Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 0-28191

 

 

BGC Partners, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   13-4063515

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

499 Park Avenue, New York, NY   10022
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(212) 610-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    ¨  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

On August 4, 2009, the registrant had 50,558,488 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, and 29,148,107 shares of Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

BGC PARTNERS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1

  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

   5
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition—At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   5
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations—For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008

   6
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008

   7
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity—For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009

   9
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   11

ITEM 2

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   35

ITEM 3

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   52

ITEM 4

  

Controls and Procedures

   55
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1

  

Legal Proceedings

   55

ITEM 1A

  

Risk Factors

   55

ITEM 2

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   65

ITEM 3

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   65

ITEM 4

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   65

ITEM 5

  

Other Information

   65

ITEM 6

  

Exhibits

   65

SIGNATURES

   66

 

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Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to:

 

   

our relationship with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and its affiliates (“Cantor”) and any related conflicts of interest, competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees, support for liquidity and capital and other relationships;

 

   

pricing and commissions and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors;

 

   

the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;

 

   

liquidity, clearing capital requirements and the impact of recent credit market events;

 

   

market conditions, including trading volume and volatility, and further deterioration of the debt capital markets;

 

   

economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties;

 

   

the extensive regulation of the Company’s businesses, changes in regulations relating to the financial services industry, and risks relating to compliance matters;

 

   

factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions, including credit, performance and unmatched principal risk, counterparty failure, and the impact of fraud and unauthorized trading;

 

   

the costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, including judgments or settlements paid or received in connection with intellectual property, or employment or other litigation and their related costs;

 

   

certain financial risks, including the possibility of future losses and negative cash flow from operations, potential liquidity and other risks relating to the ability to obtain financing or refinancing of existing debt and risks of the resulting leverage, as well as interest and currency rate fluctuations;

 

   

the ability to enter new markets or develop new products, trading desks, marketplaces or services and to induce customers to use these products, trading desks, marketplaces or services and to secure and maintain market share;

 

   

the ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances and other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, and the integration of any completed transactions;

 

   

the ability to hire new personnel;

 

   

the ability to expand the use of technology for screen-assisted, voice-assisted and fully electronic trading;

 

   

effectively managing any growth that may be achieved;

 

   

financial reporting, accounting and internal control factors, including identification of any material weaknesses in our internal controls and our ability to prepare historical and pro forma financial statements and reports in a timely manner;

 

   

the effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures, and the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;

 

   

the ability to meet expectations with respect to payments of dividends and repurchases of our common stock or purchases of BGC Holdings, L.P. (“BGC Holdings”) limited partnership interests or other equity interests in our subsidiaries, including from Cantor, our executive officers, and our employees; and

 

   

the risks and other factors described herein under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors.”

The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks discussed under the headings “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q with the SEC, and future events or circumstances could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

3


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Our Internet website address is www.bgcpartners.com. Through our Internet website, we make available, free of charge, the following reports as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing them with, or furnishing them to, the SEC: our annual reports on Form 10-K; our proxy statements for our annual and special stockholder meetings; our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; our current reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 and Schedules 13D and 13G filed on behalf of Cantor, our directors and our executive officers; and amendments to those reports.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 349,773      $ 204,930   

Cash segregated under regulatory requirements

     2,185        5,101   

Reverse repurchase agreements with related parties

     26,071        151,224   

Loan receivables from related parties

     980        980   

Securities owned

     627,654        887   

Marketable securities

     1,498        920   

Securities borrowed

     54,116        —     

Receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers

     600,850        177,831   

Accrued commissions receivable, net

     127,477        127,639   

Forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners

     103,263        80,597   

Fixed assets, net

     133,760        136,812   

Investments

     26,513        26,559   

Goodwill

     75,726        63,500   

Other intangible assets, net

     15,456        17,066   

Receivables from related parties

     14,642        14,780   

Other assets

     54,549        59,515   
                

Total assets

   $ 2,214,513      $ 1,068,341   
                

Liabilities, Redeemable Partnership Interest, and Total Equity

    

Accrued compensation

   $ 150,957      $ 113,547   

Securities sold, not yet purchased

     —          321   

Payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers

     1,195,600        119,262   

Payables to related parties

     68,322        50,316   

Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities

     185,601        177,340   

Deferred revenue

     12,107        13,774   

Notes Payable

     150,000        150,000   
                

Total liabilities

     1,762,587        624,560   

Redeemable partnership interest (Note 2)

     110,940        102,579   

Equity (Note 2)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 500,000 shares authorized; 65,040 and 61,735 shares issued at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively; and 50,503 and 51,222 shares outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     649        617   

Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 29,148 and 30,148 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, convertible into Class A common stock

     291        301   

Additional paid-in capital

     269,443        271,161   

Treasury stock, at cost: 14,537 and 10,513 shares of Class A common stock at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     (89,756     (81,845

Retained earnings

     18,106        1,958   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,462     (3,942
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     197,271        188,250   
                

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries (Note 2)

     143,715        152,952   
                

Total equity

     340,986        341,202   
                

Total liabilities, redeemable partnership interest, and equity

   $ 2,214,513      $ 1,068,341   
                

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral

part of these financial statements.

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenues:

        

Commissions

   $ 164,305      $ 212,541      $ 336,585      $ 466,572   

Principal transactions

     106,438        66,062        197,699        117,958   

Fees from related parties

     13,232        18,599        28,156        39,512   

Market data

     4,402        5,101        8,864        10,645   

Software solutions

     2,770        1,454        4,268        3,537   

Interest income

     702        3,931        2,014        7,784   

Other revenues

     2,139        (940     2,459        (354

Losses on equity investments

     (1,852     (1,276     (3,995     (3,072
                                

Total revenues

     292,136        305,472        576,050        642,582   

Expenses:

        

Compensation and employee benefits

     180,591        176,921        356,428        451,466   

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units

     4,125        7,133        8,352        7,133   

Allocation of income to REUs

     2,065        252        2,917        252   
                                

Total compensation and employee benefits

     186,781        184,306        367,697        458,851   

Occupancy and equipment

     27,522        28,775        53,346        59,497   

Fees to related parties

     2,929        3,140        7,264        9,680   

Professional and consulting fees

     7,305        11,803        14,789        27,349   

Communications

     15,646        17,041        30,970        33,761   

Selling and promotion

     12,751        15,070        27,755        30,305   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     4,075        6,185        7,750        9,898   

Interest expense

     2,512        3,628        4,909        11,291   

Other expenses

     10,990        3,391        18,620        9,626   
                                

Total expenses

     270,511        273,339        533,100        650,258   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     21,625        32,133        42,950        (7,676

Provision for income taxes

     6,944        8,723        13,975        16,793   
                                

Consolidated net income (loss)

     14,681        23,410        28,975        (24,469
                                

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

     6,613        11,426        12,827        12,080   
                                

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068      $ 11,984      $ 16,148      $ (36,549
                                

Per share data:

        

Basic earnings (loss) per share

        

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068      $ 11,984      $ 16,148      $ (36,549
                                

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.10      $ 0.16      $ 0.20      $ (0.28
                                

Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     78,929        75,194        79,745        130,081   
                                

Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share

        

Net income (loss) for fully diluted shares

   $ 21,120      $ 30,069      $ 41,012      $ (18,464
                                

Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.10      $ 0.16      $ 0.20      $ (0.10
                                

Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     211,074        190,121        205,678        186,045   
                                

Dividends declared per share of common stock

   $ 0.09      $ —        $ 0.13     $ —     
                                

Dividends declared and paid per share of common stock

   $ 0.09      $ —        $ 0.13     $ —     
                                

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral

part of these financial statements.

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Consolidated net income (loss)

   $ 28,975      $ (24,469

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Compensation related to partner redemptions and exchangeability of founding partner units

     (1,472     84,063   

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units and REUs

     11,269        7,385   

Fixed asset depreciation and intangible asset amortization

     26,285        28,821   

Forgivable loan amortization

     15,178        15,065   

Stock-based compensation

     9,331        4,129   

Other investment losses

     3,995        3,072   

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

     (4,594     790   

Recognition of deferred revenue

     (7,016     (4,488

Other

     788        (69

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease in cash segregated under regulatory requirements

     2,916        574   

Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements

     —          1,059   

Increase in reverse repurchase agreements with related parties

     —          (87,825

Increase in securities borrowed

     (54,116     —     

(Increase) decrease in securities owned

     (626,767     2,416   

(Increase) in receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers

     (415,235     (397,409

Decrease (Increase) in accrued commissions receivable, net

     378        (16,101

Decrease (Increase) in receivables from related parties

     138        (88,278

Increase in forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners

     (37,844     (19,726

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     5,502        (2,125

Decrease in securities sold, not yet purchased

     (321     —     

Increase in securities loaned

     —          289,117   

Increase in payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers

     1,073,943        130,035   

Increase in accrued compensation

     18,676        14,804   

Increase in deferred revenue

     5,189        2,367   

Increase in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities

     12,674        940   

Increase in payables to related parties

     18,006        102,665   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     85,878        46,812   

(Continued)

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Payment of secured loan by related party

     —          65,000   

Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements with related parties

     125,153        57,806   

Purchases of fixed assets

     (11,277     (20,117

Decrease in restricted cash

     —          302   

Capitalization of software development costs

     (8,979     (8,438

Capitalization of patent defense and registration costs

     (757     (1,057

Investment in Liquidez, net of cash acquired

     (5,140     —     

Investment in Radix

     —          (5,000

Investment in unconsolidated entities

     (3,949     (2,153
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     95,051        86,343   

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital distribution upon separation / merger

     —          (130,000

Notes Payable

     —          150,000   

Repayments of long-term borrowings with related parties

     —          (196,818

Proceeds from primary offering of Class A common stock, net

     —          72,342   

Repurchase of Class A common stock

     (7,911     (1,351

Proceeds from exercises of stock options and warrants

     —          1,138   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     —          13   

Earnings distributions to Cantor, founding/working and REU partners

     (17,073     —     

Dividends to stockholders

     (10,416     —     

Cancellation of restricted stock units in satisfaction of withholding tax requirements

     —          (273
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (35,400     (104,949

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (686     —     

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     144,843        28,206   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     204,930        277,299   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 349,773      $ 305,505   
                

Supplemental cash information:

    

Cash paid during the period for taxes

   $ 10,379      $ 7,108   
                

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 4,909      $ 9,404   
                

Supplemental non-cash information

    

Conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock

   $ 10      $ 10   

Investment of non-cash assets in ELX

   $ —        $ 18,333   

Issuance of equity instruments upon merger

   $ —        $ (281,650

Fees related to primary offering of Class A common stock included in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

   $ —        $ (4,858

Forgiveness / net settlement of receivables from and payables to related parties, net

   $ —        $ 4,354   

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral

part of these financial statements.

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the Year Ended December 31, 2008

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    Members’
Equity
    Class A
Common
Stock
  Class B
Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
    Treasury
Stock
    Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Noncontrolling
Interest in
Subsidiaries
    Total  

Balance, January 1, 2008

  $ 235,454      $ 368   $ 205      $ 313,238      $ (62,597   $ (17,282   $ (61   $ 2,352      $ 471,677   

Capital distribution to Cantor upon separation/merger

    (130,000     —       —          —          —          —          —          —          (130,000

Contribution of common stock from Cantor upon separation/merger (9,618,764 Class A common stock and 12,350,307 Class B common stock)

    (23,946     97     123        23,726        —          —          —          —          —     

Settlement of intercompany balances upon separation/merger

    4,354        —       —          —          —          —          —          —          4,354   

Redemption of founding partner units upon separation/merger

    84,063        —       —          —          —          —          —          —          84,063   

Recapitalization upon merger; allocation of equity to founding partners and Cantor

    (121,847     —       —          (93,309     —          —          —          113,038        (102,118

Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock

    —          27     (27     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Primary offering of Class A common stock, net

    —          100     —          28,403        —          —          —          43,839        72,342   

Capital contribution by founding partners to cover 2008 Charity Day

    —          —       —          6,191        —          —          —          —          6,191   

Repurchase of Class A common stock, 4,011,072 shares

    —          —       —          —          (19,248     —          —          —          (19,248 )

Dividends to stockholders

    —          —       —          (19,468     —          868        —          —          (18,600 )

Earnings distributions to Cantor, founding/working and REU partners

    —          —       —          —          —          —          —          (24,478     (24,478

Stock-based compensation

    —          4     —          5,927        —          —          —          —          5,931   

Issuance of Class A common stock upon exchange of founding partner units and distribution rights, 1,809,524 shares

    —          18     —          6,783        —          —          —          —          6,801  

Other

    —          3     —          (330     —          3        —          (1,167     (1,491

Comprehensive income:

                 

Consolidated net (loss) income

    (48,078     —       —          —          —          18,369        —          19,368        (10,341

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                 

Change in
cumulative  
translation adjustment

    —          —       —          —          —          —          (2,448     —          (2,448

Unrealized loss on marketable securities

    —          —       —          —          —          —          (1,433     —          (1,433 )
                                                                     

Comprehensive (loss) income

    (48,078     —       —          —          —          18,369        (3,881     19,368        (14,222
                                                                     

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $ —        $ 617   $ 301      $ 271,161      $ (81,845   $ 1,958      $ (3,942   $ 152,952      $ 341,202   
                                                                     

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     BGC Partners, Inc. Stockholders              
     Class A
Common
Stock
   Class B
Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in-Capital
    Treasury
Stock
    Retained
Earnings
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Noncontrolling
Interest in
Subsidiaries
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2008

   $ 617    $ 301      $ 271,161      $ (81,845   $ 1,958    $ (3,942   $ 152,952      $ 341,202   

Repurchase of Class A common stock, 4,023,959 shares

     —        —          —          (7,911     —        —          —          (7,911

Conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, 1,000,000 shares

     10      (10             

Stock-based compensation

     —        —          4,637        —          —        —          —          4,637   

Issuance of Class A common stock upon exchange of founding partner units and distribution rights, 2,285,650 shares

     22        5,471               (2,318     3,175   

Re-allocation of equity due to additional investment by founding/working partners

     —        —          (1,359     —          —        —          (6,053     (7,412

Dividends to stockholders

     —        —          (10,416     —          —        —          —          (10,416

Earnings distributions to Cantor, founding/working and REU partners

     —        —          —          —          —        —          (12,846     (12,846

Other

     —        —          (51     —          —        —          1        (50

Comprehensive income:

                  

Consolidated net income

     —        —          —          —          16,148      —          12,827        28,975   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                  

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

     —        —          —          —          —        1,589        (544     1,045   

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

     —        —          —          —          —        891        (304     587   
                                                              

Comprehensive income

     —        —          —          —          16,148      2,480        11,979        30,607   
                                                              

Balance, June 30, 2009

   $ 649    $ 291      $ 269,443      $ (89,756   $ 18,106    $ (1,462   $ 143,715      $ 340,986   
                                                              

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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BGC PARTNERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

On April 1, 2008, BGC Partners, LLC merged with and into eSpeed, Inc. (“eSpeed”), which survived the merger and was renamed BGC Partners, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “BGC Partners,” “BGC” or the “Company”). In the merger, an aggregate of 133,860,000 shares of common stock and rights to acquire shares of BGC Partners were issued. Of these, 56,000,000 were in the form of Class B common stock or rights to acquire Class B common stock, and the remaining 77,860,000 were in the form of Class A common stock or rights to acquire Class A common stock. Stockholders of eSpeed held the same number and class of shares of BGC Partners common stock immediately after the merger that they held in eSpeed immediately prior to the merger. BGC Partners’ Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BGCP.”

The merger has been accounted for as a combination of entities under common control. eSpeed was deemed the acquirer and BGC Partners, LLC was deemed the acquiree. According to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, Business Combinations, since the merger was a transaction between entities under common control, the assets and liabilities of BGC Partners, LLC were transferred at historical cost and the results of operations and cash flows have been reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as if the merger occurred as of the earliest period presented.

BGC Partners is a leading global financial intermediary to the financial markets specializing in the brokering of a broad range of financial products globally, including fixed income securities, interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, equities, equity derivatives, credit derivatives, commodities, futures, structured products and other instruments. BGC Partners also provides a full range of services, including trade execution, broker-dealer services, clearing, processing, information, and other back office services to a broad range of financial and non-financial institutions. Through its eSpeed and BGCantor Market Data brands, BGC Partners also offers financial technology solutions and market data and analytics related to select financial instruments and markets. BGC Partners’ customers include many of the world’s largest banks, broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, hedge funds, governments and investment firms. BGC Partners’ integrated platform is designed to provide flexibility to customers with regard to price discovery, execution and processing of transactions, and enables them to use voice, screen-assisted, voice-assisted or, where available, fully electronic brokerage services in connection with transactions executed either OTC or through an exchange. BGC Partners has offices in New York and London, as well as in Beijing (representative office), Chicago, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Nyon, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.

