3%. Cinnober and Quandl acquisitions also contributed to revenues. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $633 million.
Adjusted operating expenses were $322 million in the reported quarter, down 8.8% from the year-ago period owing to the divestment of the Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses and a $12-million favorable impact from changes in forex rates.
Operating margin of 49% expanded 200 basis points year over year.
Net revenues at Market Services were down 7% from the year-ago quarter to $233 million. This downside was due to lower revenues from equity derivatives and cash equity trading, fixed income and commodities trading plus clearing and trade management services.
Revenues at Corporate Services declined 1% year over year to $131 million, mainly on the back of a decrease in listings services revenues.
Information Services revenues rose 11% year over year to $193 million. Higher index revenues as well as investment data & analytics revenues drove the upside.
Revenues at Market Technology increased 28% year over year to $76 million, riding on 8% organic growth, driven by increases in software delivery and support revenues, higher software as a service revenues and the acquisition of Cinnober.
Financial Update
Nasdaq had cash and cash equivalents of $539 million as of Mar 31, 2019, down 8% from 2018-end level. As of Mar 31, 2019, long-term debt reduced 21.2% from 2018-end level to $2.3 billion.
Capital Deployment
The board of directors approved a 7% hike in regular quarterly dividend to 47 cents. This was in line with the company’s policy of hiking dividend over the long term as earnings and cash flow increase.
As of Mar 31, 2019, Nasdaq had $332 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
Guidance
Nasdaq expects 2019 non-GAAP operating expense in the range of $1.29 to $1.33 billion, down from $1.325 to $1.375 billion guided earlier, to reflect the sale of BWise.
Non-GAAP tax rate is estimated to be in the range of 26% to 27% in 2019 compared with the prior guidance of 25% to 27%.
Our Take
Nasdaq came up with encouraging first-quarter 2019 results. The company remains focused on expansion through organic initiatives and acquisitions, which open up cross-selling opportunities in new markets. It is increasing focus on ramping up its foothold as a technology and analytics provider. The top line should also benefit from the company’s consistent focus on growing non-transaction revenue base including technology, listing and information revenues.
Performance of Other Companies in the Finance Sector
Among other players from the finance sector, American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) , The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV - Free Report) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings.
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Nasdaq (NDAQ) Beats on Q1 Earnings, Cuts Expense Guidance
Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share of $1.22, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 by 4.3%. The bottom line decreased 1.6% year over year.
The company witnessed growth in non-trading revenues and decline in expenses. Strategic acquisitions contributed to revenues in the quarter.
Performance in Detail
Nasdaq’s revenues of $634 million decreased 4.8% year over year. The downside was primarily due to the impact of the divestitures of Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses in 2018 and unfavorable forex. However, organic revenues grew 3%. Cinnober and Quandl acquisitions also contributed to revenues. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $633 million.
Adjusted operating expenses were $322 million in the reported quarter, down 8.8% from the year-ago period owing to the divestment of the Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses and a $12-million favorable impact from changes in forex rates.
Operating margin of 49% expanded 200 basis points year over year.
Nasdaq, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Nasdaq, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Nasdaq, Inc. Quote
Segment Details
Net revenues at Market Services were down 7% from the year-ago quarter to $233 million. This downside was due to lower revenues from equity derivatives and cash equity trading, fixed income and commodities trading plus clearing and trade management services.
Revenues at Corporate Services declined 1% year over year to $131 million, mainly on the back of a decrease in listings services revenues.
Information Services revenues rose 11% year over year to $193 million. Higher index revenues as well as investment data & analytics revenues drove the upside.
Revenues at Market Technology increased 28% year over year to $76 million, riding on 8% organic growth, driven by increases in software delivery and support revenues, higher software as a service revenues and the acquisition of Cinnober.
Financial Update
Nasdaq had cash and cash equivalents of $539 million as of Mar 31, 2019, down 8% from 2018-end level. As of Mar 31, 2019, long-term debt reduced 21.2% from 2018-end level to $2.3 billion.
Capital Deployment
The board of directors approved a 7% hike in regular quarterly dividend to 47 cents. This was in line with the company’s policy of hiking dividend over the long term as earnings and cash flow increase.
As of Mar 31, 2019, Nasdaq had $332 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
Guidance
Nasdaq expects 2019 non-GAAP operating expense in the range of $1.29 to $1.33 billion, down from $1.325 to $1.375 billion guided earlier, to reflect the sale of BWise.
Non-GAAP tax rate is estimated to be in the range of 26% to 27% in 2019 compared with the prior guidance of 25% to 27%.
Our Take
Nasdaq came up with encouraging first-quarter 2019 results. The company remains focused on expansion through organic initiatives and acquisitions, which open up cross-selling opportunities in new markets. It is increasing focus on ramping up its foothold as a technology and analytics provider. The top line should also benefit from the company’s consistent focus on growing non-transaction revenue base including technology, listing and information revenues.
Zacks Rank
Nasdaq currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Companies in the Finance Sector
Among other players from the finance sector, American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) , The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV - Free Report) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings.
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One out of every six people retires a multimillionaire. Get smart tips you can do today to become one of them in a new Special Report, “7 Things You Can Do Now to Retire a Multimillionaire.”
Click to get it free >>