The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in the financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from this report as is permitted by SEC rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This report should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of BGC Partners as if the merger occurred as of the earliest period presented, with the exception of certain capital and tax modifications which became effective as of April 1, 2008. Specifically, the historical financial statements of BGC Partners, for the periods prior to April 1, 2008, do not give effect to the following matters, which are described in more detail in Note 2, The Separation, Merger and Recapitalization, Note 3, Earnings Per Share and Note 17, Income Taxes:

 

   

The capitalization of the acquired net assets of BGC Partners, LLC;

 

   

Modification in tax structure;

 

   

Allocations of net income to founding/working partner units and REUs;

 

   

Redeemable partnership interest;

 

   

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries held by Cantor; and

 

   

Basic and fully diluted earnings per share calculations.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, the condensed consolidated statements of operations, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, and the condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity of the Company for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire fiscal year, which will end on December 31, 2009.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

SFAS No. 160: In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment to ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest of the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 also requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of operations, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 is effective as of January 1, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 160 when they became effective on January 1, 2009.

SFAS No. 161: In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, as amended, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”) and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flow. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. The adoption of SFAS 161 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 142-3: In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP 142-3, Determining the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors to be considered in determining the useful life of intangible assets. Its intent is to improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure such asset’s fair value. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) EITF No.03-6-1: In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“EITF 03-6-1”), which addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating earnings per share under the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share. EITF 03-6-1 requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividend or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. EITF 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of EITF 03-6-1 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or earnings per share.

EITF No. 07-5: In June 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF 07-5”), which provides guidance about whether an instrument should be classified as equity and not marked to market for accounting purposes. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of EITF 07-5 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

SFAS No. 141(R): In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) replaces SFAS 141, Business Combinations. SFAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements in SFAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. SFAS 141(R) amends the recognition provisions for assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, including those arising from contractual and non-contractual contingencies. SFAS 141(R) also amends the recognition criteria for contingent consideration. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 141(R) when they became effective on January 1, 2009.

SFAS No. 165: In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”). This statement establishes general standards for the disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 sets forth: 1) The period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. 2) The circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in the financial statements and 3) The disclosures that an entity should make about events that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS 165 is effective for interim and annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 20, Subsequent Events for the required disclosures.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements:

SFAS No. 166: In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“SFAS 166”). The key amendments resulting from SFAS 166 are the removal of the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (“SFAS 140”) and the elimination of the exception for QSPEs from the consolidation guidance of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46(R)”). SFAS 166 also clarifies the unit of account eligible for sale accounting and requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value, all financial assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of an entire financial asset (or group of entire financial assets) accounted for as a sale. In addition SFAS 166 requires enhanced disclosures to provide greater transparency about transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets. SFAS 166 is effective as of January 1, 2010 for calendar year reporting entities. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting SFAS 166 on its consolidated financial statements.

SFAS No. 167: In June 2009 the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 addresses the effects of eliminating the QSPE concept from SFAS 140 and clarifies and amends certain key provisions of FIN 46(R), including the transparency of an enterprise’s involvement with variable interest entities (VIEs). The key changes resulting from SFAS 167 are the requirement of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the requirement of continuous assessments as to whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, amendments to certain guidance in FIN 46(R) related to the determination as to which entities are deemed VIEs, and the amendment of FIN 46(R)’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE. SFAS 167 also requires enhanced disclosures to provide more transparent information regarding an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. SFAS 167 is effective as of January 1, 2010 for calendar year reporting entities and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting SFAS 167 on its consolidated financial statements.

SFAS No. 168: In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168 establishes the FAS Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretative releases of the SEC under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. SFAS 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 168 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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2. The Separation, Merger and Recapitalization

The Separation

On March 31, 2008, Cantor contributed the businesses of its inter-dealer brokerage business, known as the BGC Division, to BGC Partners, LLC and its subsidiaries. As part of the separation, two operating partnerships, BGC Partners, L.P. (“BGC US”) and BGC Global Holdings, L.P. (“BGC Global”), were established as wholly-owned subsidiaries of BGC Holdings, L.P. (“BGC Holdings”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGC Partners, LLC.

In connection with the separation, Cantor redeemed certain limited partnership interests in Cantor held by certain of its limited partners for limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings and rights to receive, following the merger, distributions of the Company’s stock owned by Cantor. The limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings issued at the separation are referred to as founding partner interests.

The Merger

On April 1, 2008, BGC Partners, LLC merged with and into eSpeed to form BGC Partners. In connection with the merger, eSpeed contributed its assets and liabilities to BGC US and BGC Global in exchange for limited partnership interests in these entities.

As a result of the separation and merger, the following four economic ownership classes of the Company were established:

Founding/working partner units

Founding/working partners have a limited partnership interest in BGC Holdings. Prior to the merger, this interest was accounted for as a component of stockholders’ and members’ equity section of the consolidated statements of financial condition. With effect from the merger, the Company accounts for founding/working partnership interest outside of permanent capital, as “Redeemable partnership interest”, in the consolidated statements of financial condition. This classification is in accordance with EITF Topic D-98, Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities (“EITF D-98”), which requires that preferred securities, or other equity instruments, including common stock, derivative instruments, noncontrolling interests, and share-based payment arrangements that are classified as equity, that are redeemable for cash or other assets are to be classified outside of permanent equity if they are redeemable (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder, or (3) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. EITF D-98 is applicable to founding/working partnership interest because founding/working partner units are redeemable upon termination of a partner, which includes the termination of employment, which can be at the option of the partner and not within the control of the issuer.

Founding/working partner units receive quarterly allocations of net income based on their weighted average pro rata share of economic ownership. This allocation is reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as “Allocation of income to founding/working partner units”, which is a separate component of compensation expense. However, in quarterly periods in which the Company has a net loss, the Company does not reflect an allocation of the loss to founding/working partner units. Rather, the allocation of the net loss is reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries”.

At the Company’s discretion, the founding/working partner units may become exchangeable for Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

REU holders

BGC Holdings issues REUs to certain of its limited partners. Generally, REUs entitle the holder to participate in distributions of BGC Holdings’ income and to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional value of the grant in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. REUs that are entitled to distributions receive allocations of net income for each quarterly period. This allocation is reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations as “Allocation of income to REUs”, which is a separate component of compensation expense. However, in quarterly periods in which the Company has a net loss, the Company does not reflect an allocation of the loss to REUs. Rather, the allocation of the net loss is reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries”.

At the Company’s discretion, REUs may become exchangeable for Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

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Cantor

Cantor’s limited partnership interest in BGC Holdings as a result of its contribution of the BGC Division is reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Cantor receives allocations of net income based on its weighted average pro rata share of economic ownership for each quarterly period. This allocation is reflected as a component of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In quarterly periods in which the Company has a net loss, the amount reflected as a component of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” represents the allocation for founding/working partner units, REUs and Cantor’s limited partnership interest.

Common stockholders

Common stockholders’ interest is the interest held by the public, including Cantor, in the form of Class A and Class B common stock. This interest is reflected as “Total stockholders’ equity” in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition.

Primary and Secondary Offerings

On June 10, 2008, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of additional shares of its Class A Common Stock (the “June 2008 Offering”). The offering was composed of a primary offering (the “Primary Offering”) of 10,000,000 newly issued shares offered by the Company and a secondary offering (the “Secondary Offering”) of 10,000,000 issued and outstanding shares offered by Cantor and certain limited partners of Cantor and founding partners of BGC Holdings (“the Selling Stockholders”). In the Secondary Offering, 3,926,178 shares were offered by Cantor and 6,073,822 shares were offered by certain limited partners of Cantor and founding partners of BGC Holdings.

The offering price to the public was $8.00 per share, and the price, net of underwriters’ discount of 3.5%, was $7.72 per share. The Company received proceeds of $77.2 million as a result of the Primary Offering. Offering expenses, other than underwriters’ discounts, of approximately $4.9 million were incurred by the Company. The Company did not receive any net proceeds from the sales of Class A common stock sold by the Selling Stockholders in the Secondary Offering.

Immediately following the Primary Offering, the Company repurchased 175,000 shares of Class A common stock from one of its executive officers for $7.72 per share, totaling approximately $1.4 million. BGC Partners contributed the remaining net proceeds from the Primary Offering to BGC US and BGC Global in exchange for additional partnership interests on a one-for-one basis. BGC US and BGC Global expect to use such proceeds for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.

 

3. Earnings Per Share

SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share (“SFAS 128”), establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share (“EPS”). SFAS 128 requires the dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and requires a reconciliation of numerators (net income (loss)) and denominators (weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding) for both basic and diluted EPS in the footnotes. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding. From April 1, 2008, net income is allocated to each of the four economic ownership classes described above in Note 2, based on each class’s pro rata economic ownership. The weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding have been retroactively restated to all periods prior to April 1, 2008 to give effect to the shares issued in connection with the merger. There were no net income allocations to founding/working partners units, REUs, or Cantor for the periods prior to April 1, 2008 as it is assumed that all of the Company’s net income (loss) for those periods was allocated to all economic owners, including common stockholders.

The Company’s earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009    2008    2009    2008  

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units

   $ 4,125    $ 7,133    $ 8,352    $ 7,133   

Allocation of income to REUs

     2,065      252      2,917      252  

Allocation of income to Cantor

     6,862      10,700      13,595      10,700   

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders (1)

     8,068      11,984      16,148      (36,549 )

 

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The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s basic earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009    2008    2009    2008  

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

           

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068    $ 11,984    $ 16,148    $ (36,549
                             

Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (1)

     78,929      75,194      79,745      130,081   
                             

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.10    $ 0.16    $ 0.20    $ (0.28
                             

 

(1) The weighted average shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2008 have been retroactively restated to give effect to the shares and rights to acquire shares issued in connection with the merger because, for that period, allocations to founding/working partners, REUs and Cantor have not been deducted from net income.

Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated utilizing net income (loss) available for common stockholders plus net income allocations to the founding/working partner units, REUs, and Cantor; and dividing it by the weighted average number of BGC Holdings units held by founding/working partners and Cantor, the weighted average number of REUs eligible for distributions, the Company’s weighted average outstanding shares of common stock, and the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue shares of common stock, including options, RSUs and warrants, were exercised, resulting in the issuance of shares of common stock that would then share in earnings in the Company’s net income available to common stockholders. The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s fully diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009    2008    2009    2008  

Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share:

           

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068    $ 11,984    $ 16,148    $ (36,549

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units

     4,125      7,133      8,352      7,133   

Allocation of income to REUs

     2,065      252      2,917      252   

Allocation of income to Cantor

     6,862      10,700      13,595      10,700   
                             

Net income (loss) for fully diluted shares

   $ 21,120    $ 30,069    $ 41,012    $ (18,464
                             

Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (1)

     78,929      75,194      79,745      130,081   

Restricted stock units

     3,289      2,905      2,617      —     

BGC Holdings units held by founding/working partners

     41,004      44,757      41,575      22,322   

REUs

     20,714      131      14,603      160   

BGC Holdings units held by Cantor

     67,138      67,134      67,138      33,482   
                             

Fully diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     211,074      190,121      205,678      186,045   
                             

Fully diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.10    $ 0.16    $ 0.20    $ (0.10
                             

 

(1) The weighted average shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2008 have been retroactively restated to give effect to the shares and rights to acquire shares issued in connection with the merger because, for that period, allocations to founding/working partners, REUs and Cantor’s noncontrolling interest have not been deducted from net income.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, approximately 16.6 million and 7.3 million options, RSUs and warrants, respectively, were not included in the computation of fully diluted earnings (loss) per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock Issuance

On April 21, 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 491,701 shares of its Class A common stock upon exchange of founding partner units issued in connection with the separation and merger. The Company subsequently repurchased 486,701 of these shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.2 million.

On May 7, 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,793,946 shares of its Class A common stock to founding partners of BGC Holdings upon exchange of their exchangeable founding partnership units in fulfillment of the rights to acquire such shares

 

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issued by the Company to such founding partners on April 1, 2008. All of these shares were eligible for sale beginning on May 7, 2009 when the Company’s restrictions on employee stock transactions were lifted. This issuance did not change the amount of fully diluted shares outstanding.

 

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Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of outstanding Class A common stock.

Stock repurchase activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

   Total
number

of shares
purchased
   Average price
paid per share
   Total number of
shares purchased
as part of
publicly
announced plans
or programs
   Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plan

January 1, 2009 – March 31, 2009

   3,537,258    $ 1.89    3,537,258    $ 33,629,570

April 1, 2009 – April 30, 2009

   486,701    $ 2.50    486,701    $ 32,412,817

May 1, 2009 – May 31, 2009

   —      $ —      —      $ 32,412,817

June 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009

   —      $ —      —      $ 32,412,817

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company repurchased 4,023,959 shares of its Class A common stock. These repurchases included 2,600,000 shares repurchased from The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at the market price of $1.99 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.2 million. A portion of these shares had been donated to The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund by certain founding partners in connection with the 2008 Charity Day.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its Class A common stock.

At June 30, 2009, the Company had approximately $32.4 million remaining from its $100 million buyback authorization and from time to time, the Company may actively continue to repurchase shares.

 

4. Securities Owned

The Company allows certain of its brokerage desks to enter into unmatched principal transactions in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of facilitating transactions, adding liquidity, improving customer satisfaction, increasing revenue opportunities, attracting additional order flow and, in a limited number of instances and subject to risk management limits, for the purpose of proprietary trading. As of June 30, 2009 the Company had approximately $627.1 million of international equity positions that are hedged with short term derivatives. The Company has no market risk associated with these positions. The Company incurs limited credit risk on these derivatives given their short duration. All of these equity positions have subsequently been sold and the derivative hedges have matured and settled. Including these positions, total securities owned was $627.7 million and $0.8 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Securities owned consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Corporate debt

   $ 92    $ 75

Government debt

     263      805

Equities

     627,299      7
             

Total

   $  627,654    $ 887
             

As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had pledged $0.3 million and $0.8 million of securities owned, respectively, to satisfy deposit requirements at various exchanges or clearing organizations.

 

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5. Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consisted of the Company’s ownership of 4,350,000 shares of Class A common stock of Patsystems, plc, which were purchased during 2007. The investment, which had a fair value of $1.5 million and $0.9 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, is classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses are included as part of “accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition. This investment is recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as “Marketable Securities”.

 

6. Collateralized Transactions

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

Securities purchased under agreements to resell (“Reverse Repurchase Agreements”) are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at the contractual amount for which the securities will be resold, including accrued interest.

For Reverse Repurchase Agreements, it is the Company’s policy to obtain possession of collateral with a market value equal to or in excess of the principal amount loaned under Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Collateral is valued daily and the Company may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged when appropriate. Certain Reverse Repurchase Agreements are with Cantor (see Note 10, Related Party Transactions, for more information regarding these agreements).

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had received, as collateral, U.S. Treasury or other fixed income securities with a fair value of $30.7 million, all of which pertained to overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreements with Cantor that were transacted as part of the Company’s cash management strategy.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had received, as collateral, U.S. Treasury or other fixed income securities with a fair value of $184.6 million, all of which pertained to overnight Reverse Repurchase Agreements with Cantor that were transacted as part of the Company’s cash management strategy.

Securities Borrowed

Securities borrowed transactions are recorded at the contractual amount for which the securities will be returned plus accrued interest.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company entered into securities borrowed transactions to cover pending settlements, and the Company received, as collateral, government debt securities with a fair value of $54.1 million.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had not entered into any securities borrowed transactions.

 

7. Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers, Clearing Organizations, Customers and Related Broker-Dealers

Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers primarily represent amounts due for undelivered securities, amounts related to open derivative contracts, cash held at clearing organizations and exchanges to facilitate settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions, and spreads on matched principal transactions that have not yet been remitted from/to clearing organizations and exchanges.

The receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Receivables from brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers:

     

Contract values of fails to deliver

   $ 527,582    $ 101,389

Open derivative contracts

     13,813      2,864

Receivables from clearing organizations

     54,273      61,377

Other receivables from brokers, dealers and customers

     5,182      12,201
             

Total

   $ 600,850    $ 177,831
             

Payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers:

     

Contract values of fails to receive

   $ 543,033    $ 99,264

Net pending trades

     635,726      5,902

Open derivative contracts

     695      683

Payables to clearing organizations

     762      235

Other payables to brokers, dealers and customers

     15,384      13,178
             

Total

   $ 1,195,600    $ 119,262
             

 

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A portion of these receivables and payables is with Cantor (see Note 10, Related Party Transactions, for additional information related to these receivables and payables).

Substantially all open fails to deliver and fails to receive transactions as of June 30, 2009 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts.

 

8. Derivatives

The Company has entered into both OTC and exchange-traded derivative contracts. These derivative contracts primarily consist of equity derivatives and foreign exchange swaps. The Company enters into derivative contracts to facilitate client transactions, to hedge principal positions and to facilitate hedging activities of affiliated companies. Open derivative contracts are recognized at the fair value of the related assets and liabilities as part of “Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Fair values of derivative contracts are determined from quoted market prices or other public price sources. The Company does not designate any derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The change in fair value of derivative contracts is reported as part of “Principal transactions” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments, computed in accordance with the Company’s netting policy, is set forth below (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Assets    Liabilities    Assets    Liabilities

Equity option contracts

   $ 13,615      —        —        —  

Foreign exchange swaps

     198      695      2,864      683
                           

Total

   $  13,813    $ 695    $  2,864    $ 683
                           

Transactions with off-balance-sheet risk are primarily short-term in duration. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amounts of derivative instruments used for trading purposes were $1,417.1 million and $329.3 million, respectively. These contracts had remaining maturities of less than one year.

All of the Company’s foreign exchange swaps are with Cantor. The notional amount of the foreign exchange swap transactions at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $362.1 million and $329.3 million, respectively.

The replacement cost of contracts in a gain position at June 30, 2009, summarized by counterparty credit ratings, is as follows (in thousands):

 

Rating (a)

   Net Replacement Cost
(in thousands):

A

   $ 13,615

Other (b)

   $ 198

 

(a) Credit ratings based on Standard & Poor’s.
(b) “Other” indicates counterparties for which no credit rating was available from an independent third-party source. It does not necessarily indicate that the counterparties’ credit is below investment grade.

 

9. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets, including those pledged as collateral, and financial liabilities at fair value (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2009
     Assets    Liabilities

Corporate debt

   $ 92    $ —  

Government debt

     263      —  

Equities

     628,797      —  

Options

     13,615      —  

Foreign exchange swaps

     198      695
             

Total

   $  642,965    $ 695
             

 

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The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value under SFAS 157 (in thousands):

 

     Assets at Fair Value at June 30, 2009
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Netting and
Collateral
   Total

Corporate debt

   $ —      $ 92    $ —      $ —      $ 92

Government debt

     —        263      —        —        263

Equities

     628,797      —        —        —        628,797

Options

     —        13,615      —        —        13,615

Foreign exchange swaps

     —        198      —        —        198
                                  

Total

   $  628,797    $ 14,168    $ —      $ —      $  642,965
                                  
     Liabilities at Fair Value at June 30, 2009
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Netting and
Collateral
   Total

Foreign exchange swaps

     —        695      —        —        695
                                  

Total

   $      $ 695    $ —      $ —      $ 695
                                  

 

(1) As required by SFAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

10. Related Party Transactions

Administrative Services Agreements

In the United States, Cantor provides the Company with administrative services and other support for which Cantor charges the Company based on the cost to Cantor of providing such services. Such support includes allocations for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources and legal services. On April 1, 2008, in connection with the services Cantor provides, the Company and Cantor entered into an employee lease agreement whereby certain employees of Cantor are deemed leased employees of the Company, and the Company has the powers and rights of a common law employer of such employees.

The fees paid to Cantor for administrative and support services, other than those to cover the compensation costs of leased employees, are included as part of “Fees to related parties” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fees paid to Cantor to cover the compensation costs of leased employees are included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company was charged $7.7 million and $7.9 million, respectively, for the services provided by Cantor and its affiliates, of which $4.8 million was to cover compensation to leased employees for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company was charged $16.9 million and $14.5 million, respectively, for the services provided by Cantor and its affiliates, of which $9.6 million and $4.8 million was to cover compensation to leased employees for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively.

Throughout Europe and Asia, the Company provides Cantor with administrative services and other support for which the Company charges Cantor based on the cost of providing such services plus a mark-up, currently 7.5%. Such support includes allocations for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets, accounting, operations, human resources and legal services. In the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), the Company provides these services to Cantor through Tower Bridge International Services L.P. (“Tower Bridge”). The Company established Tower Bridge on December 21, 2006, and as of the beginning of January 2007, transferred all of its current U.K. administrative employees and operations to Tower Bridge. The Company owns 52% of Tower Bridge and consolidates it, and Cantor owns 48%. Cantor’s interest in Tower Bridge is reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and the portion of Tower Bridge’s income attributable to Cantor is included as part of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, prior to the merger, the Company had certain agreements with Cantor. Under these agreements, which were terminated upon closing of the merger, eSpeed was entitled to receive a portion of Cantor’s and CO2e.com, LLC (“CO2e”) CO2e’s revenues as fees for providing electronic brokerage services, voice-assisted brokerage services, fulfillment services and related services such as credit risk management, oversight of customer suitability and regulatory compliance, sales position of products and other services customary to marketplace intermediary operations.

 

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For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized related party revenues pursuant to these agreements of $8.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized related party revenues pursuant to these agreements of $18.9 million and $30.5 million, respectively. These revenues are included as part of “Fees from related parties” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 Cantor’s cumulative share of the net income of Tower Bridge was $4.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Cantor’s noncontrolling interest is included as part of “Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Clearing Agreement

Following the merger on April 1, 2008, the Company received regulatory approval from FINRA for self-clearing its own securities transactions, and has begun self-clearing transactions in mortgage-backed securities, equities, corporate and other DTC-eligible bonds and repurchase agreements. However, the Company does not clear its own transactions in U.S. Treasury and Agency securities.

Accordingly, since the closing of the merger, the Company has continued to receive certain clearing services from Cantor in the U.S. pursuant to its pre-existing clearing agreement (“Clearing Services”). These Clearing Services have been provided since April 1, 2008 in exchange for payment by the Company of third-party clearing costs and allocated costs.

On November 5, 2008, the Company entered into an Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Cantor. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, so long as Cantor is providing Clearing Services to the Company, Cantor shall be entitled to request from the Company, and the Company shall post as soon as practicable, clearing capital in the form of cash or other property, acceptable to Cantor in the amount reasonably requested by Cantor under the Agreement. The amounts requested shall reflect Cantor’s reasonable determination of its or its affiliates’ required capital requirements in connection with the Clearing Services and/or potential additional funds which may be required to replace Cantor funds being otherwise utilized to post capital requirements for the benefit of the Company.

The Agreement shall not require the Company to provide cash or property which is required to be maintained by the Company to meet the capital requirements of its regulated entities or the needs of the ordinary operation of its businesses. Cantor shall not be required to pay interest on the amounts provided by the Company.

The Agreement is terminable by either party on 90 days’ notice. The Company shall be entitled to withdraw a portion of the provided assets from time to time with mutual agreement by Cantor that such funds are in excess of the amounts reasonably required by Cantor. As soon as practicable following termination of the Agreement by either party, Cantor has agreed to return the provided assets to the Company. To date, no amounts have been requested by Cantor.

The Company has agreed to pay Cantor to clear its securities transactions at Cantor’s cost, which shall include all direct and third-party costs, as well as allocated costs. These amounts have been paid to Cantor since April 1, 2008.

The Company relies upon Cantor to provide Clearing Services and, in the absence of the Agreement, it would have to secure an alternative third-party clearing arrangement to provide such Clearing Services, which might be at higher rates or on less favorable terms.

The Company intends to continue this relationship with Cantor. Accordingly, the Company expects that Cantor will continue to post clearing capital on our behalf and we will either post clearing capital with Cantor as requested under the Agreement or continue to invest our excess cash via Reverse Repurchase Agreements or in other overnight investments. In the absence of such an arrangement, the Company may be required to raise additional capital, borrow funds or take other action to meet the capital requirements in connection with the clearing of these transactions. The increased capital requirements required in connection with the clearing of the Company’s securities transactions could have a material adverse impact on the Company’ ability to make distributions, repurchase its stock or affect strategic acquisitions or other opportunities. However, the Company believes that the Agreement with Cantor, or, in the alternative, a clearing agreement with an additional third-party clearing agent, will not preclude the Company from meeting its cash needs in the near term.

 

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Debt Guaranty Agreements

On April 1, 2008, in connection with the Note Purchase Agreement, which authorized the issue and sale of $150.0 million principal amount of the Company’s Senior Notes, Cantor provided a guaranty of payment and performance on such notes. Cantor charges the Company an amount equal to 2.3% of the outstanding principal amount of the loans for the provision of the guaranty. The fees paid to Cantor for the guaranty are included as part of “Fees to related parties” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized expense of approximately $0.9 million in relation to this charge. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized expense of approximately $1.7 million and $0.9 million in relation to this charge, respectively.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers, Clearing Organizations, Customers and Related Broker-Dealers

In Europe and the United States, certain trades executed by the Company are cleared and settled by Cantor. Additionally, in the UK, BGC Partners places certain trades on behalf of Cantor and its affiliates.

Amounts due from or to Cantor for undelivered securities or open derivative contracts are included as part of “Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers, clearing organizations, customers and related broker-dealers” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had receivables from Cantor of $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Additionally, as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had payables to Cantor of $0.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Forgivable Loans and Other Receivables from Employees and Partners

The Company has entered into various agreements with certain of its employees and partners whereby these individuals receive forgivable loans. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the unamortized balance of these forgivable loans was $66.4 million and $69.5 million, respectively. These forgivable loans are included as part of “Forgivable and other loan receivables from employees and partners” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Amortization expense for these forgivable loans for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $8.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense for these forgivable loans for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $15.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense for forgivable loans is included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Additionally, from time to time, the Company may enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans that are non-forgivable. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the balance of these advances and non-forgivable loans was $36.9 million and $11.1 million, respectively. These advances and non-forgivable loans are included as part of “Forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

From time to time, the Company enters into Reverse Repurchase Agreements with Cantor, whereby the Company receives U.S. Treasury, agency or other fixed income securities as collateral. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $26.1 million and $151.2 million, respectively, of Reverse Repurchase Agreements with Cantor, of which the fair value of the collateral received from Cantor was $30.7 million and $184.6 million, respectively.

Secured Loan to Cantor

On July 26, 2007, the Company entered into a Secured Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement (the “Secured Loan”) with Cantor in which the Company agreed to lend to Cantor up to $100.0 million (the “Secured Loan Amount”) on a secured basis from time to time. The Secured Loan was guaranteed by a pledge of the Company’s Class A common stock or Class B common stock owned by Cantor equal to 125% of the outstanding Secured Loan amount, as determined on a next day basis. The Secured Loan earned interest at the market rate for equity repurchase agreements plus 0.25% and was payable on demand. The Secured Loan was approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. In September 2008, the Company was authorized to increase the amount available under its Secured Loan with Cantor from up to $100.0 million to all excess cash other than that amount needed for regulatory purposes, and to also accept, as security, pledges of any securities in addition to pledges of Class A or Class B common stock of the Company provided for under the original Secured Loan. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there was no outstanding Secured Loan balance.

 

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Notes Payable

Historically, the Company had various subordinated loans and notes payable outstanding to Cantor. All of these notes were repaid upon BGC Partners’ separation from Cantor on March 31, 2008.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not incur any interest expense related to notes payable to Cantor. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company did not incur any interest expense related to notes payable to Cantor; and for the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company incurred interest expense related to the notes payable to Cantor of $4.0 million. Interest expense related to these notes is recorded as part of “Interest expense” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Grant Units

Prior to the merger, Cantor provided awards to certain employees of the Company in the form of grant units in Cantor (“grant units”). Grant units entitled the employees to participate in quarterly distributions of Cantor’s net income and to receive certain post-termination payments. See Note 15, Stock-Based Compensation, for more information regarding grant units.

Other Transactions

In February 2006, a subsidiary of Cantor acquired all of the assets of IDT Horizon GT, Inc. (“Horizon”). Immediately prior to the closing of the acquisition, the Company entered into a software license agreement with Horizon pursuant to which Horizon granted the Company a perpetual, fully paid up, non-transferrable (except to affiliates of the Company) license of Horizon’s GovREPO software, a multi-currency, multi-entity, multi-portfolio, collateral management and trading system for fixed income securities (the “Horizon License”). In consideration for the Horizon License and support services to be provided under the Horizon License, the Company issued to Horizon a warrant, which warrant was not transferred to Cantor. See Note 13, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for more information regarding this transaction.

On August 10, 2006, the Company entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with a researcher and a U.S. university (the “university”) in which the Company agreed to pay $100,000 per year for five years in exchange for research and certain patent rights. In October 2006, the Company agreed with Cantor that Cantor would pay 75% of all payments to be made by the Company in connection with the Sponsored Research Agreement. Additionally, Cantor agreed that to the extent, if any, that the Company makes charitable contributions to the university, Cantor will make a proportional charitable contribution. In exchange for this agreement, the Company will retain a nonexclusive license to all patents and patent applications resulting from the Sponsored Research Agreement within the field of financial services and Cantor will have patent rights to all other patents and patent applications. The Company further agreed that, in the event that the Company or Cantor grants a license to such technology in the field of fully electronic financial services, the Company and Cantor will each receive 50% of all revenue from any such license.

In January 2007, the Company announced the formation of Aqua Securities, L.P. (“Aqua”), an alternative electronic trading platform which offers new pools of block liquidity to the global equities markets. Aqua is 51% owned by Cantor and 49% owned by the Company. Cantor and the Company have collectively contributed financial, professional and technology assets to the venture, which included all of the Company’s former equities order routing business. On August 21, 2008, the Company entered into a two-year Subordinated Loan Agreement, whereby the Company agreed to lend Aqua the principal sum of $1.0 million, at the applicable rate of six month LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The cash proceeds covered by this Agreement shall be used and dealt with by Aqua as part of its capital and shall be subject to the risks of the business. The loan is recorded as part of “Loan receivables from related parties” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

In June 2008, the Company was authorized to enter into loans, investments or other credit support arrangements for Aqua of up to $5.0 million in the aggregate, which arrangements would be proportionally and on the same terms as similar arrangements between Aqua and Cantor. The Company was further authorized to provide counterparty or similar guarantees on behalf of Aqua from time to time, provided that liability for any such guarantees, as well as similar guarantees provided by Cantor, would be shared proportionally with Cantor. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had not entered into any arrangements for the Aqua business.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company made a $1.5 million cash contribution to Aqua. This contribution is recorded as part of “Investments” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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On December 21, 2007, the Company and 11 other leading financial institutions announced the formation of a limited partnership that has established a fully-electronic futures exchange. The Company holds an approximate 25% interest in ELX. The Company has also entered into a technology services agreement with ELX pursuant to which the Company provides software technology licenses, monthly maintenance support and other technology services as requested by ELX.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized revenues of $4.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the services provided to ELX. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized revenues of $9.4 million and $9.0 million, respectively, for the services provided to ELX. These revenues are included as part of “Fees from related parties” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In April 2008, the Company was authorized to enter into short-term arrangements with Cantor to cover any failed U.S. treasury securities transactions and to share equally any net income resulting from such transactions, as well as any similar clearing and settlement issues. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had not entered into any arrangements to cover any failed U.S. treasury transactions.

In April 2008, the Company was authorized to enter into an indemnity agreement with Cantor with respect to the guarantee by Cantor of any liabilities associated with our application for a brokering license in China.

In August 2008, the Company was authorized to cause BGC Holdings to issue REUs in connection with acquisitions and to provide for such acquisitions to be done in only one of the operating entities when appropriate. In such event, the Company would not expect to maintain parity with respect to outstanding units in such operating entities.

Effective as of September 1, 2008, the Company was authorized to divide the quarterly allocation of any profit or loss relating to foreign exchange currency hedging between Cantor and the Company. The amount allocated to each party is based on the total net exposure for the Company and Cantor. The ratio of gross exposures of Cantor and the Company will be utilized to determine the shares of profit or loss allocated to each for the period.

On September 26, 2008, the limited partnership agreement of BGC US and the limited partnership agreement of BGC Global were amended, effective as of September 1, 2008, to provide that, at the Company’s election, in connection with a repurchase of our Class A common stock or similar actions, BGC US and BGC Global will redeem and repurchase from the Company a number of units in BGC US and BGC Global equivalent to the number of shares of Class A common stock repurchased by the Company in exchange for cash in the amount of the gross proceeds to be paid in connection with such stock repurchase. The proportion of such amount to be paid by BGC US or BGC Global will be determined by BGC Partners. Certain technical amendments were also made to conform such limited partnership agreements to the BGC Holdings limited partnership agreement.

Cantor has the right to purchase from BGC Holdings any non-exchangeable BGC Holdings limited partnership units held by any founding partner that are redeemed by BGC Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of the founding partner. Any such BGC Holdings limited partnership units purchased by Cantor from BGC Holdings will be exchangeable by Cantor for shares of Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of Class A common stock, in each case on a one-for-one basis (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments), from the Company, on the same basis as Cantor’s other BGC Holdings limited partnership units. As of the date of this filing, as a result of the termination of 23 founding partners, BGC Holdings has the right to redeem an aggregate of 1,350,266 BGC Holdings limited partnership units. Accordingly, upon the redemption of any of the founding partners’ BGC Holdings limited partnership units, Cantor will have the right to purchase from BGC Holdings an equivalent number of exchangeable BGC Holdings limited partnership units pursuant to terms yet to be determined.

In March 2009, the Company and Cantor were authorized to utilize each other’s brokers to provide brokerage services for securities not brokered by such entity, so long as, unless otherwise agreed, such brokerage services were provided in the ordinary course and on terms no less than favorable to the receiving party than such services are provided to typical third-party customers.

In May 2009, the Company was authorized to enter into intercompany unsecured loan arrangements from time to time between the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including BGC Holdings, BGC US Opco and BGC Global Opco, which loans shall bear interest at the LIBOR rate for the applicable period + 400 basis points for the period of the loan, resetting at each renewal period.

 

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11. Investments

The Company’s investments consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

ELX

   $ 12,130    $ 14,711

Freedom International Brokerage

     9,791      9,767

China Credit BGC Money Broking Company Limited

     2,429      —  

Aqua

     1,286      1,225

EIP Holdings

     877      856
             

Total investments

   $ 26,513    $ 26,559
             

The Company’s share of losses related to its investments was $1.9 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company’s share of losses related to its investments was $4.0 million and $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company’s share of the income/losses is recorded under the caption “Losses on equity investments” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In March 2009, the Company was granted preliminary approval by the China Banking Regulatory Commission (“CBRC”) to establish a money broking joint venture company with China Credit Trust Co., Ltd. (“CCT”). The joint venture, named China Credit BGC Money Broking Company Limited, (“China Credit BGC”) will seek final approval later in the year. In May 2009, in accordance with the preliminary approval, the Company contributed the USD equivalent of RMB16.5 million in cash (approximately $2.4 million) into China Credit BGC. Subject to final approval, China Credit BGC plans to provide domestic and international broking services for foreign exchange, bond, money market, and derivatives products. The Company will hold a 33% stake in China Credit BGC. The Company did not record any gains or losses in 2009 in connection with its investment in China Credit BGC.

 

12. Fixed Assets, net

Fixed assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Computer and communications equipment

   $ 174,513    $ 168,186

Software, including software development costs

     153,123      141,651

Leasehold improvements and other fixed assets

     115,036      119,863
             
     442,672      429,700

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     308,912      292,888
             

Fixed assets, net

   $ 133,760    $ 136,812
             

Depreciation expense was $8.8 million and $9.1 million for three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Depreciation expense was $17.2 million and $18.8 million for six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Depreciation is included as part of “Occupancy and equipment” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Position 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (“SOP 98-1”), the Company capitalizes qualifying computer software costs incurred during the application development stage and amortizes them over their estimated useful life of three years on a straight-line basis. For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, software development costs totaling $4.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively, were capitalized. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, software development costs totaling $9.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively, were capitalized. Amortization of software development costs totaled $3.3 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $6.8 million and $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization of software development costs is included as part of “Occupancy and equipment” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

13. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In June 2009, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Liquidez Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios Ltda. (“Liquidez”), a Brazilian financial institution and interdealer broker with offices in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The purchase price for Liquidez is $15.6 million plus an additional contingent payment subject to achievement of certain profit targets through 2013. As part of the purchase price, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,750,000 REUs to certain shareholders of Liquidez, a portion of which will become exchangeable into shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. An additional 250,000 REUs were issued to brokers and accounted for as compensation.

 

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The goodwill attributed to this acquisition was $12.2 million.

The results of operations of Liquidez have been included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements subsequent to the date of the acquisition.

Goodwill is not amortized and is reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill at June 30, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 63,500
      

Liquidez acquisition

     12,226
      

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ 75,726
      

Other intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Definite life intangible assets:

     

Patents

     35,667      34,910

Customer base/relationships

     15,076      15,076

Internally developed software

     5,722      5,722

Covenant not to compete

     1,628      1,628

Trademarks

     1,315      1,315
             

Total gross definite life intangible assets

     59,408      58,651

Less: accumulated amortization

     45,452      43,085
             

Net definite life intangible assets

     13,956      15,566
             

Horizon license

     1,500      1,500
             

Total net intangible assets

   $ 15,456    $ 17,066
             

Amortization expense was $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, and was $2.4 million and $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Intangible amortization is included as part of “Other expenses” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

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14. Notes Payable

On March 31, 2008, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it issued $150.0 million principal amount of its Senior Notes to a number of investors. The Senior Notes are due April 1, 2010, with interest payable semiannually at the rate of 5.19% per annum. The Senior Notes are subject to certain covenants, including capital covenants that require the Company to maintain consolidated capital at an amount not less than $227.5 million and debt covenants that require that the Company’s consolidated debt not to exceed 60% of its consolidation capitalization; provided, however, that if the Company’s consolidated debt exceeds 55%, then the applicable interest rate of the Senior Notes will be increased by 0.25% per annum. As of June 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

The Company recorded interest expense related to the Senior Notes of $1.9 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $3.9 million and $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

15. Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the activity associated with restricted stock units is as follows:

 

     Restricted
Stock Units
   Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)

Balance at December 31, 2008

   2,106,516    $ 8.91   

Granted

   2,275,270      2.13   

Less: Delivered units

   115,669      7.14   

Less: Forfeited units

   119,461      8.37   
          

Balance at June 30, 2009

   4,146,656    $ 5.32    1.96
          

The fair value of RSUs awarded to employees and directors is determined on the date of grant based on the market value of the Company’s Class A common stock, and is recognized, net of the effect of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period. The Company uses historical data, including historical forfeitures and turnover rates, to estimate expected forfeiture rates for both employee and non-employee RSUs. Each RSU is converted into one share of Class A common stock upon completion of the vesting period.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company issued approximately 2.3 million RSUs with aggregate estimated grant date fair values of approximately $4.8 million to employees. These RSUs were awarded in lieu of cash compensation for salaries, commissions and/or discretionary or guaranteed bonuses.

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate estimated grant date fair value of outstanding RSUs was approximately $22.0 million.

Compensation expense related to RSUs, before associated income taxes, was approximately $3.4 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $6.1 million and $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

Stock Options

A summary of the activity associated with stock options is as follows:

 

     Options    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

Balance at December 31, 2008

   15,053,505    $ 14.71    3.9   

Granted

   —        —        

Less: Exercised options

   —        —        

Less: Forfeited options

   486,575      14.17      
             

Balance at June 30, 2009

   14,566,930    $ 14.73       $ —  
             

Options exercisable at June 30, 2009

   14,566,492    $ 14.73    3.7    $ —  
             

 

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The Company did not grant any options during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

Total compensation expense related to stock options before associated income taxes was negligible for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Grant Units

Prior to 2008, Cantor provided awards to certain employees of the Company in the form of grant units. Grant units entitled the employees to participate in quarterly distributions of Cantor’s net income and to receive certain post-termination payments. Grant units awarded to employees of the Company in 2005 vested immediately upon receipt by the employee. Grant units awarded to employees of the Company in 2006 and 2007 generally vested over a four-year period. Grant units are accounted for as liability awards under SFAS 123R. The liability incurred for such grant units is re-measured at the end of every reporting period. The Company is allocated its share of such expense by Cantor relating to grant units that are held by employees of the Company.

In connection with BGC Partners’ separation from Cantor, the unvested portion of the grant units that had been awarded to individuals whose partnership interests were contributed to BGC Holdings were transferred to BGC Holdings on March 31, 2008.

As of June 30, 2009 the estimated fair value of the grant units held by the Company’s employees was $3.0 million; and the notional amount of grant units outstanding was $6.5 million.

Non-cash compensation expense for the changes in estimated fair value for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the company recorded total non-cash compensation expense of $0.3 million and $0.0 million, respectively.

REUs

The Company provides limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings, termed REUs, to certain employees. Generally, these REUs entitle the holder to participate in distributions of BGC Holdings’ income and to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional value of the grant in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination provided that the holder has not engaged in any competitive activity with the Company or its affiliates prior to the date each payment is due. Generally, REUs may also be exchangeable for Class A common stock in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant of such REUs. REUs are accounted for by the Company as liability awards under SFAS 123R. The liability incurred for REUs is re-measured at the end of each reporting period. Non-cash compensation is recorded to account for changes in the estimated fair value of REUs.

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate estimated fair value of the REUs held by executives and non-executive employees awarded in lieu of cash compensation for salaries, commissions and/or discretionary or guaranteed bonuses was $12.4 million and the notional amount of the REUs outstanding was $85.1 million.

Compensation expense related to REUs is recognized over the stated service period. The Company recognized compensation expense, before associated income taxes, related to REUs of $2.4 million and a nominal amount for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense, before associated income taxes, related to REUs of $3.4 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

RPUs

In February 2009, BGC Holdings was authorized to create a separate class of working partner units called Restricted Partnership Units (“RPUs”) in an amendment to the limited partnership agreement, which was authorized to be further amended in August 2009. The RPUs have similar features to existing REU interests except that they provide for a minimum distribution of $0.005 per quarter. The RPUs also provide that if BGC Holdings were to be dissolved, the obligation to provide Post-Termination Payments to terminated partners holding RPUs is cancelled. The 15% cap on distributions which had been a feature of the RPUs was also eliminated. Further amendments to the limited partnership of BGC Holdings were also authorized to amend future and existing classes of partnership interests to create separate classes. As of June 30, 2009, 27,098 RPUs had been approved for issuance, which are subject to the amended terms.

 

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Business Partner Warrants

A summary of the activity associated with business partner warrants is as follows (warrants in thousands):

 

     Warrants    Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(Years)

Balance at December 31, 2008

   1,986    $ 27.04   

Granted

   —        —     

Less: Exercised warrants

   —        —     

Less: Forfeited warrants

   —        —     
          

Balance at June 30, 2009

   1,986    $ 27.04    1.3
          

The Company did not recognize any expense related to the business partner warrants for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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16. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, various legal actions are brought and are pending against the Company and its affiliates in the United States and internationally. In some of these actions, substantial amounts are claimed. The Company is also involved, from time to time, in reviews, investigations and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory agencies (both formal and informal) regarding the Company’s business, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief.

Employment and Competitor-Related Litigation

From time to time, the Company and its affiliates are involved in litigation, claims and arbitrations, in the United States and internationally, relating to various employment matters, including with respect to termination of employment, hiring of employees currently or previously employed by its competitors, terms and conditions of employment and other matters. In light of the competitive nature of the brokerage industry, litigation, claims and arbitration between competitors regarding employee hiring are not uncommon.

Other Matters

The National Australia Bank Limited, which we refer to as “NAB,” has filed a claim against BGC International, which we refer to as “BGCI,” and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) LLC (formerly known as Cantor Fitzgerald LLC), which we refer to as “BGC Capital Markets (Japan).” From September 2001 through January 2004, NAB employees who traded in foreign exchange options allegedly lost substantial amounts of money and allegedly overstated the positions which they held. NAB claims that it was the object of conduct by BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) and certain traders on NAB’s currency options desk, whereby BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) allegedly provided misleading and deceptive independent revaluation rates to NAB’s middle office, which were then purportedly relied upon by NAB. NAB alleges that the supply of these revaluation rates prevented NAB from discovering the true position of the currency options portfolio and that it subsequently sustained trading losses of AUD 311 million (or, based on an exchange rate of .8085 at June 30, 2009, approximately $251 million). The 2006 NAB annual report claims that NAB’s total loss amounted to AUD 539 million (or, based on an exchange rate of .8085 at June 30, 2009, approximately $436 million), implying that its consequential losses amounted to AUD 228 million (or, based on an exchange rate of .8085 at June 30, 2009, approximately $184 million). BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) have investigated and are investigating the legal and factual basis of the NAB allegations. At this time, based on the information provided, BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) believe that they have substantial defenses in respect of the losses claimed by NAB. Accordingly, BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) do not believe that they are responsible for the losses claimed by NAB. While no specific request for damages is alleged, the amount claimed is expected to be in excess of $600 million. If BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) do not prevail, BGCI and BGC Capital Markets (Japan) could be subject to substantial liability, and in any event, would likely incur significant legal and other costs in connection with the defense of any such action; however, at this time, we are unable to estimate a loss or range of losses. Any such losses of BGC US and BGC Global from this litigation will be allocated to BGC Holdings pursuant to the BGC US limited partnership agreement and the BGC Global limited partnership agreement (see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreements of BGC US and BGC Global—Distributions”). The impact of such a loss could be material to our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

On February 15, 2006, the SEC issued a formal order of investigation into trading by certain inter-dealer brokers in the government and fixed income securities markets. The formal order alleges that the broker-dealers named therein, including us, (1) may have made fictitious quotations or made false or misleading statements about the prices at which U.S. Treasury or other fixed income securities would be purchased or sold, (2) may have fabricated market quotations or trading activity in U.S. Treasury or other fixed income securities to stimulate trading and to generate commissions, (3) may have engaged in “front running” or “interpositioning,” (4) may have engaged in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts to induce the purchase or sale of government securities, (5) may have failed to keep and preserve certain books and records as required by the SEC and/or the Treasury and (6) may have failed to supervise with a view to preventing violations of applicable rules and regulations as required by the Exchange Act. We are cooperating in the investigation. Our management believes that, based on the currently available information, the final outcome of the investigation will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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In August 2004, Trading Technologies International, Inc. (“TT”) commenced an action in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, against us. In its complaint, TT alleged that we infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,766,304, which issued on July 20, 2004, and U.S. Patent 6,772,132, which issued on August 3, 2004. TT later added eSpeed International Ltd., ECCO LLC and ECCO Ware LLC as defendants in a second amended complaint. On January 5, 2006, we answered TT’s second amended complaint in which we denied the infringement allegations and we filed an amended counterclaim seeking a declaration that the patents in suit are invalid, we do not make, use or sell any product that infringes any claims of the patents in suit, the patents in suit are unenforceable because of inequitable conduct before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during the prosecution of the patents, and the patents are unenforceable due to TT’s patent misuse. The Court consolidated for certain discovery and Markman hearing purposes our case with other patent infringement cases brought by TT against other defendants. A Markman hearing was held on August 16-18, 2006. On October 31, 2006, the Court issued a ruling on claim construction, which provides the meanings of the various terms in dispute in the asserted patents. In that ruling, the Court found that we correctly defined several of the patents’ key terms. The Court’s ruling supports our consistent position that eSpeed and ECCO’s products fall outside the scope of TT’s patents. In February 2007, the Court denied TT’s motion for clarification and reconsideration of the Markman decision and reconfirmed its October 2006 ruling. On June 20, 2007, the Court granted eSpeed’s motion for partial summary judgment on TT’s claims of infringement covering the Dual Dynamic, eSpeedometer and modified eSpeedometer versions of eSpeed and ECCO’s products. As a result, the remaining products at issue in the case were the versions of the eSpeed and ECCO products that have not been on the market in the U.S. since around the end of 2004. TT moved for reconsideration of that summary judgment ruling which the court denied. The trial began on September 10, 2007 and ended on October 4, 2007. On October 10, 2007 a jury rendered a verdict that eSpeed and ECCO willfully infringed. The jury awarded damages in the amount of $3.5 million. On January 3, 2008, the court granted eSpeed’s motion for directed verdict on willfulness, finding that eSpeed’s infringement was not willful as a matter of law, and denied eSpeed’s general motions for directed verdict and for new trial. On February 6, 2008, eSpeed’s remittitur motion was conditionally granted and on February 12, 2008, TT accepted the remittitur. Accordingly, the principal amount of the verdict has been reduced to $2,539,468. Additionally, TT’s motion for pre-judgment interest was granted and interest was set at the prime rate, compounded monthly. A hearing on inequitable conduct was held on April 3-4, 2008. On May 7, 2008, the court held that TT did not engage in inequitable conduct during the prosecution of the patents in suit. On May 23, 2008, the court granted TT’s motion for a permanent injunction, and on June 13, 2008 denied its motion for attorneys’ fees. On July 16, 2008, TT’s costs were taxed in the amount of $3,321,775.78 against eSpeed. eSpeed filed a motion to strike any objections to these costs, which has been stayed pending resolution of the appeals referred to below. Both parties have appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit which will hear arguments in the case on August 4, 2009. If TT ultimately prevails in the litigation, we may be required to pay TT damages and/or certain costs and expenses, and we may be forced to modify or withdraw certain products from the market. Both parties have requested attorneys’ fees from the other party, which may be awarded by the Court in exceptional cases. We are unable to estimate a possible loss or range of losses in connection with an appeal of this matter.

In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company is a party to several pending legal proceedings and claims that have arisen during the ordinary course of business. The outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty, therefore the Company cannot predict what the eventual loss or range of loss related to such matters will be. Management believes that, based on currently available information, the final outcome of these current pending matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Legal reserves are established in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, when a material legal liability is both probable and reasonably estimable. Once established, reserves are adjusted when there is more information available or when an event occurs requiring a change.

Letter of Credit Agreements

The Company has irrevocable uncollateralized letters of credit with various banks, where the beneficiaries are clearing organizations through which we transact, that are used in lieu of margin and deposits with those clearing organizations. As of June 30, 2009, the Company was contingently liable for $52.5 million under these letters of credit.

Risk and Uncertainties

The Company generates revenues by providing financial intermediary and securities trading and brokerage activities to institutional customers and by executing and, in some cases, clearing transactions for institutional counterparties. Revenues for these services are transaction-based. As a result, revenues could vary based on the transaction volume of global financial markets. Additionally, financing is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, which could have an impact on its overall profitability.

 

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Guarantees

The Company provides guarantees to securities clearing houses and exchanges which meet the definition of a guarantee under FASB Interpretations No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. Under these standard securities clearing house and exchange membership agreements, members are required to guarantee, collectively, the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearing house or exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. In the opinion of management, the Company’s liability under these agreements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, the potential of being required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability was recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these agreements.

 

17. Income Taxes

eSpeed was a U.S. corporation and reported and paid U.S. federal income taxes as well as taxes to other jurisdictions in which it or its subsidiaries conducted business. Historically, much of BGC Partners, LLC had operated through entities that were treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, much of the income was not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes because taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. BGC Partners, LLC did have certain companies that were incorporated and subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax and they did report and pay U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. Outside the United States, BGC Partners, LLC had operated principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes. Prior to April 1, 2008, income taxes reported in the consolidated financial statements for BGC Partners, LLC were primarily attributable to taxes incurred by its incorporated U.S. entities and by non-U.S. entities. Subsequent to the merger, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on its allocable share of the U.S. results of operations, giving effect to the post-merger structure, as well as taxes payable to jurisdictions outside the U.S.

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, as prescribed in SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) in the City of New York. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership’s income or loss except for UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ liability or benefit is not reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The tax related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not those assets will not be realized. No deferred U.S. federal income taxes have been provided for the undistributed foreign corporate earnings since they have been permanently reinvested in the Company’s foreign operations. It is not practical to determine the amount of additional tax that may be payable in the event these earnings are repatriated. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company, adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting For Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of SFAS No. 109 (“FIN 48”). It is the Company’s policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had $4.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits all of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company did not have any material changes with respect to interest and penalties. The Company does not anticipate any significant change in the total amount of unrecognized benefits (excluding interest and penalties) over the next twelve months.

 

18. Regulatory Requirements

Many of the Company’s businesses are subject to regulatory restrictions and minimum capital requirements. These regulatory capital requirements may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its subsidiaries.

Certain U.S. subsidiaries are registered as U.S. broker-dealers or Futures Commissions Merchants subject to Rule 15c3-1 of the SEC and Rule 1.17 of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which specify uniform minimum net capital requirements, as defined, for their registrants, and also require a significant part of the registrants’ assets be kept in relatively liquid form. As of June 30, 2009, the U.S. subsidiaries had net capital in excess of their minimum capital requirements.

Certain European subsidiaries of the Company are regulated by the FSA and must maintain financial resources (as defined by the FSA) in excess of the total financial resources requirement of the FSA. As of June 30, 2009, the European subsidiaries had financial resources in excess their requirements.

 

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Certain other subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate.

The regulatory requirements referred to above may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its regulated subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2009, $312.0 million of net assets were held by regulated subsidiaries. These subsidiaries had aggregate regulatory net capital, as defined, in excess of the aggregate regulatory requirements, as defined, of $212.5 million.

 

19. Segment and Geographic Information

Segment Information

The Company currently operates its business in one reportable segment, that of providing financial intermediary services to the financial markets, integrated voice and electronic brokerage and trade execution services in a broad range of products and services, including global fixed income securities, equities, futures, foreign exchange, derivatives and other instruments, including proprietary market data offerings.

Geographic Information

The Company offers products and services in the United States, Europe and the AMEA region (defined as Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific). Information regarding revenues for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and information regarding long-lived assets (defined as forgivable loans, fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation, investment, goodwill, other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, and rent and other deposits) in geographic areas as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Revenues:

           

United Kingdom

   $ 129,557    $ 153,796    $ 251,730    $ 294,530

United States

     63,808      63,289      137,523      170,190

France

     52,353      34,762      96,295      71,178

AMEA

     38,654      44,625      77,119      91,535

Other Europe

     7,009      7,503      11,854      12,256

Other Americas

     755      1,497      1,529      2,893
                           

Total revenues

   $ 292,136    $ 305,472    $ 576,050    $ 642,582
                           
     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008
    

Long-lived assets:

        

United Kingdom

   $ 137,791    $ 144,837   

United States

     130,192      126,392   

France

     12,342      14,874   

AMEA

     47,448      25,930   

Other Europe

     2,308      3,272   

Other Americas

     12,655      558   
                

Total long-lived assets

   $ 342,736    $ 315,863   
                

 

20. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through August 7, 2009, the date on which these interim financial statements are being issued.

Second Quarter Dividend

On August 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share payable on August 31, 2009 to Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of August 17, 2009.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of BGC Partners, Inc. financial condition and results of operations should be read together with BGC Partners, Inc. condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements, included elsewhere in this document. When used herein, the terms “BGC Partners,” “BGC” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to BGC Partners, Inc., including consolidated subsidiaries.

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to:

 

   

our relationship with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and its affiliates (“Cantor”) and any related conflicts of interest, competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees, reliance on Cantor for liquidity and capital and other relationships;

 

   

pricing and commissions and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors;

 

   

the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;

 

   

liquidity, clearing capital requirements and the impact of recent credit market events;

 

   

market conditions, including trading volume and volatility, and further deterioration of the equity and debt capital markets;

 

   

economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties;

 

   

the extensive regulation of the Company’s businesses, changes in regulations relating to the financial services industry, and risks relating to compliance matters;

 

   

factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions, including credit, performance and unmatched principal risk, as well as counterparty failure, and the impact of fraud and unauthorized trading;

 

   

the costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, including judgments or settlements paid or received in connection with intellectual property, or employment or other litigation and their related costs;

 

   

certain financial risks, including the possibility of future losses and negative cash flow from operations, potential liquidity and other risks relating to the ability to obtain financing or refinancing of existing debt and risks of the resulting leverage, as well as interest and currency rate fluctuations;

 

   

the ability to enter new markets or develop new products, trading desks, marketplaces or services and to induce customers to use these products, trading desks, marketplaces or services and to secure and maintain market share;

 

   

the ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances and other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, and the integration of any completed transactions;

 

   

the ability to hire new personnel;

 

   

the ability to expand the use of technology for our hybrid platform, including screen-assisted, voice-assisted and fully electronic trading;

 

   

effectively managing any growth that may be achieved;

 

   

financial reporting, accounting and internal control factors, including identification of any material weaknesses in our internal controls and our ability to prepare historical and pro forma financial statements and reports in a timely manner;

 

   

the effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;

 

   

the ability to meet expectations with respect to payment of dividends, distributions and repurchases of our common stock or purchases of BGC Holdings, L.P. (“BGC Holdings”) limited partnership interests or other equity interests in our subsidiaries, including from Cantor, our executive officers, and our employees; and

 

   

the risks and other factors described herein under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors as set forth in this and other reports on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K”

 

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The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks discussed under the heading “Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and elsewhere in the Company’s Form 10-Q, may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q with the SEC, and future events or circumstances could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report.

Overview

BGC Partners is a leading global financial intermediary to the financial markets specializing in the brokering of a broad range of financial products globally, including fixed income securities, interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, equities, equity derivatives, credit derivatives, commodities, futures, structured products and other instruments. BGC Partners also provides a full range of services, including trade execution, broker-dealer services, clearing, processing, information, and other back office services to a broad range of financial and non-financial institutions. Through its eSpeed and BGCantor Market Data brands, BGC Partners also offers financial technology solutions and market data and analytics related to select financial instruments and markets. BGC Partners’ customers include many of the world’s largest banks, broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, hedge funds, governments and investment firms. BGC Partners’ integrated platform is designed to provide flexibility to customers with regard to price discovery, execution and processing of transactions, and enables them to use voice, screen-assisted, voice-assisted or, where available, fully electronic brokerage services in connection with transactions executed either OTC or through an exchange. BGC Partners has offices in New York and London, as well as in Beijing (representative office), Chicago, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Nyon, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, BGC Partners’ brokerage business was widely recognized as one of the leading full-service wholesale inter-dealer brokers in the world. After September 11, 2001 and the loss of the majority of its U.S.-based employees, its brokerage business operated primarily in Europe. In August 2004, Cantor announced the restructuring of its inter-dealer brokerage business, renaming it “BGC,” in honor of B. Gerald Cantor, Cantor’s co-founder and a pioneer in screen brokerage services and fixed income market data products. Over the past several years, BGC Partners has re-established its U.S. presence and has continued to expand its global presence through the acquisition and integration of established brokerage companies and the hiring of experienced brokers. Through these actions, BGC Partners has been able to expand its presence in key markets and position its business for sustained growth.

On April 1, 2008, BGC Partners, LLC merged with and into eSpeed Inc. to form BGC Partners. eSpeed is a leader in developing and deploying electronic marketplaces and related trading technology that offers traders access to some of the most liquid, efficient and neutral financial markets in the world. eSpeed is an innovator in its core electronic marketplaces, the government bond markets of the world. The merger combined eSpeed’s electronic marketplaces and related electronic trading technology expertise in the government bond and its other markets with BGC Partners’ traditional inter-dealer brokerage businesses. Management believes this combination will position BGC Partners as one of the few financial intermediaries with hybrid capabilities and technology thus allowing them to offer superior execution to its clients and drive higher trading volumes. Prior to the merger, BGC Partners and eSpeed had a strong relationship through a Joint Services Agreement (“JSA”) under which revenues for certain services were shared. Management believes that the merger has helped drive efficiencies and align the interests of both firms so that they can better focus eSpeed’s technology on supporting BGC Partners’ brokerage services.

Business Environment

The financial intermediary sector has been a competitive area that has had strong revenue growth over the period from 2001 through the middle of 2008 due to several factors. One factor is the increasing use of derivatives to manage risk or to take advantage of the anticipated direction of a market by allowing holders to guard against gains or losses in the price of underlying assets without having to buy or sell the underlying assets. Derivatives are often used to mitigate the risks associated with interest rate movements, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency, credit defaults by corporate and sovereign debtors and changes in the prices of commodity products. Demand from financial institutions, financial services intermediaries and large corporations have increased volumes in the wholesale derivatives market, thereby increasing the business opportunity for financial intermediaries.

Another key factor in the growth of the financial intermediary sector has been the increase in the number of new products. As market participants and their customers strive to mitigate risk, new types of equity and fixed income securities, futures, options and other financial instruments are developed. These new securities and derivatives are not immediately ready for more liquid and standardized electronic markets, and generally increase the need for trading and require broker-assisted execution.

 

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The continuing credit crisis and ensuing global economic slowdown, has resulted in consolidation among some of the larger market participants. Most have curtailed risk taking, de-levered, and/or seen a decline in trading activity across many of their products. As a result, there has been an industry-wide slowdown in growth or outright decline in the volumes for many of the OTC and listed products we broker. At the same time, the continued high volatility by historical standards and decrease in the number of market participants has led to widening spreads in certain markets.

As some of our largest customers reduce their staffing levels in many of the markets in which we operate, full-service financial intermediaries may see increased opportunity to be the outsourced provider of market intelligence, operational expertise and liquidity to help our clients as they seek to operate in the current uncertain economic climate. BGC Partners has invested significantly to capitalize on the current business environment through acquisitions, technology spending and the hiring of new brokers. The business climate for these acquisitions has been competitive and it is expected that these conditions will persist for the foreseeable future. BGC Partners has been able to attract businesses and brokers to its platform as it believes they recognize that BGC Partners has the scale, technology, experience and expertise to succeed in the current business environment.

Financial Highlights

Revenue Growth

Total revenues were $292.1 million and $305.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008 respectively, representing a 4.4% decrease. Total revenues were $576.1 million and $642.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and 2008 respectively, representing a 10.4% decrease. The Company’s revenues for the second quarter would have been approximately $19 million or approximately 6% higher if not for the increase in the value of the US dollar relative to other major currencies year-on-year. The main factors contributing to the decline were:

 

   

an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other major currencies;

 

   

reduced volumes across global interest rate and foreign exchange option markets;

 

   

a decrease in the number of fixed-fee eSpeed fully electronic U.S. Treasury customers due to some industry consolidation; and

These declines were offset by:

 

   

expansion across both product lines and geography;

 

   

an increase in brokerage personnel year-over-year from 1,247 to 1,411;

 

   

higher Credit revenue related to BGC’s strength in cash bonds; and

 

   

wider spreads across most asset classes.

These variances are discussed in more detail under the discussion of “Results of Operations”.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth BGC’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     Actual
Results
    Percentage
of Total
Revenues
    Actual
Results
    Percentage
of Total
Revenues
    Actual
Results
    Percentage
of Total
Revenues
    Actual
Results
    Percentage
of Total
Revenues
 

Revenues:

                

Commissions

   $ 164,305      56.2   $ 212,541      69.6   $ 336,585      58.5   $ 466,572      72.6

Principal transactions

     106,438      36.5        66,062      21.6        197,699      34.3        117,958      18.4   
                                                        

Total brokerage revenues

     270,743      92.7        278,603      91.2        534,284      92.8        584,530      91.0   

Fees from related parties

     13,232      4.5        18,599      6.1        28,156      4.9        39,512      6.1   

Market data

     4,402      1.5        5,101      1.7        8,864      1.5        10,645      1.7   

Software solutions

     2,770      1.0        1,454      0.5        4,268      0.7        3,537      0.6   

Interest income

     702      0.2        3,931      1.3        2,014      0.4        7,784      1.2   

Other revenues

     2,139      0.7        (940   (0.4     2,459      0.4        (354   (0.1

Losses on equity investments

     (1,852   (0.6     (1,276   (0.4     (3,995   (0.7     (3,072   (0.5
                                                        

Total revenues

     292,136      100.0        305,472      100.0        576,050      100.0        642,582      100.0   

Expenses:

                

Compensation and employee benefits

     180,591      61.8        176,921      57.9        356,428      61.9        451,466      70.3   

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units

     4,125      1.4        7,133      2.3        8,352      1.4        7,133      1.1   

Allocation of income to REUs

     2,065      0.7        252      0.1        2,917      0.5        252      0.0   
                                                        

Total compensation and employee benefits

     186,781      63.9        184,306      60.3        367,697      63.8        458,851      71.4   

Occupancy and equipment

     27,522      9.4        28,775      9.4        53,346      9.3        59,497      9.3   

Fees to related parties

     2,929      1.0        3,140      1.0        7,264      1.3        9,680      1.5   

Professional and consulting fees

     7,305      2.5        11,803      3.9        14,789      2.6        27,349      4.3   

Communications

     15,646      5.4        17,041      5.6        30,970      5.4        33,761      5.3   

Selling and promotion

     12,751      4.4        15,070      5.0        27,755      4.8        30,305      4.7   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     4,075      1.4        6,185      2.0        7,750      1.3        9,898      1.5   

Interest expense

     2,512      0.9        3,628      1.2        4,909      0.8        11,291      1.8   

Other expenses

     10,990      3.7        3,391      1.1        18,620      3.2        9,626      1.4   
                                                        

Total expenses

     270,511      92.6        273,339      89.5        533,100      92.5        650,258      101.2   
                                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     21,625      7.4        32,133      10.5        42,950      7.5        (7,676   (1.2

Provision for income taxes

     6,944      2.4        8,723      2.9        13,975      2.5        16,793      2.6   
                                                        

Consolidated net income (loss)

     14,681      5.0        23,410      7.6        28,975      5.0        (24,469   (3.8

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiaries

     6,613      2.2        11,426      3.7        12,827      2.2        12,080      1.9   

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068      2.8   $ 11,984      3.9   $ 16,148      2.8   $ (36,549   (5.7 )% 
                                                        

 

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Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2008

Revenues

Brokerage Revenues

Total brokerage revenues decreased by $7.9 million, or 2.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Commission revenues decreased by $48.2 million, or 22.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Principal transactions revenues increased by $40.4 million, or 61.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008.

The decrease in rates revenues of $16.3 million was primarily driven by a reduction in industry-wide market turnover in interest rate products. For example, during the second quarter of 2009, volumes for CME U.S. Treasury futures, CME Eurodollar contracts, and trading by U.S. Federal Reserve primary dealers were down 42.6%, 34.2%, and 29.3%, respectively, when compared to the year earlier quarter. In addition, there has been some consolidation among major customers, including fixed-fee fully electronic U.S. Treasury customers.

The increase in credit brokerage revenues of $21.7 million was driven primarily by continued expansion of our core credit business across all geographies, as well as our historical strength in broking cash bonds and growth in electronically executed transactions.

Foreign exchange revenues declined by $13.1 million. This was primarily due to volatility in the market place resulting in reduced industry-wide foreign exchange option turnover.

Despite the global slowdown in equity markets, revenues from other asset classes fell by only $0.1 million due to our continued growth in equity products across all geographies.

Fees from Related Parties

Fees from related parties decreased by $5.4 million, or 28.9%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower fees charged to Cantor for certain administrative and other support services in the second quarter of 2009 as a result of lower costs incurred by us to provide those services, partly related to reductions in temporary staff and consulting costs.

Market Data

Market data revenues decreased by $0.7 million, or 13.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in existing customer usage, consolidation among clients, lower audit revenues, partially offset by additional business from new clients.

Software Solutions

Software solutions revenues increased by $1.3 million, or 90.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher licensing fees during the second quarter of 2009 including a one-time adjustment.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased by $3.2 million, or 82.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower yields on investments of our excess cash in both money markets and reverse repurchase agreements during the second quarter of 2009.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased by $3.1 million, or 327.6%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily driven by various one-time transactions in 2009, including legal settlements received by us from our competitors.

Losses on Equity Investments

Losses on equity investments increased by $0.6 million, or 45.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily driven by our share of losses in a non-consolidated investment.

 

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Expenses

Compensation and Employee Benefits

Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $3.7 million, or 2.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to the Company replacing outside vendors and consultants with full-time employees, which also contributed to quarter over quarter reduction in professional and consulting fees and lower overall expenses.

Allocation of Income to Founding/Working Partner Units

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units decreased by $3.0 million, or 42.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease is attributable to a reduction in net income allocable to fully diluted shares as well as a reduction in Founding/Working Partner pro rata economic ownership in 2009.

Allocation of Income to REUs

Allocation of income to REUs increased by $1.8 million, or 719.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase is attributable to an increase in REUs pro rata economic ownership in 2009 partially offset by a reduction in net income allocable to fully diluted shares. The increase in REU pro rata ownership is due to the impact of the issuance of approximately 21 million REUs over the 15 month period since the merger.

Occupancy and Equipment

Occupancy and equipment expense decreased by $1.3 million, or 4.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower rent expense in our foreign locations due to consolidation of offices. In addition depreciation expense is lower due to the retirement of certain assets at the end of 2008.

Fees to Related Parties

Fees to related parties decreased by $0.2 million, or 6.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due lower back office costs in Cantor leading to lower cost allocations to us in the three months ended June 30, 2009.

Professional and Consulting Fees

Professional and consulting fees decreased by $4.5 million, or 38.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in consulting and temporary staff for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and was in part due to the Company replacing outside vendors and consultants with full-time employees.

Communications

Communications expense decreased by $1.4 million, or 8.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, communications remained relatively unchanged at approximately 5.5% across the two periods.

Selling and Promotion

Selling and promotion expense decreased by $2.3 million, or 15.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, selling and promotion expense remained relatively unchanged across the two periods. The decrease was primarily the result of lower travel and entertainment expenses incurred in the three months ended June 30, 2009.

Commissions and Floor Brokerage

Commissions and floor brokerage expense decreased by $2.1 million, or 34.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to a reduction in the market for structured products leading to lower commissions paid to brokers.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $1.1 million, or 30.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a more favorable interest rates environment in 2009.

 

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Other Expenses

Other expenses increased by $7.6 million, or 224.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher foreign currency revaluation expense in the three months ended June 30, 2009 and the write back of reserves in the three months ended June 30, 2008.

Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries decreased by $4.8 million, or 42.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was due to a decrease of $3.8 million in income attributable to Cantor’s interest in BGC Holdings as well as a $1.0 million decrease in the income attributable to Cantor’s interest in Tower Bridge.

The decrease attributable to Cantor’s interest in BGC Holdings is due to a reduction in net income allocable to fully diluted shares as well as a reduction in Cantor’s pro rata economic ownership in 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes.

Provision for income taxes decreased by $1.8 million, or 20.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Income taxes decreased due the reduction in taxable income in the three months ended June 30, 2009. Our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2008

Revenues

Brokerage Revenues

Total brokerage revenues decreased by $50.2 million, or 8.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. Commission revenues decreased by $130.0 million, or 27.9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. Principal transactions revenues increased by $79.7 million, or 67.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008.

The decrease in rates revenues of $45.2 million was primarily driven by a reduction in industry-wide market turnover in interest rate products. For example, during the first six months of 2009, volumes for CME U.S. Treasury futures, CME Eurodollar contracts, and trading by U.S. Federal Reserve primary dealers were down 50.8%, 42.5%, and 39.2%, respectively. In addition, there has been some consolidation amongst major customers, including fixed-fee fully electronic U.S. Treasury customers.

The increase in credit brokerage revenues of $25.8 million was driven primarily by continued expansion of our core credit business across all geographies, as well as our historical strength in broking cash bonds and growth in electronically executed transactions.

Foreign exchange revenues declined by $28.2 million. This was primarily due to volatility in the market place resulting in reduced industry-wide foreign exchange option turnover.

Despite the global slowdown in equity markets, revenues from other asset classes fell by only $2.6 million due to our continued growth in equity products across all geographies.

Fees from Related Parties

Fees from related parties decreased by $11.4 million, or 28.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower fees charged to Cantor for certain administrative and other support services in the first six months of 2009 as a result of lower costs incurred by us to provide those services, partly related to reductions in temporary staff and consulting costs.

Market Data

Market data revenues decreased by $1.8 million, or 16.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in existing customer usage, consolidation among clients, the expiration of certain contracts, lower audit revenues, partially offset by additional business from new clients.

 

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Software Solutions

Software solutions revenues increased by $0.7 million, or 20.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher licensing fees during the second quarter of 2009 including a one-time adjustment.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased by $5.8 million, or 74.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the repayment of intercompany loans by Cantor to us as part of our separation from Cantor in 2008, as well as lower yields on investments of our excess cash in both money markets and reverse repurchase agreements during six months of 2009.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased by $2.8 million, or 794.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily driven by various one-time transactions in 2009, including legal settlements.

Losses on Equity Investments

Losses on equity investments increased by $0.9 million, or 30.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily driven by our share of losses in non-consolidated investments.

Expenses

Compensation and Employee Benefits

Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $95.0 million, or 21.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to non-cash compensation charges of $84.1 million, in the first quarter of 2008, specifically $47.3 million of which was in relation to the redemption of partnership units held by certain executive officers to settle outstanding loan obligations and $36.8 million of which was in relation to the activation of exchangeability of founding partner interests held by certain executives, as part of the separation, which did not recur in 2009. In addition, another factor which led to lower compensation expenses was a decrease in revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008.

These decreases were partially offset by a $4.9 million increase in compensation expense related to certain administrative and other support employees who provide services to us, which we lease from Cantor pursuant to an agreement executed as part of the merger. This compensation expense had been recorded as part of “Fees to related parties” in the first quarter of 2008.

Allocation of Income to Founding/Working Partner Units

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units increased by $1.2 million, or 17.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase is attributable to an increase in net income allocable to fully diluted shares partially offset by a reduction in Founding/Working Partner pro rata economic ownership in 2009.

Allocation of Income to REUs

Allocation of income to REUs increased by $2.7 million, or 1,057.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase is attributable to an increase in net income allocable to fully diluted shares in the amount of $10.9 million and an increase in REUs pro rata economic ownership in 2009. The increase in REU pro rata ownership is due to the impact of the issuance of approximately 21 million REUs over a 15 month period since the merger.

Occupancy and Equipment

Occupancy and equipment expense decreased by $6.2 million, or 10.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower rent expense recognized in our foreign locations primarily resulting from a stronger U.S. dollar during the six months of 2009, as well as a decline in non-capitalizable hardware and software purchases and lower depreciation expense due to the retirement of certain assets at the end of 2008.

Fees to Related Parties

Fees to related parties decreased by $2.4 million, or 25.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to an agreement we entered into in conjunction with the merger, whereby we leased certain administrative and other support employees, who provide services to us, from Cantor. As a result of this agreement, the compensation costs related to these employees, which had been recorded as part of “Fees to related parties” in prior years, is now recorded as part of “Compensation and employee benefits”. In addition, there were lower back office costs in Cantor leading to lower cost allocations to us in the six months ended June 30, 2009

 

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Professional and Consulting Fees

Professional and consulting fees decreased by $12.6 million, or 45.9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred higher legal, audit and consulting fees related to the merger, as well as higher consulting fees related to the upgrade of our regulatory reporting infrastructure to comply with FSA requirements.

Communications

Communications expense decreased by $2.8 million, or 8.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, communications remained relatively unchanged at approximately 5% across the two periods.

Selling and Promotion

Selling and promotion expense decreased by $2.6 million, or 8.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, selling and promotion expense remained relatively unchanged at approximately 5% across the two periods.

Commissions and Floor Brokerage

Commissions and floor brokerage expense decreased by $2.1 million, or 21.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008, primarily due to a reduction in the market for structured products leading to lower commissions paid to brokers.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $6.4 million, or 56.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the debt restructuring as part of our separation from Cantor in 2008, which included the repayment of intercompany loans and the issuance of new senior notes at more favorable interest rates. In addition, the decrease resulted from a more favorable interest rates environment in 2009.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased by $9.0 million, or 93.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher foreign currency revaluation expense in the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the write back of reserves in the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries increased by $0.7 million, or 6.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was due to an increase of $2.9 million in income attributable to Cantor’s interest in BGC Holdings as well as a $2.2 million decrease in the income attributable to Cantor’s interest in Tower Bridge.

The increase attributable to Cantor’s interest in BGC Holdings is due to an increase in net income allocable to fully diluted shares partially offset by a reduction in Cantor’s pro rata economic ownership in 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes decreased by $2.8 million, or 16.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. Income taxes decreased due the reduction in taxable income in the six months ended June 30, 2009. Our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.

 

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Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the indicated periods (in thousands). Results of any period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and may, in certain periods, be affected by seasonal fluctuations in our business.

 

     June 30,
2009
    March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
    September 30,
2008
    June 30,
2008
    March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2007
 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues:

                

Commissions

   $ 164,305      $ 172,280      $ 179,144      $ 225,482      $ 212,541      $ 254,031      $ 217,908      $ 204,233   

Principal transactions

     106,438        91,261        80,614        48,832        66,062        51,896        23,370        70,406   

Fees from related parties

     13,232        14,924        17,205        19,409        18,599        20,913        21,167        13,851   

Market data

     4,402        4,462        3,917        4,842        5,101        5,544        4,741        4,508   

Software solutions

     2,770        1,498        2,134        2,109        1,454        2,083        1,926        2,715   

Interest income

     702        1,312        3,010        1,019        3,931        3,853        3,083        4,873   

Other revenues

     2,139        320        1,545        1,085        (940     586        36        (1,208

Losses on equity investments

     (1,852     (2,143     (2,087     (1,910     (1,276     (1,796     (408     (262
                                                                

Total revenues

     292,136        283,914        285,482        300,868        305,472        337,110        271,823        299,116   

Expenses:

                

Compensation and employee benefits

     180,591        175,837        190,208        177,739        176,921        274,545        162,595        168,592   

Allocation of income to founding/working partner units

     4,125        4,227        —          3,716        7,133        —          —          —     

Allocation of income to REUs

     2,065        852        —          299        252        —          —          —     
                                                                

Total compensation and employee benefits

     186,781        180,916        190,208        181,754        184,306        274,545        162,595        168,592   

Occupancy and equipment

     27,522        25,824        26,723        25,686        28,775        30,722        27,696        28,957   

Fees to related parties

     2,929        4,335        2,731        2,883        3,140        6,540        10,778        10,145   

Professional and consulting fees

     7,305        7,484        9,207        15,460        11,803        15,546        22,820        17,558   

Communications

     15,646        15,324        15,696        17,459        17,041        16,720        15,972        14,295   

Selling and promotion

     12,751        15,004        15,520        16,262        15,070        15,235        15,183        13,737   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     4,075        3,675        11,284        3,418        6,185        3,713        290        7,213   

Interest expense

     2,512        2,397        5,442        2,217        3,628        7,663        11,730        2,354   

Other expenses

     10,990        7,630        9,347        17,603        3,391        6,235        9,204        21,522   
                                                                

Total expenses

     270,511        262,589        286,158        282,742        273,339        376,919        276,268        284,373   

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     21,625        21,325        (676     18,126        32,133        (39,809     (4,445     14,743   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     6,944        7,031        (1,440     4,762        8,723        8,070        5,786        3,899   
                                                                

Consolidated net income (loss)

     14,681        14,294        764        13,364        23,410        (47,879     (10,231     10,844   
                                                                

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

     6,613        6,214        777        6,511        11,426        654        928        375   
                                                                

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ 8,068      $ 8,080      $ (13   $ 6,853      $ 11,984      $ (48,533   $ (11,159   $ 10,469   
                                                                

 

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The tables below detail our brokerage revenues by product category (in thousands):

 

     For the three months ended  
     June 30,
2009
    March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
    September 30,
2008
    June 30,
2008
    March 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
    September 30,
2007
 

Brokerage revenue by product (actual results):

                

Rates

   $ 126,767      $ 123,556      $ 116,392      $ 142,162      $ 143,100      $ 152,450      $ 117,844      $ 162,375   

Credit

     90,768        91,334        83,258        67,923        69,114        87,193        63,439        57,963   

Foreign exchange

     20,963        22,349        30,910        38,434        34,048        37,466        34,417        36,132   

Other asset classes

     32,245        26,302        29,198        25,795        32,341        28,818        25,578        18,169   
                                                                

Total brokerage revenues

   $ 270,743      $ 263,541      $ 259,758      $ 274,314      $ 278,603      $ 305,927      $ 241,278      $ 274,639   
                                                                

Brokerage revenue by product (percentage):

                

Rates

     46.8     46.9     44.8     51.8     51.4     49.8     48.8     59.1

Credit

     33.5        34.6        32.0        24.8        24.8        28.5        26.3        21.1   

Foreign exchange

     7.8        8.5        12.0        14.0        12.2        12.2        14.3        13.2   

Other asset classes

     11.9        10.0        11.2        9.4        11.6        9.5        10.6        6.6   
                                                                

Total brokerage revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
                                                                

Brokerage revenue by voice/hybrid and fully electronic (actual results):

                

Voice/hybrid

   $ 252,918      $ 248,413      $ 244,298      $ 255,143      $ 262,195      $ 289,862      $ 217,839      $ 252,294   

Fully electronic

     17,825        15,128        15,460        19,171        16,408        16,065        23,439        22,345   
                                                                

Total brokerage revenues

   $ 270,743      $ 263,541      $ 259,758      $ 274,314      $ 278,603      $ 305,927      $ 241,278      $ 274,639   
                                                                

Brokerage revenue by voice/hybrid and fully electronic (percentage):

                

Voice/hybrid

     93.4     94.3     94.0     93.0     94.1     94.7     90.3     91.9

Fully electronic

     6.6        5.7        6.0        7.0        5.9        5.3        9.7        8.1   
                                                                

Total brokerage revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
                                                                

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $85.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $46.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $39.1 million. This increase was primarily due to decreased working capital utilization of $14.3 million and increased consolidated net income of $53.4 million. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to a one-time non-cash compensation charge in the amount of $84.1 million in the six months ending June 30, 2008. Working capital utilization, excluding the one-time non-cash compensation charge, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased by $69.8 million from the six months ended June 30, 2008. This increase was due to a reduction in cash utilized in the financing of pending settlements.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $95.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $86.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $8.7 million. This increase was primarily due to reduced purchases of fixed assets in the six months ended June 30, 2009. Additionally, we acquired Liquidez in the six months ended June 30, 2009 for $5.1 million, net of cash acquired and we acquired Radix in the six months ended June 30, 2008 for $5.0 million.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities was $35.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to net used in financing activities of $104.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $69.5 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the net cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of activities related to the separation from Cantor that occurred on March 31, 2008, including the settlement of $196.8 million of long-term debt obligations to Cantor, capital contributions from Cantor of $130.0 million, and the assumption of $150.0 million of Cantor’s senior notes. Additionally we received $77.2 million in proceeds, net of underwriting fees, from a primary offering of Class A common stock. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the net cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of repurchases of Class A Common Stock in the amount of $7.9 million, earnings distributions to founding/working partner units, REUs and Cantor of $17.1 million and paid dividends of $10.4 million.

Notes Payable

On March 31, 2008, we entered into a note purchase agreement pursuant to which $150.0 million principal amount of notes were issued to the investors named in the note purchase agreement. The notes are due April 1, 2010, with interest payable semiannually at the rate of 5.19% per annum; provided, however, that this rate is increased by 0.25% per annum for any fiscal quarter during which our consolidated debt exceeds 55% but not 60% of our consolidated capitalization, as such terms are defined in the Company guaranty. In addition, the interest rate increases by 0.50% per annum during any period in which any holder of a note is required under applicable insurance regulations to post reserves with respect to the notes greater than the reserve requirement, as such term is defined in the note purchase agreement, in effect immediately prior to March 31, 2008. Under the terms of the guaranty, we are required to maintain consolidated capital of at least $227.5 million as of the end of each fiscal quarter and cannot permit our consolidated debt to exceed 60% of our consolidated capitalization. Also, pursuant to the separation agreement, we will make semi-annual payments to Cantor during the term of the notes equal to the difference between 7.5% and the applicable interest rate of the notes.

Clearing Capital

Following the merger, Cantor has continued to clear U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency securities transactions on our behalf. In November 2008, we entered into a clearing capital agreement with Cantor. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, so long as Cantor is providing Clearing Services to us, Cantor shall be entitled to request from us, and we shall post as soon as practicable, cash or other property acceptable to Cantor in the amount reasonably requested by Cantor under the clearing capital agreement.

We intend to continue this relationship with Cantor. Accordingly, we expect that Cantor will continue to post clearing capital on our behalf and we will either post clearing capital with Cantor as requested under the clearing capital agreement or continue to invest our excess via reverse repurchase agreements or in other overnight investments. In the absence of such an arrangement, we may be required to raise additional capital, borrow funds or take other action to meet the capital requirements in connection with the clearing of our transactions. The increased capital requirements required in connection with the clearing of our securities transactions could have a material adverse impact on our ability to make distributions, repurchase our stock or affect strategic acquisitions or other opportunities. However, we believe that the agreement with Cantor, or, in the alternative, a clearing agreement with an additional third-party clearing agent, will not preclude us from meeting our cash needs in the near term.

Regulatory Requirements

Our liquidity and available cash resources are restricted by regulatory requirements of our operating subsidiaries. Many of these regulators, including U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies and self-regulatory organizations, as well as state securities commissions in the United States, are empowered to conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fine, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer. In addition, self-regulatory organizations such as the FINRA and the NFA along with statutory bodies such as the FSA and the SEC require strict compliance with their rules and regulations. The requirements imposed by regulators are designed to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect customers and other third parties who deal with broker-dealers and are not designed to specifically protect stockholders. These regulations often serve to limit our activities, including through net capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements.

As of June 30, 2009, $312.0 million of net assets were held by regulated subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2009, these subsidiaries had aggregate regulatory net capital, as defined, in excess of the aggregate regulatory requirements, as defined, of $212.5 million.

 

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Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of outstanding Class A common stock.

Stock repurchase activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was as follows:

 

     Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

   Total
number
of shares
purchased
   Average price
paid per share
   Total number of
shares purchased
as part of
publicly
announced plans
or programs
   Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plan

January 1, 2009 – March 31, 2009

   3,537,258    $ 1.89    3,537,258    $ 33,629,570

April 1, 2009 – April 30, 2009

   486,701    $ 2.50    486,701    $ 32,412,817

May 1, 2009 – May 31, 2009

   —      $ —      —      $ 32,412,817

June 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009

   —      $ —      —      $ 32,412,817

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company repurchased 4,023,959 shares of its Class A common stock. These repurchases included 2,600,000 shares repurchased from The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at a price of $1.99 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.2 million. A portion of these shares had been donated to The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund by certain founding partners in connection with the 2008 Charity Day.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its Class A common stock.

At June 30, 2009, the Company had approximately $32.4 million remaining from its $100 million buyback authorization and from time to time, the Company may actively continue to repurchase shares.

We anticipate, based on management’s experience and current industry trends, that our existing cash resources, together with the proceeds received by our public offering, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. We expect our operating activities going forward to generate adequate cash flows to fund normal operations, including any dividends issued pursuant to our dividend policy. However, we believe that there are a significant number of capital intensive opportunities for us to maximize our growth and strategic position, including, among other things, acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures potentially involving all types and combinations of equity, debt and acquisition alternatives. As a result, we may need to raise additional funds to:

 

   

increase the regulatory net capital necessary to support operations;

 

   

support continued growth in our business;

 

   

effect acquisitions;

 

   

develop new or enhanced services and markets;

 

   

respond to competitive pressures;

 

   

refinance maturing notes payable; and

 

   

clear our securities transactions.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain additional financing when needed on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all.

Issuance of Shares

As previously reported, on April 1, 2008, in connection with the separation of the businesses of BGC Partners, LLC (the “separation”) and the merger of BGC Partners, LLC and eSpeed, Inc. (the “merger”), the Company issued an aggregate of 133,860,000 shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of the Company and rights to acquire shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of the Company pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As also previously reported, certain of those rights to acquire were issued in the merger to certain former partners of Cantor who became founding partners of BGC Holdings in connection with the separation and now underlie exchangeable Founding Partner Units of BGC Holdings.

On April 21, 2009, the Company issues an aggregate of 491,701 share of its Class A common stock upon exchange of founding partner units issued in connection with the separation and merger. The Company subsequently repurchased 486,701 of these shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.2 million.

On May 7, 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,793,946 shares of Class A common stock of the Company to founding partners of BGC Holdings upon exchange of their exchangeable founding partner units in fulfillment of the rights to acquire such shares issued by the Company to such founding partners on April 1, 2008. This issuance did not change the amount of fully diluted shares outstanding.

 

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As previously reported, in connection with the exchange of the 1,793,946 exchangeable founding partner units, the Company lifted the contractual restrictions on resale of the shares of Class A common stock of the Company issuable upon such exchange. The Company had $32.4 million remaining on its authorized share repurchase program on June 30, 2009 and may actively purchase its shares in the market or in private transactions, including from partners of BGC Holdings, Cantor, and/or their affiliates from time to time. On April 21, 2009, the Company issues an aggregate of 491,701 share of its Class A common stock upon exchange of founding partner units issued in connection with the separation and merger. The Company subsequently repurchased 486,701 of these shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.2 million.

Market Summary

The following table provides certain volume and transaction count information on the eSpeed system for the periods indicated:

 

     2Q 2009    1Q 2009    4Q 2008    3Q 2008    2Q 2008    1Q 2008

Volume (in billions)

                 

Fully Electronic Volume—Excluding New Products (1)

   $ 9,705    $ 7,846    $ 6,376    $ 12,308    $ 13,062    $ 14,525

Fully Electronic Volume—New Products (2)

     79      60      72      104      35      35
                                         

Total Fully Electronic Volume

     9,784      7,906      6,448      12,412      13,097      14,560
                                         

Total Hybrid Volume (3)

     18,637      19,914      18,724      22,506      21,966      21,983
                                         

Total Fully Electronic and Hybrid Volume

   $ 28,421    $ 27,820    $ 25,172    $ 34,918    $ 35,063    $ 36,543
                                         

Transaction Count (in thousands, except for days)

                 

Fully Electronic Transactions—Excluding New Products (1)

     3,623      2,823      2,618      4,112      3,860      4,112

Fully Electronic Transactions—New Products (2)

     3      2      2      4      1      2
                                         

Total Fully Electronic Transactions

     3,626      2,825      2,620      4,116      3,861      4,114
                                         

Total Hybrid Transactions

     337      301      258      320      341      368
                                         

Total Transactions

     3,963      3,126      2,878      4,436      4,202      4,482
                                         

Trading Days

     63      61      62      64      64      61

 

(1) Defined as U.S. Treasuries, Canadian Sovereigns and European Government Bonds, Repos, Foreign Exchange Spot and Futures. CBOT Futures volume calculated based on per contract notional value of $200,000.
(2) New products are defined as Foreign Exchange Options, Credit Default Swaps, and Interest Rate Swaps.
(3) Defined as notional volume from hybrid transactions conducted by BGC brokers using the eSpeed system, exclusive of voice-only transactions.

Reported volumes and transaction counts include transactions by our brokers that participate in certain of our marketplaces by posting quotations for their accounts and by acting as principal on trades. While the principal participation may vary widely from product to product and may be significant for any given product or period, in no case does the principal participation by our brokers exceed 10% of any of the reported volume or transaction counts, except as otherwise noted. Such activity is intended, among other things, to assist our brokers in managing their proprietary positions, and to facilitate transactions, add liquidity, increase commissions and attract additional order flow to the eSpeed system.

 

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Quarterly Market Activity

Fully electronic volume on the eSpeed system, excluding new products, was $17.6 trillion for the six months ended June 30, 2009, down 36.4% from $27.6 trillion for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Fully electronic volume on the eSpeed system, including new products, was $17.7 trillion for the six months ended June 30, 2009, down 36.0% from $27.7 trillion for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Our hybrid volume in the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $38.6 trillion, a decrease of 12.2% from $43.9 trillion in the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations at June 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Total    Less than 1
year
   1-3 years    3-5 years    More than 5
years

Operating leases (1)

   $ 182,858    $ 20,827    $ 37,804    $ 35,973    $ 88,254

Notes payable (2)

     150,000      150,000         

Interest on notes payable (2)

     5,839      5,839         

Debt arrangement fee on notes payable (3)

     2,599      2,599         
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 341,296    $ 179,265    $ 37,804    $ 35,973    $ 88,254
                                  

 

(1) Operating leases are related to rental payments under various non-cancelable leases, principally for office space.
(2) Notes Payable reflects the issuance of $150.0 million of Senior Notes in connection with our separation from Cantor. See Note 14, Notes Payable, in BGC Partners’ Inc.’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2009 and 2008 for more information regarding this Notes Payable, including timing of payments and compliance with debt covenants.
(3) See Note 10, Related Party Transactions, in BGC Partners’ Inc.’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2009 and 2008 for more information regarding this debt arrangement fee payable to Cantor.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2009 we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

SFAS No. 160: In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment to ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest of the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 also requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of operations, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 is effective as of January 1, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 160 when they became effective on January 1, 2009.

SFAS No. 161: In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, as amended, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”) and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flow. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. The adoption of SFAS 161 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

SFAS No. 165: In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”). This statement establishes general standards for the disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 sets forth: 1) The period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. 2) The circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in the financial statements and 3) The disclosures that an entity should make about events that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS 165 is effective for interim and annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 20, Subsequent Events for the required disclosures.

 

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FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 142-3: In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP 142-3, Determining the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors to be considered in determining the useful life of intangible assets. Its intent is to improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure such asset’s fair value. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) EITF No. 03-6-1: In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“EITF 03-6-1”), which addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating earnings per share under the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share. EITF 03-6-1 requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividend or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. EITF 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of EITF 03-6-1 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or earnings per share.

EITF No. 07-5: In June 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF 07-5”), which provides guidance about whether an instrument should be classified as equity and not marked to market for accounting purposes. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of EITF 07-5 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

SFAS No. 141(R): In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) replaces SFAS 141, Business Combinations. SFAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements in SFAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. SFAS 141(R) amends the recognition provisions for assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, including those arising from contractual and non-contractual contingencies. SFAS 141(R) also amends the recognition criteria for contingent consideration. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 141(R) when they became effective on January 1, 2009.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

SFAS No. 166: In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“SFAS 166”). The key amendments resulting from SFAS 166 are the removal of the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (QSPE) from Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (“SFAS 140”) and the elimination of the exception for QSPEs from the consolidation guidance of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46(R)”). SFAS 166 also clarifies the unit of account eligible for sale accounting and requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value, all financial assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of an entire financial asset (or group of entire financial assets) accounted for as a sale. In addition SFAS 166 requires enhanced disclosures to provide greater transparency about transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets. SFAS 166 is effective as of January 1, 2010 for calendar year reporting entities. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting SFAS 166 on its consolidated financial statements.

SFAS No. 167: In June 2009 the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 addresses the effects of eliminating the QSPE concept from SFAS 140 and clarifies and amends certain key provisions of FIN 46(R), including the transparency of an enterprise’s involvement with variable interest entities (VIEs). The key changes resulting from SFAS 167 are the requirement of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the requirement of continuous assessments as to whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, amendments to certain guidance in FIN 46(R) related to the determination as to which entities are deemed VIEs, and the amendment of FIN 46(R)’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE. SFAS 167 also requires enhanced disclosures to provide more transparent information regarding an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE. SFAS 167 is effective as of January 1, 2010 for calendar year reporting entities and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting SFAS 167 on its consolidated financial statements.

SFAS No. 168: In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168 establishes the FAS Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles

 

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(GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretative releases of the SEC under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. SFAS 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 168 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one or more market prices, rates, indices or other factors will result in losses for a specified position. In the normal course of business, BGC Partners holds investment securities and equity investments which are recorded as assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. BGC Partners is exposed to the risk that securities prices may fluctuate. BGC Partners enters into transactions to sell securities not yet purchased, which are recorded as liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. BGC Partners is exposed to the risk that potential market price increases may cause the ultimate liability for such commitments to exceed the amount recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. BGC Partners holds derivative contracts and faces potential market risks related to fluctuations in the interest rates, foreign exchange rates and securities prices that these derivative contracts are tied to.

Foreign Currency Risk

BGC Partners is exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency rates create volatility in the U.S. dollar equivalent of revenues and expenses in particular with regard to British Pounds and Euros. In addition changes in the remeasurement of BGC Partners’ foreign currency denominated net assets are recorded as part of its results of operations and fluctuate with changes in foreign currency rates. BGC monitors the net exposure in foreign currencies on a daily basis and hedges it’s exposure as deemed appropriate with highly rated major financial institutions.

Interest Rate Risk

BGC Partners had $150.0 million in fixed-rate debt outstanding as of June 30, 2009. These debt obligations are not currently subject to fluctuations in interest rates, although in the event of refinancing, such debt could be subject to changes in interest rates.

Credit Risk

Credit risk arises from potential non-performance by counterparties and customers. BGC Partners has established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to credit risk. BGC Partners maintains a thorough credit approval process to limit exposure to counterparty risk and employ stringent monitoring to control the market and counterparty risk from its matched principal and agency businesses. BGC Partners’ credit approval process generally includes verification of key financial information and operating data and anti-money laundering verification checks. BGC Partners’ credit review process includes consideration of independent credit agency reports and a visit to the entity’s premises, if necessary. BGC Partners has developed and utilizes an electronic credit monitoring system.

Credit approval is granted subject to certain trading limits and may be subject to additional conditions, such as the receipt of collateral or other credit support. On-going credit monitoring procedures include reviewing current audited financial statements and publicly available information on the client, collecting data from credit rating agencies, where available, and reviewing any changes in ownership, title or capital of the client.

Principal Transaction Risk

Through its subsidiaries, BGC Partners executes matched principal transactions in which it acts as a “middleman” by serving as counterparty to both a buyer and a seller in matching back-to-back trades. These transactions are then settled through a third-party clearing organization. Settlement typically occurs within one to three business days after the trade date. Cash settlement of the transaction occurs upon receipt or delivery of the underlying instrument that was traded. In a limited number of circumstances, BGC Partners may settle a principal transaction on a free-of-payment basis or by physical delivery of the underlying instrument.

The number of matched principal trades BGC Partners executes has continued to grow as compared to prior years. Matched principal trades in the less liquid markets on which BGC Partners focuses are less likely to settle on a timely basis than transactions in more liquid markets. Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing

 

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organizations on BGC Partners’ condensed consolidated statements of financial condition primarily represent the simultaneous purchase and sale of the securities associated with those matched principal transactions that have not settled as of their stated settlement dates. BGC Partners’ experience has been that substantially all of these transactions ultimately settle.

In executing matched principal transactions, BGC Partners is exposed to the risk that one of the counterparties to a transaction may fail to fulfill its obligations, either because it is not matched immediately or, even if matched, one party fails to deliver the cash or securities it is obligated to deliver. BGC Partners’ focus on less liquid and OTC markets, including emerging markets, exacerbates this risk because transactions in these markets are less likely to settle on a timely basis. Adverse movements in the prices of securities that are the subject of these transactions can increase risk. In addition, widespread technological, natural disasters (e.g., tsunamis and earthquakes) or communication failures, such as those which occurred as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the blackout in the eastern portion of the United States in August 2003, or adverse economic conditions can increase risk. Similarly, actual or perceived credit difficulties or the insolvency of one or more large or visible market participants could cause market-wide credit difficulties or other market disruptions such as the events which occurred in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the bankruptcy or consolidation of certain financial institutions and contraction of credit markets. These failures, difficulties or disruptions could result in a large number of market participants not settling transactions or otherwise not performing their obligations.

Transactions executed on a matched principal basis where the instrument has the same or similar characteristics to the counterparty may expose us to correlation risk. In this case, the counterparty’s inability to meet its obligations will also result in the value of the instrument declining. For example, if we were to enter into a transaction to sell to a customer a bond or structured note where the issuer or credit support provider was such customer’s affiliate, the value of the instrument would decline in value in tandem with the default. This correlation has the effect of magnifying the credit loss.

BGC Partners is subject to financing risk in these circumstances because if a transaction does not settle on a timely basis, the resulting unmatched position may need to be financed, either directly by BGC Partners or through one of its clearing organizations, at BGC Partners’ expense. These charges may be recoverable from the failing counterparty, but sometimes are not. Finally, in instances where the unmatched position or failure to deliver is prolonged or widespread due to rapid or widespread declines in liquidity for an instrument, there may also be regulatory capital charges required to be taken by BGC Partners, which depending on their size and duration, could limit its business flexibility or even force the curtailment of those portions of its business requiring higher levels of capital. Credit or settlement losses of this nature could adversely affect its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In the process of executing matched principal transactions, miscommunications and other errors by BGC Partners’ clients or BGC Partners can arise whereby a transaction is not completed with one or more counterparties to the transaction, leaving BGC Partners with either a long or short unmatched position. These unmatched positions are referred to as “out trades,” and they create a potential liability for BGC Partners. If an out trade is promptly discovered and there is a prompt disposition of the unmatched position, the risk to BGC Partners is usually limited. If the discovery of an out trade is delayed, the risk is heightened by the increased possibility of intervening market movements prior to disposition. Although out trades usually become known at the time of, or later on the day of, the trade, it is possible that they may not be discovered until later in the settlement process. When out trades are discovered, BGC Partners’ policy is to have the unmatched position disposed of promptly, whether or not this disposition would result in a loss to BGC Partners. The occurrence of out trades generally rises with increases in the volatility of the market and, depending on their number and amount, such out trades have the potential to have a material adverse effect on BGC Partners’ consolidated financial condition and results of operations. In addition, financial fraud, unauthorized trading activity, or similar incidents, particularly if undiscovered over a long period of time, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In addition, liability for unmatched principal transactions could adversely affect BGC Partners’ consolidated financial condition and results of operations. BGC Partners allows certain of its desks to enter into unmatched principal transactions in the ordinary course of business, primarily for the purpose of facilitating clients’ execution needs, adding liquidity to a market or attracting additional order flow. As a result, BGC Partners has market risk exposure on these unmatched principal transactions. BGC Partners’ exposure varies based on the size of its overall positions, the terms of the instruments brokered and the amount of time the positions are held before they are disposed of. BGC Partners does not track its exposure to unmatched positions on an intra-day basis; however, it attempts to mitigate its market risk on these positions by hedging its exposure. These unmatched positions are intended to be held short term. However, due to a number of factors, including the nature of the position and access to the market on which it trades, BGC Partners may not be able to match the position and it may be forced to hold the position overnight or, on occasion, for longer periods. To the extent these unmatched positions are not disposed of intra-day, BGC Partners marks these positions to market.

On a limited basis, our desks enter into unmatched principal transactions in the ordinary course of business due to errors or to facilitate transactions, add liquidity, improve customer satisfaction, increase revenue opportunities, attract additional order flow and, in a limited number of instances and subject to risk management limits, for the purpose of proprietary trading. As a result, we have market risk exposure on these unmatched principal transactions. Our exposure varies based on the size of the overall positions, the terms and liquidity of the instruments brokered and the amount of time the positions are held before we dispose of the position. This exposure may be enhanced in the event of fraud, unauthorized trading or similar incidents.

Adverse movements in the securities underlying these positions or a downturn or disruption in the markets for these positions could result in a substantial loss. In addition, principal gains and losses resulting from these positions could on occasion have a disproportionate effect, positive or negative, on BGC Partners’ consolidated financial condition and results of operations for any particular reporting period.

BGC Partners also attempts to mitigate the risks associated with principal transactions through its credit approval and credit monitoring processes. BGC Partners maintains a credit approval process as described above under the discussion of “Credit Risk” as a means of mitigating exposure to counterparty risk. In addition, BGC Partners’ credit risk department regularly monitors concentration of market risk to financial instruments, countries or counterparties and regularly monitors trades that have not settled within prescribed settlement periods or volume thresholds. BGC Partners has developed and utilizes an electronic risk monitoring system, which provides management with twice daily credit reports that analyze credit concentration.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(d) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2009 the Company’s management identified a material weakness in its internal controls related to four unauthorized trades and failure to submit confirmations in one of our foreign offices. We have determined that we lacked certain controls with respect to the activities of the broker and that the operational and risk management controls in place to monitor the broker’s activities were not properly performed in this instance and therefore were not effective with respect to this event. Performance of secondary controls resulted in the identification of these trades, which management believes was an isolated occurrence. We are in the process of implementing the following control enhancements to remediate this weakness: improving management oversight controls to enable increased awareness of unauthorized or unmatched activity; increased controls around monitoring and recording of client instructions and settlements; automated procedures for pre and post trade matching and trade confirmation processes; implementing a process to ensure that all pre and post trade date reconciliation procedures are being properly performed and reviewed; and improved management reporting regarding compliance and risk monitoring and P&L.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of such internal control that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, with the exception of the initiatives aimed at addressing the material weakness that was identified during the second quarter of 2009 for BGC Partners, Inc. and described above.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Legal Matters in Note 16 “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Report on Form 10-Q.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Other than as disclosed below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2008 annual report on Form 10-K and Item 1A of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2008 annual report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of our quarterly report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

 

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Risks Related to Our Business

We face strong competition from brokerages, broker-dealers, financial services firms and exchanges, many of which have greater market presence, marketing capabilities and technological and personnel resources than we have, which could lead to pricing pressures that could adversely impact our revenues and as a result could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The brokerage and financial services industries are intensely competitive, and are expected to remain so. We primarily compete with four major, diversified inter-dealer brokers and financial intermediaries. These inter-dealer brokers are ICAP plc, Tullett Prebon plc, GFI Group Inc. and Compagnie Financière Tradition (which is majority owned by Viel & Cie), all of which are currently publicly traded companies. Other inter-dealer broker and financial intermediary competitors include a number of smaller, private firms that tend to specialize in specific product areas or geographies. We also compete with companies that provide alternative products, such as contracts traded on futures exchanges, and trading processes, such as the direct dealer-to-dealer market for government securities and stock exchange markets for corporate equities and other securities. We increasingly compete with exchanges for the execution of trades in certain products, mainly in derivatives such as futures, options and options on futures. Certain exchanges have made and will likely continue to make attempts to move certain OTC-traded products to exchange-based execution. Some of our competitors have greater market presence, marketing capabilities and financial, technological and personnel resources than we have and, as a result, our competitors may be able to:

 

   

develop and expand their network infrastructures and service offerings more efficiently or more quickly than we can;

 

   

adapt more swiftly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements;

 

   

identify and consummate acquisitions and other opportunities more effectively than we can;

 

   

hire our brokers and other key employees;

 

   

devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products and services;

 

   

more effectively leverage existing relationships with customers and strategic partners or exploit more recognized brand names to market and sell their services;

 

   

provide a lower cost structure and lower commissions;

 

   

provide access to trading in products or a range of products that at any particular time we do not offer; and

 

   

develop services similar to our new services that are preferred by our customers.

In addition, new competitors may emerge and entire product lines may be threatened by new technologies or market trends that reduce the value of our existing product lines. If we are not able to compete successfully in the future, our revenues could be adversely impacted and as a result our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Competition for brokerage transactions also has resulted in substantial commission discounting by brokers that compete with us for our brokerage business. Further discounting could adversely impact our revenues and margins and as a result could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The market for hiring brokers of various securities and financial products is also highly competitive and, from time to time, may result in litigation and/or arbitration.

 

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Our operations also include the sale of pricing and transactional information produced by our brokerage operations to securities information processors and/or vendors. There is a high degree of competition in pricing and transaction reporting products and services, and such businesses may become more competitive in the future. Competitors and customers of our brokerage businesses have together and individually offered market information services in competition with those offered and expected to be offered by us. See also “Risk Factors—Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by new regulations or by changes in other regulations or the application thereof.”

 

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Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by new regulations or by changes in other regulations or the application thereof.

The financial services industry, in general, is heavily regulated. Proposals for legislation further regulating the financial services industry are continually being introduced in the United States Congress and in state legislatures. The agencies regulating the financial services industry also periodically adopt changes to their regulations. In light of current conditions in the U.S. and global financial markets and economy, regulators have increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. We are unable to predict whether any of these proposals will be implemented or in what form, or whether any additional or similar changes to statutes or regulations, including the interpretation or implementation thereof, will occur in the future. Any such action could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are also affected by the policies adopted by regulatory authorities and bodies of the United States and other governments. For example, the actions of the Federal Reserve and international central banking authorities directly impact our cost of funds for lending, capital raising and investment activities and may impact the value of financial instruments we hold. In addition, such changes in monetary policy may affect the credit quality of our customers. Changes in domestic and international monetary policy are beyond our control and difficult to predict.

Additionally, recent events in the over the counter derivatives markets have led to numerous calls by the U.S. Executive Branch, E.U. and other countries’ officials, legislators and regulators for increased oversight and possible regulation of the OTC markets. In particular, portions of the credit default swap market, among other derivative markets, may be required to be centrally cleared. While the situation is dynamic, the U.S. Executive Branch White Paper contemplates legislation requiring trading through an exchange or an electronic platform. In the event that the U.S. government, E.U. or other countries’ authorities ultimately were to mandate central clearing or exchange trading for large portions of the OTC markets and we were unable to arrange for the execution of transactions for us and for our customers through those required forums, or to do so on a competitive basis, our business would be negatively impacted.

 

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The industry in which we operate is subject to significant regulation and as a result we are subject to regulatory capital requirements on our regulated entities, and a significant operating loss or any extraordinary charge against capital could adversely affect our ability to expand or, depending upon the magnitude of the loss or charge, even to maintain the current level of our business.

Many aspects of our business, like those of other financial intermediary firms, are subject to significant capital requirements. In the United States, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which we refer to as “FINRA,” and various other regulatory bodies (including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which we refer to as the “CFTC,” and the National Futures Association, which we refer to as the “NFA,”) have stringent provisions with respect to capital applicable to the operation of brokerage firms, which vary depending upon the nature and extent of the broker- dealer’s activities. We currently operate two U.S.-registered broker-dealers. In addition, we hold a 49% limited partnership interest in Aqua Securities, L.P., which we refer to as “Aqua,” a U.S. registered broker-dealer. These broker-dealers are each subject to SEC and FINRA net capital requirements.

Our international operations are also subject to capital requirements, which we refer to as “non-U.S. net capital requirements.” Certain of our subsidiaries that are incorporated in the United Kingdom are subject to capital requirements established by the U.K. Financial Services Authority, which we refer to as the “FSA.” The FSA also applies stringent provisions with respect to capital applicable to the operation of these brokerage firms, which vary depending upon the nature and extent of their activities. The provisions relating to capital requirements enforced by the FSA are likely to change with the implementation of the FSA’s response to the Turner Review (A regulatory response to the global banking crisis) and our U.K. subsidiaries will be required to adhere to these changes. The UK group will also need to adhere to new liquidity provisions that may impact the ability to transfer cash assets to other group members. In addition, the majority of our other foreign subsidiaries are subject to similar regulation by the relevant authorities in the countries in which they do business. These regulations often include minimum capital requirements which are subject to change. Similar requirements are applied to certain of our other subsidiaries which are regulated in other countries such as Australia, France and Hong Kong.

While we expect to continue to maintain levels of capital in excess of regulatory minimums, there can be no assurance that this will be the case in the future. If we fail to maintain the required capital, we will be required to suspend our broker-dealer operations during the period that we are not in compliance with capital requirements, and may be subject to suspension or revocation of registration by the SEC and FINRA or withdrawal of authorization or other disciplinary action from domestic and international regulators, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, if we fail to maintain the capital required by clearing organizations of which we are a member, our ability to clear through those clearing organizations may be impaired, which may adversely affect our ability to process trades. If the capital rules are changed or expanded, or if there is an unusually large charge against capital, operations that require the intensive use of capital would be limited. Our ability to withdraw capital from our regulated subsidiaries is subject to restrictions, which, in turn, could limit our ability to pay dividends, repay debt and redeem or repurchase shares of our common stock or purchase BGC Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in our subsidiaries, including from Cantor or our executive officers. In addition, we may become subject to capital requirements in other foreign jurisdictions in which we currently operate or in which we may enter. We cannot predict our future capital needs or our ability to obtain additional financing.

Extensive regulation of our businesses limits our activities and results in ongoing exposure to the potential for significant penalties, including fines or limitations on our ability to conduct our businesses.

Firms in the financial services industry, including our businesses, have experienced increased scrutiny in recent years and penalties and fines sought by regulatory authorities, including the SEC, FINRA, state securities commissions, state attorneys general and the FSA, have increased accordingly. This regulatory and enforcement environment may create uncertainty.

The financial services industry, including our business, is subject to extensive regulation. Our subsidiaries are subject to regulation by governmental and self-regulatory organizations in the jurisdictions in which we operate around the world. Many of these regulators, including U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies and self-regulatory organizations, as well as state securities commissions in the United States, are empowered to conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fine, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or suspension or expulsion. From time to time, “associated persons” of our company have been and are subject to periodic investigations that have and may result in disciplinary actions by the SEC, self-regulatory organizations and state securities administrators. Currently, we and certain other inter-dealer brokers are being investigated by the SEC with respect to trading practices. In addition, the latest FSA annual risk assessment of the BGC Partners group’s regulated entities identified certain weaknesses in the BGC Partners group’s risk and control functionality, including governance procedures. Self-regulatory organizations such as FINRA and the NFA, along with statutory bodies such as the SEC and the FSA, require strict compliance with their rules and regulations. The requirements imposed by regulators are designed to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect customers and other third parties who deal with us and are not designed to protect our stockholders. These regulations will often serve to limit our activities, including through capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements.

 

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Changes in legislation and in the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the CFTC, the U.S. Department of Treasury, which we refer to as the “Treasury,” the FSA and other domestic and international regulators and self-regulatory organizations, as well as changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules, often directly affect the method of operation and profitability of broker-dealers and could result in restrictions in the way we conduct our business. For example, the U.S. Congress, the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the SEC are continuing to review the nature and scope of their regulation and oversight of the government securities markets and U.S. markets. In Europe, the implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive in Europe, which we refer to as the “MIFID,” in November 2007 involved wide-ranging changes to European financial services regulation. Future legislation and/or regulation, and uncertainties resulting from the possibility of legislation and/or regulation, could adversely impact our business. Failure to comply with any of these laws, rules or regulations could result in fines, limitations on business activity, suspension or expulsion from the industry, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon us. Further, new rules and regulations proposed, or which may be proposed, by the new U.S. president and his administration could have a significant impact on our business. See also “Risk Factors—Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by new regulations or by changes in other regulations or the application thereof.”

In addition, financial intermediary firms are subject to numerous conflicts of interests or perceived conflicts, including for example principal trading and trading to make markets. We have adopted various policies, controls and procedures to address or limit actual or perceived conflicts and we will regularly seek to review and update our policies, controls and procedures. However, these policies, controls and procedures may result in increased costs and additional operational personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies, controls and procedures may result in regulatory sanctions or customer litigation.

Our activities are subject to credit and performance risks, which could result in us incurring significant losses and as a result could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our activities are subject to credit and performance risks. For example, our customers may not deliver securities to one of our operating subsidiaries which has sold those securities to another customer. If the securities due to be delivered have increased in value, there is a risk that we may have to expend our own funds in connection with the purchase of other securities to consummate the transaction. While we will take steps to ensure that our customers and counterparties have high credit standings and that financing transactions are adequately collateralized, the large dollar amounts that may be involved in our broker-dealer and financing transactions could subject us to significant losses if, as a result of customer or counterparty failures to meet commitments, we were to incur significant losses in liquidating or covering our positions in the open market.

We have adopted policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage credit risk, in both agency and principal transactions, through reporting and control procedures and by monitoring credit standards applicable to our customers or counterparties. These policies and procedures, however, may not be fully effective, particularly against fraud, unauthorized trading and similar incidents. Some of these risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters that are publicly available or otherwise accessible by us. That information may not, in all cases, be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. If our policies and procedures are not fully effective or we are not always successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are, or may be, exposed, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, our insurance policies will not provide coverage for these risks.

In agency transactions, we charge a commission for connecting buyers and sellers and assisting in the negotiation of the price and other material terms of the transaction. After all material terms of a transaction are agreed upon, we identify the buyer and seller to each other and leave them to settle the trade directly. We are exposed to credit risk for commissions, as we bill customers for our agency brokerage services. Our customers may default on their obligations to us due to disputes, bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. Any losses arising from such defaults could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Financial problems experienced by third parties could affect the markets in which we provide brokerage services. In addition, a disruption in the credit derivative market could affect our revenues.

Problems experienced by third parties could also affect the markets in which we provide financial intermediary services. For example, in recent years, hedge funds have increasingly begun to make use of credit and other derivatives as part of their trading strategies. As a result, an increasing percentage of our business, directly or indirectly, results from trading activity by hedge funds. Hedge funds typically employ a significant amount of leverage to achieve their results and, in the past, certain hedge funds have had difficulty managing this leverage, which has resulted in market-wide disruptions. If one or more hedge funds that is a significant participant in a derivatives market experienced similar problems in the future, including as a result of the recent volatility in this market, the volumes in that market could be adversely affected and, accordingly, our brokerage revenues from that market could decrease.

In addition, recent reports in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested weaknesses in the way credit derivatives are assigned by participants in the credit derivative markets. Such reports expressed concern that, due to the size of the credit derivative market, the volume of assignments and the suggested weaknesses in the assignment process, one or more significant defaults by corporate issuers of debt could lead to a market-wide disruption or result in the bankruptcy or operational failure of hedge funds or other market participants. If the credit derivative markets experience a market disruption or if there was real or perceived lack of confidence that the credit derivative markets could orderly process one or more significant defaults of corporate issuers of debt, the use of credit derivatives by our customers could be reduced, leading to lower volumes and, accordingly, our brokerage revenues in that market could decrease.

Decline in the financial markets has also led to the exposure of several cases of financial fraud. If we were to have trading activity on an agency or principal basis with an entity engaged in defrauding investor or counterparties, we could bear the risk that the counterparty would not have the financial resources to meet their obligations, resulting in a credit loss. Similarly, we may engage in financial transactions with third parties that have been victims of financial fraud which may not have the financial resources to meet obligations to us.

We have market risk exposure from unmatched principal transactions entered into by some of our desks, which could result in losses and have a disproportionate effect on our revenues, financial condition and results of operations for any particular reporting period. In addition, financial fraud or unauthorized trading activity could also impact our revenues, financial condition or results of operations.

On a limited basis, our desks enter into unmatched principal transactions in the ordinary course of business to facilitate transactions, add liquidity, improve customer satisfaction, increase revenue opportunities, attract additional order flow or in certain instances as the result of an error and, in a limited number of instances and subject to risk management limits, for the purpose of proprietary trading. As a result, we have market risk exposure on these unmatched principal transactions. Our exposure varies based on the size of the overall positions, the terms and liquidity of the instruments brokered and the amount of time the positions are held before we dispose of the position. This exposure could be more significant in the event that any unauthorized trading activity, financial fraud or similar incidents were to occur.

From a risk management perspective, we monitor risk on an end-of-day basis and desk managers generally monitor such exposure on a continuous basis. Any unmatched positions are intended to be disposed of in the short-term. However, due to a number of factors, including the nature of the position and access to the market on which we trade, we may not be able to match the position or effectively hedge its exposure and often may be forced to hold a position overnight that has not been hedged. To the extent these unmatched positions are not disposed of intra-day, we mark these positions to market. Adverse movements in the securities underlying these positions or a downturn or disruption in the markets for these positions could result in a loss. In the event of any unauthorized trading activity or financial fraud that is not detected by management or our auditors, it is possible that these unmatched positions could be